Shaquille Hall is different. This 20-year-old is a focused, analytical young man, who has chosen to be unfamiliar with the street life and familiar with his studies instead. A member of the 2013 Gentleman's Club class, Shaquille's outstanding performance in the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams and other achievements led to him also becoming a National Merit Scholar in the same year. His hard work and drive to succeed then landed him a full-academic scholarship to the prestigious, historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Now into his third year at Morehouse, Shaquille began making waves from his first year. The computer science major, who scored a 3.95 grade point average his first semester, was recommended by professors to apply for a 2014 winter course at tech giant Google. He loved it so much that he applied in 2015 for a paid internship and was then asked to return for summer 2016.

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A good attendance is expected at Atlantis on January 21st for the Royal Fidelity Bahamas Economic Outlook (BEO) with online delegate confirmations reflecting the keen interest in the full day conference and social calendar. An impressive cadre of international speakers, each individually renowned for their insightful and sometimes controversial or entertaining views, is once again the main draw for BEO. Michael Anderson, President of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank and Trust Ltd., said it is a rare opportunity to see four such notable speakers on one ticket and there is much anticipation as to their views on the conference theme: 'Inequality - Addressing the Global Imbalance.'

Several 'blue chip' companies are once again the sponsoring partners: Cable Bahamas, Commonwealth Brewery, Graham Thompson, JS Johnson, RBC Royal Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Tribune Media Group; three executives, Gowon Bowe, PwC, Ryan Pinder, Graham Thompson and Charles Johnson of JS Johnson, were asked for their views on the conference theme.

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A team of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is conducting a Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) and Post-Hurricane Joaquin After-Action Review (AAR) workshop, January 12-15, at NEMA's Headquarters with the objective of improving preparedness and response in face of hazard or disaster.

Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) expressed appreciation to the CDEMA team for their contribution to the process -- recognizing that NEMA would like to review the past hurricane occurrences and derive the lessons to be learned moving forward "to strengthen our disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly as we now get set to go into the 2016 hurricane season."

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Songs of independence, liberation and emancipation including "We shall Overcome," "Gern Down Burma Road" and "I'm Proud to Be a Bahamian" echoed through the campus of Palmdale Primary School on Friday, January 8, as faculty, administrators and students recognized Majority Rule Day.

The courtyard of the school on Madeira Street was the scene of the special assembly, which depicted a reenactment of the road to Majority Rule. The assembly also featured poetry, skits, drumming and prayers. The Bahamas recognized Sunday, January 10, as Majority Rule Day and marked this day as the 49th anniversary of the first government the majority of the country elected on a one man one vote basis.

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Pia Farmer averages 40 miles a day driving around town handling tasks related to business or serving as the honorary consul for Denmark, but it's been more than a year since she stopped for gas. Farmer drives a LEAF. Her fuel bill is zero, zip, nada.

"The only time I've pulled into a fuel station in the last year was to get a bottle of water," says Farmer who believes that if others fall in love with the LEAF like she has, attendants at local stations could one day be as lonely as the Maytag repairman. "I just drive, park, plug in when I get home and repeat the next day," she said.

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Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie applauded the work of the Salvation Army in The Bahamas and recognised those volunteering in it, especially those serving on its board, for their role in nation building.

"The Salvation Army, in its efforts worldwide, is truly known and its reputation established," Prime Minister Christie said. "We do not do a sufficiently good enough job to enable the people of our country to know the extent to which the Salvation Army contributes to the well being of our citizens who are in need, our citizens who have many challenges -- physical challenges, social challenges -- and the extent to which the Army has empowered such Bahamians to have a belief that -- notwithstanding their disabilities -- they are able to live as near to a normal life as possible."

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In the wake of a recent advisory issued by the United States Embassy regarding Jet Ski Operators in The Bahamas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis has admonished Straw Market vendors to "count the cost" and understand the consequences of their actions.

He addressed the Straw Market Authority's inaugural New Year's Vendor/Staff Team Meeting & Breakfast gathering at the Crab House and Seafood Emporium, Collins Avenue, Thursday, January 7. The theme for the event was 'All a We is One.' The Deputy Prime Minister said the event's theme, 'All a We is One' is a reminder that "we are all apples in a barrel" and that if one apple is spoilt the whole barrel is spoilt.

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Over the past few months much has been said publicly and in closed meetings concerning the Grand Bahama Power Company/ Emera's application to increase the base rate of electricity. Considering all the press statements by both the regulator and the Grand Bahama Power Company\Emera, in particular their communication that there is much misinformation in the public concerning the electricity rate application.

