WEST PALM BEACH, USA -- On Thursday, Mark Pinder, and Parson Exana, were sentenced to between 9 and 12 years in federal prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States from the Bahamas. The sentencings are the result of a multi-agency effort involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The government is moving “resolutely to reposition agriculture as a strong pillar of the Bahamian economy,” Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Lawrence ‘Larry’ Cartwright told industry stakeholders at a Food and Agriculture forum on Wednesday. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas has proposed that governments in the region work with the private sector to leverage the economic and innovative power of the private sector for counterterrorism efforts in the Western Hemisphere. The Bahamas, which serves as Vice Chair of the Inter-American... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Senior officers of the Immigration Department in the Bahamas have received special training in detecting fraudulent passports and related documents, by facilitators from the International Organisation for Migration. Also focused on was tamper proof documents, how to scan... read more...

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FREEPORT, Bahamas (BIS) -- Bahamas' tourism sector got a needed shot in the arm on Monday when WestJet Airlines announced direct service there from Toronto, Canada beginning in November. Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Senator, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace affirmed his confidence in Grand Bahama. read more...

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Well the FNM, not to be out done by the PLP, has taken the first step toward socialised medicine. We're told the comprehensive plan the PLP had proposed before they were voted out of office in 2007 was found by all concerned to be far too ambitious, and was bound to fail. So the FNM is introducing socialised medicine. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) -- The Bahamian lawmaker who caused a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case escaped a contempt of court citation on Thursday when the judge ruled that his public vilification was punishment enough. Picewell Forbes, a member of parliament, mistakenly announced... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) -- The Bahamas on Thursday signed a tax information exchange agreement with Britain, in a move it heralded as another step toward inclusion on an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) "white list" of countries that meet internationally agreed tax standards. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas welcomed the 13th Ambassador of the United States of America on the mutual understanding of continuing to strengthen relations that exist between both countries. Arthur Hanna, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas accepted Letters of Credence by... read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas government has spent $16 million in unemployment benefits to displaced Bahamian workers over the past six months, Minister of National Security, O A T ‘Tommy’ Turnquest confirmed. The money was paid out to 12,000 unemployed Bahamians. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (AFP) -- A local judge declared a mistrail in the 25-million-dollar John Travolta extortion case due to a leak of confidential information, an official said here. A new date has yet to be set for the retrial, but the defense is reportedly lobbying to transfer the case from the capital to Grand Bahama. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas Immigration Department is “eagerly awaiting” release of a fact-finding committee’s report on the standards and conditions of the Detention Centre, a holding facility where illegal migrants await repatriation. A third visit to the facility is due before issuing the report. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, made an Official Visit to The Bahamas from October 15 to 16, 2009, to discuss matters relating to tourism and trade in the Americas. It was his first official visit here. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas is amending its Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Act, 2000 in order to facilitate effective exchange of information in tax matters. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Brent Symonette, opened the debate. read more...

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In nature, the birds of a single species do in fact frequently form flocks. Ornithologists explain this behavior as a ‘safety in numbers” tactic to reduce their risk of predation. Yes, “birds of a feather flock together” in one way it strongly suggest that people of like minds form close friendships. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- In addition to its tax information exchange agreements (TIEA) established with the United States, Monaco and San Marino, The Bahamas has completed technical agreements with eight additional countries, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham advised Parliament on Thursday. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Committee for the Privatisation of The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd ("BTC") announced on Wednesday that the privatisation of BTC continues to progress with significant interest from prospective parties. Upon review of the pre-qualification packages... read more...

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Historically mothers have always had great intuition, with and generally common sense. My late mother was a gifted overcomer with a powerful sense of dealing with the adversities of life. Whenever I am experiencing a personal or professional challenge, I refer back to my mother’s little box of “life’s instructions”. read more...

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Bahamas Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis has been given high commendations by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for having received the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Annual Award for excellence in health administration read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Hailed for her foresight and leadership skills, and for positioning The Bahamas as a voice to be heard internationally on public health matters, Chief Medical Officer Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis last night accepted the Pan American Health Organization Award for Administration for 2009. read more...

