Royal Caribbean International and The Bahamas marked the start of a new adventure today as the cruise line broke ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the 17-acre beach day experience on Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. The beginning of construction was celebrated on location, where Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley were joined by Prime Minister Philip Davis and Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper to commemorate the major milestone.

The first of the Royal Beach Club Collection will take shape in the coming months ahead of its opening in 2025, and at the heart of the experience will be the island nation of The Bahamas. From the location - one of the island's most idyllic beaches - to the Bahamian food, culture and staff, to a unique public-private partnership in which Bahamians will own up to 49% equity, the all-new beach club combines the beauty and spirit of The Bahamas with signature Royal Caribbean touches across the experience, service and design.

Vacationers will be welcomed to their ultimate beach day at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, starting with the vibrant and charming local architecture crafted by a local Bahamian architectural firm and the exceptional views of The Bahamas' renowned turquoise waters and white sand beaches. With more details to be revealed in the coming months, what's in store ranges from three stunning pools with swim-up bars to private cabanas, four island-style spots for quick bites and local fare, and experiences that feature local artisans and live music.

"Marking more than the beginning of the construction process, today's groundbreaking event symbolizes partnership, momentum and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We are grateful to our partners for their support, especially the Bahamian government, who stand with us here today in celebration of what is to come."

Local businesses and entrepreneurs will also manage parts of the construction and experience, which will generate hundreds of jobs in the short and long term. To date, Bahamians have participated in workshops to develop authentic local dishes, music, entertainment, sports and activities as well as design ideas that reflect the true Bahamian spirit and style.

"As we break ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, together with the government and the people of The Bahamas, we are celebrating what partnership and innovation can achieve. This will be yet one more reason, in Nassau's bright future, to experience a destination we have visited since the very beginning of Royal Caribbean more than 50 years ago," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "The beauty and charm of the island are why we chose to debut the Royal Beach Club Collection in Nassau, and with the collaboration and support of local entrepreneurs and the wider community, we know that what we create will far exceed everything we imagined."

The construction plans, created in close collaboration with the Bahamian government, also include the cruise line's restoration of the native habitat that will help protect wildlife during the build and for many years to come. Guiding the overall development of the beach club experience are Royal Caribbean Group's sustainability vision and proven practices as well as The Bahamas' stringent environmental protection and planning process.

Once complete, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is expected to host an average of 2,000 guests. Vacationers will access the beach club via a ferry ride from the Nassau Cruise Port and return through historic downtown Nassau near the world-famous Straw Market.

More details about the first Royal Beach Club are available on Royal Caribbean's website.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS, April 22, 2024 - Royal Caribbean International and The Bahamas marked the start of a new adventure today as the cruise line broke ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the 17-acre beach day experience on Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. The beginning of construction was celebrated on location, where Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley were joined by Prime Minister Philip Davis and Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper to commemorate the major milestone. The first of the Royal Beach Club Collection will take shape in the coming months ahead of its opening in 2025, and at the heart of the experience will be the island nation of The Bahamas. From the location - one of the island's most idyllic beaches - to the Bahamian food, culture and staff, to a unique public-private partnership in which Bahamians will own up to 49% equity, the all-new beach club combines the beauty and spirit of The Bahamas with signature Royal Caribbean touches across the experience, service and design. Vacationers will be welcomed to their ultimate beach day at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, starting with the vibrant and charming local architecture crafted by a local Bahamian architectural firm and the exceptional views of The Bahamas' renowned turquoise waters and white sand beaches. With more details to be revealed in the coming months, what's in store ranges from three stunning pools with swim-up bars to private cabanas, four island-style spots for quick bites and local fare, and experiences that feature local artisans and live music. "Marking more than the beginning of the construction process, today's groundbreaking event symbolizes partnership, momentum and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We are grateful to our partners for their support, especially the Bahamian government, who stand with us here today in celebration of what is to come." Local businesses and entrepreneurs will also manage parts of the construction and experience, which will generate hundreds of jobs in the short and long term. To date, Bahamians have participated in workshops to develop authentic local dishes, music, entertainment, sports and activities as well as design ideas that reflect the true Bahamian spirit and style. "As we break ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, together with the government and the people of The Bahamas, we are celebrating what partnership and innovation can achieve. This will be yet one more reason, in Nassau's bright future, to experience a destination we have visited since the very beginning of Royal Caribbean more than 50 years ago," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "The beauty and charm of the island are why we chose to debut the Royal Beach Club Collection in Nassau, and with the collaboration and support of local entrepreneurs and the wider community, we know that what we create will far exceed everything we imagined." The construction plans, created in close collaboration with the Bahamian government, also include the cruise line's restoration of the native habitat that will help protect wildlife during the build and for many years to come. Guiding the overall development of the beach club experience are Royal Caribbean Group's sustainability vision and proven practices as well as The Bahamas' stringent environmental protection and planning process. Once complete, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is expected to host an average of 2,000 guests. Vacationers will access the beach club via a ferry ride from the Nassau Cruise Port and return through historic downtown Nassau near the world-famous Straw Market. More details about the first Royal Beach Club are available on Royal Caribbean's website.

