Taneka Mackey (ne Sandiford), 26, is the first Bahamian woman caddie on the LPGA Tour. Since 2017, Mackey has caddied for LPGA Tour player Amy Olson. After suffering a seizure in November 2018, Mackey was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite her diagnosis, Mackey returned to Olson's bag in 2019 and remains the only Black woman caddie on the tour full time. In her own words, Mackey details her journey to the LPGA Tour and explains why she might be the first but certainly won't be the last.

Growing up in Nassau, Bahamas, I heard other kids, and even adults joke about how I was playing a white person's sport or a rich person's sport. That wasn't my reality. My parents provided me what I needed to play a sport that I was good at. I shrugged it off and kept playing.

It didn't even occur to me that maybe I wasn't supposed to be playing this sport because of my skin color or my family's economic status. All I knew was that I had a special power behind my swing. That was apparent whether or not I had the trendiest golf clothes on or advanced equipment in my bag.

When I started playing golf at the age of 10, I liked the idea of playing a new sport and trying something different. I rented a set of golf clubs for $25. The man that rented me the set told me, "You can keep them as long as you want, and whenever you return it, we will give you back $15."

Until the age of 16, I played with those rental clubs. My parents, Juan and Kristine, paid approximately $100 each year to allow me access to a local course. The only thing that I bought for the first few years were some golf shorts, shoes and gloves. The first time I bought golf clubs, I was a senior in high school. The local driving range pro said I needed better clubs and offered me a set for $150.

I never took golf lessons. I didn't even realize that I could take golf lessons, though golf pros taught lessons at the local course. The first few years of playing, my "instructor" was actually a soccer coach who had a passion and heart for the game. And beyond that, I got help from other junior golfers and volunteers with the Bahamas Golf Federation. I thought this was normal. I didn't know any different.

When it came to sports, my parents gave my brothers, Terrell and Garrett, and me everything we needed to succeed. We didn't have fancy clothes. We didn't have new electronics. We didn't have cool gadgets. But when it came to our athletics and education, we had everything we needed.

Throughout my childhood, my family struggled financially. My parents opened an early education school in Nassau and poured everything into making it successful. For the first six years of my life, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment. Then, we moved to the school, where we had two bedrooms that we lived in, two rooms for the five of us. It wasn't until I became an adult that I realized that no matter how much we might have been struggling, my parents did everything they could to allow my brothers and me the opportunity to play sports. And not just play the sports but succeed in them.

When I was little, I loved swimming. But then, I started playing basketball. And it became my everything. I followed in my oldest brother Terrell's footsteps. When he picked up a basketball, I picked up a basketball. I didn't just try to keep up with him. I tried to be better than him. He's two years older than me, but that didn't stop me. I would dedicate countless hours every day after school to my game. I dreamed of maybe one day becoming a professional basketball player.

For years, basketball remained my everything. I never thought that another sport would trump basketball. Even when I first started playing golf, I still felt that basketball was my No. 1.

Initially, Terrell and I played golf because my mom read in the local Nassau newspaper that the Bahamas Golf Federation was trying to get more kids into the sport. We thought, "Sure, whatever. Why not?" It was mostly the boys and me, but I was OK with that. I liked trying something new and keeping up with my brother. After six months of learning how to play the game, when I was 11, I made the Bahamas national team. It didn't take long before my attitude towards the sport started to change. I realized that this sport might provide me the opportunity to do more than I could have ever imagined.

Within the first few years of playing as a junior on the national team, I traveled to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Though I was still playing basketball, I started to take golf more seriously. By my senior year of high school, I needed to decide if I was going to pursue a career in basketball or golf.

It wasn't easy. While on the Pensacola Christian College women's basketball team in Florida, I continued to play golf and compete in local tournaments. It didn't take long before the question was raised, "Why isn't Taneka playing golf?" I was good at basketball, but I was even better at golf. After receiving a scholarship, I transferred to Redlands Community College. I competed on the golf team for two years before joining the Chicago State University's women's golf team on an athletic scholarship in 2014.

Even as my time as a collegiate golfer was coming to an end, I knew that my career in golf wasn't over. I just wasn't sure what it was going to look like. I wasn't sure if I wanted to pursue a professional golf career, but I knew that I wanted to allow myself to play in one LPGA event. I wanted to represent my country, the Bahamas, on a big stage. I wanted to show the other little Black girls and boys in the Bahamas that they could make it, too. That was my dream, my goal.

In 2013, while I was still playing at Redlands, the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic debuted at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island near my hometown of Nassau.

I thought, "This is my chance. This is my shot." I wanted it to be my opportunity. They were offering a spot to a local Bahamian player, and I wanted to play. But then I found out that it would mean giving up my amateur status and college scholarship to compete in one tournament. I don't know if I was selling myself short, but as much as I wanted to believe in myself, I knew that I didn't have the resources at my disposal to even make a cut in an LPGA event. This was probably the first time that I fully realized just how different my golf upbringing had been compared to others.

But I didn't let any of this deter me. I still wanted to represent my country. I would represent it differently. So, I signed up to volunteer at the tournament. The tournament officials asked if I would be interested in caddying at the tournament. I remember asking myself, "Why would they want a community college golfer's advice? What could I offer?"

In the debut tournament, I caddied for Jill McGill. All I could think about was how I would tell my future kids about how I caddied in an LPGA Tour event for a professional golfer and how no one would ever be able to take that experience from me. I might not have been playing, but I was there on that stage. And I wanted to represent my country to the fullest. I wore the Bahamas flag on my hat and shirt. When I walked past the crowd holding McGill's bag, I wanted the spectators to know that I'm a Bahamian. I wanted the kids in the stands to see that I'm representing their country. I'm there for them. For us.

Four years later, in 2017, one year after I graduated from college, while assistant coaching at Redlands on my former golf team, I returned home to volunteer at the tournament. And that's when everything changed. LPGA Tour player Amy Olson (ne Anderson) needed a local caddie. And I got the call that I would be on her bag.

The connection was instant. It felt like a friendship that you've fostered for years. But it also felt like a turning point for me. I finally felt like this is what I was meant to do. I wasn't sure if I would compete in an LPGA Tour event as a player, but I felt confident in my abilities to be a caddie on tour.

A few months after caddying for Olson in the Bahamas, she called me and asked if I could meet her in Texas for another tournament. Then she asked if I was available to caddie a few more events. Without hesitation, I said, "Absolutely! Let's do it."

By the 2018 season, I was caddying for Olson almost full time. I knew that every chance I got on Olson's bag was an opportunity to represent my country and be a role model for Black girls and Black people from the Caribbean.

After almost one year of caddying on tour, I felt an empowerment that I had never experienced before. At the age of 24, I could call myself a professional caddie. And that meant everything to me.

Then, on Nov. 1, 2018, everything paused.

While out jogging in my neighborhood in the Bahamas, I started to feel extremely fatigued after running about a mile and a half. I couldn't believe that I was already tired after not even making it two miles. I told myself, "You can't stop. You have to keep going. You're almost there." The next thing I remembered, I was lying on the street. I experienced my first seizure.

Shortly after, I was rushed to a Nassau hospital, where they found 20-plus lesions on my brain. I spent six days in the hospital, and the doctors still couldn't conclude why I had a seizure while jogging.

