BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

Christmas Should be More Commercial

1920's Coca-Cola advertisement

Christmas in America is an exuberant display of human ingenuity, capitalist productivity, and the enjoyment of life. Yet all of these are castigated as "materialistic"; the real meaning of the holiday, we are told, is assorted Nativity tales and altruist injunctions (e.g., love thy neighbor) that no one takes seriously.

In fact, Christmas as we celebrate it today is a 19th-century American invention. The freedom and prosperity of post-Civil War America created the happiest nation in history. The result was the desire to celebrate, to revel in the goods and pleasures of life on earth. Christmas (which was not a federal holiday until 1870) became the leading American outlet for this feeling.

Historically, people have always celebrated the winter solstice as the time when the days begin to lengthen, indicating the earth's return to life. Ancient Romans feasted and reveled during the festival of Saturnalia. Early Christians condemned these Roman celebrations -- they

Christmas Should be More Commercial

1920's Coca-Cola advertisement

Christmas in America is an exuberant display of human ingenuity, capitalist productivity, and the enjoyment of life. Yet all of these are castigated as "materialistic"; the real meaning of the holiday, we are told, is assorted Nativity tales and altruist injunctions (e.g., love thy neighbor) that no one takes seriously.

In fact, Christmas as we celebrate it today is a 19th-century American invention. The freedom and prosperity of post-Civil War America created the happiest nation in history. The result was the desire to celebrate, to revel in the goods and pleasures of life on earth. Christmas (which was not a federal holiday until 1870) became the leading American outlet for this feeling.

Historically, people have always celebrated the winter solstice as the time when the days begin to lengthen, indicating the earth's return to life. Ancient Romans feasted and reveled during the festival of Saturnalia. Early Christians condemned these Roman celebrations -- they

BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

BTC Injunction Lifted

By Scieska Adderley

The Bahamas Communications Public Officer's Union (BCPOU) and Bahamas Public Manager's Union (BCPMU) received some good news yesterday after a two week injunction was placed against them by the management of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was lifted.

Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner handed down the verbal ruling.

One of the union’s attorneys, Anthony McKinney explained Wednesday’s ruling to the Bahama Journal.

"In the matter of BTC vs. BCPOU and BCPMU, he discharged the injunction against the unions. This means that the injunction has been lifted and the parties are back to the conditions that they were

Butler's Food World Opens in Grand Bahama Island

Butler's Food World Photo Credit: Bahamas 2000 Media / Mark Da Cunha

Butler’s Food World opened its doors on Saturday, December 20th to the delight, excitement and anticipation of the residents and guests of Grand Bahama! The largest, upscale, high quality supermarket of its kind in The Bahamas, Butler’s Food World now offers Grand Bahamians, winter residents and year-round visitors, the selection, quality and availability of products that were only available in the US, Canada and Europe.       

The new 20,000 sq ft. Supermarket is located in the Home Center Building, in the heart of Freeport. The store, fashioned after a

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Unions Shut Down Bay Street

BY ANDREW J.W. KNOWLES

It was sheer pandemonium at one point in Rawson Square yesterday, as Bahamian workers marched in solidarity to the House of Assembly in protest of the government's bid to sell a 51 per cent stake of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to London-based telecom giant Cable & Wireless.

Hundreds of members answered the union’s call and swarmed the old City Market parking lot just across from the Southern Recreation grounds, a significant place for unions as it is where the Father of Labour Sir Randol Fawkes led many rallies.

Officials from all the major unions were also present, in

Unions Shut Down Bay Street

BY ANDREW J.W. KNOWLES

It was sheer pandemonium at one point in Rawson Square yesterday, as Bahamian workers marched in solidarity to the House of Assembly in protest of the government's bid to sell a 51 per cent stake of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to London-based telecom giant Cable & Wireless.

Hundreds of members answered the union’s call and swarmed the old City Market parking lot just across from the Southern Recreation grounds, a significant place for unions as it is where the Father of Labour Sir Randol Fawkes led many rallies.

Officials from all the major unions were also present, in

Unions Shut Down Bay Street

BY ANDREW J.W. KNOWLES

It was sheer pandemonium at one point in Rawson Square yesterday, as Bahamian workers marched in solidarity to the House of Assembly in protest of the government's bid to sell a 51 per cent stake of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to London-based telecom giant Cable & Wireless.

Hundreds of members answered the union’s call and swarmed the old City Market parking lot just across from the Southern Recreation grounds, a significant place for unions as it is where the Father of Labour Sir Randol Fawkes led many rallies.

Officials from all the major unions were also present, in

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Christie’s About Face

By ROGAN SMITH

Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party Perry Christie (Journal file photo)

Former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Perry Christie has gone back on his promise to quit mid-term if he is elected prime minister in 2012.

Mr. Christie had earlier promised that if he is elected prime minister he would not serve out an entire term in office, but would rather hand over the country’s leadership to a successor.

