Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force escort The National Flag to Rawson Square , June 4, for the Official Independence 40-day Countdown Launch Ceremony.

(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Working mothers; a Family Island transplant; a veteran College of The Bahamas employee and students with triple honours all had one thing in common on Wednesday, May 29th. They were recognised as the brilliant leaders of the 2013 Commencement Class of The College of The Bahamas during a special Awards Ceremony held in advance of the Thirty-Ninth Commencement Ceremony.

When Myah Moss walked across the stage of the Performing Arts Centre to accept the Ernst and Young Award for Accounting, it was her third award issued by the School of Business to the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting graduand.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, left, speaks with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Sunday, where they agreed on a new package of technical support amounting to US$8 million. The details of the spending are to be settled in Nassau with the Chinese officials.

This is the first visit of a sitting Chinese president to the region. President Xi, who visited The Bahamas as a public official in 2006, recalled during the meeting fond memories of his stay at Atlantis, a fishing trip and the fish meal he caught while in The Bahamas.

Legendary actor and long-time Bahamas resident Sir Sean Connery this week added his voice to the growing numbers supporting Save The Bays, a national movement to protect and preserve marine resources and quash unregulated development that threatens the waters and marine life of the country.

"As a longtime resident of the Bahamas, a country whose beautiful waters and beaches have been featured in a number of my films, I am proud to be a supporting member of Save The Bays, and to urge all Bahamians, citizens and residents, to support our effort to defend Clifton Bay along with all the natural resources of this country," said Connery.

A colony of some 20 least terns, the smallest members of the gull and tern family and a bird that has been on the endangered species list in the United States since 1985, have been spotted nesting in Palm Cay, the upscale beachfront community on Nassau's southeastern shore.

The colony was spotted by Bahamas National Trust President Neil McKinney.

Sandals Royal Bahamian is reaffirming its commitment of providing a fun and relaxing but safe atmosphere for its guests, by empowering and educating its team members through seven days of lifeguard training.

Training began in earnest today with pool attendants and the watersports team seen running rescue drills in and out of the ocean. Perry Smith from the Canadian branch of the Royal Life Saving Society said the Sandals team will be prepared to perform an orchestrated rescue when they have completed their training.

Anytime a 100-best-of anything list is published it is always a conversation starter. After all, what makes Skagen Beach, Denmark (#66) better than Arashi Beach, Aruba (#87) for example? What makes a beach the "best" is entirely personal.

Having said that, here in the Bahamas, we can be justifiably proud that Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island came in at number six! "An inappropriate name does nothing to spoil the flawless aesthetics of this lengthy strip of sand," they say.

Students of Centreville Primary School received firsthand information about the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, during a visit at the office in the Churchill Building on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

The students, accompanied by their teacher, received information about what goes on at NEMA and the role the agency plays in disseminating notices to the public at large, pertaining to any potential disaster.

When you see what we at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama see on a regular basis, one of two things happen. You either can't take it and quit, or you toughen up somehow, because if everybody quit, what would happen then? Somebody has to be there for the animals, and that often means seeing some truly grisly sights. The worst cases fuel our desire and determination to keep fighting what often feels like a very lonely battle. The happy endings, and the people we are able to reach with our lessons of compassion and responsible pet ownership, are reaffirmations that this is a battle worth fighting.

Grand Bahama is in desperate need of more soldiers willing to fight this battle. Last Thursday night we learned of the vicious killings of a number of goats and chickens at St. Georges High School two days prior.

Thanks to a dedicated group of concerned supporters, the HSGB is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s).

Attention actors! A Christian-based movie entitled "Generation Text" is getting set to film on Grand Bahama. Local Pastor Eddie Victor added that they are also in talks with Hollywood and hope to have some 'stars' involved.

The production company are holding a CASTING CALL on FRIDAY, June 7, 2013 at the Grand Lucayan at 10am. They are looking for actors over the age of 12 to come out and audition.

