Category Archives: Bahamas

NC State is headed to the Bahamas to play in the Pink Flamingo Championship over Thanksgiving, which is a pretty good vacation idea if you ask me. Its a star-studded event, too.

The Wolfpack will face Marylanddefinitely a preseason top-10 teamon Thanksgiving day, and will play Washington State two days later. Indiana and Stanford are also participating; the Hoosiers reached the Elite Eight last season, though I totally forget how, and Stanford won the title.

Its not a tournament (there are only seven teams involved) but rather just a showcase for these teams to pick up some good non-conference games. The Wolfpack is trying to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAAs for the second straight year, and beating Maryland early would go a long way in helping it do that.

NC State also will host South Carolina this season, and Im assuming there will be a Big Ten/ACC Challenge game announced at some point. Should be a strong schedule.

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NC State womens hoops is headed to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving - Backing The Pack

6-Banner Sunday is Inside the Halls weekly newsletter in partnership withThe Assembly Call. Nearly 8,000 Indiana fans receive the newsletter each week. In addition to appearing each week on the site, you can also opt to receive 6-Banner Sunday by email. A form to subscribe via email is available at the bottom of this weeks 6-Banner Sunday.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production betweenThe Assembly CallandInside the Hallwhere we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

As the offseason rolls on, several news items came out this week with the top story being the demise of the Crossroads Classic.

Besides that, another non-conference game is known, details of the upcoming Bahamas trip are more clear and some info on a future and past Hoosier. As usual 6-Banner will conclude with a look at happenings in other IU Sports.

Crossroads Classic comes to an end after this year Hoosiers add a non-conference opponent and ITH previews the known preseason games More info released on the Bahamas trip Kaleb Banks summer highlights Former Hoosier Jerome Hunter speaks up Hoosier Roundup

The fate of the Crossroads Classic was hanging in the balance after this years game against Notre Dame. Now we know the games are no more. News broke this last week from the Lafayette Journal & Couriers Mike Carmin that the four-team event featuring IU, Purdue, Notre Dame and Butler is done.

Greg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star wrote a column about the cancellation and Zach Osterman broke down the reasons for the demise.

With the season fast approaching, IU announced a Nov 12 date with Northern Illinois to fill out another piece of the preseason puzzle.

Inside The Hall also took the time this week to do a detailed preview of some of the non-conference opponents. The series right now has previews ofMerrimack, St. Johns, Marshall and Louisiana-Lafayette

While it has been known for a while that the Hoosiers would travel to the Bahamas in August more info was released about the trip this week.

The exhibition games against professional team BC Mega will take place Friday, August 13 at 7:30pm and Sunday, August 15 at 1pm in the Imperial Ballroom at the Paradise Atlantis. The contests will be open to the public for those willing to vacation and travel to paradise, but as of now no TV or radio will be available for those who stay back.

As reported late last week, the Hoosiers picked up their second commit of the 2022 class when Fayetteville Georgias Kaleb Banks pulled the trigger for the Hoosiers.

Banks is a four-star recruit ranked no. 123 in his class, and this week Inside The Hall found and posted a four minute highlight video of his time on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit where he has starred this summer.

Former IU forward Jerome Hunter transferred to Xavier this summer. Before he begins his time with the Musketeers though the Columbus Dispatchs Adam Jardy wrote about him.

What should be of most interest to Hoosier fans is an actual concrete diagnosis of the leg injury that kept Hunter out his entire freshmen year. While rumors have circulated, the article confirms that Hunter indeed had surgery on a blood clot in his knee that caused him to miss the season.

Lots of Olympic news this week regarding current and former Hoosiers. Zach Apple and Blake Pieroni won a gold medal in the 400 meter relay and Lily King won a bronze medal in the 100 meter breaststroke. King and Annie Lazor also medaled in the 200 meter breaststroke. Several divers also won medals in a couple events.

More Football players were put on Preseason Watch Lists.

Womens Golf added a member to its coaching staff.

