Category Archives: Bahamas

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Grand Bahama, Bahamas July 20, 2017 The Minister of Youth, Sport & Culture Micheal Pintard has said that the Government will pay half of the registration fees for NGOs focused on cultural work.

Pintard made the statements at a meeting of cultural leaders at the Bishop Michael Eldon School on Saturday. Those present at the meeting included artisans, dance and drama performers and Junkanoo leaders. Pintard said that the creative industries is the fastest-growing sector in most countries and The Bahamas was behind in this industry. He said: Those are the areas that are rapidly growing, multi, trillion dollar industries around the world. The Bahamas is one of those developing countries that have not yet gotten the memo. So, we have to change that.

He encouraged cultural practitioners to legally register their organizations and pledged governments assistance with this process.Half-way for us means that we are prepared to bring in house two attorneys who will sit in a room with those of you who have paper work completed to assist you in getting incorporated, he added.

Saying that it is important to monetize certain aspects of culture and talent, Pintard also told attendees that registration would open doors to them for international funding.This will dramatically drive your cost down. Our goal is to make sure that all of you are properly registered, which will open up the doors for you to go out there and apply for funding for your product or your organization. Being registered will allow you to seek funding from overseas as well.

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Bahamas gov't to assist cultural NGOs with registration - Magnetic Media (press release)

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday conceded that the Bahamas "continues to fall too far down the scale", after this nation was ranked 129th out of 164 countries for its commitment and effectiveness in fighting cyber crime.

K P Turnquest acknowledged that the Bahamas' ranking in the bottom third of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), could "undermine" the financial services industry and this nation's desire to expand its information technology (IT) capabilities.

Of the 25 indicators on which countries were rated, the Bahamas scored highly on just two - cybercriminal legislation and its participation in efforts to combat the problem globally.

This resulted in the GCI placing the Bahamas among 96 nations said to be in the "initiating stage", meaning that they have just "started to make commitments in cybersecurity".

The GCI placed the Bahamas below 'economic powerhouses' such as Gabon, Nauru, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Niger when it came to the commitment, strength and effectiveness of cybersecurity systems, agencies and supporting legislation.

The Bahamas' 129th ranking is also lower than the 121st spot it currently occupies in the World Bank's 'ease of doing' business rankings. On a regional basis, this nation was placed below Jamaica, the leader, who came in at 85th spot, and the likes of Barbados, St Vincent and the Dominican Republic. It did, though, finish ahead of Trinidad & Tobago.

"How did we get there," Mr Turnquest asked, when Tribune Business disclosed the Bahamas' GCI ranking. The survey was conducted by an international regulatory body, the ITU, whose members just held their annual conference in the Bahamas.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Government needed to better understand the basis for the Bahamas' ranking by the ITU's GCI, but admitted: "In all these rankings we continue to fall too far down the scale.

"There's some things we have to do, not only to be more secure, but put in place the required protocols to give actual and perceived security, as well as improve the overall ease of doing business.

"We have to address them as priority to recover our standing, but this particular issue comes as a bit of a surprise as I'm not sure what the basis of it is. As we look at it, we'll see what we have to do to respond."

Mr Turnquest said that while the Bahamas' rankings in international indices were often "subjective", the Government was aware that international investor perceptions of this nation could be easily influenced by them.

And, given the Bahamas' reliance on financial services and other data-based industries, plus its hopes for further economic diversification via IT, the GCI index ranking could be particularly damaging.

"It's absolutely critical that we have very effective and proactive cyber security measures," Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business. "If we are perceived to be weak in the area of data protection and transaction protection, it does have the potential to undermine our financial services industry."

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Bahamas' GCI ranking was likely based "more in theory than in fact", but acknowledged that perception was everything.

"We'll need to address it," he told Tribune Business. "We have to get facts. Certainly, to the extent there are perceived weaknesses, we'll have to do what is necessary to ensure we negate it."

With IT now an essential part of commerce, Brahima Sanou, the ITU's telecommunications bureau director, emphasised why the growing cyber criminal threat meant awareness and security measures were essential.