For almost three months, I didn't have a diagnosis. During those three months, I never cried. I never thought, "why me?" or "poor me." Instead, I thought about how much I had accomplished in my 24 years. I thought about how I got to travel around the world, swim with sharks in Australia, a dream of mine since I was a little girl, and caddie on the LPGA Tour.

There were so many things that I had accomplished that I never even imagined I would have the opportunity to do in my life. I was completely satisfied with my life at that time. And I couldn't credit myself for that. I could only credit God. Between the moment I picked up a golf club to the moment I started carrying a bag on the LPGA Tour, there were so many doors that had been opened up for me. And as I worried about why the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, I believed that God had more in store for me. It wasn't my time to go.

During this period of waiting, I wanted to continue to caddie for Olson. I wasn't sure what that would look like or how it would happen, but I didn't want to stop caddying. And Olson supported me. We prayed together. We talked about the different scenarios. We were a team.

On Feb. 7, 2019, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Olson's first tournament of the season was in Australia the next week. I didn't want to miss it. The first thing I asked my doctor, "Can I still travel? Can I still caddie?" When I got clearance from my doctor, and after I consulted with my parents, I was ready to go.

When I told Olson, she said that I had to stay with her for the first tournament in Australia. Normally, we don't stay together. But this time, it was different. She wanted to be by my side. At that point, we had a great friendship and professional relationship, but my diagnosis deepened our bond.

I remember repeating the bible verse, Luke 1:37, over and over in my head: "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Although there were many uncertainties at that time with my new diagnosis -- my family, Olson and God helped me. And I knew that caddying on the tour at the start of the season was something I needed to do. I wanted to show people that you can be down but you're not out. And that's exactly how I felt.

1 Related

As much as I had no regrets until that point, I also knew that I had so much left to offer in all aspects of my life. I was dating my now-husband, Thomas, who had been my best friend and one of my biggest supporters for seven years. I knew that I wanted to marry him and start a life with him, which we did in December 2019.

My diagnosis just solidified that I wanted to leave a legacy. A legacy for the people of the Bahamas, for Black girls and boys, to look at me and realize that they can too if I could do it. No matter what obstacle you might be facing, you can accomplish your dreams and more.

My diagnosis also remains a reminder that you don't know what will happen tomorrow, so you have to push yourself today. You have to seize every opportunity -- even if it wasn't part of your original plan.

When Olson asked me to regularly caddie for her three years ago, I knew that I would stand out on tour. At that time, there weren't any Black women caddies and were very few women caddies on tour. There were only two Black players on tour, Cheyenne Woods and Mariah Stackhouse. But, I believed that I was there for a reason. Today, I'm the only Black woman caddie on the LPGA Tour.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have thoughts about if I deserved to be there throughout my time on tour as a caddie. The sentiments from my childhood of the other kids and adults telling me that golf was a white and rich sport can sometimes creep into my mind, but I don't want to entertain that chatter for half a second.

I may not be white, and I may not be rich, but I am here.

God put me here for a reason. And sometimes, I am the only Black woman on the course. And that's OK because I know that I'm not going to be the last. I might not be playing on tour. But that doesn't mean I'm not making a difference.

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Taneka Mackey, only Black woman to caddie full time in LPGA, on not being the last - ESPN

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas is close to finally monetizing its airspace, according to Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio DAguilar, who noted that legislation debated in Parliament yesterday seeks to make that possible.

DAguilar led debate on a compendium of bills, namely the Civil Aviation Bill, 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Bill, 2021 and the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority Bill, 2021.

The Free Town MP noted that introduction of the Air Navigation Services Authority Bill with the insertion of the new terminology of Bahamas Administered Airspace, Bahamas Aircraft and Bahamas Territory provides The Bahamas with more economic control over its sovereign airspace and expands its aircraft registry capabilities. Section 5 of the bill allows the new civil aviation authority to enter into arrangements or partnerships with respect to the air navigation service.

DAguilar noted that Section 20 of the bill gives the new authority, with the approval of the minister, the power to develop, recommend and impose fees and service charges for the provision of air navigation services in The Bahamas, such as overflight fees for aircraft that transit Bahamian administered airspace, but neither land in nor depart from The Bahamas; air navigation service fees for services rendered within airspace of The Bahamas, including air traffic management, communications, navigation, radar surveillance, separation services, flight information services, procedural control and training; air navigation services training; and any other service related to air navigation services in The Bahamas.

The passage of this bill seeks to set up the infrastructure so that we can finally begin to monetize one of our greatest natural resources the airspace above us, said DAguilar.

We dont have to dig, drill, mine, extract, dredge anything to start making money from our airspace. We just have to figure out how to bill and how to collect a fee every time a plane flies into, or out of, or through, our airspace.

For the 48 years that have elapsed since independence, The Bahamas has never been able to realize one red cent from the airspace above our country. We are so close to changing that.

DAguilar also noted that the bill also gives the authority the ability to impose penalties for late payments and apply statutory liens on aircraft operators who do not pay their fees and/or service charges.

He noted the 2017 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Oversight Audit had revealed that The Bahamas aviation legislation and the Bahamas Civil Aviation structure were largely outdated, non-compliant and unable to keep up with the ever-evolving standards and recommended practices outlined in the UN Convention on International Civil Aviation and its annexes.

As a result of this audit, the Bahamas Effective ImplementationScore fell from an average of 56.98 percent to an average of 31.98 percent in late 2017, said DAguilar, noting that this score put The Bahamas at the bottomof the list of Caribbean countries.

DAguilar noted that the ICAO auditors will return this November, 2021, to follow up on this nations corrective action plans and to determine whether previously identified safety deficiencies have been satisfactorily resolved.

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D'Aguilar: Bahamas very close to monetizing airspace - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marines deployed to the southern Bahamas are providing technical classes to students on the island of Inagua, in keeping with Commodore Dr Raymond Kings strategic objective of strengthening relationships with stakeholders and the community at large.

Led by Sub Lieutenant Renaldo Wilkinson, base first lieutenant for the RBDF Southern Command, the team of marines have been stepping up to the plate to teach classes at Inagua All-Age School.

With students having to return to the classrooms for a face-to-face environment in the southern Bahamas, there arose a need for assistance in specialized subjects.

Leading Mechanic Alonzo Russell, a competent engineer, used the opportunity to teach electrical installation and drywall to students at the senior level. Likewise, Leading Mechanic Abrian Rankine also teaches electronics and maritime studies to the students. Musician in the RBDF Band Marine Seaman Cleon Lewis was called upon to assist in the music department.

The principal of the school, Nishgo Bain-Collie, expressed appreciation of the RBDFs ongoing efforts, as the organization supports the commands vision of partnering with the Matthew Town Community.

The officers are doing an amazing job with the students, said Bain-Collie. We appreciate their assistance because after the electrical teacher passed away last year, they stepped up and are helping to prepare the students for their Electrical Installations BGCSE examinations this year. The students havent had music lessons in over a year, and they are excited with the lessons.

The students also recently had the opportunity to tour HMBS BAHAMAS, a 60-meter patrol craft under the command of Commander William Sturrup, as part of a field trip. They were shown various components of the ship as it relates to the maritime aspect of their course.

Commanding officer of the RBDFs Southern Command, Captain Glenn McPhee, extended his gratitude on behalf of Commander Defence Force Commodore Raymond King to the dedicated men and women who perform community services while at the same time serving and protecting The Bahamas territorial waters from illicit maritime activities.