Womens Basketball announced a tournament in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving.

Mens Soccer lost a legend.

Baseballs Drew Ashley was named an Academic All-American.

Wrestling had a signee named a high school All-American.

Thanks for your continued support for The Assembly Call. Well be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

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6-Banner Sunday: Crossroads Classic coming to an end after 11 years - Inside the Hall

Crystal Cruises has added Miami as a third embarkation point for its Bahamas cruises aboard Crystal Serenity, making it easier for Americans to get onboard.

The seven-day roundtrip Luxury Bahamas Escapeshave been extended into early November and will now offer three embarkation ports: Nassau on Saturdays, Bimini on Sundays, and Miami on Mondays.

The Serenity will depart Nassau on August 7, making its first stop at PortMiami on August 9. New guests will be able to get onboard and those who embarked in Nassau and Bimini can explore the city.

In addition, the line has added a new four-night getaway round-trip from Miami departing November 15, with visits to San Salvador and Exuma plus a day at sea.

By adding Port of Miami, we are giving travelers another convenient way to join these popular Bahamas cruises that provide vacation escapes both close to home and yet a world away, said Crystal President Jack Anderson.

Reports suggest Crystal made the decision to add Miami because of a lack of airlift into the Bahamas and the desire of Americans to board ships without flying to another country.

READ MORE: 9 Reasons To Cruise Crystal Serenity

Adding the Florida port means Crystal Cruises has to adjust its rules, as state law prohibits requiring proof of vaccination. Crystals restart protocols to date have required that all guests over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated.

Following in the footsteps of sister brand Royal Caribbean, Crystal now highly recommends but does not require vaccination for guests departing from Miami.

However, unvaccinated guests will face quite a few hurdles to cruise on Serenity. They will be put on a waitlist initially and limited numbers will be allowed onboard. They also must provide proof of valid travel insurance and face multiple testing requirements.

Those who are unvaccinated or refuse to disclose their vaccinated status will be identified by a red bracelet, while vaccinated guests will have green ones. Red bracelet wearers will have to wear masks in all public areas except when eating or drinking, and will be barred from some specialty restaurants and nightclubs, as well as the spa and fitness facilities. They also may not be able to go ashore in certain ports based on local protocols.

Crystal Serenity began its Bahamas series from Nassau on July 3. When reservations opened back in March, the line reported its biggest single day of bookings in company history. Nearly 4,000 travelers reserved staterooms or suites within the first 24 hours, representing about 25 percent of capacity for the initial series.

The Luxury Bahamas Escapes explore the Bahamas Family Islands with calls in Great Exuma, San Salvador, and Long Island. Before adding the Miami stop, the Serenity also visited Spanish Wells, but that has been dropped from the new itinerary.

Crystal guests will enjoy clear blue water, pink and white-sand beaches, and opportunities to join the swimming pigs of Exuma or snorkel around colorful reefs. The addition of Miami, with its vibrant nightlife, busy beaches, and atmospheric neighborhoods adds a new urban element to the itinerary.

READ NEXT: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know

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Miami Added as Embarkation Port For Bahamas Cruises - Cruise Radio

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas will be back in steam on the mainline and visit Plymouth this Sunday, 1st August 2021.

The Jubilee class locomotive is hauling a railtour from Slough to Par between Taunton and Plymouth.

The train will depart Slough diesel hauled at 08:46 and will then pass through Twyford (08:59), Reading (09:06), Theale (09:16), Newbury (09:28), Bedwyn (09:48), Westbury (10:13), Castle Cary (10:35) and Taunton, where 45596 Bahamas is added to the train, at 11:01. Once Bahamas is attached, the train will then pass through Tiverton Parkway (11:45), Exeter St Davids (12:20), Dawlish (12:33), Newton Abbot (12:41), Totnes (12:53), Ivybridge (13:08) and Plymouth at 13:22.

Here, a diesel locomotive takes over.

