Bahamas News
What NOT to Do on Socials with New U.S. Screening Rules; Caribbean citizens not banned
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
April 17, 2025 – Bahamian and Turks and Caicos travelers and other foreigners heading to the United States are being strongly advised to rethink what they post online, as new U.S. immigration measures take aim at antisemitic content and behavior.
This warning is just that and despite widespread reports, seemingly aimed at fearmongering, the US has informed that there is no ban on Caribbean people travelling to the States.
According to Citizen X, the origin of the concern is linked to credible media houses posting reports on a leaked list of 43 countries under review for “potential travel restrictions.”
Among them: Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia.
“Eastern Caribbean States: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia are under a 60-day review period to address U.S. concerns about their citizenship-by-investment programs or potentially face visa restrictions,” explained the report.
But the U.S. State Department said in response to questions, “a review is not a ban.”
As of April 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will now screen social media for signs of antisemitism when evaluating immigration applications—including visas, green cards, and student permits. According to DHS, any content that appears to support or promote antisemitic ideologies or terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis may be used to deny entry or immigration benefits.
Here is What You Should Not Do:
- Do not post or share antisemitic content online. This includes memes, hashtags, retweets, or posts—past or present—that can be interpreted as supporting antisemitic rhetoric or violence.
- Do not associate with antisemitic groups or protests. Online or physical association with groups flagged for antisemitism could raise red flags during border screening or immigration reviews.
- Do not assume freedom of speech protects you abroad. While the First Amendment protects speech for U.S. citizens, it does not apply to foreign nationals seeking entry. The U.S. government has made it clear: advocating antisemitic views, even online, can lead to denial of entry or immigration benefits.
- Do not delete your social media without understanding the consequences. Attempts to erase content may be viewed with suspicion. Authorities often use digital footprints in discretionary reviews, so transparency matters.
- Do not ignore this new policy. Whether traveling as a tourist, student, or on business, your online activity is now part of your travel profile.
The U.S. Travel Association informs, this position has impacted travel decisions in the double digits. Canada and Europeans are particularly coy.
The Toronto Star reports: On Tuesday, the Canadian Association of University Teachers issued a travel advisory to its members that “strongly recommends” Canadian academic staff travel to the United States only if necessary.
The CAUT represents 72,000 teachers, librarians, researchers, general staff and other academic professionals at some 125 universities and colleges across the country.
The increased scrutiny is compounded say some news reports by the so called, ‘trade war’
and tariff changes by the Trump Administration.
Yahoo!News: “Travellers from western Europe who stayed at least one night in the US fell by 17 per cent in March from a year ago, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). US tourism from countries such as Ireland, Norway and Germany fell by more than a fifth in the same period.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials say this measure is in line with broader efforts to combat extremism and terrorism. Bahamians planning to travel or study in the U.S. are urged to audit their online presence and avoid engaging in or endorsing any form of hate speech.
In short, stay informed, stay respectful, and stay cautious—both online and offline.
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.
