BTC announced today it is launching a new mobile feature, Star 200 (*200#), allowing pre-paid customers to top up minutes, transfer minutes to another number or view account balance and other information on their screens. Star 200 (*200#) will eventually replace the current account check *44 that offers similar, but limited features.

Family members and friends visiting patients at Doctors Hospital will be required to present an official form of identification and check in at a Welcome Desk before being permitted to go up to the patient floors effective Monday, June 18.

The new policy is designed to ensure that Doctors Hospital establishes and maintains a quiet and safe environment that is conducive to healing.

"This policy is not being enacted in reaction to any security issues, rather we are mindful that we have a duty to make our patients as comfortable as possible while they are convalescing in our hospital and ensure that they, their visitors and our Associates are able to heal, visit and work in a safe environment," explains Vice President of Clinical Services Cynthia Sawyers.

LYFORD CAY, Bahamas -- Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) hosted the graduation ceremony for the school's 7th, and largest, graduating class in the school's 50-year history on May 31, 2012 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. " LCIS started with just nine students and we have grown into a fully accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) school, one of less than 200 hundred schools worldwide that offers all three IB Programs, " said Principal, Stacey Bobo.

"We are certainly proud of the fact that in this, our 50th year, we are sending off 18 young adults to various Universities and Colleges in eight countries across the globe.

Never before, has the international quality of our school been more apparent than with this graduating class," she continued "Our graduates proudly represent The Bahamas, The United States, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Trinidad, Great Britain, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Romania, Germany and the Netherlands."

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- June 6, 2012 - For a school in need, even something as simple as a new coat of paint can energize a dreary classroom, inspire teachers and motivate students.

Today Lewis Yard Primary School receives 40 gallons of paint to refresh its learning environment. Lewis Yard was selected as the winner of a paint grant through Kelly's Freeport Ltd. and the True Value Foundation's 'Painting a Brighter Future' program.

A True Value Foundation paint grant helps renew an atmosphere that sets a positive tone for educators to teach and children to learn.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Monday, 4th March, 2012 - Carolyn House Stewart, International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated expressed that, "High Blood Pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer‟", because it doesn‟t usually cause any symptoms.

It damages the heart and blood vessels without ever causing pain. For this reason, the ladies of the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Freeport Grand Bahama Island partnered with Sawyer‟s Fresh Market, Registered Nurse Vernita Russell and Registered Nurse Lesia Knowles to host a three hour High Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- During the months of June the beaches of Grand Bahama become busy with birds that spend their life at sea or over coastal waters but need to find a hospitable place to raise their young before returning back to the sea in August or early September.

One of those birds is the Least Tern appropriately named as it is the smallest tern in the region measuring only 9 inches in length. Least Terns nest in colonies on sandy beaches and an become quite aggressive and noisy when defending their nests.

It's that time again! Hurricane season is upon us and in fact, there were two named storms before the season even started. When making your own preparations and laying in supplies, please don't forget your pets' needs! After the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, the HSGB saw far too many pets that had been killed, abandoned, injured or became sick because their owners did not plan ahead for them.

Pet Checklist

2 week supply of food and water - figure at least one quart of water per pet per day

Medication - if your pet is on any medication make sure you have at least a two week supply

Extra paper towels and disinfectant

Litter box and 2 week supply of litter for cats

Collars (not chain collars) with ID tags - these can even be home-made and should include your address and cell numbers - just make sure they're waterproof.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Wednesday, 6th June, 2012 - Newly appointed Vice Chairman of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) Sarah St. George, warmly welcomed visiting Pilot International club members from Grand Bahama, Nassau and abroad during a recent courtesy call.

"GBPA has always lent its support to numerous service organizations including Pilot International," said St. George. "So, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our island and community as we all strive to work together to bring about needed changes that will better the way of life for many."

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- On a very WARM Sunday, June the 3rd, over a hundred British citizens and friends officially celebrated the Queen's Silver Jubilee in Grand Bahama.

Hosted at Hardy Hollow in Lucaya guests gathered in national colours or in Queen's regalia to celebrate the monarch's 60 years of service to the United Kingdom.

Officially registered with the Silver Jubilee Committee in England, the GB Street party was held on the same day as were hundreds of street parties in England and around the world.

The Bahamas National Trust in conjunction with Dr. Frank Riviera and Caroline Stahala recently conducted an intensive survey of the Bahama Parrot on Abaco Population surveys were conducted in 2002 resulted in estimates of the Abaco parrot population of about 2,500 parrots with similar values in the following years. This year Dr. Frank Rivera and Caroline Stahala, who took part in the initial surveys ,helped by BNT wardens and volunteers, conducted a 10 year follow up survey to determine the change in the Abaco parrot population since management began. The results indicate that the Abaco parrot population has increased since the BNT's management efforts were implemented with a new estimate of just over 4,000 parrots on Abaco.