Departing Plymouth at 14:06, the train will pass through Saltash (14:15), Liskeard (14:32), Lostwithiel (14:46) and Par at 14:53.

The return trip will depart diesel hauled from Par at 17:38 and will pass through St Germans (18:08) to get to Plymouth at 18:23, where Bahamas is re-attached to the train.

Departing Plymouth at 18:54, the steam train will pass through Ivybridge (19:09), Totnes (19:21), Newton Abbot (19:33), Dawlish Warren (19:43), Exeter St Davids (19:55), Tiverton Parkway (20:28), Taunton (Bahamas is set to detach here at 21:20), Castle Cary (21:46), Westbury (22:06), Newbury (22:59), Reading (23:23), Maidenhead (23:37) and Slough at 23:43.

These above timings in brackets are approximate; please click the links below, which tracks the train throughout the day to keep you up to date on when it will pass through your local station.

Please follow all UK wide and local restrictions regarding Coronavirus.If you have felt unwell or have any symptoms, please self-isolate at home, and DO NOT head out to see this movement.

For timings on these movements, please click the links below:

If you do go out and see 45596 Bahamas on the tour, why not share your pictures to LocoStop, our railway community. Click here for more details.

As always, please respect the dangers of the railway. Please do not trespass on the railway to see this iconic locomotive stay to public access spots!

RailAdvent PlusGet image downloads, Prints and Streaming VideoRailAdvent NewsThe latest railway newsRailAdvent ShopRailway Prints, DVDs / Blu-Rays and moreLocoStop CommunityCome and share your railway picturesMainline UK Steam InfoUpcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements

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Bahamas steam locomotive to visit Plymouth this Sunday - RailAdvent - Railway News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Officials in Grand Bahama were last night incinerating insect-infested wood and fumigating exposed areas after a cargo ship reportedly offloaded it without proper approval.

Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard said an investigation has been launched into how the vessel was allowed to drop off the wood.

He addressed the matter as a guest on Beyond the Headlines with Clint Watson.

We have a massive team incinerating the wood at Sanitation, fumigating both at Bradford Marine and Sanitation and we are carefully trying to find out how is it possible that a vessel can come into The Bahamas, dock, drop off the itemsIm not God, so Im not omniscient, so I dont know and thats why we do investigations and to find out how they can drop off the wood, and leave because we intended to detain whoever had done it and we will find out from the shipping agency, the barge that transferred and everyone who had custody of the wood so we are addressing it.

Pintard did not reveal any further details; however, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),in a statement on Wednesday, said a vessel it removed was on its way to Freeport for disposal services.

The CBP said its agriculture specialists at the Port of New Orleans had ordered the removal of a vessel named the Pan Jasmine due to invasive insects found in the wood used to secure their previous cargo.

The vessel was found to be infected with five separate pests, according to the CBP, noting there were two destructive and invasive species beetle and ant that required action.

Due to the large volume of (wood) and the presence of highly mobile pests, the vessel was ordered to immediately depart U.S. waters, load the (wood) into the cargo hold and clean the decks prior to returning to the U.S., the CBP statement read.

The larvae of invasive wood-boring beetles can feed on a wide variety of trees in the U.S., eventually killing them, the statement continued.

The Myrmicinae queen ants are a concern because they are capable of producing a colony. The additional pests found have an established presence in the U.S. including Bostrichidae, a common wood-boring pest.

It furthered the vessel departed on July 21 to Freeport.

According to the statement, New Orleans Area Port Director Terri Edwards said: If the (wood) had been offloaded into the U.S., it would have been put in a Louisiana landfill where the insects could crawl out and invade the local habitat, causing incalculable damage.

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INFESTATION: Sanitation incinerating insect-infested wood offloaded in GB - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Viewers across the entire archipelago have free access to watch the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games thanks to a partnership with BTC and the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB). BTC is the title sponsor to ZNS free-to-air rights to broadcast the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

BTC CEO Andre Foster commented on the partnership, saying: We could not be more proud of this partnership with the national broadcaster to deliver free-to-air coverage of the 2020 Olympics to every resident of The Bahamas, ensuring everyone has access to all the excitement of the games, with or without a television subscription service.

