Tuesday, April 30
JUST IN: Bahamians ready themselves for "equality" march
SCORES of people gathered at the Southern Recreational Grounds today, in support of an "equality" march planned for tomorrow morning.
Doctor sounds alarm over toxic products
Toxic personal care products are a major cause of inflammation, leading to the onset of degenerative diseases, said anaesthesiologist Dr Sy Pierre, a guest speaker at a recently held public lecture at Doctors Hospital.
Latest death sparks fears of retaliation
ASSISTANT Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said officers are doing all they can to mitigate retaliation killings after rumours of gang wars started to spread around the island.
Woman dead, man injured in shooting after car chase
A woman was murdered and a man left in critical condition yesterday after a car chase led to a deadly shooting.
Accused faces court over $64,000 cocaine plot
A WANTED man accused of being an accomplice in a plot to smuggle $64,000 worth of cocaine out of the country was arraigned in Magistrates Court yesterday.
No apology to cob students by Speaker
HOUSE of Assembly Speaker Kendal Major did not apologise to students at the College of the Bahamas yesterday as he tried to explain why they had been barred from parliamentary proceedings.
Rolle says Bahamians will not be disadvantaged by gaming act
BAHAMIANS will not be disadvantaged by whatever decision the government makes with regard to what are now draft amendments to the Gaming Act, Khaalis Rolle, Minister of State for Investments in the Office of The Prime Minster, told The Tribune.
Hanging 'unlikely' in the Bahamas
THE Privy Council’s “deeply rooted philosophical objection” to capital punishment means it is unlikely there will be another hanging in the Bahamas.
Lawyer claims expert tried to 'flam' jury
KOFHE Goodman’s attorney yesterday suggested to a crime scene investigator that she was trying to “flam” the jury with her claims about the handling of items collected from the scene where a body, believed to be of a male, was found in bushes behind an apartment.
No charges after two killed when hit by car
POLICE do not expect to charge anyone in connection with the death of two Canadians who died after being struck by a car in Exuma.
19-year-old dies after road accident last month
A 19-year-old youth, who was detained in hospital after a serious accident at Eleuthera last month, died in hospital yesterday.
Public officers told to pursue excellence
SENATOR Julian Russell told a gathering of public officers in Grand Bahama that the pursuit of excellence in the workplace must be their mandate.
Jordan visit in bid to host Bahamas film conference
BAHAMAS Film Commissioner Craig Woods paid a visit to Jordan to discuss the possibility of holding a major film conference in the Bahamas.
Prime Minister joins other heads of state at Haiti event
PRIME Minister Perry Christie went to the Fifth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Haiti.
Union members gather outside power company in protest
BAHAMAS Industrial Engineers, Managers, Supervisors Union president Pedro Edwards and union members gathered outside the GB Power Company yesterday as part of their ongoing campaign to hold demonstrations to protest against terminations and other ongoing disputes with management.
Stars speaking up for the Bahamas
STARS of the ‘Bahamas Behold’ advertising campaign kept the beauty of the country in the forefront for hours recently, with a series of interviews with radio and television stations across the Americas.
Affirming links with Cuba
PRIME Minister Perry Christie has reaffirmed ties with the Cuban government that have allowed special needs children to receive quality education in the Bahamas.
Former Catholic school to be turned into education centre for the disabled
THE Government plans to convert Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School into a special education centre for the disabled, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said.
Bahamas '75% through' with region's worst aviation regime
The Bahamas is 75 per cent complete on an ‘action plan’ designed to overhaul what a leading international authority has branded the worst aviation industry safety regime in the entire Americas region.
Bahamas casinos' revenue 20% of Las Vegas rivals
Bahamian casinos are currently earning just one-fifth of the annual revenue take enjoyed by their Las Vegas counterparts, Tribune Business was told last night, with proposed reforms having the potential to “quadruple” the industry’s income.
$6m Atlantis sports betting facility in September opening
Atlantis’s new $6 million sports book will be open “by September 1 this year, its top executive yesterday saying that it would be a question of “how many guests will you lose” if the Bahamas did not reform its casino gaming laws.