"In 2016, nearly 1 per cent of all e-mails sent were essentially malicious attacks, the highest rate in recent years," he wrote in the GCI report. "Ransomware attacks increasingly affected businesses and consumers, with indiscriminate campaigns pushing out massive volumes of malicious e-mails.

"Attackers are demanding more and more from victims, with the average ransom demand rising to over $1,000 in 2016, up from approximately $300 a year earlier. In May 2017, a massive cyber attack caused major disruptions to companies and hospitals in over 150 countries, prompting a call for greater co-operation around the world."

Bahamians, and local businesses, have also become increasingly familiar with hackers and the senders of malware, adware, spyware and various forms of computer viruses. The Clearing Banks Association (CBA) has recently taken out a series of advertisements to warn Bahamians about the threats from 'phishing' e-mails and other tactics designed to obtain their bank account details.

Stephen Bereaux, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority's (URCA) chief executive, yesterday said the regulator was not responsible for cybersecurity in the Bahamas, and did not provide any data in response to the survey the ITU issued for the GCI index rankings.

He added, though, that based on talks at last week's ITU conference in the Bahamas he was "confident a number of things are going on" to protect the Bahamas against cyber criminals.

"There were a number of discussions last week on cybersecurity and the impact on the financial services sector in the Bahamas," Mr Bereaux told Tribune Business.

"Clearly, cybersecurity is an issue for any country, but that said, based on the discussions at the conference, a lot of effort is going on in the country to ensure the issue is addressed."

Mr Bereaux said care had to be taken in interpreting indices such as the GCI, because they sometimes did not reflect what was taking place in a particular country."

Originally posted here:

Bahamas 'falls too far': 129th on cyber security | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune

PHOTO: Breezes Bahamas Resort & Spa. (photo courtesy of Breezes Resorts & Spas)

Todays couples know that when it comes to preparing for a baby, theres more to it than selecting a nursery theme and having a car seat and crib at the ready. In fact, savvy parents-to-be realize that once baby arrivesespecially if its Baby No. 2 or No. 3being alone together will soon be but a distant memory.

Enter the babymoon:a time to relax and reconnect before that sweet bundle of joy makes an appearance and sleep deprivation and diapers settle in for a spell.

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Most couples head for the beach when it comes time to plan a babymoon, and with so many things to do and see its no wonder that the Bahamas are a popular destination.

For couples wondering where to stay, Breezes Bahamas Resort & Spa, the only super-inclusive resort in the Bahamas, is offering a babymoon add-on package for just $200 (minimum three-night stay). The package offers such extras as a room upgrade based on availability (first-floor rooms available upon request), extra pillows to ensure that the mom-to-be can rest comfortably, breakfast in bed one morning and more.

Looking for ideas on how to enjoy your stay? Here are seven of our favorites:

Pamper yourself

Expectant parents should take advantage of every opportunity to pamper themselves before the focus shifts to the baby. Guests of Breezes Bahamas who opt for the Babymoon Add-on Package can enjoy complimentary his and her facials at the resorts full-service Blue Mahoe Seaside Spa. The spa offers a full range of a la carte services, all carried out just steps from the ocean.

Enjoy a romantic oceanside dinner

Carpe dinner!Seize the chance to have a special dinner for two (and a half). What could be more romantic than an oceanside table, personalized service and twinkly stars overhead?

Explore the water

Whether its floating in a freshwater pool (Breezes Bahamas has three) or bobbing in the gentle waves off the white-sand Cable Beach, mamas-to-be know that cool water is the great equalizer. More adventurous couples can try their hand at kayaking or even sailing with their doctors permission, of course.

WATCH Dream Weddings by Breezes Resorts & Spas

Lounge in a private cabana

Want to feel special? Then rent a beachside cabana for the day. Better yet, Breezes Bahamas offers daily beachfront cabana and waiter service (a value of $50 a day) as part of their babymoon add-on package.

Take in a show

Once thebaby arrives, heading out for the night will mean a late-night run to the store for diapers. Couples should make the most of the chance to catch a live show, perhaps one featuring a local steel drum band, or relax at an intimate spot.

Shop till you drop

Pick up a few souvenirs or even something for the babys room. Nassau offers a host of shopping opportunities from high-end boutiques to markets showcasing the work of local artisans.

