Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: ALIV Celebrates 1st Birthday
#Bahamas, November 9, 2017 – Nassau – ALIV is celebrating its one-year anniversary! It was just over a year ago on November 11th, 2016 when the company officially moved from NewCoLtd. and became ALIV. To date, the company has some 85,000 subscribers and has impacted five islands – New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and Bimini.
ALIV will launch on Andros and Exuma shortly with hopes of bringing all Southern Islands online by early 2018. Through national roaming ALIV customers can also use their mobile devices throughout the length and breadth of the Bahamas.
Chief ALIV Officer Damian Blackburn said the company remains committed to quickly delivering on its mandate to provide superior products and services in The Bahamas for years to come.
“To date we are proud and thank our 85,000 subscribers for having the faith in us. Our subscribers experience ALIV’s network and see its performance which is constantly ahead of URCA’s key performance indicators requirements in terms of user speed and dropped calls. We are looking to deliver the same super-fast speeds, clear calls, and reliable service to the residents of The Bahamas for years to come. I am proud of how the company has grown so rapidly in 12months and I must thank our staff for all their hard work. We have been able to uphold all our commitments due to vital steps taken to ensure financial viability with funding of $135 million from shareholders and an investment of $120 million in our network system and infrastructure. We have also secured significant vendor financing from our technology partner, Huawei, which is more than $30 million dollars.”
ALIV Chairman, Franklyn Butler is also pleased to share his sentiments on the company’s progress one-year in.
“Since our first year, it has been really impressive what we have been able to accomplish. ALIV is now a well-recognized brand within the market which was unknown a year ago. The most important thing that I’ve taken away from the year is how committed our Bahamian team has been in supporting the effort which really was a yeomen’s task to truly grow and develop an organization like this. The whole team needs to be commended in that regard. We have customers coming over every day and that shows we are well on the journey to success and we look forward to continuing the journey of bringing The Bahamas ALIV. We think our shareholders should be excited about what’s to come as we continue to create competition while giving people freedom of choice.”
ALIV has also grown as a corporate citizen through many of the partnerships which have come on board in the past 12 months. Most recently, ALIV signed a $2.2m agreement with the University of The Bahamas (UB) which will assist with their Endowment Fund, STEAM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and UB’s athletics program. There are also partnerships with Hands for Hunger, Special Olympics, Freedom Farm Baseball League and many others.
ALIV will be celebrating along with the University of The Bahamas whose charter date is also November 11th, 2016 at a gala soiree to be held on Saturday November 11th, at 6:30pm at the Harry C. Moore Library.
We like to say in The Bahamas – It’s Better in The Bahamas – and we want to encourage Bahamians to “Believe In Best.”
Press Release: ALIV
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