Immigration: Financial services fearful of being 'targeted next'
The Bahamian financial services industry is fearful it may be “targeted next” by the Immigration Department, amid concerns that the work permit crackdown has created a “disconnect” with this nation’s ‘international business centre’ image
Take financial services 'to the next level'
The Bahamas must decide whether to take its financial services business “to the next level or watch its current market base erode”, a leading attorney yesterday calling for the industry to develop a ‘Master Plan’.
Never forget human element
We watched on April 1, 2013, as members of the union representing Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) line staff prevented access and departure from the Corporation’s Blue Hill Road headaquarters
$12m condo development sold out ‘in 18 months’
A $12 million West Ridge condominium development is expected to be completely sold out within “a month to a month-and-a-half”, its realtor telling Tribune Business yesterday that eight commitments were secured at this weekend’s open house.
Boat show sparks '10 times' 2012 interest
A BAHAMIAN boat/yacht broker expects the “fantastic” turnout at the weekend’s PalmCay Boat Show will translate into significant sales over the next few months, telling Tribune Business the 2013 version generated ‘10 times’ the amount of interest compared to last year.
NAD managers visit Atlantis for training
The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD’s) entire management team this month took a field trip to the Atlantis resort and spent half a day with their hotel industry peers, discussing tourism trends, current challenges and future prospects for industry growth.
Beach Soccer: 10-member team Bahamas in Cancun tune-up
IN preparation for the CONCACAF beach soccer qualifier for the 2013 FIFA World Cup, the Bahamas Football Association has selected a 10-member team that is scheduled to leave town on Wednesday to compete in the BSWW Riviera Maya Cup 2013 May 8-12 in Cancun, Mexico.
Bahamian athletes on track at Drake Relays
HIGH jumpers Donald Thomas and Trevor Barry may not have been at their best when they came home and competed in the recent Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational. However, they got back on track at the Drake Relays over the weekend.
Renaldo's Ramblings: Most important drafts in Bahamian history
ABOUT three years. That’s how long it should take for us to determine whether this NFL draft was a success or a failure for most teams.
Junior Baseball League of Nassau highlights
With just two weeks left in the 2013 regular season, teams are fighting for playoff positions and the pennants. Here’s a recap of the pennant and playoff scenarios:
Sports Inbrief
BAHAMIAN Justin Roberts defeated Stephen L Watson, a promising up and coming US player in an ITF tourney in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Monday. Roberts won the match 6-3, 7-6 over 18-year-old Watson, who has an ITF ranking of 539.
Monday, April 29
Briefly
By ALESHA CADET
The value of Catholic education appreciated
IN A letter, dated February 15, 1891, to Abbot Bernard Locnikar of St John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, Fr Chrysostom Schreiner, founder of the Catholic Church in the Bahamas, reported that there were “seven sisters of Charity here, who conduct the best school on the island”.
Lawyer Munroe issues alert over organised crime
THE Bahamian web shop industry will likely fall into the hands of organised crime if established operators are forced to shut their businesses down, one of their attorneys telling Tribune Business: “I don’t think people understand how much trouble we are looking at”.
Victim chased down and shot dead
A Southern Heights man was shot and killed outside his home late yesterday afternoon, after he was attacked by a gunman and chased.
PLP chairman calls on radio host to prove party was funded by web shop owners
PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts called on radio talk show host Darold Miller to provide evidence to support renewed allegations that web shop owners contributed to the party’s electoral campaigns.
Police block off beach amid row
POLICE barred environmental activists from holding a press conference on Jaws Beach yesterday, and also prevented Keod Smith and his workers from carrying on with a clean-up campaign.
Attorney 'Afraid for Bacon's safety'
A HUMAN rights attorney has told police he believes billionaire Louis Bacon “is not safe in Nassau,” claiming he was told Mr Bacon “would be taken care of.”
Event held to protect conch
WITH studies showing the country’s conch stocks are on the decline, the Bahamas National Trust hosted a “conchservation” event as part of its campaign to raise awareness of the need to better manage the conch-fishing industry.