The Coalition of Concerned Citizens has at all times presented the facts to the public concerning the proposed rate application. The central truth to the whole matter is that since the submission of the rate application in August 2015, it is the intension of GBPC\Emera to increase the base rates of electricity for business, churches, schools, government offices, institutions and residential electricity customers that use more than 350 kilo watts per month.

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Our 2016 President's Cocktail Party was an amazing night under the stars at the ever fabulous Garden of the Groves! Over 100 people enjoyed incredible food, drinks and great ambiance. The HSGB is grateful for everyone who came out to support and who became a member or renewed their memberships.

Thanks to all who attended and supported the silent auction and the cash bar. It was a super successful night and a great start to a new year for our homeless dogs and cats! If you weren't able to make it Saturday, you can join or renew your membership at the shelter or online.

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Androsians celebrated the opening of the first phase of the Bahamas Holy Land Experience, an eco-adventure religious theme park in Andros Monday, January 11. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis headed a delegation to Andros and officially opened the three-phase development which is in its initial stage.

The park is situated on a 20-acre property in Deep Creek, and on completion will offer 49 Holy Land biblical replicas including the Jordon River Bridge, the Sea of Galilee, the Upper Room, the Well of Samaria, the Tomb of Jesus, and a Prayer Grotto.

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The music of Freddie Munnings, Sr. was celebrated in a concert at Rawson Square on Saturday evening, January 9 - Majority Rule Holiday Weekend -- in honour of his famous contributions to music and entertainment in The Bahamas, his contributions to the achievement of Majority Rule, and his legacy that lives on through talented family members.

The Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie attended the concert, as well as other members of parliament, and many music lovers.

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The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association/Rights Bahamas share another video produced by their intrepid young members on the human rights issues facing The Bahamas today.







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One of the taglines for this movie: Family Is Worth Fighting For. A radio executive is trying to get his stepchildren to love him, but his plans are derailed when their biological father returns. Now he finds himself competing for their affection while stamping out any sparks his wife's ex may be trying to rekindle.

Brad Whitaker is a loving and mild mannered radio executive who is doing his best on the home front to get his step-children to start seeing him as their Daddy. Sara Whitaker is Brad's wife who sees the whole matter as a foregone conclusion until her ex-husband decides to re-establish himself in her life and the lives of her children. Dylan and Megan Mayron are adapting to their stepfather, each in their own way, but with the re-emergence of their biological father it becomes an emotional tug of war with which man to depend on. Dusty Mayron is an out of work ex-military soldier who intends to re-insert himself into the life of his ex-wife and children by showing up his wife's current husband in every way possible.

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Scenes during the Opening Ceremony of the 'King Eric All For One Regatta' in Montagu Bay, January 9, 2016.

Pictured are Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie with remarks during the Unveiling Ceremony of King Eric statue during Opening Ceremony; and the Hon. V. Alfred Gray with official opening ceremony remarks. Minister of Labour and National Insurance the Hon. Shane Gibson was also present.

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One of the hard-working architects of Grand Bahama's famed annual soccer camps has been given a top job with the international Olympic movement. Philip French, who at the time was major force at the English Premier League, ensured the first four camps were a major success and in the process touched the lives of hundreds of the island's youngsters. He was also largely instrumental in a huge expansion of the playing area at Freeport Rugby and Football Club where the camp is held.

He has been head-hunted to become director of public affairs and social development through sport for the International Olympic Committee. His new role in Lausanne, Switzerland, will be a far cry from the early days of the soccer camp, now in its twelfth year, when he begged, borrowed and called in favours to convince former international soccer players to travel to Freeport to coach the children and EPL clubs to donate hundreds of uniforms in kids' sizes for the campers, said camp organiser Derek Archer.

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The governing body responsible for the administration of sports in the public schools recently held election of officers at the C.R. Walker Senior High School. Paying a courtesy call on the Director of Education, Mr. Lionel K. Sands, the newly elected officials were formally introduced to the Director by Mrs. T. Nicola McKay, President of the New Providence Association of Public High School Principals (NPAPHSP) and Principal of C. R. Walker.

Director Sands said that he was more than delighted to meet the new officers of the GSSSA and highlighted the importance of sports in schools. He stated, "Sports provide an avenue for our students to not only display their skills and talents, but teach vital life skills, such as discipline, preparation, commitment and teamwork."

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Dear Editor,

Is Government breaking the law?

Yesterday I went to pay for my P.O. Box Rental at the main post office and was astonished to see a paper sign pasted up on one of the sales counters stating that VAT will be imposed on the rental costs!

I am not a lawyer, but to my way of thinking and as I indicated to the postal clerk, it must be against the law for government to impose VAT on the customer at the 'point of sale' point when ...

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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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