Actors need to bring a photo, resume (bio) and highlight any acting they have done. No admittance without these.

One of the 42 graduating youth leaders, Adriann Gilbert, centre, receives her certificate from Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson during Youth Leaders Graduation Ceremony, June 1, at the Pelican Bay Resort & Suites, Freeport, Lucaya, Grand Bahama. Pictured at left: Calvin Balfour, Acting Permanent Secretary.

(BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)

The Art of Giving, one of Freeport's premiere boutique gift shops, has moved to #9 Seventeen Plaza, downtown. Conveniently located immediately across from the Post Office, the shop is a licensed vendor of Starbucks coffees, teas, and iced blended drinks and carries a distinctive line of gifts and fashionable décor for the home.

"We're excited about our new location. We feel that Seventeen Plaza is the ideal place to be," stated store manager, Michele Coburn. "Now that we are strategically located in the heart of downtown, amidst stores, banks, offices, and hospital, we're able to offer our services to a variety of customers who found it inconvenient to visit us at our previous International Bazaar location."

Allen Cay, The Bahamas was declared free of damaging, invasive house mice today by a partnership restoring the Cay's natural environment, seabirds, and Endangered1 iguanas.

"This announcement is a major milestone for the recovery of Allen Cay and for our partnership. We plan to replicate this success on other islands being damaged by invasive alien species," said Eric Carey, Executive Director for the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). The partnership includes BNT, Island Conservation, Dr. John Iverson of Earlham College, and Dr. Will Mackin. Funding support was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife, and charter boat operator Powerboat Adventures and the John G. Shedd Aquarium also made significant contributions to the project.

GEORGE TOWN, Exuma, The Bahamas -- St. Andrew's Anglican School students dance to "Without You", during the recent E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Exuma Adjudications, at the St. Andrew's Parish Community Centre, in George Town.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

On Sunday, June 2, 2013, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, conducted an Initial Damage Assessment exercise of the flooded areas and communities on Exuma, caused by widespread rain with thunderstorm in the Southeast Bahamas.

The team, headed by Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA included: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon Philip Davis; Dexter Williams, engineer, Ministry of Works and Urban Development; Wrensworth Butler, Superintendent Department of Social Services; Sr. Lt. Sonia Miller, NEMA; and Retired Force Chief Luke Bethel, NEMA.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013, at their annual Twirp Awards, held at the Garden of the Groves this year, The Freeport Players' Guild will present a Roast of Kay Hardy. A lifetime member of the Guild, Kay Hardy has acted in, danced, sang, produced, and directed amazing shows over the years. She has won numerous Twirp Awards including Best Actress, Best Director, Best Cameo and Best Supporting Actress, in addition to receiving a Betty McConville Award. She has been elected president of the Guild three times.

Kay Hardy is an active and involved citizen of her country and community. A former teacher, Kay enjoys working with children and volunteers her time on many child-related community projects including the Miss Grand Bahama pageant, The Grand Bahama Children's Home, and judging Junkanoo. She is the well recognized voice of many commercials and the MC for many years at the annual BASRA Swim Competition and Fun Day. Kay was the recipient of the Queen's Honours in 2009. She is an ardent campaigner for rights and fairness in The Bahamas, her adopted country.

As part of the premiere of the movie The Avengers, HBO Latin America together with Cable Bahamas joined forces to take one lucky winner and three friends or family members to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The winner, who must be subscribed to the HBO/MAX package with Cable Bahamas, will receive four airline tickets to Orlando, Florida, hotel accommodations, meals and tickets to the parks at Walt Disney World.*

As of Tuesday, May 21, subscribers can enter to win by visiting the Cable Bahamas Facebook page, facebook.com/GetRevdUp. The contest concludes June 21, and the winner, selected by the public voting from the top ten finalists, will be announced on June 24 on the Facebook Page. Customers can call 601-8992 or visit Cable Bahamas offices to subscribe to HBO + MAX.