See the sights

Theres a lot more to do in the Bahamas than sun and swim. Couples shouldnt miss the chance to visit Ardastra Gardens & Zoo, Fort Charlotte, the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, Clifton Heritage National Park and the Graycliff Chocolatier where moms-to-be can learn to make their own chocolate treats while reveling in the knowledge that theyre eating for two.

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A Bahamas Babymoon: Seven Things to Do Before the Baby - TravelPulse

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is still in search of their first beach volleyball win of the VI Commonwealth Youth Games.

Each of the three teams took to the sand yesterday but remain 0-2 in the preliminary rounds of the event hosted at the National Beach Soccer Stadium.

The girls' team of Mechelle Moss and La'Tavia Braynen lost to Rebbeca Ingraham and Carrie Van Rensburg of Australia, 21-8, 21-15.

The second boys' team of James Cleare and Aaron Springer made their debut with a 21-9, 21-6 loss to Mark Nicolaidis and Blake Takken of Australia.

They returned later in the afternoon but suffered a 21-10, 21-19 loss to Levi Leonce and Kyhim Remy of St Lucia.

The other boys' team of Nathan Wert and Kyle Wilson fell to Lukholo Jooste and Aviwe Mamfanya of South Africa 21-18, 21-9.

Wilson and Wert opened the first set with an early 4-0 lead before RSA rallied to tie. Wilson regained momentum on a block followed by an ace on his next serve. Back and forth throughout the set, it was tied several times at 10, 12, 13, 14 before South Africa rallied to go ahead by four and eventually win the set 21-18.

The second set began with the same pattern before RSA broke a 7-7 tie with five consecutive points to take control for good.

National team head coach Glen Rolle said despite the result, the teams showed improvements from their performances on day one.

"It was an improvement from day one. For the girls, you could see it in their gameplay. They played with a confidence we knew they had even though they may not have displayed that in the first game. That's where I'm the happiest, that they looked confident and comfortable. The guys gave a valiant effort in the first set, but just fell flat because of fatigue and to win at this level you have to put two great sets together," he said.

"The outcome, of course, is not what we wanted but we have to face it, we were shorthanded in a lot of areas, they exceeded expectations in their play. It may not be the result that we wanted but all you can ask for is their best effort and improvement. They continue to do that."

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Team Bahamas Still In Search Of First Beach Volleyball Win - Bahamas Tribune

LONGMEADOW An eighth grade student from St. Marys Academy is currently working in the Bahamas a part of the Jason Argonaut program.

According to the Jason website, the program is named after the band of explorers in Greek mythology who accompanied Jason in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. The program invites selected students and teachers to travel to Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas to tag and track Green Sea Turtles. Dr. Robert Ballard, the explorer who discovered the location of the Titanic, founded Jason in 1989.

Adam Witrowski first learned about the Jason program when he was on a family trip to Mystic Aquarium at the young age of 6. At the time, the aquarium had a live feed from the Nautilus research vessel where audience members could speak to the researchers who were on board. The Nautilus research vessel was Ballards, and seeing the footage first-hand lit the fire for Witrowskis interest in marine biology, according to his mother Amy. Since that experience, Witrowski has had the opportunity to talk with Ballard twice.

Though St. Marys doesnt offer courses from the Jason curriculum, it is possible to home school the courses. Amy completed online training so that Adam could complete several modules of the curriculum on top of his schoolwork from St. Marys.

Adam has been working toward this since hes been little by taking as many courses, lectures and camps as we could find for him, Amy said.

To be selected for the Jason program, Adam had to complete the curriculum, an intense application that included several essays, a video about himself and three letters of recommendation. Over 1,000 students apply from all over the world and only 15 to 20 students are selected.

This year Jasons Argonauts are traveling to five different expeditions, the Arctic, Acadia National Park, Cape Eleuthera Institute, the Amazon, and Malaysia. Adams mission has five teachers as well as four other students.

Adam was most excited about the total immersive experience in an actual research mission and to be taking part in it as an actual scientist, Amy said.

Though it may be nerve wracking for parents to send their child so far away from home for eight days, Amy is confident Adam is in good hands.

