NASSAU, Bahamas -- A leading environmental group representing hundreds of supporters has filed an action in the Supreme Court, seeking a judicial review process that could force government to shut down dredging at Nygard Cay and allow it to reclaim what it called Crown Land at Simms Point.

The debate over what has been called "unauthorised dredging of the seabed" at Simms Point, the residence of fashion mogul Peter Nygard, has brewed for some time and in 2010, the celebrity designer was ordered by the government to return the land to its original state. Tensions in the Lyford Cay community built as the Nygard property did, but this is the first time a legal action related to construction activities affecting the seabed has been filed against Nygard.

The outcome of the action could cause the courts to decide what is to be done about what started out as a three-acre parcel that is now more than six acres with its expansion, detractors claiming, impacting Clifton Heritage Park, causing erosion and damaging the fragile coral reef that experts have said at one time was home to "the world's most beautiful elk horn coral."

The action was filed by Callenders law firm on behalf of Save the Bays (formerly Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay), the new umbrella organisation. Respondents include several government departments, the Town Planning Committee, Peter Nygard and Mr. Nygard's associate, former ambassador to the environment Keod Smith.

"We are seeking a judicial review on the basis that Save the Bays represents the collective interests of persons committed to protecting Clifton Bay and other parts of The Bahamas of particular environmental interest," said Fred Smith, QC, Callenders. In addition to judicial review, the action seeks an interim injunction restraining Nygard and Smith from continuing what it called "unauthorised construction and dredging."

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The public is advised that the Oakes Field and Grosvenor Campuses of The College of The Bahamas, including Chapter One Bookstore and the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, are closed today (Wednesday, May 22, 2013). As a result, all classes are cancelled today.

However, essential service personnel – the Physical Plant and Security departments – are required to report for duty as normal.

The College is expected to resume normal operations on Thursday, May 23^rd, 2013.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- It was a 20-minute drive from the oceanfront luxury of the gated community where Ronnie and Antonia Meade live to a heavily patrolled, fenced in area off Fox Hill Road where some 20 students go to school but it took less than a minute for the two worlds to connect and for the kindness of one to touch the hearts of the other.

The Meades, who have quietly donated more than 400 mini iPads over the years, agreed to make one donation public when they heard of the tough breaks some of the kids at the Penn-Pratt Co-ed School had faced.

"We were told that the school had finally gotten the internet but the computers were so old they couldn't support the internet," said Meade. "The person who knew about the situation reached out to us but insisted that we come to the school and see for ourselves."

What they saw were students whose initial scepticism turned to disbelief then to joy as Principal of the school Joseph Rolle explained the 10 wrapped mini iPads were a gift for them.

The kids -- girls who live at the Willaemae Pratt Centre and boys who live at Simpson Penn, gender segregated facilities for students often referred by the courts -- were thrilled but Meade looked around the classroom used as an assembly hall and said 10 was not enough.

NASSAU, The Bahamas, and MACAU — Baha Mar Ltd. today announced that Global Gaming Asset Management (GGAM), one of the casino industry’s most successful management teams, has been retained to manage the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, the centerpiece of the $3.5 billion Baha Mar integrated destination resort in The Bahamas, scheduled to open in December 2014.

GGAM’s senior executives William P. Weidner, Chief Executive Officer; Bradley H. Stone, President; and Garry Saunders, Executive Vice President, were involved with opening and managing the Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas and the Venetian Macao, and participated in the development the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore during their tenure with Las Vegas Sands. They formed GGAM in 2011, after ending their affiliation with Las Vegas Sands. Eric Chiu and his Macau-based Asian team were added shortly thereafter.  GGAM’s most recent projects include the first phase of the $1.2 billion Solaire Manila, an integrated resort and casino facility in the Philippines that isgeared toward Asian and VIP clientele.

“We’re excited to bring GGAM, Bill Weidner, Brad Stone, Garry Saunders, Eric Chiu and his Macau-based Asian team to Baha Mar. They believe in our vision,” said Sarkis D. Izmirlian, Baha Mar’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “These executives have proven themselves in every major gaming market they’ve entered—Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau, Singapore and Manila—and have succeeded against the best in the business. They’re a powerhouse of casino management, database marketing, junket operations and convention business, all of which will help to position Baha Mar as the next iconic gaming destination.”

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Education has advised that due to excessive flooding on the island of New Providence caused by the severe thunder storm, only students sitting the national examinations are to report to school today. All other students are to remain at home, until further notice. This advisory impacts only schools on New Providence.

NASSAU, The Bahamas - The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, is strongly advising residents in the storm-impacted areas to move about with extreme caution due to excessive flooding particularly in low-laying areas.

Residents are also being strongly advised to switch off electricity from the main power sources in their homes and in other properties, if water is seeping under the doors and could impact electrical outlets.

Motorists are being encouraged to remain off the streets as vehicles are being stalled in flooded areas and left stranded along the roadways, which could hamper the easy flow of traffic.

Earlier alerts from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology advised individuals in the Northwest and Central Bahamas to remain alert for the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms, which will be capable of producing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, waterspouts and possible tornadic activity over a 24-hour period.