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RBDF marines assist with teaching classes in southern Bahamas - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said as The Bahamas continues preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine to be made available in-country, it is likely that The Bahamas will distribute more than one approved vaccine.

During a BAAWMAR panel discussion on the vaccine moderated by Dr Khandra Sears, a board member of the NGO Brennen suggested The Bahamas preference is to access vaccines more suited for its climate and geographic makeup, including those that do not require ultra-low temperatures, which could present transportation challenges.

However, he said the country will remain flexible instead of restrictive.

We are trying not to be restrictive, but we do know that some of the issues being an island nation, being in a tropical setting, being spread out and not being one singular landmass, present particular challenges for us, he said.

And so, we are designing our vaccine deployment strategy around that to be able to make sure that what we bring in-country can be used as efficiently as possible and the vaccines that fit in that criteria are the ones that are more likely to be used in-country.

But it is not going to be one vaccine for the entire country.

We are preparing such that if we receive allocates of one that cant fulfill the entire requirement, well be able to use that one first, and then as we get another one, well still be able to deliver that other one as well and using the advantages of an advanced digital age to be able to track who gets what vaccine, so that if they need two doses, they get two of the same and we pay attention to some of those details.

Asked which vaccine will be made available in The Bahamas and the discussions surrounding that decision, Brennen said as a member state of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The Bahamas will use the mechanism that goes with approval under WHO in order to decide which vaccines we are going use.

Usually they have a very stringent, regulatory mechanism that is set up for approval in order to make sure that vaccines have been tested and we know the kind of issues that are related to them the cold chain from manufacturing to delivery, he said.

Vaccine in-country all happens in a very systematic way. And so, we use the mechanism to reassure the Bahamian people that what we are doing meets an international standard.

And so, while we are now moving in many of these areas to emergency usage you know WHO uses it as an emergency use listing, places with other stringent regulatory authorities like the [FDA] may use terminology like emergency use authorization but either way, what you are saying is it hasnt gone through what would otherwise be seen as the usual process, but because of the issues of a pandemic, theyve been approved for emergency use.

We are going with a policy decision in-country to use the approval through WHO emergency use listing or another stringent regulatory authority that says we have done the research; we have gotten the information on the vaccine, looked at that data and said it can be approved for emergency use.

And so, there are a number of those that we trust to be able to do so.

And then with some of our Caribbean colleagues, we use the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the regional authority when it comes to reviewing vaccines to be able to ensure that emergency use listing or authorization can now be translated to the jurisdiction based on what is proposed by a manufacture to be sent to us; that it still meets that same level of stringent review that has been done so what has been approved is being sent and in that approach, the thought is we would have built in some levels of safeguards to ensure what we are going to get in-country meets at least that level of scrutiny, so we can assure the people.

The WHO granted emergency use validation to BioNTech-Pfizer last December.

Other country-specific emergency use vaccines such as Moderna and AstraZeneca, among others, continue to be examined by the WHO.

The Bahamas is expected to get access to a COVID-19 vaccinethrough the Pan American Health Organizations COVAX Facilitywithin the first quarter of this year, though that date has yet to be narrowed down.

Last week, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government plans to order nine vaccine coolers in preparation for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in The Bahamas, and will have a vaccine facility that can hold up to 300,000 doses on New Providence and 50,000 doses on Grand Bahama.

The government hasmade a down paymentto secure 80,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to vaccinate 20 percent of the population when the vaccine becomes available in-country.

Yesterday, Brennen said while The Bahamas continues to prepare to receive a vaccine in-country, including procuring coolers and a facility to store doses, the need to keep doses at low temperatures does present a little bit of a challenge for us with transporting doses across the archipelago.

While we are putting in place the mechanisms to be able to use those types of vaccines when they become available to the country, like a Pfizer or a Moderna, we also know what would be better in our situation is if we have vaccines that take advantage of the same mechanisms that we have [been] using to keep our vaccination coverage in-country in the 90 to 95 percent range for so many of our antigens that are out there already, he said.

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Brennen: Bahamas likely to access more than one COVID-19 vaccine - EyeWitness News

OVER the weekend, the IC Bahamas Junior Series hosted its first tournament of 2021 for players in the under-10 and under-12 categories at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

The tournament sponsor was Winterbotham Trust.

Finalists in the various categories are:

Boys 10 - Winner: Lucas Zoebelein. Runner-up: Cameron Ferguson.

Girls U10 - Winner: Marlee Martin. Runner-up: Srae Rodgers.

Boys U12 - Winner: Patrick Mactaggart.

Runner-up - Chase Newbold.

Girls U12 - Winner: Sarai Clarke. Runner-up: Claudia Drgon.

The tournament was the first BLTA sanctioned junior tournament since the pandemic. Juniors were excited to get on the courts with the safety and health protocols in place.

We are very pleased to host the first tennis tournament, said IC Bahamas president Kit Spencer. This is the third year for the IC Tennis Junior Series in the Bahamas. This initial tournament should open the way for tennis tournaments to be staged with the proper safety protocols and procedures.

Spencer extended thanks to Mickey Williams, the tournament supervisor and Tara Mactaggart, the tournament organiser. In addition, Spencer thanked the NTC, BLTA and the officials at the tournament, who recently received training at the BLTAs officiating course.

The BLTA congratulated IC Bahamas for organising this tournament and ensuring a safe, smooth and seamless process. The successful tournament has paved the way for more competitive tennis tournaments in the future in a safe environment and in adherence to strict protocols.

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IC Bahamas Junior Series hosts its first tennis tournament of the year - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Restaurants Bahamas Limited, operators of KFC Nassau, has terminated 35 employees across its nine locations due to what the company called the unprecedented economic slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the restrictions the government imposed to mitigate against the virus, including the ongoing nightly curfew.

For almost a year now, the curfews imposed on New Providence have severely impacted sales and revenue, Restaurants Bahamas Limited Human Resources Director Nina Maynard said.

We have made adjustments throughout this pandemic in order [to] keep everyone employed, but unfortunately we now find ourselves in the position where this very difficult move is simply unavoidable.

According to the company, the ongoing 10pm curfew on New Providence has resulted in the fast-food chain losing an entire segment of business.

The company is unable to continue to provide its over 360 team members with their contractual days and hours that were based on pre-pandemic operating schedule, read a statement.

The company has lobbied government in hopes of having the curfew until later in the evening now that new COVID-19 cases in New Providence have declined, however, those efforts have not been successful.

The layoffs will take place across the companys nine locations.

There have been varying restrictive measures, including complete lockdowns and weekend lockdowns since mid-March 2020.

Those restrictions were largely relaxed in July, prompting a massive resurgence of the virus and an ultimate resumption of restrictive measures to stem the surge.

As cases slowed into the low double digits, the government reopened many sectors of the economy and reopened the countrys tourism last November.

KFC has attempted several marketing campaigns in recent months.

As the holidays approached and the cancellation of traditional Junkanoo was confirmed, the restaurant franchise announced its own campaign for Junkanoo enthusiasts, challenging the Junkanoo community to create their most elaborate headpiece, which must use a KFC chicken bucket in some way in its construction, for a chance to win big.

Last December, KFC said despite its revenue taking a major hit due to the lockdowns and restrictions, associates and managers will receive their full Christmas bonus.