Across the archipelago, all a household needs is a television in the home tuned into the ZNS off-air channels and they will be able to catch all the Olympic action.

BTC, as a carrier of the national broadcaster channels on our Flow TV platform, will also receive ZNS Olympic coverage on our state-of-the-art digital IPTV platform at no additional cost to FlowTV subscribers. Our sponsorship helps to provide every Bahamian home with access to the Olympics and this is just one example of how BTC is giving back to The Bahamas in a really big way.

The countrys pioneer in telecommunications partnering with the pioneer in television broadcast services makes this a very special moment for both of us in serving The Bahamas.

BTC has a rich history of support for sports and over the years, weve heavily invested in track and field and swimming to ensure that athletes were afforded the opportunity to compete and represent the country.

BTC has also provided major endorsement contracts to a number of athletes including our first gold medalist, Tonique Williams. The company has also endorsed the Golden Girls, the Golden Knights and Shaunae Miller to name a few.

We believe in supporting our athletes by providing them with the assistance needed to help to fuel their passion so that they can realize their dreams.

Residents with Flow TV can tune into channels 113 or 115 and the FlowTV mobile app. All other viewers can watch the games on ZNS.

BCB General Manager Kayleaser Deveaux-Isaacs said: The chairman, on behalf of the board of directors and the executives of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, are very pleased to be partnering with BTC on the free-to-air television broadcast coverage of the 2020 Olympics.

Both entities have a strong relationship presently, as in the past, and as proud Bahamian entities, we are very happy to be bringing the Olympics once again to the Bahamian people.

We hope to foster greater relations as legacy companies and BCB will continue to highlight the great achievements of Bahamians locally and internationally in its programming.

BTC has also enjoyed a long-term relationship with the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and The Bahamas Olympic Committee and has been title sponsor of the CARIFTA Track and Field and Swimming teams and the IAAF World Relays.

BTC congratulated Joanna Evans for her second place finish in the womens 400m freestyle heat and Izaak Bastian for his performance in the mens 100m breaststroke. The company wishes the entire team Samson Colebrooke, Steven Gardiner, Jamal Wilson, Donald Thomas, Tynia Gaither, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Brianne Bethel, Anthonique Strachan, Pedrya Seymour, Doneisha Anderson, Megan Moss, Lacathera Cooper, Joanna Evans, Laura Morley and Izaak Bastian best of luck.

Read more here:

BTC teams up with the Broadcasting Corporation to bring the Tokyo Olympic Games free to all viewers across The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

Club Med helped pioneer the concept of all-inclusive vacations in the 1960s and 1970s, and people of a certain age doubtless remember the hotel chains jingle from the time: The Club Med vacation/The antidote for civilization.

Originally a no-frills concept with tented accommodations on the beach, Club Med has changed with the times and now offers travelers an experience thats entirely, well, civilized. Upscale and more family oriented, Club Med has properties in some of more intriguing locations in the Caribbean and still retains some of the quirky touches that made the resorts famous, such as trapezes and circus-themed play areas.

The Club Med properties of the Caribbean include:

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic

The newest Club Med in the Caribbean debuted in late 2019, shut down soon thereafter due to COVID-19, and has now reopened as an essentially brand new resort. As part of Club Meds Executive Collection, the eco chic resort on the Dominican Republics northeast coast offers premium level accommodations and amenities in a part of the country as yet only lightly touched by tourism. Rooms are spread out in four villages scattered on 93 lush tropical acres and facing a long stretch of pristine beach. The Archipelago village is adults-only, while the Explorer Cove village welcome families with kid-friendly amenities and a private pool, plus an exclusive resort-within-a resort dubbed La Perla. Wellness-oriented travelers gravitate to the Emerald Jungle with its spa and Zen Pool.

