The Minister of Financial Services and Local Government, the Hon. C.V. Hope Strachan, leads a Bahamian delegation attending the 10th biennial Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 15th -18th December 2015.

The World Trade Organization is responsible for the creation and development of the legal framework governing international trade. The rules on international trade established by the WTO are benchmark rules. All other trade agreements entered into by members of the WTO outside of the framework of the WTO must comply with the minimum standards prescribed by the WTO.

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Kids from foster homes and schools glowed for Sandals Foundation volunteers this Christmas season when the team delivered their annual Christmas toys and treats. More than 300 toys and treats were distributed to the Centre for the Deaf, Gambier Primary School, Children's Emergency Hostel, Elizabeth Estates Home, Ranfurly Home and the AIDS Foundation. Another 600 toys were donated to other charitable organizations, including a drive for the children in islands affected by Hurricane Joaquin.

Sandals Foundation threw a huge party for the children of Exuma with loads food, drinks snacks and of course toys. Santa and his elf wowed the children who took the opportunity to take photos of the memorable occasion while receiving their gifts.

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The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) signed two contracts Wednesday totaling over $4 million to extend water supplies to the communities of Pinewood (Phase B), Boatswain Hill, and Coral Lakes. The contract signing follows a tender process that started in 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works & Urban Development, the Honourable Philip 'Brave' Davis, who was present at the signing, emphasised his "Government's commitment to expand and improve water supply to communities in need, not only in New Providence but also in the Family Islands, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the $41 million water supply improvement project being partially financed by the Caribbean Development Bank, which will also address potable water needs in Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador, and South Andros."

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Members of the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas got a good start into the Christmas season last Friday as they wrapped, packed and delivered gifts and bags of groceries for 84 deserving children at two different primary schools. A team of club members went to each school arriving at noon as schools closed for the Christmas break. The children were encouraged in some carol singing prior to the gift giving, which was most enjoyable.

The Antique Auto Club is now in it's 25th year of conducting this "heartwarming, feel-good event" as a spokesman for the club described it, since Don Aranha, President at the time, proposed the idea.

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Zonta Club of Nassau celebrated 33 years as a service club in The Bahamas in 2015. In recognition of this milestone, Zonta International and the Zonta Club of Nassau honoured 12 distinguished women in the organization who would have served for 25 or more years.

A 'Recognition of Excellence Awards' ceremony was held, December 10, at Government House Ballroom. Presenting the awards was Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General. Also presenting were Karen Pati, District 11 Governor, Zonta International, and Bernadette Gibson, President of Zonta Club of Nassau.

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Residents of West Grand Bahama and all those persons who frequent that area are delighted with the Government's signing of a contract to build a new causeway at the Fishing Hole, putting an end to vexing problems of flooding during adverse weather conditions.

The Government on Friday morning, December 18, 2015 signed a contract valued at $6,553,584.89 with the Freeport-based All Bahamas Construction Company Limited (ABC) to construct the new, elevated road. ABC is the same firm currently completing the construction of the Sir Jack Hayward Bridge, which passes over the Grand Lucayan Waterway connecting Grand Bahama Highway to East Grand Bahama.

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This past Friday, busy shoppers flocked to the downtown area to witness the first ever laser light show in Downtown Freeport. The historical feature was part of the Downtown Freeport Business Association's (DFBA), 2nd annual Midnight Madness event, and a partnership initiative of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited's (GBPA) Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau (IGBSBB).

Adults and children lined the areas of Kent Street and Gloucester Lane to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing lights as animated characters passed out bags of candies and gifts.

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As Deep Water Cay (DWC) works to ensure that their private island resort is fully booked for the upcoming year they have been adding to their team expertise! The newest team member is David Tate, who joined the team last month as a fly-fishing guide. Tate grew up in Sweetings Cay and is very familiar with Deep Water Cay's surrounding waters and fishing grounds.

He spent the last seven years in Abaco, as the head guide at Abaco Lodge, where he guided for fly-fishing legends like Flip Pallott and Lefty Kreh. During his time in Abaco his skills as a bonefish guide were featured in many articles about Abaco Lodge, including LeisureTimeTravel.com, SaltWaterSportsman.com and various other sports fisherman websites.

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Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full-we are lost, but not found.

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care.

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!"

But now we sit here and think of the days
we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew.
Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

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The Christmas spirit was in full effect on Bimini Island as Resorts World Bimini (RWB) played the role of Santa once again, donating toys and turkeys to all of the island's children and residents to help them prepare for the holidays.

Christmas came early for the island's youngsters who each excitedly received a gift on the last day of school from members of the Resorts World Bimini staff. Handheld video games, board games, developmental toys for toddlers, arts and crafts gift sets, Mp4/Mp3 players, sporting equipment and more were handed to each school-aged child from preschool to high school. Not to be left out, Bimini's adult population also had reason to smile as each household received a sizeable turkey the following day.

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For the majority of families throughout The Bahamas, the holidays mean family time, laughter, maybe a little Christmas caroling and certainly a whole lot of food. But for those families whose holiday guest list includes a cancer patient at the table, food can take on a whole new meaning. "Cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, may be struggling with a lack of appetite," explains Dr. Williamson Chea, vice president of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. "Or they may be experiencing other symptoms that affect appetite -- nausea, pain, a metallic taste or other common side effect that makes eating large or traditional meals difficult."

So how do you ensure that the person who is battling cancer can enjoy the holidays without depriving those who have a healthy appetite, literally, especially if even the sight of great platters of food can be upsetting?

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The late Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden O. Pindling, former Prime Minister, was inducted posthumously into the National Junkanoo Legends Circle during a ceremony held at Government House under the patronage of Governor-General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Daniel Johnson.

The 2015 class is made up of 20 males who were key persons in the survival of Junkanoo in the 1960's, guiding it from marginalization to the central and important art form that it is today. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Junkanoo Committee held a reception for the honorees.

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The Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture at a press conference, December 16, expressed joy in being able to distribute seed funding to the various Junkanoo groups and members as promised by the government during a conclave earlier in the year. During the conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Minister Johnson congratulated sponsors of Junkanoo such as Coca Cola and BTC, and urged other corporate entities to get involved.

He stated that the government is the biggest sponsor and investor in the cultural art form. Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) Chairman Silbert Ferguson said thank you to the government as he announced that seed monies were increased from $8,000 and $4,000 for A and B groups, to $30,000 and $15,000.

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The Bahamas' Minister of Tourism recently joined up with the owners, players and legends of the Miami Dolphins at a gala ceremony at the Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida to celebrate 50 years of existence of the Miami Dolphins. The gala, which celebrated the top 50 squad of the Miami Dolphin organization, was attended by some of the most elite sports athletes, media and well-known celebrities.

On hand to celebrate the occasion was the Bahamas Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, whose ministry has an on-going partnership with the Miami Dolphins and also just celebrated 50 years of tourism.

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The Hon. Shane Gibson, Minister of Labour & National Insurance, right, updates the press on the upcoming King Eric Gibson 'All for One' Regatta scheduled for Majority Rule Day weekend, January 9-11, 2016 at Montagu Bay.

Also pictured on Wednesday at the Bahama Grill press conference: Cindy Gay, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Regatta Desk, and Eric Gibson, Jr.

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GRAND BAHAMA EVENTS
 

 

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NOTE: All dates, times, locations and other details are subject to change.   

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