The Freeport Players' Guild is pleased to announce the presentation of a scholarship to Luke Ignace for a five-week summer acting programme at the prestigious American Academy for Dramatic Arts.

Luke Ignace has been a regular at the Regency Theatre. He has a passion for acting and the theatre and is determined to continue his studies in the genre and to be a cultural ambassador for the Bahamas. His acceptance at this prominent school will assist him as he develops his talents.

The nation's premier beauty pageant organization has a new face, and the leadership of the Miss Bahamas Organization® (MBO) says it is the last piece of the puzzle needed to fulfill its vision. Some of the nation's leading business and civic minds are now at the helm of a newly formed Board of Directors which will guide the organization as it branches out from one to four national pageants each year.

Serving as Chairman of the Board is orthodontist Dr. Barry Russell. In 1991, Dr. Barry Russell became the first Bahamian orthodontist to establish a practice in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Orthodontic Center has grown from a staff of two employees in 1991 to a current staff of twenty-one with practices in Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama.

A local swimming club is looking to make a splash at this year's Nationals, slated to be held June 20 - 23 in Nassau. Helping them along the way is The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

Geneva Rutherford, GBPA's Director of Community Relations recently made a cheque donation to Andy Loveitt, coach of the Swift Swimming Club, formerly Lucayan Lightning swimming team. According to Coach Loveitt, the club's mission is simple, "to allow all swimmers in Grand Bahama a chance to realise their full potential in a friendly atmosphere on a team working towards success at all levels of swimming."

The Harbour Launch Bluejays and the Young Ambassadors Club Eagles completes sweeps in their divisions to win the Legacy Championships.

Harbour Launch Bluejays 15 Bellevue Red Sox 2

In Coach Pitch, Manager Orville Saint and his Bluejays totaled 15 runs on 16 hits to defeat the Bellevue Red Sox and Manager Ural Forbes who totaled 2 runs on 6 hits.

For the first three days of the Treasure Cay Championship, Cruiser Crews' team Cowpoke waged a seesaw battle for first place with the 2012 Bahamas Billfish Champion Fa-La-Me. In fact, when the Committee Boat called 'lines in' on the final day, both Cowpoke and Fa-La-Me had 2,100 points with Crews' team in first place based on time.

Day four started with Frank Rodriguez's team Fa-La-Me picking up 600 points and jumping into the lead when Steve Butcher released a blue marlin at 9:30. Christy Crews on Cowpoke countered with a white marlin release at 10:07 and a blue marlin release at 1:59 in the afternoon. Cowpoke made it a 1,000 point day when Tony Huerta released another white marlin at 2:45.

From Murder to Murders in The Bahamas

Murder in The Bahamas is becoming a daily occurrence, and is showing signs of graduating to murders every day. We appear to be lost in dealing effectively with the killing crisis on our hands. Are we truly handicapped in solving our murder crisis, or are we collectively - a central and familiar part of the problem?

The streets of New Providence Island are chatty with talks about what's up with the frequent spree of homicides. I would like now to throw out an equation which I feel might offer some insights in to what's happening in The Bahamas with regards to our budding murderous culture.

Click here to read more

Mr. Peter Nygard is not a law abiding and respectable resident of The Bahamas

It's clear that Mr. Peter Nygard is not a law abiding and respectable resident of The Bahamas. His actions at Simms Point/Nygard Cay to date, has demonstrated his contempt for the Bahamian people and our nation generally. How is it that the land which was initially purchased at Simms Point/Nygard Cay by Mr. Peter Nygard - has been doubled in size, and construction work has commenced on the reclaimed land or Bahamian people's property or crown land - without the required permits?

Mr. Nygard's unashamed boldness and disrespect for The Bahamas and its people are being fuelled by political corruption in high places in these islands - in my opinion. Yes, black political leaders in The Bahamas are giving Peter Nygard and the like a blank check to have their way in our country. I wonder why.

Click here to read more