The company said in a statement that it saw no revenue in August, while noting that its affiliate Lucianos did not survive. The company said it has asked the Bahamas Managerial Association (BHMA) and the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) that represents its managers and employees for understanding as they seek to split the bonus payment into two parts.

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KFC: COVID restrictions has forced termination of 35 employees - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Distancing himself from former Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard, who stands to face federal sex trafficking charges, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that had any complaint been made to authorities while he was deputy prime minister, a police investigation would have been immediately launched.

During a press conference at the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) headquarters, Davis said as a father and as a Bahamian he was appalled by the allegations, which he called the most horrific crimes against women.

I want to be clear, as a father of daughters, as a Bahamian, I am appalled by these very serious charges, the PLP leader said.

Peter Nygard contributed to both political parties, to many charitable causes here and to regattas across the country.

Those contributions do not in any way excuse his behavior, but nor are the many recipients of his contributions responsible for his behavior.

At no time during my tenure as deputy prime minister was there ever a criminal complaint made to the Bahamian police about the matters he is now charged with.

Had there been, an investigation would [have] been launched immediately.

In fact, to my knowledge, the first time any complaint of this nature was brought to the police was in July of 2019 under the watch of the FNM (Free National Movement).

The FNM themselves got mixed up in a feud between two billionaires who hated each other

Last December, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle confirmed Nygard was never interviewed by local police regarding sexual allegations against him.

In court filings, Davis was named as someone who was close with Nygard when he served as deputy prime minister.

The affidavit alleges that Nygard regularly met with him and paid bribes to him and his political aides.

It further claims: Davis allegedly introduced Nygard to known Bahamian gangsters and convicted criminals, Livingston Toogie Bullard and Wisler Bobo Davilma. Nygard paid Toogie and Bobo with funds from the Nygard Companies to intimidate anyone who spoke out against him or his initiatives by, among other means, directing them to firebomb his detractors vehicles and/or businesses, instructing them to threaten to kill those who oppose him and commit other acts of violence and intimidation.

Nygard was arrestedin Winnipeg, Canada, in December, 2020, after federal prosecutors accused him of a more than two-decades-long string of criminal conduct involving racketeering, sex trafficking and other crimes against women and minors.

A nine-count unsealed indictment outlined alleged crimes stemming from The Bahamas, Canada, New York and elsewhere.

Nygard was charged with using fraud, force and coercion to cause at least dozens of adult and minor-aged girls to engage in commercial sex acts for his gratification, and on occasion those of his personal friends and business associates.

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Davis appalled by Nygard allegations Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL) has announced a new partnership with local winery Bahama Barrels by Graycliff as it introduces Chillin Red and Chillin White wines.

Commonwealth Brewerys retail division, 700 Wines and Spirits, will be the sole trade distributor.

Densil Deveaux, senior manager for wines at CBL, said: We are thrilled about this wonderful partnership, as CBL has long believed in supporting Bahamian entrepreneurs.

Bahama Barrels, being the only Bahamian winery, is a natural fit to complement our current portfolio of Bahamian brands offered in retail chain.

Bahama Barrels is the brainchild of Paolo Garzaroli, whose family has been associated with excellence in wine since purchasing Graycliff in 1973. The winery is located on West Hill street in a quaint, refurbished convent originally built by the Sisters of Charity.

The Chillin wines are handcrafted by Bahamian winemaker Sylena Cartwright who trained in Italy and is the first ever Bahamian winemaker creating an end-to-end Bahamian collaboration.

Garzaroli said: We are excited to have forged this relationship with Commonwealth Brewery, which allows us to introduce ourselves and our products to the local market. Although The Bahamas is not a wine producer, its influence is evident in the ingredients, branding and overall concept of the Chillin wines.

The Chilln wines were created to fill a void for the newly graduated wine novice. The wines are to be experienced, not exploited, and [are] sure to enhance each celebratory moment.

According to CBL, the slightly sweeter palate of the Chillin wines pairs perfectly with the spice and robust flavor of popular Bahamian cuisines, and both the Sweet Red and Sweet White wines consist of familiar fruity tones.

The Sweet Red offers dense, ripe and powerful flavors of plums, berries and cocoa notes. The Sweet White is described as cheerfully sweet having intense aromas of ripe banana and hints of lime and honeydew melon.

The Chillin wine brand, in addition to Bahama Barrels prosecco, primativo and 14 Degrees Red Blend, are now available at select 700 Wines and Spirits stores across New Providence.

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Commonwealth Brewery Limited and Bahama Barrels join forces for new wine brand - EyeWitness News

But only 61% of public directly enrolled

Relies on private insurers to cover rest

Sectors early fears sufficiently satisfied

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme is targeting a rapid expansion that aims to provide more than 90 percent of Bahamians with its basic primary care coverage by 2025.

The plans governing authority, in a just-released report on the publics response to its primary care goals, said widely increased coverage relies on significant buy-in by both private health insurers and physicians to help achieve this objective.

While the NHI Authority is forecasting that 61 percent of Bahamians will be directly enrolled with the scheme within the next four years, its standard health benefit (SHB) - the base level of primary coverage - will reach over 90 percent of the population via private health insurers.

The report reveals that the likes of Colina Insurance Company, Family Guardian and CG Atlantic Medical & Life will be mandated to offer NHIs SHB as part of existing and new policies, meaning their clients will not have to register as NHI beneficiaries despite being able to access the same coverage.

It was not disclosed how this requirement will be mandated and/or enforced, although presumably it will have to be given legislative effect via and Act of Parliament. And expanding the number of private doctors and physicians providing treatment to NHI beneficiaries was cited as key to improving patient outcomes and experiences, as well as expanding services throughout The Bahamas.

The primary care transformation initiative (PCTI) is on track to increase primary care coverage in The Bahamas. By 2025, 61 percent of Bahamians are projected to be enrolled in NHI with more than 90 percent having access to SHB coverage, the NHI Authority report asserted.

No data or analytical models were provided to support these projections, and one healthcare industry source - speaking to Tribune Business on condition of anonymity - said the absence of empirical evidence to support forecasts had been a consistent gap with the NHI scheme.

Everything they have in that document is what they project will happen, the source said. There is no statistical evidence for the hypothesis: This is what we want to happen, this is how we do it, how much it will cost.

This is the theory behind it. From inception NHI has been very theoretical from book knowledge and predictions, but very little is hard facts as to what theyre doing so they can continue to provide cost effective, sustainable healthcare for The Bahamas. Theres no one knocking down the doors to join.

They added that, to achieve its 2025 breadth of coverage objectives, the NHI Authority was hedging its bets on the insurance industry coming on board to provide NHI benefits to beneficiaries, and to be their representatives through an NHI partnership. They are also depending on private physicians to align with NHI to expand then provider platform.

It appears that the Bahamian health insurance industry may have little choice but to comply with the quest for what is billed as universal access to affordable healthcare for Bahamians. The NHI Authoritys latest report acknowledges that its plans mean changes for private insurers and both their individual and group (employer) clients.

Individuals who have coverage through private insurance will no longer be eligible to access primary care coverage from NHI. Instead, they will be able to access SHB coverage through their private policy, the NHI Authority affirmed.

