NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- With the theme ‘Towards a common loftier goal’, the Bahamas is celebrating 36 years of Independence. Many activities to commemorate that historic event have been planned. “In the spirit of unity, let us pursue the loftier goal of peace and goodwill,” said Governor General, Arthur Hanna. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Bahamas Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Michael Barnett called for a review of the Criminal Procedure Code, elimination of preliminary inquiries and greater use of the Voluntary Bill of Indictment. The Attorney General said there is no need for “two criminal trials for one offence.” read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The global economic recession continues to have “a severe impact” on The Bahamas’ economy, Leader of Government business in the Senate and Minister for Labour and Social Development, Dion Foulkes said. He revealed, due to the global recession, the real Gross Domestic Product... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- A Financial Services Authority is to be created to better regulate the industry in The Bahamas, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Zhivargo Laing confirmed. The government is giving “renewed focus” to the financial services sector, the second pillar of the Bahamian economy, Laing said. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Seventeen track and field athletes were presented the 2008 All-Bahamian Award for outstanding accomplishments during ceremonies at Government House, June 23. Legendary track star Thomas A Robinson and Olympic long jumper Shonel Ferguson were also honoured. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas continues to meet its obligations in combating and eliminating human trafficking, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed. The Ministry was responding to the Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 on the Bahamas issued by the United States’ State Department. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Ministry of Health is reporting the third and fourth confirmed cases of Influenza A (HINI) in The Bahamas. The reported cases occurred in young residents of The Bahamas who had visited Orlando, Florida. Upon return to The Bahamas the patients experienced symptoms. read more...

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CORAL HARBOUR, Bahamas (BIS) -- As a result of information received from US law enforcement officials, a Dominican-registered vessel with 11 persons onboard was arrested for allegedly fishing in the territorial waters of The Bahamas by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Stakeholders in education have been encouraged to play an active role in moving The Bahamas forward. They were being addressed by Director of Higher Education and Lifelong Learning, Dr Leon Higgs, at the sixth annual Educators Industry Internship Programme. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Seven Bahamians received Organization of American States scholarships to pursue studies aimed at further developing The Bahamas. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette presented the recipients with their certificates during a ceremony. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) --The Ministry of Health has reported the second confirmed case of Influenza A (HINI) in The Bahamas. The reported case occurred in a young adult resident of The Bahamas who had visited New York from 29 May to 3 June 2009. The patient experienced symptoms upon returning to The Bahamas. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Guyanese government is stepping aside to allow the sale of CLICO land assets in that country, what it sees as necessary to ensuring policyholders and investors get some of their money back regardless of what's recovered from the Bahamian liquidation. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas' overseas offices are being set up to process applications for electronic passports for Bahamians living abroad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette confirmed. The Passport Office is one of the “critical areas” of revenue-generating. read more...

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As a point of personal privilege, I would like to use today's commentary to pay tribute to my sister, Alice. Alice is the personification of the power of positive thinking. And she is easily the most high-spirited and energetic person I know. I was not at all surprised she felt duty bound to open her own health and fitness center. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- In hosting the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Congress, the Bahamas is set to receive “the injection of a great deal of money” into its economy, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Desmond Bannister said. This is the first time it is being held in the Caribbean. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Ministry of Health in The Bahamas has reported a confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in The Bahamas. The reported case occurred in a young adult visitor who came from New York to The Bahamas on 25 May 2009 and returned to New York on 26 May to recover at home. read more...

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TORTOLA, BVI -- Additional cases of the new strain of Influenza A H1N1 have been identified in the Caribbean with two cases being confirmed in Jamaica, one case in the Bahamas and one in Bermuda. These add to the three previous cases confirmed in Cuba and two in the Dominican Republic. read more...

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BELMOPAN, Belize -- The Supervisor of Insurance has informed the policyholders of CLICO (Bahamas) Ltd that on 30 May 2009, the Supreme Court of Belize made an order that the Belize branch of the company be placed under judicial management and Mark Hulse of Baker Tilly Hulse be appointed Judicial Manager. read more...

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BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Short-stay visa waiver agreements were signed on Thursday between the European Union (EU) and four Caribbean countries in a ceremony that took place in Brussels. The agreements provide for visa-free travel for the citizens of the EU and for the citizens of the four countries read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham presented what he described as a Budget Connection to Parliament on Wednesday to the tune of $1.785 billion dollars. The prime minister said the financial services sector will be improved and geared to comply with the enhanced norms now being demanded. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The prime minister of the Bahamas, Hubert Ingraham, on Wednesday brought Parliament up to date on the status of the CLICO insolvency. He said the Office of the Registrar of Insurance Companies advises that there is a gap between the assets and liabilities of CLICO. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has tripled the size of its Air Wing following the commissioning of two newly-built, state-of-the-art aircraft. The Vulcan Air P68C Observer and Cessna 208B Grand Caravan were purchased by the government at a combined cost of $2,888,975. read more...

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OSLO, Norway (Reuters) -- British oil company BPC said new seismic and drilling technology could transform offshore Bahamas into a new hub for oil activity after it signed an exploration deal with Norwegian major StatoilHydro. Under the agreement, StatoilHydro will become operator of three... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) -- A five-star, Four Seasons resort in the Bahamas will close its doors later this month after it was put into receivership nearly two years ago due to mounting financial losses. A notice on the website of Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma said the getaway would be closed as of May 26. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Proposed legislation to upgrade the communications sector will give the Bahamas the competitive edge it needs, Minister of Tourism, Senator Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said. “Efficient communications systems are fundamental to a modern society and to modern commerce,” he said. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The need to use the data provided by anti-drug research to drive policy and legislation, dominated discussions over the first two days of discussions as member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) gathered for anti-drug talks in Washington, DC, last week. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has introduced three bills in the House of Assembly that seek to reform the insurance sector in the wake of the collapse of CLICO Bahamas. Ingraham had previously advised CLICO policyholders to continue to pay their premiums. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Dozens of prime ministers, local government ministers and mayors from the Commonwealth have converged in Grand Bahama for a four day conference which opened Monday afternoon. The theme of the conference is "Improving local government the commonwealth vision”. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Tourism and gambling are the two main sources of revenue for the multi island state of The Bahamas. However, it is illegal for citizens and residents to participate in gambling and, as a result, every month several local people are charged with gambling, mainly in New Providence and Grand Bahama. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Unemployed Bahamians are to receive benefits from the government. Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said that the first set of cheques will be paid out on May 4. At a news conference he explained the process which he said is intended to assist families during the downturn in the economy. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Rotary Bahamas will host the 12th Annual Model United Nations Session (MUNS) this week. The session serves to simulate the work of the UN and brings together students from The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- In keeping with their theme Ready for The World: A Global Mission, the participants of the first-ever Miss Global Bahamas Pageant made it their mission to learn about their country as they observed the inner workings of the Bahamas House of Assembly on Wednesday. read more...

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ROAD TOWN, BVI -- A landmark environmental case in the British Virgin Islands, that was inspired in part by the Save the Guana Cay Reef action in the Bahamas, will be heard in the British Virgin Islands High Court from 27th - 29th April 2009.The case is being fought by the Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC). read more...

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (BGIS) -- Reaffirming that there is no justification for the United States to name The Bahamas in a stop tax haven bill, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said The Bahamas does not expect that its name will appear in such legislation at the end of the day. read more...

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- One of the key matters of interest to The Bahamas during scheduled bilateral meetings between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and both the United States and Canada is the tax haven initiative of the two countries, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Friday. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a US congressional delegation led by Chairman of the US Judiciary Committee Congressman John Conyers from April 7-9. Discussions focused on joint narcotics interdiction efforts, and ongoing collaborative efforts between the US and The Bahamas. read more...

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA) -- Representatives of GOPEC International Limited, a Bahamas-based company met President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday at State House to discuss the possibilities of establishing an oil refinery in Guyana. Also there were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Odinga Lumumba. read more...

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VIEUX FORT, St Lucia -- Jamaican athletes won 12 gold medals, including all four sprint relay titles on another dominating third day at the 38th Carifta Games at the George Odlum Stadium in St Lucia on Sunday. Six records were broken, with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago athletes accounting for them. read more...

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VIEUX FORT, St Lucia: Kirani James outpaced fellow Grenadian and defending champion Rondell Bartolomew to win an entertaining under-20 boys 400-metres, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Gavyn Nero shattered another long standing 1500m record at the 38th Carifta Games on Saturday. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; the final court of appeal of The Bahamas, affects “the lives of Bahamians, the region and people in the wider common-law world,” Bahamas Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Senator Michael Barnett said on Monday. read more...

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