Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Attorney General addresses Opening of Legal Year ceremony
#Bahamas, January 12, 2018 – Nassau – Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Carl Bethel dubbed the 2017 calendar year, one of ‘transitions and transformations’ and reviewed major legislative initiatives intended to improve the administration of justice, the rule of law and to create transparency, and accountability in Government as he addressed the ceremony to mark the Opening of the Legal Year.
The Legal Year was officially opened by Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs, Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Supreme Court and attended by justices, magistrates and other members of the legal profession.
The Attorney General highlighted the Constitutional Amendment Bill, which was has been enacted and for which preparations are in order for gazetting. The purpose of the Bill is to create an independent office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and devolve the prosecutorial powers of the State, previously under the portfolio of the Attorney General, to the DPP.
He said the key achievement of the constitutional amendment is that, “the power of the AG to institute and undertake criminal proceedings, as well as to take over and discontinue such proceedings, will now be transferred to an independent public officer, with security of tenure equivalent to that of a judge. Prosecutions will now be commenced in the name of the DPP.”
The Attorney General noted the significance of the change in the framing of charges and described it as a “symbolic coming of age” in the legal development of The Bahamas.
“For the first time in history, prosecutions will not be commenced in the name of the Queen, or the English monarch, as Constitutional Head of State, but in the name of a public legal officer of an independent Bahamas, representing the people.”
He addressed the amendments to the International Tax Cooperation (Amendment) Act and the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (Amendment) Act, which are already in force. Senator Bethel said the initiatives were undertaken to “defend” and further “enhance” the reputation of The Bahamas as a financial services centre and to ensure that The Bahamas remains current with international standards and best practices.
He said the legislation paved the way for The Bahamas to sign on to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which The Bahamas signed on to in December 2017, becoming the 116th jurisdiction to join the world’s leading instrument for transparency in taxation administration and combating cross-border tax evasion.
The Integrity Commission Bill and the Ombudsman Bill, designed to “deepen” democratic governance in accordance with international standards and promote the rule of law, were tabled in 2017 and are expected to be debated and implemented this year.
Despite push-back expected particularly in regard to the Integrity Commission Bill being “intrusive” the Attorney General said the Government will continue the process of engaging widespread public consultation on major legislative initiatives to obtain feedback from the public and stakeholders which will used to inform the final product.
“What must be made clear to all, though, is our resolute determination to enhance the standards of conduct in public life and to stamp out the blight of corruption, or perhaps, the perception of corruption in high places,” said Senator Bethel.
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Carl Bethel is pictured speaking at the Supreme Court at Opening of the Legal Year ceremonies.
(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