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When it was first reported that Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater (49) and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne (47) were arrested for attempting to extort $25 million from John Travolta, I’m sure we all thought they had something truly compromising on him (like pictures of the Hollywood actor... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) -- Actor John Travolta testified in a Bahamian extortion trial on Wednesday that he was told that unless he paid $25 million, stories would be sold to the news media implying his son's death was intentional and he was to blame. It was unclear who relayed the alleged threat. read more...

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The National Insurance Board (NIB) has responded to two releases by The Nassau Institute relating to a case study of the NIB's proposed combined tax increase of 84.1% in an effort to keep the fund solvent and add unemployment and pharmaceutical benefits. To reiterate, using data for an associate... read more...

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Success means different things to different people. If you were to conduct a simple, non-scientific survey of people the world over asking if they want to be successful, there would be a resounding yes. Yet many persons live their lives in a manner that continually sabotaged their desire to succeed. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Officials from several key law enforcement and national security agencies from throughout the region, The Bahamas included, are participating in a major Synthetic Drug Workshop, as regional law enforcers turn their attention towards the growing trade. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- According to a report published by the World Bank, The Bahamas is among the top three most vulnerable Caribbean countries when it comes to climate change. For this reason, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said initiatives such as CARIBSAVE are vital. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) -- John Travolta frantically tried to save his son by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the actor told a Bahamian court on Wednesday in the trial of two people accused of attempting to extort $25 million from him. Former senator Pleasant Bridgewater and former... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas government and Monaco have concluded negotiations for a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA). Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing and Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco Gilles Noghès signed the agreement at the Ministry of Finance. read more...

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In your Education Section, you recently published an interview conducted by the Nassau Institute concerning education in the Bahamas. The teacher interviewed noted some of the issues facing the education system there such as, the poor quality of teachers, the problem of the qualifications and... read more...

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Many  times in life we face numerous distractions that cause us to take our eyes off the proverbial prize. In the timeshare industry, sales consultants are often reminded to “keep the main thing , the main thing” which is closing the sale. Professional football players in the National Football League are focused on... read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- Violent activity as a result of the triple threat of the illicit drug trade, retaliation and conflict, account for 56 per cent of the 59 murders committed in The Bahamas so far this year, Minister of National Security 'Tommy' Turnquest said. Domestic violence accounted for six of the murders. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The further strengthening of the country’s Port Surveillance Programme has increased The Bahamas’ national capacity to respond to Influenza AH1N1, Minister of Health, Dr Hubert A Minnis said on Wednesday. Addressing a United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)... read more...

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Business is advised to “brace” for an increase of 2% on the payroll tax (aka income tax). The tax rate in 2010 is slated to rise to 10.8%. The wage ceiling rises from $400 to $600. An example of the effect of the increases on a small company with three employees follows:  At the current tax rate of 8.8% on wages... read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas joined the rest of the Caribbean on Saturday, September 12 in celebrating Caribbean Wellness Day under the theme: “Love My Body”. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette officially opened a wellness fair at the Ministry of Health. read more...

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A recent announcement was made by NIB of a possible contribution tax increase of 2%. At first glance, a 2% tax increase seems bearable. It is definitely better to receive a 2% salary increase, but nonetheless a forced 2% salary decrease seems bearable. However, things are not always as they seem. read more...

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A few years ago Motown legend Stevie Wonder performed a song call “Tomorrow Robins Will Sing” that immediately caught my attention. Being a child of the sixties and a huge Motown fan, I was hooked on music by The Temptations, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Four Tops... read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas can expect increased tourist arrivals from China and Southeast Asia as a result of last week's visit by Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Ambassador Elma Campbell declared. read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas bade farewell to Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China on Sunday following what was described "a successful" four-day visit.“It’s been a very successful trip," said Deputy PM Brent Symonette. read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said the high level visit of Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China to The Bahamas is “symbolic of the growing relationship” between the two countries. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Upon completion, the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium will accrue “economic benefits” for The Bahamas and provide opportunities for sports tourism and to host international events, trade shows and exhibitions, Desmond Bannister, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, said Saturday. read more...

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