Top South African court OKs private use of cannabis

Thousands marched in 2016, calling for the South African government to legalize marijuana.

By Mitchell McCluskey and Bukola Adebayo, CNN

 (CNN)South Africa's Constitutional Court approved the private use and cultivation of cannabis Tuesday, which could be a step toward broader legalization.

In a unanimous ruling hailed by activists campaigning for the legalization of marijuana, judges declared unconstitutional three sections of the Constitution that prohibited cannabis consumption, possession and cultivation.

The ruling says Parliament should change the law within 24 months.  Read more >>

D’Aguilar Scholarship Students Thank Donors

 Twelve of the 15 students afforded the Vincent D’Aguilar Memorial Scholarship recently got to meet Saskia D’Aguilar, who represented the family. The students are benefactors of the D’Aguliars’ $150,000 donation to be dispersed over a three-year-period. In front from left to right are: BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson; Nadia Moss, Dellrene Thompson, Brianna Smith, BTVI’s President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson; Saskia D'Aguilar, Florazel Russell, Bernadette Swann, Mark Merus and Errol Haughton. In the back from left to right are: Kierhon Bain, Cordero Walker, Vantorn Farrington, Ulysses Rolle Jr. and Patricia Haughton.
Photo: BTVI

Daughter-in-law of the late respected businessman, electrical engineer and philanthropist, Vincent D’Aguilar, recently met with recipients of the scholarship in his name, who are benefitting from a $150,000 commitment to The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

On behalf of the family, Saskia D’Aguilar said it was a pleasure to meet in person the students who will benefit from the Vincent D’Aguilar Memorial Scholarship.

“It's an honor for me to meet the scholarship recipients and hear the personal stories behind their dreams.  I know my late father in law is smiling from above, knowing that these incredible individuals will reap the benefits of quality education funded by our family, with his name proudly attached to the grants.  As we all agree, ‘Forward, Upward, Onward, Together.’ That is how we will improve the lives of Bahamians and ensure the long term success of our economy,” said Ms. D’Aguilar.

Mars Bay South Andros presents Conch Fest

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Solomon's Crowns First Summer Slim Down Challenge Winner

Solomon’s Yamacraw recently concluded its first Summer Slimdown Challenge with Jay Fitness 242. Participant Yolanda Miller walked away as the challenge winner with a $300 shopping spree on behalf of Solomon’s.

The fitness challenge, which began July 7th and ran through September 1st, encouraged shoppers to live a healthier lifestyle complete with exercise and a balanced diet. More than 65 persons took part in three Junkanoo Aerobics sessions in the store’s parking lot. Miller, the overall winner, lost a total of 14 pounds over the course of three months. The entire group dropped a combined total of 47 pounds.  Read more >>

Join us for Shakespeare in Paradise 2018!

Join us for SiP 2018 We promise you won't be disappointed! Purchase Tickets Online It's our 10th festival! Ten years ago we had an idea ... We stepped out in faith, pulled together some shows, booked some acts from around the Caribbean, invited in two directors, and started something that hasn't stopped yet. This year, we're offering three things that are new: a fresh eye and a fresh face behind our Shakespeare production, a brand-new musical featuring the songs of Eddie Minnis, and an evening of short plays by budding Bahamian writers, directed by budding Bahamian directors. Scroll down to find out more!

The world’s first land-based coral farm will soon grow reefs in the Bahamas

Coral Vita wants to save our reefs, by growing new ones on land. [Image: Coral Vita]

By Adele Peters

A short drive outside the city of Freeport in the Bahamas, next to a wide canal that leads directly to beaches, the world’s first land-based commercial coral farm will soon begin construction. Inside tanks, the startup Coral Vita plans to grow coral faster than it grows in the ocean, and then begin rebuilding struggling reefs in the area.

To date, coral restoration–the process of installing healthy corals to revive degraded reefs–has happened at a small scale, primarily with nonprofits and academic research institutes. The new farm, which will work closely with those organizations, is an experiment in a new approach that could be replicated globally. “The traditional grant-funded, small-scale model, while it’s doing amazing work around the world in localized settings, isn’t scalable for the threat of 90% of reefs dead by 2050,” says Sam Teicher, who cofounded the company with fellow Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies graduate Gator Halpern.  Read more >>

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