Private insurers will be required to mirror SHB as the minimum standard of coverage for primary care. This means that existing private insurance plans will be strengthened, while requiring no co-payments or deductibles for SHB services and offering an improved patient experience through the electronic health record. Individuals who are privately insured will not need to enroll in the NHI programme.

In addition to the SHB, policyholders will continue to enjoy any existing coverage that they have previously negotiated with their private insurers and/or employers. The reforms under the PCTI will also provide greater cost certainty for insurers and should provide for more predictable and affordable policies.

Sandy Morley, the Bahamas Insurance Associations (BIA) vice-chairman, yesterday told Tribune Business that the health insurance industrys initial concerns over the SHB proposal and NHIs wider implications for the sector have been satisfied following discussions with the Authority.

Weve had extensive dialogue, he said. There have been discussions, and theres a working group that NHI has put in place which includes the Bahamas Insurance Association. There were some initial concerns but we were able to work through them sufficiently and the industry is satisfied with how its going to work.

The only aspect that impacts us is the aspect of primary care. Its not going to impact the additional health benefits for any of our customers. Weve always had the standard benefit. What this does is carve out who should be registered with NHI and who shouldnt be.

The NHI Authoritys latest report reiterated its belief that the public healthcare system, and Bahamian taxpayers, could enjoy a total $55m in savings spread over the next five fiscal years by better integrating the existing primary care facilities (clinics) with treatments provided by NHI.

We envision part of these savings to be reinvested into the system to update and upgrade some public healthcare facilities. Engaging the private sector through public-private partnership (PPP) models will also bring in much-needed investment to enable us to deliver improvements without the burden of financing capital on the public sector, the report added.

Recognising we are in the midst of difficult financial times for Bahamians, the NHI Authority is committed to the journey towards affordable healthcare and universal health coverage. We are seeking to remove financial barriers like co-pays and deductibles in accessing healthcare.

The NHI Authority had previously estimated that it could trim the Governments annual primary healthcare system by $16m per annum come the 2024-2025 fiscal year, lowering the total from $130m under the present structure to around $113m. This would involve NHI accounting for the bulk of such spending, some $91m, while virtually eliminating the Public Hospitals Authoritys (PHA) contribution in this area.

However, the economic devastation inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed some limits on what the NHI Authority can ask taxpayers to fund. For the foreseeable future it is focusing in primary care only, having been forced to pause a planned expansion to include catastrophic care benefits.

The NHI 2.0 proposal included expanded benefits to deliver more comprehensive coverage for high-cost care, a mandate for employers to provide insurance and a national risk pool to enable affordability and access, the NHI Authority said.

In a post-COVID-19 landscape where our economy has recovered, and when the time is right, we will strive to expand coverage and implement other reforms initially envisioned as part of NHI 2.0. For now, we recognise the need to balance our healthcare priorities while considering the challenges our businesses and economy face.

Original post:

NHI: We'll protect 90% of Bahamians by 2025 - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) has reportedly received another assurance from Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis that he will deliver on his promise to pay nurses for overtime worked last year.

BNU President Amancha Williams told Eyewitness News that she spoke with the prime minister yesterday evening following weeks-long agitation from the bargaining agent over a number of outstanding issues, namely the outstanding payments and alleged unfair treatment.

The prime minister stated that he will ensure that we get paid even if that means that he does not get paid at the end of the month, and he said that he granted permission to the treasury to go ahead and carry out whatever was promised to us from July.

The union gathered at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday morning in a bid to meet with Minnis over their issues.

During Wednesdays demonstration, 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.

In an update yesterday, Williams assured members that the union executives will not stop until payments are made.

Originally posted here:

PROMISES, PROMISES: PM tells nurses they will get paid even if he doesn't - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau (RCSEN) recently partnered with a private sponsor to supply electronic tablets to Columbus Primary School, allowing more students to get online.

RCSEN President Lionel Haven shared the challenges of learning caused by COVID-19.

Education has taken a big hit and both teachers and students are required to interact virtually, he said. For a great many students and families, this has been a difficult hurdle to overcome. A generous gift by Barbara van der Velde has allowed our club to facilitate the presentation of 50 devices for students for their use in furthering their education.

According to Columbus Primary Principal Jacqueline Sands, there were more than 100 students affected.

We presently have 134 students who are not online as yet. So, this donation will go a long way to putting 50 more students online, she said.

The donation meets 37 percent of the schools goal and there are now 84 students awaiting assistance.

Sheralyn Anderson, district education officer at the Ministry of Education, also thanked RCSEN and their sponsor. She further mentioned that there were still many students in the public school system needing access to online learning.

Haven mentioned that his Rotary club has cherished its good relationship with Columbus Primary School through the Early Act Club program that started over five years ago. He also recognized the good work by RCSEN Youth Director Ruthnell Bethell, who is at this years helm and who is assisted by Brittany Turnquest and Shendryka Miller at Columbus Primary.

Brenda Hart-Stack, a friend of the sponsor, said: Barbara van der Velde had heard that Rotary could facilitate the donation, therefore she was happy to make the donation that contributes to education because it is one of the most important parts of a childs life to further themselves in the future.

Aliv, a company that has partnered with Rotary Bahamas to raise funds to close the digital divide, donated T-shirts, pens and key rings for the presentation event.

Inquiries or donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau by emailing donate@rcsen.net.

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Columbus Primary School receives tablets from Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau and donor - EyeWitness News

POLICECommissioner Paul Rolle. Photo: Donavan McIntosh

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICECommissioner Paul Rolle said yesterday people should focus on sex crime allegations against fashion mogul Peter Nygard and not claimsthat link him to corruption by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

He also said he is extremely pleased with RBPF officers despite allegations of bribery againstsome officers highlighted in a Canadian television programme about Nygards alleged sex crimes.

The TV programme repeated many of the claims made by Nygards alleged victims in civil and criminal lawsuits lodged overseas, which have been previously reported by The Tribune.

Commissioner Rolle admitted to reporters that he had not seen the TV programme.

The piece by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) programme The Fifth Estate took a closer look at the fashion moguls pamper parties at Lyford Cay where it is claimed women and underage girls were drugged and raped.

Allegations of local politicians and senior police officers receiving money to help conceal the 79-year-olds alleged offences were brought up.

Asked if he had any concerns the programme would damage his forces image internationally, Commissioner Rolle expressed confidence in the force and said the spotlight needed to be on Nygards alleged offences and not the alleged behaviour of any member of his force.

I have not seen the documentary and I am extremely pleased with the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), he said.

None of those officers have been indicted and I dont have any complaint against any of them and I believe that as Bahamians we ought to respect the fact that these young men and women who give their lives to keep all of us safe are doing a tremendous job.

And Ive spoken to the persons from the CBC and I believe that the members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are some of the best in the world and I dont know that the image or reputation of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is damaged.

Theres some allegations made against Peter Nygard and I think we should focus on that. Let us try and deal with that. Peter Nygard is alleged to have molested a number of women. Those matters are being investigated.

I dont hear the Royal Bahamas Police Force being investigated. Lets stick with the facts.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames has said he is confident RBPF officers will investigate allegations made locally against Nygard. Yesterday, Commissioner Rolle did not givemany details about this probe.

A reporter told the police chief that Mr Dames said there was supposed to be an internal investigation into some officers who were named in a recent lawsuit in relation to Nygard.

