Bahamian

Letter: Bahamas Government creating a welfare state? Dear Sir: Over the past few weeks, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has obviously been feeling helpless with the many requests that he confronts for help from people grappling with the unkind effects of what is becoming a world wide recession. Decent Bahamians from all walks of life are beginning to feel the pinch. So in an effort to he

Investment banks face govt questions: By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Business Desk - Nassau, Bahamas: The collapse of Lehman Brothers, the forced sale of Merrill Lynch and an entire investment industry under the microscope means the Bahamian government will now ask developers partnered with those troubled players some tough questions. "I am sure we will be making some inquiries," State Ministe

Lionfish On The Menu? BY VANESSA C. ROLLE - Nassau, Bahamas: The venomous lionfish, an invasive predator with a taste for immature grouper and lobster, is starting to show up on Bahamian menus, and marine biologist Dr. Stefan Harzen does not think that’s a bad idea. Dr. Harzen said during his $150,000 expedition to explore the waters off Petersen’s Cay in Grand Bahama in a quest to create t

A ‘Bahamian’ Education In The Bahamas: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: In addition to certain requisite universal knowledge, students in Bahamian schools must also be made familiar with that which is uniquely Bahamian, according to a senior education official. Elma Garraway, permanent secretary in the ministry of education, said that there are certain standards that are required

‘Bahamianization’ Of Education: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: Education is not only an academic phenomenon but also a cultural one, according to the minister of education. Carl Bethel recently expressed the need to ‘Bahamianize’ the curriculum in primary and high schools throughout the country. "Culture is very important to what you do in education that is why ever sinc

The Nation Is “Adrift” Says Archbishop Gomez: By TAMARA McKENZIE- Nassau, Bahamas: Archbishop Drexel Gomez: A prominent religious leader known not to mince words declared on Sunday that the Bahamas is presently "drifting" and he is not entirely optimistic about its future. "I am ambivalent and sometimes I am not optimistic," said Archbishop Drexel Gomez. "I think that we are just ambli

Youth “Say Something”: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: Hundreds of young persons packed the Wyndham Resort ballroom Thursday evening to voice concerns and give suggestions at a youth-driven town meeting planned by "We Are The Future" youth organization. The forum, dubbed "Say Something," was hosted by talk show host Nikki Bethell, and gave young people from around The Bahamas to

Environmentalists criticize sea-based sonar testing program: By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: Angry environmentalists are "crying shame" on the government for giving the go-ahead for a controversial sea-based testing program to carry out a second phase. Just a year ago several environmental-friendly groups blasted the government for allowing international and loca

ReEarth says no to LNG, yes to renewable energy: By JIMENITA SWAIN, Guardian Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: The country's energy problems can be reduced if The Bahamas takes advantage of renewable energy technology and move away from the Liquefied Natural Gas pipeline proposal, a local environmentalist said yesterday. LNG has been heralded as an option to reducing oil cost. ReEarth dir

Parliamentarians Get EPA Update: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: However, some – including members of Bahamians Agitating for a Referendum on Free Trade (BARF) – have argued that it amounts to The Bahamas giving up its sovereignty. Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing explained to members of parliament during a luncheon at British Colonial Hilton Hotel on Wednesday what

Poverty On The Rise: By Candia Dames - Nassau, Bahamas: More and more Bahamians are buckling under the weight of the rising cost of living and slipping below the poverty line in The Bahamas, a senior government official has confirmed. The worrying situation comes amid ongoing concerns about food and fuel prices, which continue to climb. Minister of State for Social Development Loretta Butler

Ingredients: 4 lobsters, boiled 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped 2 ounces brandy 4 cups white sauce 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup bread crumbs 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce few drops of Tabasco salt and pepper to taste Directions: 1. Halve the lobsters, remove the meat and dice. Wash the shells and reserve. 2. In a [...]

