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The Green Cleaners Aims to Heal Sick Buildings with Healthy Cleaning

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Nassau, Bahamas – May 23, 2016 – Let’s face it, working in an office can sometimes feel like doing time in a germ factory. One cough or sneeze from a nearby cubicle and suddenly the entire staff is walking around with puffy eyes and tissue boxes tucked under their arms. But it may not always be a coworker who’s to blame for spreading flu-like symptoms. In fact, it may be the office itself that’s making people sick.

 

Known as Sick Building Syndrome, a school or office building becomes “sick” when poor air ventilation circulates volatile organic compounds (VOC). Spending hours cooped up inside a sick building every day can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose or throat irritation and asthma attacks, all of which may seem very flu-like at first, but none of which can be staved off with doses of aspirin and bed rest.

“It’s increasingly becoming a major occupational hazard,” said Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, owner of The Wellness Clinic in Nassau. “How do we ensure people are happy, healthy and productive members of society? Through prevention.”

 

Lightbourne is one of 10 Bahamian doctors who collaborated to create The Green Cleaners, a Nassau cleaning agency owned and operated by Healthy Clean Ltd., that provides certified green cleaning janitorial and housekeeping services to private homes, vacation rentals, clinics, doctor’s offices and office buildings.

 

“Cleaning is an advanced science,” said Lightbourne. “You’re battling infectious diseases, allergies and asthma. It takes awareness and training so you’re minimizing the spread of disease without destroying your health or the environment. Green cleaning certification insures that our cleaning staff is current on safe green practices, training, and regulations.”

 

To become and remain certified as a green cleaner, companies must adhere to strict requirements as outlined by Green Seal, an American organization that provides standards and certification to protect human health and the environment. To meet the Green Seal Standard for Cleaning Services (GS-42), cleaning equipment must be energy efficient, staff training must be provided and cleaning products and procedures must reduce toxicity and waste, which means conserving water and using durable cleaning tools like microfiber mop heads, cloths and dusters, vacuum cleaners with approved air filters and trash bags that contain a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content.

 

More importantly, under the certification, cleaning solutions cannot contain harmful compounds like the cocktail of chemicals that make up traditional cleaning agents such as heavy metals (mercury, aluminum and arsenic found in laundry detergent), phthalates (present in plastic containers), formaldehyde (a component of dish washing liquids and fabric softeners) and chlorine (an ingredient in household bleach).

 

“The modern day janitor is on the frontline of infection control,” Lightbourne said. “One well-trained and equipped janitor can save more lives through prevention than a room full of doctors can cure.”

 

An overwhelming lack of education regarding preventative healthcare measures is what drove Lightbourne and his colleagues to found The Green Cleaners.As a former ER doctor, Lightbourne witnessed firsthand the effects of chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and sleep apnea, and became increasingly discouraged by the sheer number of cases that easily could have avoided if only his patients had access to the right information.

 

 “We’re setting out to save lives a different way,” Lightbourne said. “We want to redefine what healthy living means in The Bahamas, not only at the individual level but societally as well, and that includes addressing every aspect of our daily lives—the chemicals we use, the food that we eat and the air that we breathe. Green cleaning is a necessary investment in better health, a better environment and a better bottom line.”

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Drug Seizure Turns Deadly in Haiti: Bahamian and Jamaican Citizens Caught in Crossfire During Historic Bust

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 18, 2025 – A historic cocaine seizure by Haitian authorities has left at least three men dead and others critically injured, following a bloody and chaotic incident at sea on Sunday, July 13.  The event, which Haitian police say resulted in the recovery of nearly 100 kilograms of illicit drugs, has turned tragic and controversial, with Bahamian and Jamaican citizens at the center of the operation.

The scene, captured in disturbing video footage released by the Haitian National Police, showed two bloodied men aboard a speedboat. Their bodies were visibly torn by what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds — blood soaked parts of the vessel.  The Jamaican man appeared near death, weak from both the injuries and the sun.  In the footage, Haitian police officers are seen dousing him with cool water in an effort to stabilize him.  His condition remains unknown.

The Bahamian survivor, still alert, was seen speaking on camera, identifying himself and acknowledging involvement.  In a separate video obtained by Magnetic Media, the same man is seen later, lying barely conscious on a stretcher, appearing gravely wounded and struggling to breathe.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that it received unverified reports via its embassy in Port-au-Prince that three Bahamian males and one Jamaican male were on a boat when they were shot at by unknown individuals.  Two Bahamians were reportedly killed and one hospitalized.

Haitian police accounts offered a different version, stating they intercepted a rowboat heavily laden with drugs.  That report claims two Jamaican citizens drowned, one of whom was taken to the morgue, and that a Bahamian is in police custody.

The discrepancy between the reports has generated significant confusion, with details still emerging.  Both Haitian and Bahamian officials have not confirmed who fired the shots, or what precisely led to the violent confrontation.

Adding another layer to the investigation, regional sources suspect the drugs were being trafficked either from Jamaica to Haiti or vice versa — making the Jamaican citizens potentially key figures in the suspected inter-island smuggling route.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

“We still await the formal notification from the Haitian government as to what transpired on Sunday, July 13.  We are in touch with the authorities and are pressing them to respond.”

The Ministry added that it is providing support to the affected families in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, both The Bahamas and the United States have reissued “Do Not Travel” advisories for Haiti, as the security situation continues to decline.  Armed gangs remain in control of major areas, and the United Nations reports that over 5.2 million Haitians are facing food insecurity amid ongoing civil collapse.

While Haitian authorities call the operation a milestone in counter-narcotics enforcement, the lack of clear answers — and the evident human toll — has cast a long shadow over the bust.

This is a developing story.

 

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MSC Cruises Hosts NexGen Young Men for Tour Aboard MSC Seascape

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Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program with mentorees on board MSC Seascape

Nassau, The Bahamas – July 15, 2025 – On Monday, June 16, MSC Cruises welcomed a group of young men from the NexGen Mentorship Program aboard  MSC Seascape while in port at Nassau Cruise Port. The visit provided the young Bahamian men with a firsthand look at the maritime industry, focusing on excellence in operations, global hospitality, and career pathways.

The initiative was made possible through the leadership of Mr. Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises (USA), whose longstanding connection to The Bahamas and deep commitment to youth development made this experience especially meaningful. “The Bahamas holds a special place in my heart,” he shared. “Investing in young people, particularly those from a region so vital to our operations, is not only a responsibility but a privilege. We want these young men to see that a future in this industry is within reach.”

Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program, expressed gratitude for the experience, noting its impact on the participants. “This was more than a ship tour; it was a vision-setting moment,” said Senator Duncombe. “These young men left MSC Seascape inspired, motivated, and with a broader sense of what’s possible. Our mission is to build disciplined, purpose-driven leaders and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that goal.”

Hosted by Captain Francesco di Palma, the group was given a guided tour of MSC Seascape, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the vessel’s operations and world-class amenities. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the global opportunities available through hard work, discipline, and vision, and underscored the importance of investing in young minds for a better future.

With such initiatives, MSC Cruises continues to reaffirm its role as a committed partner in the country’s maritime and tourism sector.

Captain Francesco di Palma tours NextGen onboard MSC Seascape

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Health Survey Revealed that One in Five Bahamian Students Between the Ages of 13 and 18 Has Attempted Suicide

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By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services

 

 

NASSAU, Bahamas, July 14, 2025 – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Phillip Davis said the 2025 Global School Health Survey revealed that one in five Bahamian students between the ages of 13 and 18 has attempted suicide.

“One in five. That number is staggering and heartbreaking,” the Prime Minister said during the signing of the Framework Agreement between Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China for the New Providence Specialty Hospital held at the Office of The Prime Minister on Friday, July 11, 2025.

He said, “There is no single cause, but we know the pressures are real: the expectations, the silence, the bullying, the economic strain at home, and the ever-growing influence of social media.”

The Prime Minister explained that the images, the comparisons, the pressure to be perfect is too much. “Our children are carrying burdens many of us cannot see, and in some cases, cannot even begin to understand.”

He said, “This is not just a health issue. This is a moral issue. This is a national issue. It is a call to action for the government, for parents, for teachers, for churches, for communities.”

The Prime Minister said the Government took a major step forward in 2022 with the passage of the new Mental Health Act, the first meaningful reform to the nation’s mental health legislation in nearly 60 years. “We did not just pass a law; we laid the foundation for a new era in how we support those who are struggling.”

He added, “We have begun training more professionals — doctors, nurses, and community health workers — and we are training our guidance counsellors and educational officers to recognize the signs, to intervene early, and provide support that works.

“But legislation alone is not enough. Training alone is not enough.

“We also have to change how we show up in the lives of our children.”

The Prime Minister explained that a tablet cannot take the place of a conversation. An iPad cannot substitute for quality time, and the pressure children face from the constant pull of social media — the comparisons, the online cruelty, the need to be liked, followed, validated — is harming them. “And we have to do more to shield them.”

He said, “As a country, we cannot afford to lose our children to silence. We cannot allow pain to hide in plain sight. Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.”

The Prime Minister said that in addition to building up the physical infrastructure, he wants the nation to commit to building an emotional and social infrastructure, strengthening the systems of care and compassion that will help every Bahamian, especially the youth, to live with dignity, purpose, and hope.

He added, “To our partners in the People’s Republic of China, I thank you for standing with us in our pursuit of a healthier Bahamas.  To the Bahamian people, I want you to know that we see the need, we feel the urgency, and we are acting.

“The work continues. And we will see it through together.”

(BIS Photo/Mark Ford)

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