I get to see pictures every day, but due to the location of the facility and constraints on electricity, we received a phone call from Adam upon his arrival, and well get one phone call during his stay. He sounded thrilled and excited when we spoke and had already made some great friends, Amy added, We cant wait to see what next great adventures this opportunity will lead him to.

Adam will be returning from the Bahamas on July 21. To see photos from the expedition, search Jason Learning on Facebook or go to ceibahamas.org.

Read more here:

St. Mary's student travels to Bahamas for sea turtle research - Reminder Publications

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas needs "considerably" more foreign direct investment (FDI) than the $522 million inflows it attracted in 2016, a governance reformer yesterday describing this as "critical" to faster economic growth.

Robert Myers, a principal with the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), told Tribune Business that "stimulating FDI is vital" if the Bahamas is to hit the 5.5 per cent annual GDP growth rate identified as key to workforce stability.

He was speaking after the World Investment Report 2017, published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), revealed that Baha Mar's construction resumption boosted FDI flows to the Bahamas by 27.8 per cent in 2016.

The Bahamas attracted the second highest FDI inflow among small island developing states (SIDS), coming in behind only Jamaica, which gained $900 million in capital from overseas in 2016.

"Although flows into the 10 Caribbean economies in the group slipped to $2 billion (down 13 per cent), they still absorbed almost 60 per cent of total inflows to the 29 SIDS members. The largest recipient economy in this region was Jamaica, followed by the Bahamas and Barbados," the World Investment Report said.

"In the Bahamas, FDI flows bounced back by 28 per cent to $522 million, as FDI in construction picked up. Yet the volume remained less than one-third of its previous peaks ($1.6 billion in 2014 and $1.5 billion in 2011)."

The report shows how the Bahamas 'put its eggs in one basket' with respect to Baha Mar, with the $4.2 billion Cable Beach-based resort project effectively 'the only game in town' when it came to FDI, and generating employment and economic activity, for the past five years.

The FDI flows measured by the World Investment Report bear this out, as the peaks coincide with Baha Mar's 2011 construction start and the 2014 'race to the finish' that ultimately failed. The project's 2015 Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing, and subsequent protracted legal battle, coincide with a sharp decline in capital invested in the Bahamas.

Between 2011 and 2014, FDI inflows to the Bahamas never dropped below $1 billion. Starting at $1.533 billion in 2011, they remained relatively constant at $1.073 billion and $1.133 billion in 2012 and 2013, respectively, before hitting $1.599 billion in 2014.

However, FDI inflows dropped by almost 75 per cent year-over-year in 2015 to hit $408 million, before recovering somewhat to $522 million due to Baha Mar's construction resumption and payments to creditors in late 2016.

"While FDI in some leading FDI host economies (the Bahamas, Maldives and Mauritius) bounced back, the majority saw their fragile FDI diminish," the World Investment Report said of SIDS generally. "

"The top five FDI recipients in 2016 - Jamaica, the Bahamas, Maldives, Mauritius and Fiji, in that order - accounted for 70 per cent of total FDI received by all SIDS."

While the Bahamas' rebound may look encouraging, the report said Caribbean rivals such as Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago were using FDI more effectively to help diversify their economies.

And it added: "Prospects for attracting more FDI for sustainable development remain dim. A sharp fall in the value of announced greenfield projects from 2015 to 2016 underscores the continuing challenge for SIDS of securing FDI."

Mr Myers, responding to the report's findings, suggested that the Bahamas needed at least $1 billion-plus annually in FDI if it was to have any chance of generating 5.5 per cent annual GDP growth.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified that percentage as the threshold for slashing the existing 11.6 per cent unemployment rate in half, and the economy being able to absorb all high school graduates into its workforce with ease.

"It's not enough," Mr Myers told Tribune Business of the Bahamas' increased 2016 FDI inflow. "We've got to get our GDP up to 5.5 per cent."

He explained that the Bahamian economy's current model, with its focus on services exports via tourism and financial services, and narrow domestic investor base, meant it remained heavily reliant on FDI to generate much of its growth.

Mr Myers also highlighted structural impediments to domestic growth, including exchange controls and a relatively high interest rate environment, coupled with a thin manufacturing and export base.