Asked for an update, he said, You need to speak to Minister Dames.

When the reporter pointed out that Mr Dames had mentioned that the Commissioner was conducting it, Commissioner Rolle answered: I said he made the comments and you can get the update from him.

A civil lawsuit filed in New York last year claimed certain senior police officers, both past and present, were on Nygards payroll and frequented Nygard Cay.

Asked in January whether an officer named in the civil lawsuit is involved in the local investigation into Nygards actions, Mr Dames said he has confidence in Commissioner Rolle.

That is a question for the Commissioner, he said last month.

I have the highest confidence in the Commissioner and his ability and his integrity to ensure that every matter not only to which you speak that every matter that is reported to the police is investigated with the highest degree of transparency and the highest degree of integrity and there are checks and balances within the system and there are checks and balances outside of the system.

Again, I have no concerns about this matter or any other serious matter being compromised because of someone internally. Im certain the Commissioner knows exactly what he has to do and to ensure that he is being accountable to those who wouldve made the complaints and he is being accountable to the Bahamian people at large. At the end of the day this is a matter that is constantly out there in the public sphere and time will tell.

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Focus on Nygard - not on the police - Bahamas Tribune

Luxury abounds at this exquisite waterfront property in the Bahamas.

Remote work and virtual school during the pandemic have triggered a sharp increase in urban dwellers seeking a quieter, slower lifestyle in less densely populated areas. But escaping to the suburbs or countryside might not be good enough for some people. Instead, a gated community surrounded by water would seem like the ideal safe haven right now.

Youre in luck. A stunning beachfront residence called the Krystal House is on the market for $32 million in Old Fort Bay, an exclusive community of 250 homes on the northwest coast of New Providence, the most populous island in the Bahamas. Built in 2016, the palatial 20,000 square-foot residence blends Tuscan-style spirit with a breezy tropical lifestyle.

The ideal buyer is a boater and beach lover, said listing agent Martina Reichardt of H.G. Christie Ltd. in Nassau. Its the perfect place for a businessperson to live and work at home. Plus, the home is a smart house that can easily be managed from abroad.

The home takes the concept of luxury waterfront living to a whole new level.

A high ceiling adds drama to the grand foyer.

The three levels of luxury include eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, three half bathrooms, two family rooms, two custom kitchens and a home theater. On the lower level, two large game rooms with billiards invite family entertainment. The ground level has a large wine cellar, while each room on the first level leads to beautiful outdoor patios for entertaining on a grand scale and relaxing in peaceful surroundings.

Master bedroom

Five en-suite bedrooms, each with walk-in closets, can be found on the second level, including the master suite with a sitting area, home office and a bathroom covered in white marble and flanked by two master closets.

Contemporary kitchen

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms for the staff are on the ground floor. The western side of Krystal House can be converted into a two-bedroom guest house, with its own separate entrance and fully equipped kitchen. An ocean view loft, with a half bathroom and two balconies overlooking Old Fort Bay and the canal, is an added feature.

Cozy living room

The home offers panoramic views and dazzling sunsets throughout and access to the crystal clear waters of Old Fort Bay Beach. Rounding out the amenities are an elevator, four-car garage, exterior balconies, covered patios, childrens play area, heated infinity pool, outdoor kitchen and grill, wet bar, Jacuzzi and a gazebo.

The pool deck and beach are the perfect spots for family lounging and entertaining as well as the indoor wine cellar and dining and living areas, said Reichardt.

Other conveniences include a water treatment system, impact-resistant windows, automated outdoor storm shutters, a generator and smart security system that can be controlled by a smart phone remotely.

Krystal House occupies just over an acre, with 150 feet of beachfront and 150 feet of canalfront, including a large protected dock. The property is near fine dining, shopping and entertainment, international airports and a short flight from Florida. The closest airport is just seven minutes away.

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Majestic Beachfront Estate In The Bahamas Is On The Market For $32 Million - Forbes

When the first Caribbean destinations began reopening in June, the travel world was filled with uncertainty. But in the six months since, the Caribbean has sent a message to the world that tourism reopenings can largely be done in a safe, effective manner an important step for the future of the most tourism-dependent region on earth.

Of course, not everyone is returning to traveling, and every traveler needs to carefully consider their trip and the risks.

But a growing number of visitors are returning to the Caribbean and thats why weve brought back our monthly edition of Places to Go.

If you decide to go, make sure you do so while being conscious of everyone around you most importantly, the people of the communities youre visiting.

And when you travel, wear a mask, practice safe hygiene and please comply with each destinations health protocols each of which weve linked to below.

The Bahamas Last month, The Bahamas entered the newest phase of its tourism reopening, one that eliminated the quarantine requirement and opened up most of the countrys hotels (and its ever-popular boating sector). It should be noted that the reopening is country-wide, meaning all of the major islands are ready to welcome you back, with a different island for every type of traveler.

For adventure, make the journey to Andros and the Small Hope Bay Lodge; for a cosmopolitan getaway, try Nassau (where top hotels like Atlantis and the Baha Mar reopen this month, along with already-relaunched mainstays like Graycliff) for undiscovered beaches and private villas, theres Grand Bahama. For historic charm, theres Harbour Island. For boating, get a charter boat in Abaco.

You can find the countrys travel protocols here, headlined by negative PCR result within five days of your flight to The Bahamas.

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From The Bahamas to St Kitts, 7 Places to Go in December - Caribbean Journal

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL environment activist Kristal Ambrose has won a 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize for her work, which she credits as a win for The Bahamas and black women of the Caribbean.

Ms Ambrose, 29, convinced the government of The Bahamas to ban single-use plastic bags, plastic cutlery, straws, and Styrofoam containers and cups. The ban was announced in April 2018 and went into effect in January of this year.

The Goldman Environmental Foundation, the worlds foremost award for grassroots environmental activists, announced six recipients of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize yesterday.

It is not just a win for me, but a win for The Bahamas, for the children that I work with, for the cause against plastic pollution and ocean protection and conservation in The Bahamas, said Ms Ambrose of her win.

This is a win for the black women in the marine sciences, black women in the Caribbean who were taking up space and pushing this work forward. So Im very humbled and proud and motivated to continue doing the work.

The Goldman honour is awarded annually to environmental heroes from the six inhabited continental regions. The Goldman Environmental Prize honours the achievements and leadership of environmental activists, while inspiring all of us to take action to protect our planet. The prize was founded in 1989 in San Francisco by philanthropists and civic leaders Rhoda and Richard Goldman.

This year marks the tenth death anniversary of founder Mr Goldman.

These six environmental champions reflect the powerful impact that one person can have on many, said John Goldman, president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation. In todays world, we witness the effects of an imbalance with nature: a global pandemic, climate change, wildfires, environmental injustices affecting those most at risk, and constant threats to a sustainable existence.

These are six of those environmental heroes, and they deserve the honour and recognition the Prize offers themfor taking a stand, risking their lives and livelihoods, and inspiring us with real, lasting environmental progress.

Winners of the Goldman Award are usually awarded in-person at a ceremony at the San Francisco Opera House in April, but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were awarded virtually.

Once, while working at an aquarium Ms Ambrose spent two days helping to pull plastic out of a sea turtle that had internal blockage. After this experience, she took up the cause to have plastic banned from the country.

At age 22, Ms Ambrose joined an expedition to study the Western garbage patch, the mass of marine debris that is part of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean.