But, during a special edition of the Island FM weekly talk show, Parliament Street with hosts Charles Carter and Patti Roker yesterday, Mr. Christie changed his mind.

"I want to use this occasion to correct it, to remove any kind of apprehension about that," he said.

"Essentially, I was being led by the fact that I have an obligation to ensure orderly succession. I was trying to communicate in fact that at the end of the term we should be in a place to be able to signal to the Bahamian people what I mean by orderly succession."

He continued, "When I said that I would leave mid-term or when it was said that I said I

Christie’s About Face

By ROGAN SMITH

Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party Perry Christie (Journal file photo)

Former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Perry Christie has gone back on his promise to quit mid-term if he is elected prime minister in 2012.

Mr. Christie had earlier promised that if he is elected prime minister he would not serve out an entire term in office, but would rather hand over the country’s leadership to a successor.

But, during a special edition of the Island FM weekly talk show, Parliament Street with hosts Charles Carter and Patti Roker yesterday, Mr. Christie changed his mind.

"I want to use this occasion to correct it, to remove any kind of apprehension about that," he said.

"Essentially, I was being led by the fact that I have an obligation to ensure orderly succession. I was trying to communicate in fact that at the end of the term we should be in a place to be able to signal to the Bahamian people what I mean by orderly succession."

He continued, "When I said that I would leave mid-term or when it was said that I said I

Unions Plan Nat’l Protest

By IANTHIA SMITH

A bystander shows his support for BTC workers as they conduct a motorcade in further protest of the sale of the telecommunications company to Cable and Wireless. (Photo/Torrell Glinton)

Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) executives led hundreds of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) workers on a massive motorcade throughout the streets of New Providence Wednesday, in a move they said is just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come – a massive labour strike that will shut down the entire country.

Union executives said that massive motorcade is not the end of their fight as they are prepared

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Unions Plan Nat’l Protest

By IANTHIA SMITH

A bystander shows his support for BTC workers as they conduct a motorcade in further protest of the sale of the telecommunications company to Cable and Wireless. (Photo/Torrell Glinton)

Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) executives led hundreds of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) workers on a massive motorcade throughout the streets of New Providence Wednesday, in a move they said is just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come – a massive labour strike that will shut down the entire country.

Union executives said that massive motorcade is not the end of their fight as they are prepared

BNT Under Fire

BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Jerome Fitzgerald (Journal file phot)

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) coming under heavy fire in the Upper Chamber on Monday as Senators passed 16 principal amendments to the BNT Act 2010.

The 16 principal amendments being made to the act; drastically change the makeup of the environmental body.

The key amendment gives the BNT autonomy from the government, while it will also be tasked with providing advice to both government and private sector stakeholders on policies, development and conservation and biodiversity issues.

But Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Jerome Fitzgerald is not all convinced that the BNT can be trusted with the enactment of this proposed legislation.

"I am concerned as we

BNT Under Fire

BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Jerome Fitzgerald (Journal file phot)

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) coming under heavy fire in the Upper Chamber on Monday as Senators passed 16 principal amendments to the BNT Act 2010.

The 16 principal amendments being made to the act; drastically change the makeup of the environmental body.

The key amendment gives the BNT autonomy from the government, while it will also be tasked with providing advice to both government and private sector stakeholders on policies, development and conservation and biodiversity issues.

But Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Jerome Fitzgerald is not all convinced that the BNT can be trusted with the enactment of this proposed legislation.

"I am concerned as we

Aviation Industry Threatened

BY KARISSMA ROBINSON

An airplane prepares for takeoff. New duty charges on aircraft may cause difficult times for commercial aircraft operators. (Photo by Torrell Glinton)

Nearly 31 commercial aviation aircraft operators in the country could soon be forced out of business as the Bahamas Customs Department is now forcing them to pay duty on aircrafts imported into the country.

According to the 2008 Customs Management Act, commercial aircraft operators are required to pay 10 per cent duty on their aircrafts.

 

But according to Comptroller of Customs Glenn Gomez, a recent investigation revealed that no duty was paid by a number of imported aircraft operators.

 

Since then, the department has issued letters to a number of commercial operators, who they claim have not paid duty on their airplanes, demanding a response within 14 days or their aircrafts would be seized.

 

The situation is now causing alarm among some operators.

 

President of the Bahamas Aviation Association (BAA)

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can

Prime Minister States A Consensus Has Been Reached on The Baha Mar Project

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Hubert Ingraham announced that a consensus has been reached on a number of significant issues related to the proposed Baha Mar Cable Beach Development, following talks with the principals during his recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

During a press conference held Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the British Colonial Hilton, the Prime Minister commented on some of the significant elements of his visit, regarding bilateral and multilateral issues.

“As a result of candid discussions with the Chinese Export Bank, the China State Construction Company, and following upon discussions between those companies and their partner, Baha Mar, I can