Pastors Scoff At Plan For Nat’l Lottery: By Viraj Perpall - Nassau, Bahamas: A group of pastors on Tuesday scoffed at a bid by education officials to fund education’s future needs through a national lottery. The most recent draft of a new plan for education – which was obtained by the Bahama Journal – says the government will over the next 10 years fund education through a national lo

British Gov’t Warns About Bahamian Water Sports: By QUINCY PARKER - Nassau, Bahamas: A top government official is issuing assurances in the face of a warning by an arm of the British government about the Bahamian water sports industry – that warning goes so far as to advise British nationals new to water sports not to rent water sports equipment. A top government official is issuing assur

Owning your religion: By Nadine Thomas-Brown, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: If Bahamian religion could be seen as a fabric it would probably be Androsia cotton with little if any room for Gabardine or Kente Cloth. Usually when one thinks of religion in The Bahamas, Christianity with its variant denominations is the only one that comes to mind. However several faiths call The B

A State of Crisis: Growing Problems Facing Youth: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: The country is in a state of crisis due to the situation of its youth, Chairman of the Juvenile Panel Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans asserted Wednesday night. "The future is at risk and so we must look at solutions," said Magistrate Evans, who was a panelist at a Jones Communications sponsored town mee

Saving less does not mean stop saving: By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Business Desk - Nassau, Bahamas: Rising costs are not only affecting the bank balance of the average Bahamian, but are also chipping away at her retirement fund. Amidst increasing gas, food and electricity prices, caution investment specialists, many Bahamians forget about paying another bill — monthly contributions to their nest eggs. Now's really the time to step up those payments, argues Khalil Braithwaite with Colina Financial Advisors Ltd. "In good times save, in bad times, save even more (because) a possible recession is going to have some indirect effects," he told Guardian Business Thursday. "Generally 10 percent is enough, but realistically people should be looking at saving around 15 percent." There

OPINION-Crime and punishment - The Nassau, Guardian: There are around one thousand people in prison in The Bahamas. Is that a lot or little? How can we tell? Compared to the 2.2 million people languishing in U.S. jails it does not sound all that many, but the population of The Bahamas barely exceeds 300,000, compared to the United States population in 2005 of 298.2 million. Prison, what a strange thing it is. We can remember our shock as a child being told that some adults had done things so bad, that they had to be locked away for years until they knew better. We could hardly imagine anything worse. Prisons seem to belong to the age of the horse-drawn cart and the workhouse, not to satellites and the Internet. If anything, we should be phasing them out - converting the prison into

Dwight and Keva Major extradited: By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: A married couple accused of drug smuggling in the United States was extradited yesterday, following a five-year legal battle. The government handed Dwight and Keva Major over to US authorities, a day after the Supreme Court dismissed an application challenging the lawfulness of a warrant of surrender that was signed in 2006. That warrant was executed yesterday morning. The Majors will appear before a Florida judge on Monday morning, according to Daniel O'Connor, the political, economic and public affairs chief at the United State Embassy in Nassau. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell signed the warrant when the couple had no pending appeal against the Appeal Court's decision

Men urged to return to roles as fathers: By STAFF WRITER, Nassau Guardian - Nassau, Bahamas: Bahamas Faith Ministries Senior Pastor Dr. Myles Munroe is appealing to men to return to their vital role as fathers in our nation, and embrace not only their own children, but all the sons and daughters of our communities. His plea was made recently at the launching of the All-Pro Dad show, an international organization that focuses on restoring the value of fathers in family and nation- building. "The state of escalating crime, violent murders, depressing daily news from the courts, school fights, gang warfare and the still menacing drug use, are all cause of deep concern for all Bahamians," said Munroe. "The government, the church, civic groups and corporate organizations are all grappling

The purpose of the Church: By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: The Bahamas is touted as a Christian nation built on the values and principles of the Bible, and boasts a number of denominations from Roman Catholic to Anglican, Assemblies of God, Ba'hai, Baptist, Brethren, Greek Orthodox and Jewish, among others. In New Providence alone there are so many churches that it is hard to put a figure on the actual number, with new ones opening their doors almost daily. They're all filled to capacity on any given Sunday, or Saturday — depending on your faith. Despite the church's faithful followers there are those people who are said to have lost sight of the "true" purpose of the church, which is to guide the nation and prepare people for the Kingdom of Heave

1 1/2 pounds conch, , trimmed, cleaned (4 large or 8 small steaks) Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2/3 cup onions, very finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 to 1 hot chilies, such as bird pepper, minced (for a milder dish, seed the [...]

