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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Approximately twenty years ago I was hired by a large company in Nassau, Bahamas to conduct a motivational customer service training program for all of their employees. Well, during the first night of the training session, the employees began to gripe about all of the problems they were experiencing. read more...

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MIAMI, USA (Reuters) -- A JetBlue airliner with 93 people aboard made an emergency landing in the Bahamas on Thursday after a warning light alerted the crew to a fire in one of its two engines, authorities said. All 89 passengers aboard the flight, from Orlando, Florida, to Nassau, were safely evacuated. read more...

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FORT WORTH, USA -- Here's a simple way to save money on a trip to your favorite sunny destinations this fall: grab a great low fare on American Airlines and make a dash for an exciting spot in the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, or Bermuda. The choice is up to you and your imagination. read more...

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ORLANDO, USA (Reuters) -- AirTran Airways has released schedules for new service to Nassau, Bahamas, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Pending final government approval, AirTran Airways will begin flights to Nassau on December 17, 2009, and to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on February 11, 2010. read more...

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A few weeks ago, I wrote a commentary in support of proposed legislation in The Bahamas -- my country of birth -- banning marital rape. And even though I knew religious zealots there would raise holy hell against this legislation, I thought citing the fact that virtually every civilized country in the world... read more...

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The Nassau Institute recently interviewed a former teacher for an "insider's" perspective on the failing education problem in The Bahamas. The interview follows: NI: What do you see as one of the most fundamental issues facing education in The Bahamas? Teacher: The basic issue that virtually no one addresses... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (Nassau Guardian) -- Amidst a Cayman Islands move to launch a financial services ministry, a local attorney is lamenting the government's decision that disbanded The Bahamas' ministry two years ago as global pressures threaten the local financial sector. In fact, Ryan Pinder asserts... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Royal Bahamas Police Force launched a new Crime Reduction Strategy in New Providence last week. It is expected to reduce the number of murders and robberies by targeting ‘prolific offenders’ and criminal ‘hot spots’. The strategy will be employed in other areas of the Bahamas. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) --  The Bahamas will welcome Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People’s Congress during an official visit from Thursday, September 3 to Sunday, September 6. Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette will lead The Bahamas delegation. read more...

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The Bahamas is facing its worst recession in many years with businesses having to downsize and families having to cut back where ever possible to make ends meet. Rumour has it that cash flow is hard to come by for the government, leading to cut backs in some interesting places. read more...

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MIAMI, USA (Reuters) -- Tropical Storm Danny formed in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas on Wednesday and set a course that could take it near North Carolina's Outer Banks and the northeastern US states as a hurricane by the weekend. Danny's first approach to land was likely to come early Saturday. read more...

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ATLANTA, USA (Reuters) -- Low-cost airline AirTran Airways said on Tuesday it filed applications with the US Department of Transportation to offer flights to three stops in the Caribbean in a bid to expand its international service. The unit of AirTran Holdings Inc said it has proposed offering service to Nassau... read more...

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NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) -- The US National Hurricane Center said Tuesday a tropical wave in the western Atlantic Ocean northeast of Puerto Rico had a high chance -- greater than 50 percent -- of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. The system is located about 300 miles northeast of Puerto Rico. read more...

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BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Berlin police arrested six unnamed athletes from Cuba, the United States and the Bahamas following a row outside a nightclub early on Sunday. Police said a group of about 20 people, including athletes competing in the world athletics championships, were involved in a fight. read more...

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ATLANTA, USA -- The Bahamas Consulate-General in Atlanta, Georgia, was opened in response to the growing demand for services by Bahamians resident in the greater Atlanta area and by businesses in the southeastern United States interested in expanding trade and investment in The Bahamas. read more...

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NASSAU, The Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas is expanding its efforts in the war on narcotics trafficking to include stopping the diversion of pharmaceuticals and precursor chemicals from “licit into illicit” channels, National Security Permanent Secretary Missouri Sherman-Peter confirmed. read more...

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It's delightful to read all the talk about our educational woes and I applaud Mr Carl Bethel, Minister of Education for at least openly discussing the dismal exam results of our children. That's a giant first step for a politician in my not so humble opinion, and just might start paving the way for the education... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The creations of three prominent Bahamian fashion designers were showcased when Miss Universe contestants took to the catwalk on Wednesday in Nassau. The 84 contestants were participating in a fashion show featuring the designs of Rachel Turnquest-Garcia. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- China has awarded four Bahamian students with full scholarships to pursue tertiary level education at various institutions in China, over the next four years. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette congratulated the students. read more...

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I am heartened that the government of The Bahamas has finally proposed legislation to ban marital rape. After all, according to a 2006 United Nations report, marital rape is already a crime in over 104 countries, including Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago; not to mention being a crime under international law. read more...

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BELMOPAN, Belize -- On Monday, Justice Michelle Arana granted an order for the transfer of the life and health insurance portfolio of CLICO (Bahamas) Limited -- Belize Branch -- to RF&G Life Insurance Company. The transfer process has started and it is expected that by 1 September 2009... read more...

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Agriculture in the Bahamas, as a percentage, is roughly 2 percent of GDP. Within the agricultural sector, the fisheries sub-sector has been playing a particularly dynamic role, consistently accounting for more than 75 percent of total agricultural output and with the crawfish industry, yielding anywhere... read more...

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Recently one of my clients merged with two other companies in the same line of business. During the meeting to introduce the staff to the new management team and launch the merger, I was invited to open the session with a pep talk. I began by stressing “we are now one family... read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas government’s Educational Guarantee Loan Program has been suspended due to a 61 percent default level, Minister of Education, Carl Bethel confirmed. This move came as a result of loan holders not meeting their obligations, he told a press conference on Wednesday. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas and the United States met August 5 to resolve long standing copyright issues.The session also involved members of the film and entertainment industry to review the 2009 Special 301 Report and Copyright Matters, at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre. read more...

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During the political campaign for the 2007 general elections in the Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert A Ingraham constantly chided the then PM Perry G Christie about always being late. He scored many brownie points with his “late again” chant describing Christie who is now leader of the official opposition. read more...

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GRAND BAHAMA, Bahamas (BIS) -- Grand Bahama’s tourism sector got a needed shot in the arm on Monday when WestJet Airlines announced direct service from Toronto, Canada beginning November. Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace affirmed his confidence in what Grand Bahama has to offer. read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- Lionfish meat is fast becoming the new culinary craze of Bahamian delicacies. “People are opening up to eating lionfish and are realizing that they are not a health threat,” said Lakeshia Anderson, Assistant Fisheries Officer at the Department of Fisheries. read more...

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The Nassau Institute recently attended the economic conference “Freedom Fest” in Las Vegas – billed as the “World’s Largest Gathering of Free Minds”. One of the topics discussed was the toxic effects of excessive inflation, currency devaluation and poor economy management.  read more...

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NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas has asked Colombia for support in a number of United Nations initiatives, as both countries seek to strengthen diplomatic relations.Governor-General, Arthur Hanna, made the appeal as Ventura Emilio Diaz-Mejia presented his Letters of Credence. read more...

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