The BNT has been concerned about the Bahama Parrot Population since the 1980's. Studies indicated that the major threat to the parrots were feral cats who cause serious problems to the parrots during the nesting season by entering the underground nesting cavities and killing the breeding adults and chicks. The BNT implemented an intensive predator control effort in 2009 throughout the parrot nesting area culminating in the hiring of Marcus Davis as Deputy Park whose primary responsibility is to oversee the predator control program . During the breeding seasons the BNT has seen a decrease in the number of breeding parrots killed and nest success increase.

The question, though, remained whether this effort would translate into an increase in the Abaco parrot population size.

LONG ISLAND, Bahamas -- Scotiabank today reported an armed robbery at its Stella Maris branch in Long Island.

The Bank reported that on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at about 10:30 a.m., the Bank was robbed by two armed robbers of an undetermined amount of cash.

Bank management have confirmed that there were no injuries sustained by staff or customers.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- The Bahamas - Thanks to a determined volunteer and the support of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) two young men went on the trip of a lifetime around our beautiful Bahama Islands recently.

Young Brian Higgs a BNT Intern and William Stirrup a BREEF Intern joined BNT research volunteer, Stephen Connett, on a turtle tagging research expedition around the southern islands of The Bahamas. The intrepid students traveled for 15 days on board Connett's converted fishing vessel and visited 12 Islands and cays, including: Cat Island, Conception Island, Long Island, mainland Exuma, Farmer's Cay, Staniel Cay, Over Younder Cay, Sampson Cay, Warderick Wells, Highbounrne Cay, Ship Channel Cay and Spanish Wells.

Every single one of us has a soft spot for food that would be considered "unhealthy". Fast food is the largest restaurant demographic in the western world. The fast pace of life has made a market for quick, easy food that tastes good. Now, that can or can't mean it's good for you but sometimes you just need to treat yourself. Everything in life is about moderation.

We like to use the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time you should eat what's good for you and not overdo the drinking and live a diligent life. The other 20% of the time is for excesses, the things that make life exciting.

For many years now, bars and pubs have been trying to take things like the fast food we all secretly crave and make them more interesting. In the 1990's the term gastropub was given to many pubs and bars that were taking real care and creativity to the usual bar menus; now there are pubs across Europe that have garnered Michelin Stars.

Throughout the commonwealth of the Bahamas, and parts of the world, entertainer Jay Mitchell has become a household name. His successful career began in Nassau where he stunned sold out crowds night after night with his breathtaking performances.

Jay has performed at many major functions, travelled the Islands of the Bahamas and numerous countries. He has written, produced and recorded many hit songs that have won numerous national awards.

Over the years Jay has worked with many international groups and was managed by Joe Jackson, father of the Jackson Five.

These six contestants are vying for the fabulous crystal crown, the prestigious national title as 'Mrs. Bahamas-World' and the opportunity to represent The Bahamas at the International Mrs. World pageant.

An age will come after many years when the ocean will lose the chains of things and a huge land lie revealed Seneca

Human life may have had its origin on the African continent but the Gobi Desert, one of the most desolate places on the planet, is a more likely starting place for a story about the Bahamian islands.

There is compelling reason to believe that it was from this remote region of central Asia - the most inland place on earth - that one of the greatest migrations in human history commenced. It was a migration that would bring the first human visitors to the continents of the Americas and eventually to the necklace of islands known as The Bahamas.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Lucaya International School's 2nd Annual LIS Fishing Fling Tournament (FFT) on May 27th was a success - and fun too!

The LIS PTA and FFT Tournament Director, Jamie Rose, gathered more than 70 anglers to compete for the biggest fish, all in the name of school fundraising! Valued sponsors from all over the community came together to help the LIS PTA throw a great party, complete with food, drinks, DJ and auction items.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Grand Bahama kids get the chance in a couple of weeks time to share in a sports experience already enjoyed by more than three million young people in the UK. It's a tailor-made programme aimed at giving the children confidence, teaching them teamwork and responsibility while giving them fun and helping keep them fit.

That's the day-to-day work responsibility of the three pro coaches who will be leading the Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp from June 25 to June 29 and it is the mission they will bring with them to the island in less than three weeks time.

The "ready on day #1" PLP Government 'mussie' forget 'bout' Environmental Health! Dey een pick up da garbage in some areas since day #1! According to very reliable sources, calls have been coming in to The Department of Environmental Health from all over Nassau because of the grave neglect of the garbage collection in the east, west north and south!

From Fox Hill to South Beach to Westridge. In some cases its been more than four weeks since the garbage has been collected! The Rodents are now moving in!