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is proud once again to be named a beneficiary of Sterling Global Financial and 2Hoops Productions’ “Comedy for a Cause” - a theatrical campaign that sees all proceeds from a comedy stage play hosted at Atlantis Theatre donated to several deserving charities.

In 2023, $90,000 was donated from showings of “The Long Weekend” play, with the BNT receiving $30,000 of that amount. This year, net proceeds from the play “Screwball Comedy” will be divided among four Bahamian nonprofit organisations: The Bahamas National Trust, Lend A Hand Bahamas, The Bahamas Feeding Network, and Ranfurly Homes for Children.

BNT Director of Development & Communication Anna Bancroft shared that last year’s generous donation to the BNT helped the environmental nonprofit engage communities to visit, volunteer, and advise park management through participation in Park Advisory Committees. It also supported fee-free days of national park activities for Bahamians, residents, and school children.

Bancroft said: “It’s a pleasure to be a recipient of ‘Comedy for a Cause’ for the second year in a row. Last year’s donation was truly a tremendous gift, and the BNT is grateful to be included once again. The previous funds underpinned the BNT’s goal of community-led conservation. They facilitated local communities experiencing their national parks by allowing us to host fee-free days, with all public holidays in 2023 having parks open and free for Bahamians in honour of our 50th year of Independence.

“The support from this year’s endeavour will go towards inviting locals into their national parks to experience nature and the natural resources we conserve and protect for our heritage and collective benefit. The next available fee-free date will be National Parks Day on Saturday, April 20th in honour of Earth Day; so we invite everybody who watches the comedy show to step into a national park and see where their support of this production goes with the BNT.”

Produced by and starring Heather Hodgson-Kosoy, alongside D. Sean Nottage, “Screwball Comedy” tells the story of a young woman making a major career-change from perfume salesperson to reporter in the 1930s. Her ensuing rivalry with the man considered the gold-standard of journalism as they both seek to get the scoop on a twisted news story is the source of sassy dialogue, riotous laughs, and comedic entertainment.

“Screwball Comedy” will be showing at the Atlantis Theatre from April 11th to 14th and April 16th to 20th, 2024. There is no showing on April 15th. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/events/screwball-comedy, or by calling the Atlantis Box Office at (242) 363-6601.

Sponsors of “Comedy for a Cause” include Sterling Global Financial Limited, Hurricane Hole Marina, Island Site Development, and production company 2Hoops Productions.

Heather Hodgson-Kosoy, who also starred in and produced last year’s “The Long Weekend,” has a passion for both the arts and giving back. “Screwball Comedy” will be her third production in The Bahamas.

“We have nine shows, and we’d love to have every seat filled for all nine shows,” she said. “Last year we raised $90,000 for three incredible charities. If we could double that this year, that would be fantastic - we’ll shoot for the moon.”

Sterling Global Financial Founder and Executive Chairman David Kosoy, said: “The cause here is ‘Let’s make The Bahamas ‘best’.’ I’ve adopted this country as my home. We want to give back, and this is just a small way of doing that. Any good we can do in the community benefits all of us.

“Our whole team and company are dedicated to this, and without the help of everyone here we wouldn’t be able to pull this off. The more help we can get, the better, so I thank everyone for their support.”