Minimal impact from from declining U.S. dollar: By TERENCE MURRELL,Guardian Business Desk - Nassau, Bahamas: The declining value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies such as the euro and the loonie, has so far had a minimal impact on Bahamian businesses, many of whom import goods from the U.S., in particular Florida. "The impact is not being felt as strongly, as most of the importation occurs from the U.S. market, particularly Florida, but it is certainly something we need to watch, particularly as it pertains to purchasing power, an issue which local businesspersons are grappling with," said Philip Simon, Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. "Essentially the declining U.S. dollar means exporters may be getting less with the same currency," he noted. The U.

U.S. Pursues Security Initiative With Bahamas: By Macushla N. Pinder - nassau, Bahamas: If all goes as planned, there could be an initiative in place that would give Americans the authority to search Bahamian-registered vessels suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. According to U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas Ned Siegel, the government is in the process of finalizing a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). "We all know and read that keeping commercial air travelers safe is a high priority and we will continue to work with the security at the airports and seaports to make sure that the Bahamian authorities that are working those transit points are strengthened," he said. "This initiative gives us the ability - with protocol - to board Bahamian registered ships around the world [where there is] information or intelligence [to suggest] that there may be weapons of mass destruction or materials to prevent them from even getting to port." The Bahamas has the third large

Resumption of death penalty may not be possible, says lawyer: By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter- Nassau, Bahamas: Despite the Prime Minister's assurances that his government would do all it could to ensure the resumption of capital punishment, a seasoned attorney said that may not be legally possible. Acknowledging that nothing has been done to address the March 2006 Privy Council ruling, which found that the mandatory death sentence was "unconstitutional," Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said last month that the government would do its "utmost to have these legal obstacles determined" in the shortest possible time. However, yesterday attorney Fayne Thompson said he did not know that the legal positions allow the prime minister "to even consider that unless some of these mediations are clarified." In the face of an escalating murder rate, Bahamians have been calling for the government to do something -- with capital punishment at the top of their lists. And with the la

Sweethearting and the CHURCH: By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: Every country has its faults, and while at this time many persons are focusing upon the biggest of all - crime, it maybe a good time to point out another - sweethearting. For those who do not know sweethearting is simply when a married man or woman has a sexual relationship with a person who is not their spouse. And it's a problem that has plagued the Bahamas for centuries, separating families and ruining lives. And in the case of Maxine Lockhart (whose name has been changed to protect her privacy) sweethearting has done just that. Maxine is the mother of four little girls and has been married for 14 years, however she is now a single mother. "I was a good wife, and I loved my husband. But he was unfaithful to the point that he contracted HIV and now he's gone, leaving me with the burden of raising our four daughters and with the knowledge that he has more children out there in the

Child abuse linked to violent crime, says Dr. Allen: By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: A local psychiatrist said the rise in child abuse over the years might have a lot to do with the rising levels of crime in the nation, as abused or neglected children have an 80-percent chance of committing violent crimes or murder in their teenage and adult lives. Dr. David Allen, using information from a number of studies from the State University of New York, said abused children committed twice as many violent crimes compared to youth who were not abused. Allen, who is currently conducting local research on crime, indicated that the same trends are currently being seen in The Bahamas. His comments came during the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Crime Prevention Seminar and Security Trade Show held earlier this week. "Psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis and colleagues found that in a study of 14 people on death row for violent crime and murder, 13 had suffered severe child ph

Trade with Haiti Promising: By Paige Ferguson - Nassau, Bahamas: Haiti has long been assumed to have a desolate economy with little promise, but some Bahamian businesses have already expressed interest in the rejuvenating economy. Past president of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, Winston Rolle, said since the Chamber’s mission to Haiti last month, there have been several promising consequences. "I know for a fact that since our visit to Haiti a number of individuals have come into the chamber or have called the chamber looking to make contact with persons in Haiti to do business," he told The Bahama Journal. "And we’ve facilitated that by putting them in contact with the various persons or organizations in Haiti." The Chamber of Commerce’s four-day trade mission to Haiti in October was aimed at dispelling the myth that Haiti is an unsafe place to do business. The focus was also on exploring avenues for developing trade agreements between Haiti and The Bahamas in agricult

Application denied BY Privy Council: By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: The Privy Council yesterday refused an application by alleged drug dealers Dwight and Keva Major for permission to file a challenge to a court's order that they be sent to Miami, Florida to face drug charges. Former foreign affairs minister Fred Mitchell signed a warrant of surrender last year authorizing the couple's extradition after their lawyer failed to file an appeal to the Privy Council within the required time. And now the Privy Council has declined to grant lawyer Keod Smith special permission to file an appeal to its judicial committee more than a year after the Court of Appeal's decision. Now the only thing preventing the couple's extradition is a stay that was filed in the Supreme Court to prevent Bahamian authorities from executing the warrant of surrender. Bernard Turner, the director of public prosecutions, said once the stay is removed "The law will take its

Fixing To Make A Change: By Kermit B. Fernander, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: People the world over have perhaps understood or accepted physical illness far more readily than they have ever understood or accepted mental illness. Indeed, as far back as the time of Christ, any illness or condition for which there was no obvious physical cause was simply attributed to possession by demons or evil spirits. End of story! What is remarkable is that, in our day, the Bahamian culture is one of many that still cling to outdated myths about mental illness and, for this reason, significant stigma is attached to mental illness and to people affected by mental illness. And in The Bahamas it continues to be shrouded in myth and mystery. While local mental health care professionals believe that Bahamians have come a long way, they also believe that there is still a long way to go in our understanding and acceptance of mental illness. "Bahamians are very well informed about de

Kozeny extradition order overturn: By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: A judge overturned the extradition order against Czech businessman Viktor Kozeny, on the grounds that crimes for which his extradition was sought were not illegal in The Bahamas. And the judge also concluded the United States' government's failure to disclose material beneficial to Kozeny made the request an abuse of process. But Kozeny is not in the clear yet. Prosecutors intend to appeal the decision of Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs. Justice Isaacs delivered his 59-page judgment on Wednesday. Kozeny, who is better known as "The Pirate of Prague", is wanted in New York on charges of plotting to bribe government officials in the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan. He was charged in a 27-count indictment in US District Court in Manhattan in October 2005. Kozeny was held in prison from his arrest on Oct. 5, 2005 until April 2007 when he was freed on $300,000 bail. The indictm

African Diaspora Delegates Explore Jewel on Bahamian Heritage: By THEA RUTHERFORD, Guardian National Correspondent - Nassau, Bahamas: We arrive in Exuma on a silver-tinted morning with looming clouds. The sun is in hiding; puddles of water spot the runway at the little airport signaling an early rain. Side-stepping the puddles we walk towards the covered path on the side of the airport and into the welcomes of a group of smiling women — representatives from the Exuma Tourist Office. A group of girls, the youngest of them looking about three years old, stand in two rows dressed in black leotards, head scarves and flowing skirts of aquamarine and yellow. They begin to dance as we stand watching in surprise and pleasure. The sun comes out, splitting the pillow of clouds with its rays. The sleepy flight is forgotten. We're in Exuma — the land of the "Rolling Hills." "You all must be a ray of sunshine 'cause the sun hasn't come out all week," says one of the women from the tour

Extradition Appeal Dismissed: By Quincy Parker - Nassau, Bahamas: The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has laid out the reasons underpinning the high court’s decision to dismiss the appeal against extradition for seven Bahamian men facing drug charges in the United States. The dismissal of the appeal on July 24, 2007 cleared the way for committal proceedings of the men to proceed without further delay. Trevor Thomas Roberts, Devroy Moss, Sheldon Athelston Moore, Lionel and Linden Deal, Shanto Curry and Gordon Newbold were arrested in 2004 following an extradition request by the United States. The men were suspected of having committed drug trafficking offences. After laying out the arguments presented by Maurice Glinton, the law lords dismissed them quite bluntly. "Their lordships are of the opinion that there is no merit in any of Mr. Glinton’s arguments," the ruling said. "There has already been an inordinate delay in these cases, due to the time that disposing of th

“Ninety” Appeals To Gov’t: By Candia Dames - Nassau, Bahamas: In a letter to the media delivered on Monday, accused drug kingpin Samuel "Ninety" Knowles appealed to the Bahamian government to protect his constitutional rights, but stopped short of asking for an outright push by officials to have him returned to The Bahamas. "I am asking for the lawful Bahamian government to provide me with the assistance, concern and intervention that is due to all Bahamians under the mighty and upright constitutional law of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, as well as also under all the international treaties that The Bahamas [has] with all respected countries," Knowles says in the letter, which was sent in care of his attorney, Roger Minnis. Mr. Minnis’ office confirmed Monday afternoon that the letter, which was typewritten and signed "Samuel Knowles", was authentic. After fighting extradition for six years, Knowles was flown to the United in August 2006 to face drug-related charges. Kno

Businesspeople Urge Investment In Haiti: By Macushla N. Pinder - Nassau, Bahamas: Bahamians of Haitian descent have added their voices to those urging locals to take advantage of Haiti’s emerging market and invest in the impoverished Caribbean nation as a means of stemming the flow of illegal migration to countries like The Bahamas. One of two business proprietors of Haitian descent who accompanied the Chamber of Commerce on its recent four-day trade mission to Haiti, Odley Aretis, principal of Top Builders International, said Haiti’s construction industry is one segment that Bahamians can tap into. "This has been a real life-changing experience for me….When I saw what was happening in the construction industry in Haiti, it was really appalling. To the local contractors, we can really take advantage of the construction opportunities in Haiti," Mr. Aretis said. "Why do I say that? Port-au-Prince was designed for 150,000 people but there are presently over three million people

2 pounds skinless grouper fillets 2 lemons salt to taste 3 tablespoons margarine 2 cups water 1/2 pound potatoes, sliced 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1/2 goat pepper or Scotch bonnet, chopped, or cayenne, to taste 2 large onions, sliced 1/2 cup chopped celery Wash fish and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the fillets. Sprinkle with salt. Place margarine and water in [...]

2 pounds skinless grouper fillets 2 lemons salt to taste 3 tablespoons margarine 2 cups water 1/2 pound potatoes, sliced 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1/2 goat pepper or Scotch bonnet, chopped, or cayenne, to taste 2 large onions, sliced 1/2 cup chopped celery Wash fish and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the fillets. Sprinkle with salt. Place margarine and water in [...]

4 lobsters — boiled 1 chopped onion 1 clove garlic — finely chopped 2 Teaspoons chopped parsley 2 Ounces brandy few drops of Tabasco 4 Cups white sauce 1 Cup sliced mushrooms salt and pepper 1/2 Cup bread crumbs 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce Halve the lobsters. Remove the meat and dice. Wash the shells and retain. In a saucepan, melt some butter, add the onions and garlic, saute until golden brown. Add the lobster meat and flambe with the brandy, add the mushrooms and simmer for a few minutes, stir in the mustard, Tabasco and Worcestershire and cook over low flame a few more minutes. Mix in the white sauce, remove from fire and add the parsley. Season with salt and pepper and fill the shells with the mixture, sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and place under the broiler

Ready to bare herself to the world in her next film, Lindsay Lohan gave onlookers a sneak peek at what’s to come during a recent trip with her man-of-the-moment, Calum Best. Lindsay and Calum were spotted on a little vacation in the Bahamas, frolicking on the beach and wrestling in the water - causing an attention-grabbing [...]

Photos have come to light today in a newspaper which shows Anna Nicole Smith in bed but fully clothed with the Bahamian Immigration Minister and they were both in a romantic embrace, and he is the same minister who approved her application to become a full resident of the Bahamas. The minister in question Shane Gibson has come under much fire over the way that he gave Anna Nicole special treatment over the handling of the permanent residency. It makes you wonder how many more stories and photos are going to come out of the woodwork now that Anna Nicole Smith has passed away.