THIS WEEK CONTINUED…
sildenafil rx times;”>Regional experts in Nassau to discuss climate change
Regional concerns about a sustainable approach to the resilience of climate change was the topic of discussion on November 30th at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) held at Melia Resort under the theme “Sustainable Development: Pathway to an Integrated Agenda for Resilience.” Delivering the keynote address was the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
“This conference has become well-known to regional and international stakeholders engaged in the enhancement of the capacity of the Caribbean to withstand disasters of all kinds. It is acknowledged as the forum which brings together the policymakers, the development agencies, stakeholders, the academic gurus and professional experts for meaningful dialogue in the search to chart a strategic course of action for the way forward” said Mr. Patterson
Defining sustainable development based on the Brundtland Commission, Patterson encouraged regional delegates to take a consolidated approach and pursue collective action to protect our environment, avert disasters, or at least mitigate the effects while spurring sustainable development to consistently meet the needs of not only the current but future generations.
“The most widely accepted definition is that given by the Report of the Brundtland Commission in 1987: ‘Sustainable development is the kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ These ‘needs’ represent the present and future economic, social and environmental goals that we set for our countries,” said Mr. Patterson.
Supreme Court orders Bet Vegas closed
The Bahamas Gaming Board issued the following statement Thursday evening on the Supreme Court ruling in the case of web gaming operator BET VEGAS in its bid to remain open after failing to a receive a provisional gaming license from the Bahamas government.
“On 26th October 2015, Mr. Justice Roger Gomez, handed down an ex parte order giving Bet Vegas Casino liberty to operate until the hearing of an appeal application and suspending the Gaming Board closure notice dated 19th October 2015.
“On Tuesday, 1st December 2015, upon hearing a motion to set aside the 26th October 2015 injunction filed by the Attorney General’s Office, it was ordered that the ex parte order be set aside with immediate effect.
“The Principal of Bet Vegas, who was present when the ruling was handed down, has since been advised by the Gaming Board to cease their operations by Monday 7th December 2015. Further, the public is advised that as Bet Vegas is not licensed to conduct gaming transactions, they should not engage in any gaming activities at any Bet Vegas locations and should seek to retrieve any and all funds held on account with the company.”
Marathon Bahamas wins Tourism Impact Award
Marathon Bahamas has won a Tourism Impact Award for its contribution to the sports tourism world, beating out Battle 4 Atlantis and Bahamas Speed Week to name a few.
The National Sports Awards were held recently at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. On Monday, Youth, Sports & Culture Minister Dr. Daniel Johnson presented Sunshine Insurance with the award at a news conference at the company’s Shirley Street headquarters. Sunshine Insurance is the lead organizer and sponsor of the annual endurance event, which made its debut seven years ago in January 2010.
BIFF welcomes local and international film makers
International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off its list of activities this week with over 35 filmmakers worldwide presenting their movies, participating in panel discussions, and enjoying some Bahamian hospitality and culture.
BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool said, “this year’s range of directors coming to the Festival is extraordinary,” pointing out that film lovers attending BIFF this year will have the chance to meet and discuss the works of great creative artists as they mix and mingle with them at BIFF events.
Ticket prices range from $4 for a general screening, to $25 (advance) or $40 (on the day) for BIFF Opening Night and Closing Night films “Carol” and “Janis: Little Girl Blue”.
Concluding on December 12th, BIFF will screen more than 130 films from 40 different countries including nine international premieres and 28 Caribbean premieres. All films are Bahamian premieres with premieres by Bahamian film makers Tyrone Burrows, director of ‘Stone Shacks one’ and Dean Jacobs who directed ‘Island Dreams.’
New mobile homes for Crooked Island
NEMA and Social Services earmarked four RV Mobile Homes for Crooked Island to assist persons whose homes were completely destroyed by Hurricane Joaquin; three trailer homes were earmarked for families in Long Island. The trailers left Nassau by mailboat on Thursday and are expected to be in the designated Islands by the weekend.
World AIDS Day observed
Dr. Gail Saunders, Deputy to the Governor General, and Minister of Health the Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez, attended the World AIDS Day Church Service, Tuesday, December 1, 2015 under the theme “Getting to Zero” at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Shirley Street. Children of St. Thomas More School performed a musical selection during the service.
Chinese delegation in town for Trade Mission
A delegation from Hubei Province China Trade Mission is in The Bahamas to exchange ideas on bilateral trade with local Bahamian businesses. The delegation has already travelled to Grand Bahama to meet with small business owners on that island. They are now in Nassau, where they have met with several business owners to discuss and exchange ideas on small businesses, investment and trade opportunities.
In Passing…
Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs was sworn-in as Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Dr. Gail Saunders, Deputy to the Governor General, during a brief ceremony at Government House on Monday, November 30, 2015.
The Star Sailing League spent this week in Nassau and will remain until Saturday (5th December). The league is in town to sail the final leg of its annual international sailing competition. On Tuesday at the Montague shores, a number of local captains and sailors teamed up with the international sailors and staged a mini regatta using Bahamian sailing sloops. The official opening ceremony for the final leg of the tourney took place later in the day at the Nassau Yacht Club. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Alfred Gray brought brief remarks. A Regatta Conclave will be held on Friday evening at the Melia Resort where the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the Governor General Youth Awards (GGYA) held a press conference at the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday of this week to bring greater awareness to the public about the benefits of involvement in the Governor General’s Youth Award. Management Council Chairman Jack Thompson said that since 1987, over 10,000 young Bahamians between the ages of 14 and 24 have participated in this program in the categories of Services, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey; this represents the highest level of participation among participating countries. Today there are 51 GGYA units in The Bahamas. The GGYA has scheduled a Royal Visit to HRH Prince Edward for March 2016.
The United Nations celebrated Disabled Persons Day on Thursday, 3rd December 2015. The Bahamas observed this day with a ceremony at the Saint Joseph’s Parish Center on Boyd Road. Delivering remarks was Financial Services Minister Hon. Hope Strachan who represented Social Services Minister the Hon. Melanie Griffin.
Acting Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis traveled to Abaco on Wednesday of this week to inspect the progress of ongoing road works on that island. He was accompanied by South Abaco MP the Hon. Edison Key. He and his delegation then traveled to North Andros where he toured the Bahamas Agriculture Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) campus and addressed members of BAMSI’s associated farmers program. Citing the lessons learned from the fallout of 911 where the United States government sealed off its borders in the wake of the terrorist attack, he told farmers that they were playing an important role in bolstering the country’s food security while earning a “good living” from the local food production industry.
The management of the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) conducted a full scale emergency drill on Wednesday of this week to heighten the level of airport’s preparedness in the event of an emergency. It is always good to test the effectiveness of the emergency response procedures.
Pompey Square came alive with the spirit of Christmas in the air as a huge sleigh, lots of Christmas lights and decorations marked the official countdown to Christmas. This was the brainchild of the executive team at the Ministry of Tourism under the leadership of Joy Jibrilu, Tourism Director General.
Prime Minister Christie is scheduled to return home on Friday, 4th December after a two week government business trip that took him first to Malta where he met with commonwealth heads at the CHOGM. The Prime Minister and his delegation then flew to Paris for the United Nation’s COP 21 meetings with global leaders on climate change. Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell flew from Paris to Grenada on Thursday (3rd December) where he is representing the Prime Minister at a CARICOM heads of government meeting to continue discussions on the future of West Indian Cricket.