"FDI is a big one for us because manufacturing is absolutely zero to none. It's very low," he told Tribune Business. "All you have is fish and exports like Polymers, aragonite, sand and salt.

"There's also some petroleum products that really skew our GDP. It's money, money out and it doesn't positively impact our economy that much."

Emphasising that the Bahamas will continue to be heavily reliant on foreign capital for the foreseeable future, Mr Myers added: "FDI is a big driver of our economy and always has been.

"We've got to grow the economy, and FDI is a very large part of that. It's a driver of our overall GDP, which needs to be at 5.5 per cent. GDP growth is the gorilla in the room, and FDI is one part of that GDP gorilla.

"We haven't done any specific modelling to understand that number, but I think that over a sustained period of time, if FDI could be $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion a year that's a start."

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Bahamas needs 'much' more FDI than $522m | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Team Bahamas picked up its first set of medals - both bronze from Mya Beneby in the womens -57 kilogram and and an injured Karra Hanna in the womens +70 kg - as Judo completed the first sporting discipline on day one of the sixth Commonwealth Games.

Contested just before the start of the opening ceremonies last night at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Team Bahamas ended up ninth out of 17 countries on the medal chart. England emerged as the overall champions with four gold medals and a bronze, while Australia got second with one gold and three bronze and Scotland came in third with one gold, two silver and a bronze.

Head coach DArcy Rahming Jr said for a sport that is relatively new to the country, the performances by Team Bahamas were fantastic.

For us to walk away from the Commonwealth Youth Games just shows the level of talent and ability that we have in the country, said Rahming, of the mini Olympic style games that is being held in the Caribbean for the first time.

Judo is played between another human being and the only way to get experience is to travel. To move to the next level, we need to put some more resources in the system, then we can take our promising athletes here so that they can get the experience to jump to the next level.

Beneby, competing in her first major international meet, said she was quite pleased with her performance, considering that she faced some competitors who are black belts, while shes just a brown belt. She lost to Scotlands Emma Forrest in her semifinal match.

My first match was really good. I beat a black belt, she said. My second match, I didnt do very well, but I won my last match to win a bronze medal.

It was really quick. I fought her a few times and all of the times I fought her, I beat her. So I knew how she fights. When I went on the mat, I just bowed and I tried to take her out early when I got my grip. I followed my coaches instructions.

Beneby, a 14-year-old student of Bahamas Elite Sports Academy, admitted she would have preferred to fight for the gold, but she cant be disappointed as a first year competitor who came out with the bronze.

I thank God, Beneby said.

Another disappointment came in the womens +70kg where Karra Hanna had the potential to go to the final after she was leading, but she suffered a shoulder injury and could not get up of the mat before the decision was awarded to Aoife McCallion from Northern Ireland.

I really wanted to continue, but it was just too painful, Hanna said. I had suffered a slight (right) knee injury in my first match (against Imogen Jo Ranner of England that she won).

Im painful right now, but Im glad that I was still able to win a medal. I really wanted to win the gold for my country. I guess I just have to get better prepared for the next time I get to compete.

Simon Zulu, the 17-year-old gold medalist in the mens -60kg for Zambia, said theres no greater feeling than earning the gold medal for his country. He out-lasted Georgios Balarjishvili from Cyprus in their final match.

I feel so good. I never knew that I would have been so successful, Zulu said. My coaches here have been working very hard with me to get me ready for the competition.

The competition was really tough, but I did my best. The guy was tough. Thats all I could say. This competition was good and its Paradise here. Its a nice place.

The one day of competition also had an effect on 17-year-old Mosa Thetsane from South Africa. He injured his right knee in his first match in the mens -60kg, but he never gave way, limping his way to the bronze medal.

After the injury in the first match, I lost the second match, but I am glad that I could still fight for a medal, Thetsane said. I never thought that I could get this type of injury and I never knew that I could make it this far.

Its been a long journey to get here, but its been a lot of fun. The Bahamas is so beautiful, the building, people and everything. Im really enjoying it.

Although she gave it her best shot, Jasmine Russell fell short of getting on the podium to receive a medal in the womens -48kg. She lost to Antim Yadav of India in the Repachage and had to settle for seventh place.

