NASSAU, Bahamas -- One year after BTC began a restructuring exercise, the country's leading telecommunications company has become the employer of first choice in The Bahamas with training and skills development sharing top billing with capital expenditure for upgrades, according to CEO Geoff Houston. The result, he said, is nearly 100% Bahamian staff, including several new appointments in key positions.

Houston's comments came one day after he said he underplayed a staffing question at a press conference.

BAHAMASAIR is aiming to reduce its net loss by $1.7 million or 8 per cent during the upcoming fiscal year, the Deputy Prime Minister conceding that much remains to be done to make the national flag carrier fully efficient and less dependent on taxpayer.

Philip Davis, minister of works and urban development, said the airline's budgeted net loss for the upcoming 2012-2013 fiscal year is $21.8 million.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Spanish and Literature examinations at the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) Level will be re-introduced during the 2012-2013 academic year. This is in keeping with The Bahamas Government's efforts to provide twenty-first century skills and education for Bahamians.

Education, Science and Technology Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald told Parliamentarians in his contribution to the Budget Debate that beginning September 2012, students entering grade seven will begin three-year preparation for Spanish and Literature BJC examinations.

Recently the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) came together in a major effort to assess the seabirds of the Cay Sal Bank.

The Cay Sal Bank, a remote and rarely visited island group in the southwestern corner of the Bahamas archipelago, is one of the largest atolls in the world. Human inhabitants have established permanent settlements on only two of the hundreds of cays and rocks on the Bank.

Biodiversity Research Institute( BRI) instituted a special Science Expedition from May 26th - June 1, 2012 this year to allow scientists and volunteers to estimate the number of breeding seabirds on the Cay Sal Bank.

NASSAU, The Bahamas - The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA held its Ninth Annual Exhibition in Rawson Square on Friday, June 8 to Saturday, June 9, 2012.

The two-day event capped off Disaster Preparedness Week held under the theme, "Building Disaster Resilient Communities through Mitigation and Preparedness.

"Director of NEMA, Captain Stephen Russell, in his opening remarks noted that over the years the agency has been relentless in its efforts to ensure that The Bahamas has the ability and is also prepared to adequately respond to any disaster.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- As part of their 50th Anniversary Speaker Series, Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) invited sustainability expert, social entrepreneur and humanitarian, Jesse Baker PhD, and his partner, Chrissy Gray, to teach students about sustainability. "Our efforts are meant to (re)define sustainability in more comprehensive terms, and to inspire individuals to take action in their everyday lives," said Baker.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The U.S. Coast Guard joined representatives from the U.S. National Weather Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday, May 25, in an interactive presentation designed to teach valuable lessons about weather safety and science.

Nearly 400 students representing primary schools throughout New Providence packed the Atlantis Theater for an afternoon filled with dynamic visual displays and the opportunity to take part in a science-focused computer game featuring Owlie, the mascot of the Young Meteorologist Program (YMP).

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie said the Government has launched a police-led programme that will "blanket" communities where people are undergoing many challenges.

Speaking at the 21st Pastoral Anniversary of Apostle Mitchell E. Jones and Mrs. Julia Jones at the Annex Baptist Cathedral, Sunday, June 10, 2012, Prime Minister Christie said although there may be some initial controversy, there is a reason why the police is spearheading the programme.

"It is intended to have police officers, social workers and environmental health workers decentralised, and have offices in these different communities with the direct mission to go to every house, every street, every corner, all through these communities and find out what happens in those homes," he said.

Thursday, 14th June, 2012 - Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - The month of June is proving to be a busy month for Downtown businesses and local vendors, as yet another event is slated for the area this coming Saturday.

Organizers of the Downtown International Food & Cultural Festival (DIFCF) are in full swing to transform the city's centre into an all-out attraction for food, culture, entertainment and much more!

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- One Island is a university-based research program that investigates methods for creating art and architecture from common solid waste materials created by the global consumer society.

A group of these students are working today at UNEXSO, in Freeport, Grand Bahama - creating a new masterpiece out of garbage found around the island and on the beach.

With the support of the Keep Grand Bahama Clean committee, the students work will be on show next week Friday at Unexso for all to see.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- It was last evening, Sunday 10th June, 2012 at approximately 8:45pm when officers from the Eight Mile Rock Police Station were on foot patrol in the area of Sunset Village near the Police Station, conducting a routine check of the area, when they observed a male acting in a suspicious manner and he was approached by the officers.

They conducted a search of his person and then of his car, where the officers discovered a black pistol with (6) live rounds of ammunition.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Minister for Education Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald made it clear Monday that he takes his job seriously and that he will be visiting, in most cases un-announced, the various institutions on Grand Bahama and New Providence to ensure that their policies and programmes are carried out.