Mitchell defends Immigration staff
FOLLOWING private sector shock over a “raid” at Atlantis and subsequent “visit” to Baha Mar by Immigration officials, Minister Fred Mitchell said it is “regrettable” that business spokesmen would berate and “defame” the Department without knowing the facts
Man held over drugs
ABACO Police arrested a man of Pigeon Pea in connection with the discovery of illegal drugs and firearms early Friday morning.
Fitzgerald praises the Catholic school system
SUPPORTING Catholic education is a worthwhile cause, Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald said Saturday night, adding that the Catholic system has produced top scholars over the years.
Moss fears 'open warfare' in arguments over Clifton
‘OPEN warfare’ at Clifton is a major concern of Bahamas Against Crime Executive Director Rev CB Moss, he said in a press statement yesterday.
Companies to blame for oil leaks may face action
CASES might be brought against companies responsible for leaking oil into waters around the Clifton Pier area, lawyer and environmental activist Fred Smith said yesterday.
A need for compliance body to focus on industry
FREEPORT – Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville says there is a need for an autonomous governing body, like the Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers (BACO), with a complete focus on compliance and regulation in the industrial sector.
Bahamian society 'not dealing with violence against women'
WITH statistics showing that just under 50 women have died at men’s hands over five years, National Security Minister Bernard Nottage said he believes Bahamian society is not dealing with the issue of violence against women effectively enough.
Two suspects in hospital after gunfight with police
A POLICE shooting left two men in hospital - one in serious condition - after an exchange of gunfire and subsequent car crash into a local residence in the early hours of Saturday.
Port Authority honours its hard workers
ADMINISTRATIVE professionals of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and its Group of Companies enjoyed an afternoon of fine food, entertainment and prizes in celebration of ‘Administrative Professionals’ Day.’
Roberts calls on FNM to dismiss Minnis
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts encouraged Bahamians to “dismiss Dr Hubert Minnis” as nothing more than a “clueless interim leader” who he said is “clearly out of his depth on national issues”.
Fidelity funds enjoy$7m new asset boost
RoyalFidelity’s domestic mutual fund family attracted almost $7 million in new assets during the 2013 first quarter, amid concern that Bahamian investor returns could be hit by a lack of new fixed income investment opportunities.
Ex-BREA chief explores 'forcing' separation of Board/Association
A two-time Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president is seeking legal advice on whether he can file a lawsuit that would force the organisation to become separate from the Board that regulates the industry.
Web shops fear organised crime takeover of sector
THE Bahamian web shop industry will likely fall into the hands of organised crime if established operators are forced to shut their businesses down, one of their attorneys telling Tribune Business: “I don’t think people understand how much trouble we are looking at”.
Realtor recovers 50% of lost sales
A two-time Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president has recovered 50 per cent of the business volumes he lost at the recession’s peak, but is warning that Baha Mar will not be a “saving grace”.
Into the Jaws of 'unregulated' work
The Government has been asked whether a new dock and other construction work at Jaws Beach had all the necessary permits and approvals, amid questions of whether this is a “further example of unauthorised and unregulated development of public land”.
Work permits: 90% of applications come from Bahamians
Ninety per cent of work permit applications come from Bahamian businesses and individuals, a former Immigration Minister telling Tribune Business that the Government did not understand the need to “run the Bahamas as a business”.
No 'wholesale panic' over G-20 automatic tax exchange push
The Bahamas must avoid “wholesale panic” over G-20/OECD efforts to drive the world to automatic tax information exchange, a leading private sector executive instead urging this jurisdiction to “increase” its financial services ‘value proposition’.
Productivity is the long forgotten economic key
How do you measure productivity in your place of work? Do you know how efficient your employees and processes are? Workforce productivity can be measured in two ways: In physical terms or in price terms. This incorporates the intensity of labour-effort, the quality of labour effort, the creative activity involved in producing technical innovations and the relative efficiency gains resulting from different systems of management, organisation, co-ordination or engineering.
Eleuthera sees new business 'infusion'
A TOP private sector executive believes Eleuthera has seen “an infusion” of new businesses, particularly in the central part of the island, telling Tribune Business its economy was “really starting to see signs of growth”.
Bahamian Internet chief meets US lawmakers
A Bahamian Internet business has spent the past week in Washington, D.C.in a bid to influence international internet policies.