When examining the waste, she realised that all the debris were things that were found in the home plastic bags, Styrofoam, plastic cutlery, straws. She returned from the expedition inspired to tackle plastic waste and, in 2013, founded the Bahamas Plastic Movement to develop solutions to plastic pollution and educate the youth of the country.

A native of Eleuthera, Ms Ambrose, through the Bahamas Plastic Movement, created numerous programmes to engage, empower, and educate local youth, including tuition-free youth camps to train the countrys next environmental leaders. While in the camp, students conduct surveys of plastics on beaches, trawl on boats measuring micro-plastics on sea surface, dissect mahi-mahi fish to determine stomach plastic content, and learn how lifestyle on land impacts ocean health.

Its not something that I applied for, Ms Ambrose said of the process to winning her prize. Someone nominated me secretly and after a six-month process then I was contacted. They go through all these judges and they really look at your background and the essence of your work and you have to get strong character references and they put it before a jury and the jury selects you.

When I found out I got the award, I cried, because it was a powerful thing and it was realisation that the work has not gone unnoticed; that it hasnt been in vain. And, it wasnt a moment to spot, but it was hearing that I was being recognised, it was motivation to move the goal post and keep this work going even further.

Asked how she felt about being a global environmental hero, Ms Ambrose admitted that she was just beginning to feel the joy of the win. To sum up how I feel about it, it still hasnt totally hit me yet, she said. Its starting to hit me now, because when I found out I was like, Okay great, but back to work.

Now as the press is rolling in and people are rolling in and seeing it as a win for The Bahamas, it makes me very humbled, very grateful and very proud. Those are the three emotions that I resonate with. I am very grateful to be acknowledged by this organisation on this platform, on this international stage.

Ms Ambrose spoke to The Tribune from Sweden, yesterday, just hours before accepting the Goldman Award. Other winners this year include residents from Mexico, Ecuador, Ghana, Myanmar, and France.

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'My win isn't just for me - it's for The Bahamas' - Bahamas Tribune

Public Domain contracted to conduct marijuana commission survey

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNMC) Chairman Quinn McCartney said yesterday the United Nations (UN) removal of cannabis from its list of dangerous drugs signals the likelihood of the global legalization of cannabis.

McCartneys comments follow a historic vote at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs on Wednesday,to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from its list of the worlds most dangerous drugs.

The commission voted 27-25, with one abstention, to follow the World Health Organizations recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed with heroin and several other opioids.

The Associated Press noted, however, that the vote does not clear UN member nations to legalize marijuana under the international drug control system.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, McCartney said the vote was consistent with the commissions view to prioritize medicinal marijuana.

The commission supports the view that our law should be amended to facilitate easy access to medical cannabis products for use in The Bahamas, he said.

It didnt go as far as full-scale legalization and thats kind of consistent, too, with the views of some of the commissioners Certainly, it changes the dynamics or it will cause, most likely, The Bahamas to rethink its views on this topic.

McCartney noted that countries to the south and north of The Bahamas are moving towards legalization and that will have to be taken into consideration as the country rethinks its position on a number of things.

Its a historic vote. Its an interesting vote and I suspect its the first step of an international journey towards the global acceptance or global full legalization of cannabis.

Among the 24 recommendations put forth in the BNCMs preliminary report tabled last year January, the commission has suggested cannabis possession be decriminalized up to one ounce or less for personal use for people 21 years or older, and laws would be amended for the immediate expungement of small possession criminal records.

The commission stopped short of recommending the legalization of recreational marijuana, insisting the issue needs to be explored further before a consensus can be garnered.

While the prime minister has publicly voiced his support for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, the attorney general has advised that The Bahamas remains challenged on the issue as long as the drug remains illegal at the United States federal level.

McCartney noted yesterday that full-scale legalization in the US remains an important factor, given concerns of banking with the country.

There must be that ability to freely exchange and do transactions in the global market and so as long as the United States is not synchronized with the rest of the world or the rest of the world is synchronized with the United States, there may be some challenges, he said.

Im certain it will cause the US to also rethink its federal position.

The commissions final report was expected to be presented following a national survey to codify the views of the Bahamian public on the matter, however, the local spread of the novel coronavirus has derailed most of the governments plans.

McCartney advised yesterday that that survey has been implemented and is underway withBahamian market and opinion research firm Public Domain.

He, however, could not indicate when the data would be analyzed and completed.

McCartney noted that while the commission had initially proposed the survey be conducted by the Department of Statistics, that plan was no longer feasible given the current pandemic.

He would not reveal how much the commission paid Public Domain to conduct the survey.

Itll be worth the cost and I think we will get value for money.

Seventy-one percent of respondents who participated in a June 2018 Public Domain survey said they believed marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes.

Public Domain has released two surveys to date surrounding marijuana legalization.

View post:

Commission: UN vote signals new line of thinking for The Bahamas on marijuana - EyeWitness News

By ohtadmin | on December 04, 2020

NASSAU, Bahamas, Dec. 3, CMC A petition that has been launched as part of a campaign to Stop Disney-Last Chance for Lighthouse Point has collected close to 400,000 signatures.

The petition was launched by environmental activists to protest against Disneys plans to construct a multi-million-dollar cruise destination in South Eleuthera.

Were looking to reinvigorate the campaign and continue pushing out the fact that we do need answers to our questions, re-Earth president, Sam Duncombe told The Tribune newspaper.

Disneys pages on Lighthouse Point talk about how theyre going to be respectful to the environment and on one hand, they push out a lot of good information but then theyre not walking the walk when it comes to their own development, said Duncombe.

The environmental watchdogs are concerned about the negative implications that the project could create for the areas environment and want more sustainable development options for South Eleuthera and its residents.

We are deeply concerned about Disneys plans for a massive cruise ship port at Lighthouse Point that threaten this unique natural place treasured by generations of Bahamians and visitors from around the world. This is not the place where an environmentally-responsible corporation would choose to develop a massive cruise ship port, Duncombe said.

In 2019, the government and Disney Island Development Ltd signed a Heads of Agreement for the construction of a US$250Mto US$400Mcruise port and entertainment facility at Lighthouse Point.

The deal allows for the conveyance of 190 acres of land along with the southernmost point of the property a $6.29m value to the government for the establishment of a national park.

Some 120 Bahamians are expected to be employed directly during the construction of the project, which will begin after the Environmental Impact Assessment which was submitted last Decemberand Environmental Management Plan has been approved by the government.

Public consultation must also be completed, and all other necessary government permits and approvals granted.

Giving an update on the process during a Ministry of Environment press conference in September, officials said they were still in the process of finalizing the document, noting it will be released to the public soon.

Read this article:

Petition launched to protest Disney's plan for cruise destination in the Bahamas - NYCaribNews

An unexpected job opportunity steered Portland-raised musician Junior Scott into establishing a new career and life in The Bahamas as a minister of music for the Golden Gate World Outreach Ministries.

Scott says that he was ready to take what he calls "a leap of faith", having completed studies at the Edna Manley School of Music and having the experience as a touring musician.

He has served as a backing musician for Nadine Blair's Perpetual Praise, as well as for gospel megastars Kevin Downswell, Prodigal Son, Chosen Vessel and Jermaine Edwards.

