Bahamas News
Katherine Johnson, Queen of Computation
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#USA, March 9, 2023 – Before computers, sleek gray devices with keypads and touchscreens, there were the real computers, the women whose math equations sent the first man to space. Foremost among them was Katherine Johnson, an African American woman born in 1918.
Johnson truly embodies the 2023 Women’s Day Theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” as she broke the glass ceiling times over, her calculations which she did without the help of modern-day computers
(because they did not have the capability!) were integral in the first ever human space flight and many of the subsequent ones.
She was so talented that she helped engineer the use of computers to replicate the tasks she got done with nothing but her mind, and it was her endorsement that instilled confidence in the devices’ ability to compute.
Born Creola Katherine Coleman, the mathematician entered high school at 10 years old and graduated at 14. She moved on to West Virginia State College (now University) and graduated at 18 after taking every math course the university offered. She worked short stints in teaching before being hired at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at only 35.
Soon her knowledge and talent distinguished her, and she was held in high esteem at NACA despite the racial and gender barriers that she faced. She helped to calculate trajectories that rockets would take on space flights for Alan Shepard, the first American in space and others. She calculated when they would launch, emergency paths for them to take, and other life and death math equations.
She was an advocate of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and is cited as encouraging her many daughters and granddaughters into the field. She also lived to see herself celebrated by her peers and country. Johnson received the presidential medal of freedom from President Barack Obama in 2015, and NASA has named at least two buildings after her which she saw in person, and she also saw the dramatization of her life on screen in the motion picture, Hidden Figures, where she was played by Taraji P Henson.
Johnson died in 2020 at 101.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.
This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.
This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper, was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”
The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.
Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”
Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.
Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.
Defence Headquarters 28 SEP ’23: HMBS P-45 under the command of Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith
detained a group of Cuban migrants in Cistern Cay, Exuma on September 27, 2023, due to information received from a Good Samaritan vessel in the area that handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Members of HMBS P-45 retrieved twenty-eight (28) Cuban nationals and transported them to HMBS Coral Harbour in New Providence. All individuals appeared to be in good health and will undergo further processing and assessment by Immigration officials.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage and
appreciates the sharing of information and intelligence provided by the boating community to affect migrants and other unlawful interdictions at sea.
(For additional information, contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel).
RBDF
#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting
and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.
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