Elizabeth holds small business symposium
The Elizabeth constituency is launching a Small Business Symposium for all constituents that are business owners, or interested in starting their own business, on May 4.
Cuckoos win Heineken Bahamas Cup
FOR the second consecutive year, Cuckoos Rugby Club claimed the Bahamas Rugby Football Union Championship and the first edition of what is now known as the Heineken Bahamas Cup.
Regatta 'rocks' with Kalik in George Town
In the 20 years that Danny Strachan has taken over as commodore, he felt that the 60th anniversary celebrations of the National Family Island Regatta over the weekend was the most competitive.
Penn Relays: Three teams qualify for 14th IAAF World Championships
THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ mission to have all four relay teams qualified for the 14th IAAF World Championships in Russia was almost completed at the Penn Relay Festival over the weekend.
Sports inbrief
BAHAMAS LAW
Sunday, April 28
Briefly
BY DENISE MAYCOCK
Don't focus on the man, focus on the message
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Saturday, April 27
DOG LOVERS DIE IN ROAD TRAGEDY
BAHAMAS Humane Society President Kim Aranha called the deaths of two Canadian animal activists “a great tragedy” after the couple were struck by a car and killed in Exuma.
Web gaming ‘belongs to Bahamians’
ISLAND Luck CEO Sebas Bastian yesterday charged that he would not “cop out” on the gaming industry as he felt ownership belonged in the “hands of Bahamian people”.
Friday, April 26
Immigration policy hurting tourism investment
MANY BAHAMIANS are walking contradictions. They accept that this country needs the goodwill of tourists and foreign investors, but — in the words spoken from the floor of the House by an older generation — they also “believe that they should bring them (foreigners) in, suck ’em dry and throw out the husks”.
Man admits possession of $750,000 worth of drugs
KENDAL Hepburn, a 39-year-old of Mackey Street, admitted to being in possession of $750,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana seized by DEU officers earlier this week.
Summit Academy visits The Tribune
Students from Summit Academy visited The Tribune today, getting a rare look at the inner workings of a newspaper.
VIDEO: Lawyer says group of men attacked him
PROMINENT human rights and environmental attorney Fred Smith, QC, claimed he was assaulted and his car was damaged during a visit to Jaws Beach yesterday.
Baha Mar confirms immigration held staff at Sheraton
FOLLOWING shock in the private sector over an Immigration Department “raid” at Atlantis earlier this week, Baha Mar confirms it had its own Immigration “visit” when five senior engineers at the Sheraton were “detained” by officials on their lunch break.
New gambling bill 'favours foreigners'
ATTORNEY Wayne Munroe accused the government yesterday of having different and higher standards for foreigners in the Bahamas, despite claiming to believe in Bahamians.
Accused struggles to find defence witnesses
A JUDGE told Simeon Bain, who chose not to be represented by counsel in his murder trial, that he was responsible for getting his own witnesses to court to testify on his behalf. Bain was accused of killing a former Burger King manager, who he had planned to seduce and rob told.
Ambassador delay raises questions
CONCERNS have been raised over the delay in the installation of Dr Elliston Rahming as US Ambassador to Washington.
New Gaming Act shows referendum was a farce - Bran
The government’s new proposed Gaming Act only proves the January referendum on the legalisation of web shop gaming was a “farce,” according to DNA Leader Branville McCartney
Baha Mar chiefs 'encouraged' by gaming act
FOLLOWING the release of the newly proposed Gaming Act, Baha Mar executives said they are “encouraged” and praised the recommendations as a step in modernising the country’s industry and positioning the Bahamas as “a global casino destination”.
Gala awards ceremony honours exceptional sandals workers
SANDALS Royal Bahamian celebrated its exceptional colleagues Tuesday night in a gala awards ceremony that saw winners praised for their service by resort executives.
Court hears evidence about shirts
A GREY Bob Marley shirt was unwrapped from a sealed package that a police forensics examiner opened yesterday in Supreme Court.
Fact-finding trip seeks Jamaican advice on agriculture
THE Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation conducted a fact-finding mission to Jamaica as it looks toward the establishment of a School of Agriculture and Science in North Andros.