Likewise, the Minister said that following the current Budget Debate, he will be meeting with media houses to get them to focus more on the positive things that are happening with children in education. Mr. Fitzgerald was on Monday attending the annual Speech Day and Awards Ceremony for the Class of 2012 of the Walter Parker Primary School. Some 132 students graduated from that institute.

FREEPORT, Bahamas -- On Saturday, 9th June 2012 at approximately 9:15am a traffic accident occurred on West Atlantic Drive involving a two-car collision. A white 2003 Ford Taurus owned and driven by a 48 year of male resident of Rutherford Circle was travelling north on West Atlantic Drive on the Eastern dual bound lane, when his vehicle collided with a silver 1999 Toyota Hiliux Surf that is owned and driven by a 58 year old male resident of Pearl Drive who was travelling south on West Atlantic Drive on the Western dual bound lane.

As result of the collision, the 1999 Toyota Hilius Surf flipped over. Both drivers were transported to the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical treatment regarding the injuries sustained.

FREEPORT, G.B. - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Melvin Seymour, officially welcomed 57 people from the City of Riviera Beach to Grand Bahama on Wednesday, June 13.

Heading the delegation was Ms. Billie Brooks, chairperson for the City of Riviera Beach Council. They City of Freeport Local Government Council, headed by Chief Councillor, Kevin Ferguson, has established a strong working relationship with the Council for Riviera Beach and is acting as chaperone for the group.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The islands of The Bahamas need more 'visibility' in the tourism arena. That much-needed visibility, according to Minister of Tourism, Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, will come via the social media. Mr. Wilchcombe made the statements while delivering the keynote address during a meeting held by the Family Island Tourism Board at the British Colonial Hilton on Wednesday, June 13.

Teachers and parents pose for the camera, on June 8, 2012, at the Rum Cay All Age School, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications in Port Nelson, Rum Cay. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

SNUG CORNER, Acklins, The Bahamas -- Snug Corner Primary School students talk about 'Life on Acklins', on June 7, 2012, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications in Snug Corner, Acklins. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- A number of Family Islands will receive new infrastructural works and refurbishment, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis said, on June 13, 2012, during his Contribution to the 2012-2013 Budget Debate, at the House of Assembly. "The Water and Sewerage Corporation has identified that Cat Island might be best served by three reverse osmosis systems, though a single plant might be feasible as well," Deputy Prime Minister Davis said. "They would wish to be able to link their efforts to development projects.

The Nassau Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in partnership with its major sponsors, Atlantis and The U.S. Embassy, will present the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) to The Bahamas from June 18-24, 2012. The highlight of the group's visit will be a Gala performance on Friday, June 22nd and a Matinee performance on Saturday, June 23rd, at the Atlantis Theatre, Paradise Island. The world renowned dance troupe is led by Keith Alan Saunders, Ensemble Director and Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director.

According to Mrs. Diane Pindling, President of the Nassau Chapter of The Links, the purpose of DTH's visit is to expose the Bahamian dance community to the social and artistic legacy of DTH through performances and educational experiences.

The successful Beauties at Brunch event which supported the Bahamas Crisis Center last month in New Providence is on its way to Grand Bahama!

The Cia Monet experience will hit Freeport on Sunday, June 24th at 3pm with a fashion event at the Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel.

This year the world celebrates 50 years of the Suffrage Movement which campaigns for the rights of all women as it relates to work, finances, social equality and equal rights in general.

Cia Monet, the online shopping experience embraces this opportunity through its brand to bring an awareness of the Suffrage Movement to women of The Bahamas.

The Rotary Club Of GB Sunrise 2nd Annual Cigar Nights to be held this Saturday June 16th, 7pm at the GB Sailing Club located near the Garden of the Groves. Back by popular demand the Rotary fundraiser promises to be fun evening for all for a good cause.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person which includes food and a complimentary drink at the door.

The Cigar Nights Jazz band featuring Ralph Munnings on sax, Pat Boston on keyboard and Marina Gottlieb Sarles singing will set the mood for the Latin themed evening. Following the jazz band will be DJ Unkle Sam to play the hottest tunes for dancing.

Preserving trees and other vegetation is plain common sense. So why don't we do it?

On a macro-scale, destruction of the great rain forests is a cause of global warming. Trees, especially shade trees, reduce air-conditioning bills also keep neighbourhoods cooler. Trees act as wind breaks. Trees clean the air by returning oxygen to the atmosphere.

The Fourth Estate which today includes print, television, radio, electronic and social media, is considered the best bulwark against tyranny and abuses of power by governments.We have witnessed in recent times the positive impact of accurate news and information on the global political, social and economic systems.

The results of the recent general elections in the Bahamas not only provided an overwhelming mandate for the PLP, but resulted in a weakened opposition FNM lacking "political gravitas".Therefore an urgent need exists for a strengthened and vibrant Fourth Estate in our beloved Bahamaland. Strengthened in the knowledge that fair and balanced reporting is recognized and appreciated by the population.