Club Med Turkoise, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Set on one of the worlds best beaches, Grace Bay, the adults-only Club Med Turkoise has brightly appointed guest rooms in low-rise buildings, including top floor oceanview deluxe rooms with balconies. In addition to the main restaurant serving three meals daily, all-inclusive dining options include Sharkies Grill & Beach Bar, the oceanfront Blue Coral bar, and a wine bar serving premium vintages at additional cost. Activities include tennis, a fitness center, and watersports (including scuba diving); spa services are available, but cost extra.

Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Club Med Punta Cana has an exclusive adults-only enclave (the Zen Oasis) and the family friendly Tiara collection of 32 suites with separate bathrooms and bedrooms for kids, five-star amenities, and activities that include fitness, golf, and archery lessons. The resort has a kids club for guests ages 4-17 and a unique Cirque du Soleil activity area where adults and kids alike can learn bungee jumping, flying on a trapeze, aerial silk dancing, tightrope, trampoline, juggling, percussion and more. All-inclusive dining options include 7 restaurants and bars.

Club Med Caravelle, Guadeloupe

Club Med feels quite at home in the French Caribbean, and the all-inclusive Club Med Caravelle resort welcomes families to a familiar hotel brand where you can enjoy authentic French Creole cuisine at the restaurants, French wine in La Cave, and a local ti punch at the Mango Bar. The resort features family friendly connecting rooms to create mini suites, kids clubs catering to all ages from infants to teens, a SOTHYS spa for the parents, and yoga, cardio, fitness, and trapeze classes.

Club Med Buccaneers Creek, Martinique

Guided hikes, mangrove paddles, and kitesurfing lessons point to the true nature of this all-inclusive resort in the French West Indies, which takes full advantage of its lush beachfront locale to offer a broad range of included activities to guests. All rooms have ocean views, and dining options include a buffet restaurant, a new open-air beach eatery serving local Creole cuisine, and drinks and snacks at the rustic Madou bar.

Club Med Columbus Isle, Bahamas (Reopening in 2022)

San Salvador in the sister islands of the Bahamas was hit hard by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, with the Club Med Columbus Isle suffering severe damage. The resort remains closed as renovations continue, but a reopening date has been announced for October 2022 (pushed back by COVID-19 from a hoped-for December 2021 reopening). When it does start welcoming guests again, the resort will have ocean view rooms on one of the best beaches in the Bahamas.

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The Club Med Resorts of the Caribbean, Explained - Caribbean Journal

NASSAU, BAHAMAS None of the COVID-19 hospitalized cases at Princess Margaret Hosptial (PMH) or COVID-19 related deaths have been individuals who have been fully vaccinated against the virus, according to Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes.

The data revealed by health officials during a press conference last week comes as the country sees another surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

As of Saturday, there were 14,119 COVID-19 cases in the country with 1,455 still active and 100 hospitalized cases 90 of which are moderately and 10 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Forbes noted that 98.3 percent of those patients at PMH have not had any vaccinations and a smaller number had had one dose and all got COVID less than 14-days of getting the vaccine.

COVID spreading is a problem for all of us, she said.

With the healthcare system being over capacity there is a lot of diversion from other services.

There is fall out from that, so it is all of our problems.

If you get vaccinated you will be largely protected from hospitalization and death.

As of Saturday, 103,164 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered across The Bahamas.

There are some 43, 943 people who have been fully vaccinated, including Bahamians and residents who received their jabs abroad and registered through the government vaccination platform.

Some 60,578 people have received one dose of the vaccine.

According to the data, 7,470 still have to receive their second dose.

There was a decrease in the number of second doses administered because of the challenges with global supply, said Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillian.

Last week, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee limited the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to second doses by appointment only for those who are eligible.

The measure will continue until additional doses of the vaccine arrive in-country.

Last week, The Bahamas has received 3,496 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine as the result of a donation from the British Overseas Territories of Montserrat and Anguilla, with the assistance of United Kingdom High Commissioner Sarah Dickson.

The country also continues to await the delivery of an additional 33,000 doses of AstraZeneca and some 57,330 doses of the Pfizer vaccine through the COVAX facility.

The US is alsoslated to donatea tranche of AstraZeneca doses from its surplus, though quantity and dates have yet to be announced.

McMillian insisted that the only way the country can get out of the pandemic is to have enough people vaccinated some 70 percent of the Bahamian population.

Read more here:

NOT VACCINATED: 98 percent of COVID-19 hospitilzation and deaths were not vaccinated, remaining only had one jab - EyeWitness News

These bugs can devastate the forest; they are infamous for what they doBNT exec: We really hope none of them escaped

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA Local environmentalists expressed dismay and concern after a vessel reportedly carrying wood infected with tree-killing beetles was allowed to offload on Grand Bahama.

Joe Darville, chairman of Save The Bays and Waterkeeper Bahamas, told Eyewitness News Thursday night that he initially became very concerned after a news article in the New Orleans Advocate indicated US federal agents had ordered the Pan Jasmine cargo ship out of the country after finding it infested with a type of Asian beetle that has been destroying trees in the US for more than two decades.

Darville said he found it most alarming that the ship was said to have departed for Freeport on July 21 for wood disposal services. To his further dismay, Darville said subsequent to his inquires, he discovered that the ship had arrived in Freeport and offloaded its cargo.

I found out that this stuff was already offloaded in Freeport under the guise that it was tonnage to be taken to the landfill, said Darville.

These bugs can devastate the forest. They are infamous for what they do.

Im trying to trying to find out how in the world this ship got permission to come here and offload cargo that is so infested. I cant understand it. It is horrifying that something like this could happen.

Grand Bahama is not a dumping ground. I am really disappointed about this. I understand that sanitation services collected the stuff and sprayed it but the question is did anything escape.

The ship, which was reportedly flagged under Panama, had previously offloaded a shipment of aluminum in Veracruz, Mexico, after departing a port in India. According to the report, the wood onboard was found to have five pests, two of them the beetle and a type of ant considered serious risks to US crops.

Bahamas National Trust (BNT) Executive Director Eric Carey told Eyewitness News: Everyones been tracking it and we have been talking to the environmental agencies. From what we have been able to understand, the boat has already offloaded cargo on Grand Bahama.

To the best of our knowledge, it was taken under the control of sanitization services.

He added: This Asian beetle us already in the United States. We also have wood-boring insects in Abaco. The trees are already stressed because of Dorian, et cetera, and they dont need this type of infestation.

We really hope none of them escaped.

Continue reading here:

HORRIFYING: Environmentalists concerned whether tree-killing beetle onboard ship let loose on GB - EyeWitness News

Passengers sailing from The Bahamas on Adventure of the Seas in August will have to get their Covid-19 tests complete closer to their sail date.

Royal Caribbean changed their policy for when guests sailing on Adventure of the Seas from The Bahamas need to get either a PCR or antigen test result.

Instead of 5 days before the sail date, all guests age 2 and older will need to take a negative test for Covid-19 no more than 3 days before arriving in The Bahamas.

Any kind of negative Covid-19 test will be accepted (PCR or antigen).

The new rule kicks in on August 1.

Changing testing requirements for cruises from The Bahamas have been a regular occurrence since cruises started back up on Adventure from The Bahamas.

Initially, The Bahamas required tests for all, then dropped it for vaccinated visitors. Royal Caribbean added antigen testing for all passengers as an early requirement, and then changed it to PCR tests.

Cruise line health policies have had to be adjusted due to changing needs and best practices advised by health officials.

Royal Caribbean says its test requirements more stringent than what The Bahamas mandatesfor inbound travelers.

Adventure of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean cruise ship sailing from The Bahamas, and was the first ship to restart operations in North America, following the cruise industry shutdown.

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Royal Caribbean shortens time window to get Covid-19 test before cruises from The Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Blog