The competition was hard, said the 14-year-old St Augustines College student, who is just in her first year in the sport. The girl had more experience than me. I just need to practice harder. I feel good about the opportunity to compete here. But I have to train harder.

The gold medal in the division went to Sian Bobrowska of England, who had a sensational victory over Fiona Ulann Todman from Scotland in the final.

It was really good. I fought really hard today, Bobrowska said. This was my best performance for the year. I felt really good, really strong in all of my matches, especially the final.

It was tough because of the heat here, but I think I did very well to adapt to win the gold in these conditions here. It was a really good experience. I really like it.

Englands head coach Nicole Nunn sung the praises of her seven-member team for their overall triumph.

The kids have been fantastic, she said. Our competitors all performed brilliantly and I think we all had a fantastic time. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves so far.

Its so great to be here. Its a long flight. They have never done a long flight like that before, but everyone has been fantastic and hospitable and the food has been great, so I think thats why they performed so well today.

Nunn said now that their competition is over, they will have some fun playing in the beach as they wait and watch the rest of Team England performs this week.

Note: The Bahamas was also represented by Davante Sweeting in the mens -60kg; Taliano Ferguson in the mens -73kg; Kyon Cumberbatch in the mens -90kg; Daleon Sweeting in the mens +90kg and Breanna Major in the womens -70kg. None of them advanced to the medal round.

Ferguson, by the way, also had to get medical attention for an apparent right shoulder injury that he sustained during his Repechage match against Luke Walker from Trinidad & Tobago.

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Bahamas Lands Two Bronze - Bahamas Tribune

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Bahamas, July 19, 2017 Nassau National Security Minister Marvin Dames said he has already informed all law enforcers that the days of cloaking crooked officers are over. Dames was addressing media questions on the recent arrests of corrections officers and defense force marines for illegal drug and arms possession.

No longer will those wanting to join enforcement be able to bring a letter from their MPs to get a job; Minister Dames said recruitment standards are going to go by the book and this should secure higher caliber men and women to serve the public.

The Minister was quick to explain that the majority of law enforcers are against illicit activities among the branches, so they welcome the arrests to clean house.

#MagneticMediaNews

#MarvinDames

#badapplesoutsaysDames

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Bad apples out says Bahamas Natl Security Minister Magnetic Media - Magnetic Media (press release)

MIAMI Bahamians in South Florida, persons of Bahamian descent and friends of The Bahamas recently gathered at St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, Miami for an Independence Ecumenical Service to celebrate the 44th anniversary of the Independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Among the speakers at the event, His Excellency Mr. Reuben Rahming, The Bahamas/CARICOM Ambassador-designate, received enthusiastic cheers when he told those in attendance that, the greatest asset of The Bahamas is not sun sand or sea, but WE (the people).

The service themed, Towards The Rising Sun, began Sunday afternoon with an opening prayer followed by a warm welcome provided by the First Lady of the Church, Mrs. Evelyn Brown, wife of Pastor Rev. Dr. Vincent Brown.

Other speakers at the service included Mr. Richard Treco, Consul General of The Bahamas to Florida and Senator, The Honourable Fred Mitchell, former Minister of Foreign Affairs. The keynote speaker of the evening was Rev. Dr. Jerome Symonette, of Restoring Grace Community Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

During the fast-paced service, The Bahamas Consulate General Office, Florida, honored a number of persons from the local Bahamian community and one of the highlights of the service was a solo by Acneal L. Williams, Masters of Classical Voice Program at Howard University (currently interning with the local Consulate office).

South Florida Bahamians Honored The Bahamas Consulate General, Florida on Sunday honored persons from the local Bahamian Community, during the Annual Bahamas Independence Ecumenical Service which this year celebrated the countrys 44th Birthday. Pictured Left to right: Acneal Williams, Honoree; Esther Panza, Honoree; Evelande Gideon, Honoree; Deacon Earl Ferguson, Honoree; Richard Treco, Consul General of The Bahamas to Florida; Earlston McPhee, Honoree; Reuben Rahming, Bahamas/CARICOM Ambassador-designate; Deanna Christensen, Presenter; Janet Jackson, Honoree; Julien K. Collie, Honoree; Rudolph Green, Honoree and David Moss, Presenter.