"I didn't see myself going into music production before relocating to Nassau. Back in Jamaica, most of my time was spent on stage, performing live; but moving to a smaller island, there was the realisation that lots of gospel artistes existed in a place that there weren't a lot of producers," Scott told Gospel Spotlight. "It was like finding untapped, fertile ground, and when you happen upon that, you see how best you can supply what is lacking to make something flourish."

Scott has made his mark producing for some of the premier musical ministers in The Bahamas, like Lynn Terez Nixon and Anna Clixte, and this year, was nominated 'Music Producer of the Year in The Bahamas' popular Elevation Awards.

Scott said, "I never thought that when the opportunity presented itself for me to go and do music full-time, I'd be where I am today, from living in rooms provided by a church, having to learn contentment and humility with whatever God gives you to be happy for it, to being blessed with a wholesome career and fulfilled life and love."

A multi-instrumentalist, Scott says that crossing over into production demanded a lot of his time and marketing. "Trial and error became a way of learning and to perfecting the method employed ... I am still perfecting it," he said.

After a year, he returned home to "tie loose ends," he said, which included ending a relationship. On his flight back to The Bahamas, he met the woman who would become his wife and mother of his two daughters.

"My wife, Deceya, a classically trained musician, is Bahamian-Jamaican and she, too, was moving to Nassau to begin a new chapter. Our story is one of fate, of course," he said.

After exchanging numbers, they learnt that her late mother was born on the same day as his father. "In some strange way it was like God was playing with us," Scott said.

In memory of his father, Wilbert Scott, he produced Thank You Lord, which did well on the gospel music circuit.

"In my journey, I have not forgotten the values instilled in me during my upbringing in Fellowship district. I have also had a lot of good male role models, from my dad, who was a deacon, to my primary-school teacher Herman Reid, and Devon Richards, a foundation drummer with We The People Band, all of whom helped mould me into the person who I am," he said.

His most recent work, The Choir Project, has been dubbed a 'comeback' for church choirs.

"As much as I used to play for choirs as a child in Jamaica, I never took a lot of it seriously, and I had to grow up very fast, especially when I began exploring music at the level of production and again with this project, which was my first time working on a choir album," he said. "I've just been here for 10 years, (so) I never knew the history of choirs recording being dormant as far back as the '90s. I was afraid to do the project based on the magnitude of work around it, and the pressure to deliver, but I am happy with the outcome."

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Junior Scott plants a firm foundation in The Bahamas - Jamaica Star Online

Nassau, Bahamas: The Carnival Corporation completed routine embarkation of some 160 crew members onto 13 of their ships offshore Nassau Harbour.

As per the Ministry of Transport, every aspect of this operation was carefully planned to assure safety and health safety.

The operation was examined and approved in accordance with the Cruise Ship Protocols in effect following the Emergency Order, in accordance with all other related health and safety protocols, and by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, the Port Department and by the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

For this operation, the crew members arrived at 6.30 am on a private charter flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands and complied in all regards with all of The Bahamas medical, immigration and customs requirements including the production of a required individual negative Covid-19 test before the entry.

As per the officials, They were transferred nonstop directly to the Harbour, where waiting chartered launches ferried them directly to their ships.

They also added in the statement that The entire operation from arrival at the airport to embarkation aboard their ships took little more than eight hours, and has been completed safely.

The official pointed out that All measures, including hygiene, masking, distancing, disinfection, cleaning, were specified and compliance, was carefully monitored.

They also said that the operation was for crew embarkation only. No existing crew or shipboard personnel were allowed to leave any ship or to have any contact with any shore-side personnel. During this operation and at no time has any permission ever been given for the ships to undertake discharges in Bahamian waters.

Due to Covid 19 restraints, many crews have been unable to move from their ships for protracted periods of time. The provision of fresh crew assures continued smooth service in accordance with international standards and requirements.

The statement continued: We are also gratified of the fact that The Bahamas has played a role in complying with the United Nations call for the essential step of seamen, and that we have done so in such a safe, rapid and effective manner. We thank our citizens for their continued vigilance in enquiring concerning this operation.

Continued here:

The Carnival Corporation completed routine embarkation of their ships in Bahamas - WIC News

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The oil exploration battle further heated up last night after Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) sought to discredit an activist petition by asserting just 20 percent of signatories were local.

The explorer, which almost certainly faces a legal challenge to its bid to start exploratory drilling on December 15, said in a statement that research it commissioned by a "sophisticated data analysis" firm suggested that the Our Islands, Our Future coalition was using overseas signatories to skew the results of a petition that has attracted more than 50,000 backers.

BPC added that, in so doing, it was "trying to turn the view of Bahamians against this potentially transformational project" by giving the appearance that more of their countrymen are against exploratory drilling than there actually are.

Suggesting that the petition was being hosted by an online California-based business that specialises in these issues, BPC said: "Data collected on behalf of BPC by a company specialising in sophisticated data analysis indicates that the vast majority of these signatures are from persons not in The Bahamas, but rather are overseas parties with no obvious connection to The Bahamas...

"As of 30 November, 2020, data analysis shows that only 20 percent of the self-identified signatories were from inside The Bahamas, with the other 80 percent of such signatories based outside of The Bahamas. This directly contradicts the Our Islands, Our Future suggestion that the online petition represents the views of the Bahamian people.

"Indeed, rather than accurately reflect the view of Bahamians, it suggests more that Our Islands, Our Future is using a common global platform to recruit signatories from overseas so as to skew the results of the petition in support of their agenda in trying to turn the view of Bahamians against this potentially transformational project."

Reiterating its argument that the Government has "a legitimate sovereign right" to determine if commercial quantities of oil exist beneath the Bahamian seabed, BPC said: "BPC holds a valid authorisation from the Government to proceed with the exploration well and should not have an independently monitored process distorted by an external pressure campaign funded by already wealthy influencers from outside of The Bahamas.

"BPC strongly urges the public to find out more about the facts of the Perseverance One exploration well, the potential economic boost its success offers Bahamians, and the extensive environmental authorisation process completed with, and approved by, the Government of The Bahamas."

Fred Smith QC, the Our Islands, Our Future lead attorney, last night blasted back at BPC that, even if their 20 percent claim was true, this percentage still represented "thousands of Bahamians" who were opposed to the company's plans for waters 90 miles west of Andros.

Describing his response as "so what?", Mr Smith suggested that the lengths BPC had gone to in hiring a data analyst to discredit the coalition's position showed it was rattled by the threat of imminent legal action that will include an attempt to secure a Supreme Court injunction to halt all drilling activity.

"There are over seven million people that visited The Bahamas pre-COVID, so there will obviously be a strong international contribution to the petition," Mr Smith argued. "The Bahamas is an island location that millions of people come to every year, and they are interested in protecting the Bahamian environment so we can continue to have tourism as the mainstay of the economy."

Warning that any major oil spill or accident would "sound the death knell for The Bahamas as an absolutely beautiful location that people desire to come to," he added: "I am pleased to see that BOC are taking Our Islands, Our Future seriously because they should. We are a domestic and international coalition, and have a lot of support. BPC should, as they are doing, be taking us seriously because we are a serious crew."

The executive director of the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF), Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, last night said all signatories to the petition "need to be heard" with some 130 Bahamian and international groups now part of Our Islands, Our Future.

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Oil explorer: Just 20% of opponents from the Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune