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Polymers International Ltd Makes Final Appeal To Bahamas Government To Sign The New Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) With The European Union 2007-10-27 17:14:00 Freeport's Polymers wants government to sign onto Euro trade deal:
By MINDELL SMALL, Guardian Senior Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
Polymers International Ltd is making one last appeal to the government to sign on to the new Economic
Partnership Agreement
with Europe (EPA) — an effort to protect an estimated 15 percent of profits generated from that continent.
CEO of the Grand Bahama-based company Greg Ebelhar said the proposed EPA, now heading toward settlement, is of significant importance to the plant's future success.
"We have the potential for losing about 10 to 15 percent of our business because it would make us non-competitive with Dart Container Corporation, the company that we compete with out of the US for business that's in the UK," Ebelhar said in an interview with The Guardian yesterday.
The EPA is aimed at replacing the Cotonou Agreement, which expires on December 31. That unilateral pact grants trade preferences to former European
colonies in Africa, the Caribb Read more:Appeal
, European Union
, Final
, Government
Bahamas: Czech Businessman ["The Pirate of Prague"] Viktor Kozeny's United States Instigated Extradition Order Overturned By Bahamian Supreme Court 2007-10-26 17:08:00 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 Read more:Bahamian
, Businessman
, Extradition
, Order
The 10 Commandments Of God Are Lost And Abandoned For Kingdom Living 2007-10-25 15:14:00 The 10 Commandments
:
By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Honor thy mother and thy father. Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not kill; Thou shall not commit adultery. Do these statements sound familiar?
They were all taken from the Ten Commandments that God bestowed upon Moses within the pages of the Old Testament, and were given with the purpose of being both life lessons and guidelines for all to follow. But, today some may wonder if these guidelines have lost all value as the country is now living in a time when it seems that anything goes. Children use profane language nonchalantly in everyday sentences, without so much as a cringe from anyone. And the adults drop the "F" bomb without even caring if any little ones are in ear-shot.
And then there's the drinking and smoking, and in most instances, the youth are engaging in these activities it with people who are supposed to be parental figures. And it's happening at a time when the murder count in Read more:Abandoned
, Kingdom
, Living
"A Strange Silence Exists On The Future Of Universal Medical Care, [In The Bahamas] Despite Statutory Provision" - Remarks Anglican Archbishop - His Grace Drexel Gomez 2007-10-24 16:33:00 Gomez Bemoans Silence On Health Insurance:
By Tameka Lundy -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
Since coming to office the governing Free National Movement has decided to take a distinctly different path than its predecessors when it comes to facilitating insurance coverage for Bahamians with costly, chronic diseases.
While the Progressive Liberal Party administration had aggressively pursued a path towards the creation of National Health Insurance, the present government has said it’s moving towards the implementation of a fund to foot the bill for expensive medicines required as a result of catastrophic ailments.
The lack of substantive details has left some people, including Anglican
Archbishop His Grace
Drexel Gomez perturbed. He used a portion of his Synod address on Monday evening to draw attention once again to the dilemma that exists in The Bahamas.
Earlier in the year, the House of Assembly and the Senate passed the National Health Insurance Act, what many called the enabling legislation Read more:Future
, Gomez
, Strange
, Universal
The Politics Of Tribalism Poses A Threat To The Quality Of Life In The Bahamas 2007-10-23 16:19:00 Gomez Blasts Political Tribalism:
By Tameka Lundy -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
The head of the Anglican Church in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos His Grace Archbishop Drexel Gomez last night urged legislation to establish an Ombudsman as a means of stopping the politics of tribalism dead in its tracks and give citizens a proper system of redress from governmental impropriety including victimization.
The archbishop decried the political polarization that has occurred since the May 2 general election, declaring that it had reached new and undesirable heights.
He even claimed that the polarization was posing a threat to the quality of life in The Bahamas.
Both the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party and the ruling Free National Movement had pledged at some point to create an Ombudsman.
"I call upon the leadership of all political parties including the majority and minority parties in Parliament to leave no stone unturned in the urgent quest to reduce the political temperature in the nati Read more:Quality
Cancer: Saving Lives Through Early Detection 2007-10-22 16:43:00 Saving lives through early Detection
:
By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Almost every Bahamian has had at least one family member affected by cancer, or at least knows of someone afflicted with the disease, as it is all too common. But every October people around the world — no matter their race, color or creed —stop to reflect on this fact.
Anyone can be diagnosed with the dreaded disease at anytime. Cancer
is not selective. But for people battling the disease, support from family, friends, and even people they don't know is important.
And it's for this reason, that the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, a registered, non-profit organization, was established in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in 1976.
The founder, Mrs. Susan Roberts, formed a group of concerned friends and acquaintances who became the first directors of the society. With the energy and dedication of the volunteers, funds were raised which enabled literature to be purchased, supp Read more:Early
, Lives
, Saving
African Diaspora Delegates Explore Jewel On Bahamian Heritage In The Exumas - Bahamas 2007-10-20 17:04:00 African Diaspora
Delegates Explore Jewel
on BahamianHeritage
:
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 Read more:African
Extradition Appeal Against Seven Bahamian Men Facing Drug Charges In The United States - Dismissed By The Judicial Committee Of The Privy Council 2007-10-17 18:10:00 Extradition Appeal
Dismissed:
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:
The JudicialCommittee
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 Read more:Extradition
, Facing
, Seven
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Apologized to Gay Tourists Over Police Raid 2007-10-16 17:13:00 Tourism ministry issues apology to gay tourists:
By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
The Ministry
of Tourism and Aviation has assured Ebony Pyramid Entertainment, the group whose annual party was "raided" by police two weeks ago, that it does not condone discrimination of any form, following claims that the homosexual community was being targeted.
In a letter addressed to the executive director of Ebony Pyramid Entertainment DaJuan Xavier, the ministry expressed regret that the group's visit to the Bahamas "included an incident which involved the Royal Bahamas Police
Force."
"Certainly you know from your previous visits that we are happy to welcome the millions of guests who visit each year and we are especially delighted when persons, as you and your clients do, return year after year," said the letter, signed by Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine.
The written communication came after Ebony Pyramid Entertainment demanded a public, published apol Read more:Tourism
Perry Christie: Ex-Prime Minister Defends Concessions Granted To The Developers Of The Albany Resort In Southwest New Providence Island - Nassau, Bahamas 2007-10-14 08:25:00 Christie Defends Concessions:
By Candia Dames -
Nassau
, Bahamas
:
Despite suggestions by the government that the Progressive Liberal Party administration was too generous in giving concessions to developers, former Prime MinisterPerry
Christie stressed on Tuesday that his government did not give too much away.
"The concessions that we gave will be returned ten fold to The Bahamas," Mr. Christie predicted in an interview with the Bahama Journal at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Parliament Street.
In the House of Assembly a week ago, Prime Minister
Hubert Ingraham questioned concessions the former administration agreed to give to the developers of the Albany resort in southwest New Providence.
Mr. Ingraham said because Albany is slated to be a private members club with its amenities made available only to its guests, it’s not eligible for some concessions.
"Concessions available under the Hotels Encouragement Act require that hotels and related facilities and amenit Read more:Christie
, Developers
, Island
Short Biography of the life of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator 2007-10-12 22:36:00 Christopher Columbus
:
Biography
, Timeline Facts about the famous explorer, explorations voyages in the Age of Exploration
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Christopher Columbus:
Nationality - Born in Italy. Lived in Portugal and in Spain. Patrons - King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
Lifespan - 1451 - 1506
Family - Respectable, but impoverished family. Christopher Columbus was the eldest of five children. Christopher Columbus had two sons by different mothers. His heir was Diego Columbus (1480 - 1526). His second and favorite son was Ferdinand, better known as Fernando ( 1488 - 1539)
Education - Limited due to lack of money in the family
Career - Explorer
and Navigator
Famous for discovering the New World, yet he died thinking he had reached the Indies
The Ships of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The names of the Ships of Christopher Columbus:
The Nina
The Pinta
The Santa Maria
Facts History about the Early l Read more:Christopher
, Short
Albany Beach and Golf Resort Billion-dollar Development Is In Limbo 2007-10-10 17:16:00 Albany deal may be running aground:
By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Staff Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Construction on the billion-dollar Albany Beach
and Golf Resort
is still at a standstill more than a week after the government approved phase one of the development, raising concerns about the project's ultimate outcome.
"Today the tractors are silent," said Pericles Maillis, a property owner near the proposed development and a self-proclaimed supporter of it. "The last two to three days the machinery has been quiet ... as a neighbor it's been a bit quiet, which is worrying me.
"I am looking forward to the government saying 'yes' to everything and to expediting it ... this time I want to hear the sound of machinery."
Neither government nor Albany representatives would offer comment Tuesday. Investors behind the mixed-use development include the Tavistock Group and famous golfers Ernie Els and Tiger Woods.
Despite its very public appeal to the PM's office for subdivision Read more:Development
Samuel "Ninety" Knowles - Accused And Extradited Drug Kingpin Appealed To The Bahamian Government To Protect His Bahamian Constitutional Rights 2007-10-09 17:20:00 “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 Read more:Government
, Kingpin
, Protect
, Rights
DECLARATION ON THE CRIMINAL AND GENOCIDAL BLOCKADE IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA 2007-10-07 08:37:00 REPUBLIC OF CUBA
National Peoples´ Power Assembly
International Relations Commission:
In a memorandum from the United States Department of State dated on June 24, 1959, the essence of the policy which was already being carried out against Cuba was stated. At that time, they were considering the lifting of the Cuban sugar quota on the U.S. market in order to bring about that "the sugar industry would promptly suffer an abrupt decline, causing widespread further unemployment. The large numbers of people thus forced out of work would begin to go hungry". At the same meeting, Secretary of State, Christian Herter, was defining these initial actions as "economic war measures".
Several months later, on April 6, 1960, at a meeting headed by the President of the United States himself, a document, adopted by the State Department, was being discussed which textually read: "The majority of Cubans support Castro. There is no effective political opposition in Cuba…the only predictable measure
The Dollars And Cents Of The Bahamas' "gay and lesbian lifestyle ban" 2007-10-05 17:26:00 Anti-gay campaign:
By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Staff Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
The Bahamas needs to decide whether it can afford the damage a "gay and lesbian lifestyle
ban" would have on its $2-billion tourism industry, said a member of an international gay rights group.
In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, Brian Winfield, communications director of Equality Florida — the state's umbrella organization for gay and lesbian rights — said The Bahamas was already treading on thin ice with the international gay community. The strained relationship has everything to do with the very vocal and highly publicized anti-gay protests against Rosie O'Donnell's Family Vacation Cruise Ship in 2004.
"I do think that there is real sensitivity among gay Americans on how The Bahamas treats visitors and their own gay residents," he said. "A number of Caribbean destinations have been branded as being highly anti-gay, if not dangerous, like Jamaica, and for the vast number of gay an
Hubert Ingraham - Bahamas Prime Minister Voiced Concerns About The Legality Of Some Concessions Granted To The Developers Of The $1.3 Billion Mixed-use Albany Beach and Golf Resort By The Christie Administration 2007-10-04 11:23:00 PM Questions Legality Of Albany Concessions:
By TOSHEENA ROBINSON-BLAIR -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
Prime Minister
Hubert Ingraham on Wednesday tabled the heads of agreement between the government of The Bahamas and the developers of the Albany Beach
and Golf Resort
, and questioned in the House of Assembly whether some of the concessions granted to the developer were legal.
In a deal struck by the ChristieAdministration
, the developers of the $1.3 billion mixed-use resort are set to receive major customs duty and stamp tax exemptions, in addition to fast-tracked work permits and business licenses for non-Bahamian personnel needed to bring to fruition the 565-acre Albany Beach and Golf Resort.
Among other high-profile investors, the development in southwest New Providence is backed by internationally renowned golfers Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.
In the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham voiced concerns about the legality of some of the concessions granted.
Accordi Read more:Developers
, Mixed
Bahamian Businesspeople Of Haitian Ancestry Urge Bahamians To Invest In Emerging Market Haiti 2007-10-03 21:12:00 Businesspeople Urge Investment In Haiti:
By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Bahamian
s 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 Read more:Ancestry
, Emerging Market
, Market
Haiti's Path To Sustainable Development, Peace, Security And Democracy Is Welcomed, Celebrated And Encouraged 2007-10-03 20:37:00 Symonette Courts Support For Haiti:
By Tameka Lundy -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette has urged the international community to maintain the United Nations Mission in Haiti as a critical part of keeping that country on a progressive path.
Haiti, devastated by poverty and ravaged by years of instability, remains one of the most crucial matters for members of the Caribbean Community. Countries in the region have been backing the piecemeal steps taken to make positive changes.
"The United Nations Mission in Haiti continues to play a vital role in this process and The Bahamas supports the call for that mission to be maintained so as to consolidate the gains made to date and this places our CARICOM sister country on a firm and lasting path to sustainable development, peace, security and democracy," he told the United Nations General Assembly.
"We urge the international community to support the people of Haiti in this quest."
Successive Bahamian governme Read more:Development
, Peace
, Sustainable
Haiti Is Poised For Economic Development And Rebirth... The Time Is Ripe To Seize Real Opportunities Says Bahamas Chamber of Commerce President - Dionisio D’Aguilar 2007-10-02 16:38:00 Haiti A Growing Market For Business, ChamberPresident
Says:
By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
For years, Haiti has been dubbed an economic basket case, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and a troubled, lawless nation.
But that is apparently not the Haiti Chamber of Commerce executives discovered last week during a trade mission to that island nation.
In fact, the Chamber’s President Dionisio D’Aguilar
insisted that Haiti is poised for economic development and a rebirth and that the time is ripe to seize some real opportunities there.
He noted that since the election of President Rene Preval, Haiti’s political climate is settling and the investment climate is much more secure than two years ago
Mr. D’Aguilar added that despite its economic condition and the significant amount of poverty that exists, Haiti is a large and growing market, the largest in the Caribbean by people volume.
"I am sure it has its problems – it has large infrastructural problems Read more:Development
, Economic
, Opportunities
, Rebirth
The Developers Of The Albany Beach and Golf Resort Have Been Granted Subdivision Approval For Phase One Of Its Multibillion-dollar Mixed-use Resort By The Ingraham Administration 2007-10-01 22:48:00 Albany Granted Approval
:
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:
The Ingraham Administration
has granted subdivision approval for Phase One
of the Albany Beach
and Golf Resort
, the Journal has learned; with the approval, the developers cross a major hurdle on the road to realizing that multibillion-dollar mixed-use resort.
Public Works Minister Dr. Earl Deveaux confirmed for the Journal on Monday that the Department of Physical Planning had granted the approval.
It appears the developers were assured of the subdivision approval last Monday by no less than Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, and that the letter confirming the approval arrived by mid-week last week.
Consultant for the Albany development Dr. Tyrone McKenzie welcomed the subdivision approval, but noted that there are other matters outstanding.
"We are still awaiting the road rerouting permit," he said. "We have a couple of the approvals for parts of the project, but in terms of logistics and what is most practical, we need to Read more:Developers
, Mixed
Sexual Immorality And Worldliness Plague The Bahamas - Says Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez 2007-09-27 16:15:00 Gomez: Sexual
immorality and worldliness plague the nation -
By STAFF WRITER, Nassau Guardian:
Nassau, Bahamas
:
Anglican
s were beseeched to hear the call of Jesus like St. Matthew and follow Him, by Archbishop Drexel Gomez at St. Matthew's Church, as the historic parish celebrated its Feast of Title on Sunday.
The televised service was celebrated by the Archbishop Drexel Gomez, Primate of the West Indies and Bishop of The Bahamas, as he congratulated the members of St. Matthew's for their continued service in the building up of God's Kingdom on earth.
The Archbishop however noted that sexual immorality and worldliness in The Bahamas are things that bring great concern to him. "We have allowed our society to accept worldly values and worldly standards, and when we are going with the crowd we are going into the wrong direction," he said. "We are having a state of affairs in which it is alright to be immoral, and if we don't change, it would get worse, before it gets any better. Read more:Gomez
Bahamas: Tropical Storm Noel Delays Inquest Into Daniel Smith Death [Son Of The Late Playboy Centerfold Anna Nicole Smith] 2007-10-31 18:20:00 Noel delays Smith
inquest:
By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
Magistrate William Campbell yesterday swore in the seven jurors who will decide how Daniel
Smith, the 20-year-old son of the late Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith, died.
Smith died Sept. 10, 2006 in his mother's room at Doctors Hospital, where she had given birth to her daughter Dannielynn three days earlier.
Anna Nicole Smith died in Florida on Feb. 8 at age 39 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including the painkiller methadone and a powerful sleep aid.
Although the court was prepared to begin the much-anticipated inquest, Campbell adjourned the matter until November 19 because of the threat of TropicalStorm
Noel.
"The only reason we are not proceeding is because of the storm, an act of God," he said.
But before he discharged the jury of four women and three men, Campbell advised them of their duties. He told the jury that it was their job to decide how Smith d Read more:Delays
Bahamian Culture And Mental Illness In The Bahamian Community 2007-10-29 20:42:00 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
Are you Religious Or Spiritual? 2007-11-05 15:03:00 By Kermit B. Fernander, Guardian Religion Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Given the rise in secularism and the disillusionment with organized religion in some circles, a religious person today is seen as a believer who is church-going, tithe-paying — and perhaps even a tad self-righteous. A "spiritual" person, on the other hand, is not affiliated with any religion or denomination, operates as a free agent and generally has a "live-and-let-live" attitude toward others.
Usually religious individuals observe the rules and regulations of a particular religion for a purpose: namely, to ensure their salvation. "As an Adventist, I am totally guided by Holy Scripture and the expectation of the second coming of Jesus," said Marsha Sands, a customer service representative and a devout Seventh Day Adventist. "The most important thing in my life is my eventual salvation, and I rely on the teachings of my church to help me to gain salvation. Religion is very important to me."
As a result, relig
Illegal Immigration And Mass Migration In The Caribbean And Americas 2007-11-04 08:58:00 Planning for Mass Migration
:
By QUINCY PARKER -
Nassau, Bahamas:
The Bahamas continues to be among the main receiving countries for intra-Caribbean
migration, according to the International Organization for Migration, and governments and other agencies in the region acknowledge the need for contingency plans for mass migration and refugee emergencies.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) will host a four-day seminar on the Cayman Islands beginning on November 5 on these and other migration issues in the Caribbean.
Government officials from 21 Caribbean countries, along with representatives of observer governments and regional institutions, including CARICOM, the Pan American Health Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the University of the West Indies will participate.
An IOM press release gave de Read more:Americas
, Illegal Immigration
The Bahamas Will Not Sign The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) With The European Union 2007-11-02 17:15:00 GOV'T: WE WON'T SIGN EPA:
By VERNON CLEMENT JONES, Senior Business Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas
:
The Bahamas appears to have made good on what many had hoped was just a threat, announcing Tuesday it will not sign the economic partnership with Europe.
"The Bahamas representative at this (CARICOM) meeting has announced that we will not be signing the EPA at this juncture," said Hank Ferguson, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce point man on trade talks now underway in Jamaica. "What it means is that the country's exports will lose their duty-free access, at least in the short term, and be subject to 12- to 14-percent tax.
"This (is) particularly disturbing to the private sector of The Bahamas." The announcement came Tuesday as The Bahamas rejoined other CARICOM nations at the negotiating table for a final and crucial round of talks aimed at determining which among them were prepared to sign onto the deal this month — an effort to meet the December 31 deadline.
Gary Russell, who se Read more:Agreement
, Economic
, European
, European Union
, Union
HIV/AIDS Bahamas: The "Emphasis must be on prevention." 2007-11-08 17:09:00 Gomez: Rise in number of new HIV infections -
By STAFF WRITER, Guardian News Desk:
Nassau, Bahamas
-
Pointing to a rise in new HIV infections this year and in 2006, Director of the National AIDS
program stressed the importance of raising funds to promote HIV/AIDS prevention
and awareness, during a press conference for ColinaImperial's upcoming Red Ribbon Ball.
Although new HIV infections had declined from 650 in 1990 to 250 in 2004, Gomez said there were 298 new infections in 2006 and 166 new infections by the end of June this year.
Encouraging ColinaImperial Insurance Co. Ltd. and partner sponsors of the Red Ribbon Ball to continue raising funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, Gomez said that the "emphasis must be on prevention." The director noted that the increased funds will be needed for expensive long-term treatment and monitoring.
The annual ColinaImperial Red Ribbon Ball will be held on November 17 in the Atlantis Grand Ballroom, and is expected to raise $50,000