In addition to the speakers, a wide array of clergymen from The Bahamas or with a Bahamian background, as well as dignitaries and members of the local diplomatic corps were in attendance some participating in the service.

Those in attendance included from the Diplomatic Corps, Consul General Franz Hall, Jamaica;Consul Dave Spence, Trinidad & Tobagoand Commissioner Thomas Dorsett West Park Florida. Clergymen included Rev. David Ellis, Pastor Mike Brennen, Pastor Byron Braynen, Bishop Dexter Rolle (Bimini), Rev. Carroll Storr, Bishop Francis Curry, McQuaise Hepburn, Minister Horace Hord, Fr. Denrick Rolle, Rev. Leslie McMillan, Rev. Charles Thompson, and Rev. James Ferguson.

The Ecumenical service was one of a number of events planned by the local South Florida Bahamian community to celebrate the 44th birthday of The Bahamas as a nation.

On Saturday, July 8th, Bahamians in Florida celebrated with a picnic at the Virginia Cay Beach, Miami.

This Saturday, July 22nd, The Independence celebration events will continue with the National Association of The Bahamas (NAB) Annual Scholarship Ball, which will take place at the Shulas Hotel and Golf Club, Miami.

The black tie affair is priced at $100.00 and tickets are available by calling NABs President, Rosamon Gomez at 954-236-9292.

The rest is here:

Bahamians in South Florida celebrates country's 44th Independence Anniversary - South Florida Caribbean News

Government officials at the Privy Council Office struggled with the complexity of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Christmas vacation to the Bahamas, according to newly released documents.

That complexity may have added to the costs of the trip and may be contributing to what has become a lengthy investigation into the trip by the House of Commons ethics commissioner.

READ MORE:Justin Trudeaus trip to Aga Khans island cost taxpayers over $125K

A significant part of that complexity was the result of the fact that Canada did not have a single full-time diplomat in the Bahamas who could help co-ordinate what the documents show was a mad, last-minute scramble to provide Trudeau with the security, communications, and other support the prime minister must have at all times.

The new documents obtained by Global News show that officials in the Privy Council Office (PCO) first began planning for the trip on Dec. 15, less than two weeks ahead of his departure.

Diplomatic, logistical, communications and security arrangements had to be made and were complex enough that the co-ordinator of the prime ministers travel eventually thanked the two dozen PCO and Global Affairs diplomats who worked on the file for arranging this challenging trip.

The documents also show that Trudeaus entourage travelled to the Bahamas with an official diplomatic note.

Diplomatic notes are routine formal written communications between governments and can be for mundane matters, such as requesting a meeting between government officials, or for more sensitive matters, such as requesting help with security. They are frequently used by Trudeaus staff, as they were for former prime minister Stephen Harpers staff, to help facilitate prime ministerial travel.

The documents do not spell out who was in that entourage covered by the diplomatic note.

Liberal Party President Anna Gainey and her spouse, as well as Liberal MP Seamus ORegan and his spouse, joined Trudeau at the Aga Khans island. None of them had their entry into the Bahamas eased by a diplomatic note, Trudeau spokesman Cameron Ahmad said Wednesday.

READ MORE:Justin Trudeau recuses himself from choice of ethics watchdog in wake of Aga Khan trip

Global News obtained 88-pages of heavily censored documents from the PCO, the department that supports the work of the prime minister, under a federal Access to Information Act request. The request, filed January 5, asked each of the PCO, the RCMP and DND to provide information about resources that were used by each department to support the visit by Trudeau, his family, and their guests to Bell Island, an island owned by the Aga Khan, the billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader who has been a friend of the Trudeau family since the prime minister was a young boy.

WATCH: TomMulcair calls Trudeaus Bahamas trip an illegal vacation

The RCMP and DND have yet to respond to access-to-information requests filed more than seven months ago.

As for Trudeau, for months, he has resisted providing any details about the trip or about the investigation by House of Commons Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Mary Dawson, when asked by reporters or parliamentarians.