To learn more about the BNT's role in managing national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is proud once again to be named a beneficiary of Sterling Global Financial and 2Hoops Productions’ “Comedy for a Cause” - a theatrical campaign that sees all proceeds from a comedy stage play hosted at Atlantis Theatre donated to several deserving charities. In 2023, $90,000 was donated from showings of “The Long Weekend” play, with the BNT receiving $30,000 of that amount. This year, net proceeds from the play “Screwball Comedy” will be divided among four Bahamian nonprofit organisations: The Bahamas National Trust, Lend A Hand Bahamas, The Bahamas Feeding Network, and Ranfurly Homes for Children. BNT Director of Development & Communication Anna Bancroft shared that last year’s generous donation to the BNT helped the environmental nonprofit engage communities to visit, volunteer, and advise park management through participation in Park Advisory Committees. It also supported fee-free days of national park activities for Bahamians, residents, and school children. Bancroft said: “It’s a pleasure to be a recipient of ‘Comedy for a Cause’ for the second year in a row. Last year’s donation was truly a tremendous gift, and the BNT is grateful to be included once again. The previous funds underpinned the BNT’s goal of community-led conservation. They facilitated local communities experiencing their national parks by allowing us to host fee-free days, with all public holidays in 2023 having parks open and free for Bahamians in honour of our 50th year of Independence. “The support from this year’s endeavour will go towards inviting locals into their national parks to experience nature and the natural resources we conserve and protect for our heritage and collective benefit. The next available fee-free date will be National Parks Day on Saturday, April 20th in honour of Earth Day; so we invite everybody who watches the comedy show to step into a national park and see where their support of this production goes with the BNT.” Produced by and starring Heather Hodgson-Kosoy, alongside D. Sean Nottage, “Screwball Comedy” tells the story of a young woman making a major career-change from perfume salesperson to reporter in the 1930s. Her ensuing rivalry with the man considered the gold-standard of journalism as they both seek to get the scoop on a twisted news story is the source of sassy dialogue, riotous laughs, and comedic entertainment. “Screwball Comedy” will be showing at the Atlantis Theatre from April 11th to 14th and April 16th to 20th, 2024. There is no showing on April 15th. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/events/screwball-comedy, or by calling the Atlantis Box Office at (242) 363-6601. Sponsors of “Comedy for a Cause” include Sterling Global Financial Limited, Hurricane Hole Marina, Island Site Development, and production company 2Hoops Productions. Heather Hodgson-Kosoy, who also starred in and produced last year’s “The Long Weekend,” has a passion for both the arts and giving back. “Screwball Comedy” will be her third production in The Bahamas. “We have nine shows, and we’d love to have every seat filled for all nine shows,” she said. “Last year we raised $90,000 for three incredible charities. If we could double that this year, that would be fantastic - we’ll shoot for the moon.” Sterling Global Financial Founder and Executive Chairman David Kosoy, said: “The cause here is ‘Let’s make The Bahamas ‘best’.’ I’ve adopted this country as my home. We want to give back, and this is just a small way of doing that. Any good we can do in the community benefits all of us. “Our whole team and company are dedicated to this, and without the help of everyone here we wouldn’t be able to pull this off. The more help we can get, the better, so I thank everyone for their support.” To learn more about the BNT's role in managing national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

THE 96TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2024 Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood Sunday, March 10, 2024 Since 1929, the Oscars have recognized excellence in cinematic achievements, here are the winners of the 96th Academy Awards 2024.

THE 96TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2024 Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood Sunday, March 10, 2024

 

Best supporting actress

Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple

America Ferrera - Barbie

Jodie Foster - Nyad

Da'Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers - WINNER

Best animated short

Letter to a Pig

Ninety-Five Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko - WINNER

Best animated feature

The Boy and the Heron - WINNER

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best original screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall - WINNER

The Holdovers

Maestro

May December

Past Lives

Best adapted screenplay

American Fiction - WINNER

Barbie

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Best make-up and hairstyling

Golda

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things - WINNER

Society of the Snow

Best production design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things - WINNER

Best costume design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things - WINNER

Best international feature

Io Capitano

Perfect Days

Society of the Snow

The Teachers' Lounge

The Zone of Interest - WINNER

Best supporting actor

Sterling K Brown - American Fiction

Robert De Niro - Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr - Oppenheimer - WINNER

Ryan Gosling - Barbie

Mark Ruffalo - Poor Things

Best visual effects

The Creator

Godzilla Minus One - WINNER

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Best film editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer - WINNER

Poor Things

Best documentary short

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

Island In Between

The Last Repair Shop - WINNER

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó

Best documentary feature

Bobi Wine: The People's President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol - WINNER

Best cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer - WINNER

Poor Things

Best live action short

The After

Invincible

Knight of Fortune

Red, White and Blue

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - WINNER

Best sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest - WINNER

Best original score

American Fiction

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer - WINNER

Poor Things

Best original song

'The Fire Inside' - Flamin' Hot (Diane Warren)

'I'm Just Ken' - Barbie (Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt)

'It Never Went Away' - American Symphony (Jon Batiste, Dan Wilson)

'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)' - Killers of the Flower Moon (Scott George)

'What Was I Made For?' - Barbie (Billie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell) - WINNER

Best actor

Bradley Cooper - Maestro

Colman Domingo - Rustin

Paul Giamatti - The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer - WINNER

Jeffrey Wright - American Fiction

Best director

Anatomy of a Fall - Justine Triet

Killers of the Flower Moon - Martin Scorsese

Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan - WINNER

Poor Things - Yorgos Lanthimos

The Zone of Interest - Jonathan Glazer

Best actress

Annette Bening - Nyad

Lily Gladstone - Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller - Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan - Maestro

Emma Stone - Poor Things - WINNER

Best picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer - WINNER

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

(c) Copyright Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences https://www.oscars.org/oscars

A top UK-based fashion and lifestyle publication with 33 million readers and 100 million unique online visitors monthly has named two spas on Paradise Island as among the 32 best in the world after editors scoured resort contenders around the globe.

Editors of Elle magazine lavished praise on Mandara Spa at Atlantis and The Spa at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort.

It was the second international honour in months for Mandara Spa at the Cove resort on Paradise Island. In October, Mandara was named best resort spa in North America by hospitality critic Haute Grandeur for the second consecutive year.

When Elle tested the services, senior content strategist Carine Lavache confessed the spa experience made her want to extend her stay in The Bahamas.

“Those are the words we love to hear, that an experience at Mandara was so extraordinary it made you want to extend or return to The Bahamas as a vacation destination of choice,” said Mandara Regional Vice President Youlanda Deveaux.

The recognition by Elle of the two Paradise Island spas was especially significant because of the range of competition. With more than 181,000 spas worldwide in what has grown into a $5.7 trillion industry, the two spas in The Bahamas were compared with the best from destinations across the globe including Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Botswana, Morocco, Dominican Republic, Mexico and more.

Deveaux says while both spas on Paradise Island are well-appointed, it’s the people who make them award-winners.

“We have a culture of ‘Bring Your Happy to Work,’ and they do,” said the woman who oversees operations at both spas as well as the fitness centre at Atlantis. That culture is cultivated by self-help programs in which every therapist and service provider participates with dance, swimming, cycling, yoga, nutrition. “We can’t make others feel their best if we don’t feel our best,” she explains.

Four Seasons Ocean Club General Manager John Conway congratulated Ms. Deveaux and the Ocean Club spa staff.

“Guests of The Ocean Club love incorporating The Spa into their vacation. With spacious treatment rooms including a private outdoor space with deep soaking bathtubs, The Spa has become a favorite way for our guests to relax and rejuvenate. We are pleased to receive this wonderful accolade," said Conway.

Atlantis Executive Vice President of Operations Russell Miller applauded Mandara, noting that the combination of hospitality and creativity with natural products like Bahamian bush tea generate positive comments.

“When thousands of guests come through a resort’s doors and one aspect of their stay always shines, the source of such broad guest satisfaction deserves the applause it gets,” said Miller. “We congratulate Mandara Spa for upholding such noteworthy standards of excellence and say, ‘Well done, one more time and please continue to shine.’ We are very proud of you.”

Both spas are part of the worldwide One Spa World, a publicly traded company with more than 4,000 employees. One Spa World is traded on the NASDAQ exchange.

A top UK-based fashion and lifestyle publication with 33 million readers and 100 million unique online visitors monthly has named two spas on Paradise Island as among the 32 best in the world after editors scoured resort contenders around the globe. Editors of Elle magazine lavished praise on Mandara Spa at Atlantis and The Spa at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort. It was the second international honour in months for Mandara Spa at the Cove resort on Paradise Island. In October, Mandara was named best resort spa in North America by hospitality critic Haute Grandeur for the second consecutive year. When Elle tested the services, senior content strategist Carine Lavache confessed the spa experience made her want to extend her stay in The Bahamas. “Those are the words we love to hear, that an experience at Mandara was so extraordinary it made you want to extend or return to The Bahamas as a vacation destination of choice,” said Mandara Regional Vice President Youlanda Deveaux. The recognition by Elle of the two Paradise Island spas was especially significant because of the range of competition. With more than 181,000 spas worldwide in what has grown into a $5.7 trillion industry, the two spas in The Bahamas were compared with the best from destinations across the globe including Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Botswana, Morocco, Dominican Republic, Mexico and more. Deveaux says while both spas on Paradise Island are well-appointed, it’s the people who make them award-winners. “We have a culture of ‘Bring Your Happy to Work,’ and they do,” said the woman who oversees operations at both spas as well as the fitness centre at Atlantis. That culture is cultivated by self-help programs in which every therapist and service provider participates with dance, swimming, cycling, yoga, nutrition. “We can’t make others feel their best if we don’t feel our best,” she explains. Four Seasons Ocean Club General Manager John Conway congratulated Ms. Deveaux and the Ocean Club spa staff. “Guests of The Ocean Club love incorporating The Spa into their vacation. With spacious treatment rooms including a private outdoor space with deep soaking bathtubs, The Spa has become a favorite way for our guests to relax and rejuvenate. We are pleased to receive this wonderful accolade," said Conway. Atlantis Executive Vice President of Operations Russell Miller applauded Mandara, noting that the combination of hospitality and creativity with natural products like Bahamian bush tea generate positive comments. “When thousands of guests come through a resort’s doors and one aspect of their stay always shines, the source of such broad guest satisfaction deserves the applause it gets,” said Miller. “We congratulate Mandara Spa for upholding such noteworthy standards of excellence and say, ‘Well done, one more time and please continue to shine.’ We are very proud of you.” Both spas are part of the worldwide One Spa World, a publicly traded company with more than 4,000 employees. One Spa World is traded on the NASDAQ exchange.