READ MORE:Why Justin Trudeaus trip to the Aga Khans island matters

Trudeau has been under investigation by Dawson after she acknowledged that two separate complaints filed by Conservative MPs in January warranted an investigation by her office.

The first complaint, from Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer, alleges that Trudeaus acceptance of lodging and transportation assistance from his host, the Aga Khan, represents a conflict of interest given that the Aga Khan Foundation has been the recipient of tens of millions of dollars in grants from the Canadian government over the last decade to help with its foreign aid work. The Aga Khan is a board member of the foundation that bears his name.

Another complaint, from Conservative MP Blaine Calkins, alleges Trudeau violated a rule in the federal Conflict of Interest Act that prohibits prime ministers from travelling on private aircraft. While Trudeau travelled from Ottawa to Nassau on an RCAF jet, he made the 150-km trip from Nassau to the Aga Khans private island on the Aga Khans private helicopter.

Under the Conflict of Interest Act, the only exceptions for any cabinet minister to accept transportation on a private or commercial aircraft is prior permission from the ethics commissioner or emergency circumstances connected to the ministers official duties.

Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson prepares to appear at a Commons committee, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday June 10, 2014. Dawson has been investigating Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Bahamas vacation since January.

Trudeau has never said if he sought and received prior permission from the ethics commissioner. Moreover, he has invariably described the trip as a private visit not related to his official duties.

Trudeau is in jeopardy of becoming the first sitting prime minister to have been found in violation of a federal statute while in office.

The prime ministers in a lot of hot water on this, Calkins said Tuesday in an interview in Edmonton.

Calkins said he has received no communication from Dawson or her investigators since filing the complaint.

In the meantime, Trudeau extended Dawsons appointment as ethics commissioner but has recused himself from the selection of her successor, passing that job to a cabinet minister who, nonetheless, holds her job at the pleasure of the prime minister.

The whole thing seems to be a bit odd and taxpayers need to be worried about this, Calkins said.

The bureaucrats in the PCO appeared to have understood Trudeaus Bahamas travel to be a private visit as well. An extensive e-mail exchange involving PCO employees as well as Global Affairs Canada diplomats has a subject line which includes Nassau BAHAMAS Private Visit of the Prime Minister.

And yet, when Catherine Mathieu, the PCO manager of the prime ministers tour, made an official request to the department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship for a diplomatic note that would ease entry into the Bahamas for a PCO technician, Mathieu did not characterize the trip as a private visit. Instead, she explained the diplomatic note was required for an employee travelling to the Bahamas from December 23, 2016 until January 5, 2017 for the Prime Ministers official visit.

PCO request for a Diplomatic Note for PMs Official Visit by David Akin on Scribd

In any event, as part of a discussion between Mathieu and a government official whose name has been blacked out by a government censor, that unnamed official notes that teams from both DND and the RCMP had arranged for diplomatic notes to ease their entry into the country.

On Dec. 15, Jean-Philippe Lafond, the manager of official travel at Passport Canada in Gatineau, Que., advised Mathieu that Bahamian authorities received a Dip Note for the entourage of the PM. That entourage appears to be a reference to Canadian government officials, including the RCMP and DND.

READ MORE:Justin Trudeau isnt the first politician to ride in the Aga Khans helicopter

While officials with Canadas foreign service in Ottawa played a key role in organizing transportation of diplomatic red bags to the Bahamas, it was foreign service officers in Kingston, Jamaica who played the key role on the ground in the Bahamas.

We do not have [government of Canada] employees based in Bahamas.We only have a Consulate led by an Honorary Consul whos[sic] appointment has yet to be approved by PCO, wrote Damin Kotzev, the second secretary at the Jamaica High Commission. We have therefore nobody with diplomatic accreditation to Bahamas based on the Island.

The lack of a diplomatic presence in the Bahamas made it difficult, for example, to find a large enough vehicle to transport officials and their diplomatic bags travelling through Nassau.

The last-minute nature of the planning may also have led to higher costs.

The documents show there were attempts to co-ordinate travel and logistics between PCO and the RCMP, for example, but it is not clear if those attempts were successful.

2017Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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New documents on Trudeau's Bahamas trip raise fresh questions on long-running ethics investigation - Globalnews.ca