Wining and dining the Nassau way
WINE and food enthusiasts were treated to a rare delight as Young’s Champagne combined with Blue Caviar Le Restaurant to present a night of extraordinary wine and champagne pairings.
Beyonce's Bahamas photo album
SUPERSTAR singer Beyonce has debuted her new song in a video which sees her modelling a series of bikinis on a beach in the Bahamas.
'Golden Girl' gets set for the IAAF Worlds
The journey to another IAAF World Championship appearance has begun for 37-year-old Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie.
Double dose of victory for SAC
THE St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine led off the Bahamas’ parade of athletes with a pair of victories on day one of the Penn Relay Carnival in Philadelphia.
Sports in brief
THE Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association continued its 2013 season at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex over the weekend.
Casinos target $249m boost from reforms
An additional $249 million could be injected into the Bahamian economy if proposed reforms to this nation’s casino gaming legislation are adopted, a leading executive yesterday disclosing that 16 out of 17 industry recommendations had been incorporated into the draft legislation.
Work permit 'confusion' hits Bahamas' reputation
A former Immigration minister yesterday urged the Department to conduct investigations with “more decorum”, adding that this week’s incident at Atlantis “does not bode well for the reputation of the country”.
BISX: Commercial paper proposal 'within a month'
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) is aiming to put forward plans to create a ‘commercial paper’ market “within the next month”, its chief executive yesterday saying every business in this nation was a “potential customer”.
Business costs to rise by more than VAT's 15%
Business costs will increase by more than the proposed Value Added Tax’s (VAT) 15 per cent rate, a senior private sector executive warned yesterday, due to the need to implement new accounting and bookkeeping systems.
$10m resort investment targets 'prime' Xmas
A major resort developer/operator is aiming to launch its $10 million first phase redevelopment of Eleuthera’s Coco Di Mama property in the Christmas 2014 “prime season”, telling Tribune Business it was looking to take the resort’s room count up to 30.
RICHARD COULSON: My remedy to get economy moving
Several readers have asked me how to “get our economy moving again”.
Hats off to Anton Sealey and Bahamas Football Association
ANTON Sealey may have made one of the biggest decisions in his administrative career in sports when he opted not to run for the presidency of the Bahamas Olympic Committee.
$200m hospital proponent concludes Bahamas visit
The president of a US-based health services exporter has concluded meetings in Nassau and Freeport, as it looks for the island that will be the ‘best fit’ for its proposed $200 million medical facility.
Thursday, April 25
Briefly
THIS week was a particularly frustrating one for me. It is a very difficult thing to watch the government of the day conduct itself in a way that brings threat to our economy and livelihood, and shame to our name throughout the world. It is even more difficult to watch far too many of us sit in fear and indifference as this goes on, too scared or disinterested to stand up for ourselves and our country.
Marco Archer murder trial adjourned
Accused 'not feeling well'
THE fourth day of the Marco Archer murder trial has been adjourned due to complaints from the accused, Kofhe Goodman, that he was not feeling well.
Stunned reaction to Immigration
Stunned Bahamian businesses yesterday described the Immigration Department’s “raid” at Atlantis as “simply reprehensible”, warning that such actions were counterproductive to the government’s key objectives of economic growth and job creation.
Electric bill down by a quarter?
BAHAMIANS could see as high as a 25 per cent reduction in their electricity bill by the end of the year if new plans by the Bahamas Electricity Corporation come into play, the company’s chairman announced yesterday.
US report puts spotlight on human rights
POLICE abuse, a poorly functioning judicial system, trial delays, lengthy pretrial detention, and witness intimidation were cited as the most serious human rights issues facing the Bahamas, according to a newly released 2012 human rights report from the US State Department.
Halkitis: We have not given up on martgage relief plan
ALTHOUGH the government’s mortgage relief programme flopped before anyone received assistance, State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis said officials have not given up on the plan to assist homeowners.
Evidence debate in murder trial
A CRIME Scene Investigator opened a sealed paper package that was supposed to contain a shirt collected from the scene where a body, believed to be of a male, was found in bushes behind an apartment.
Rolle 'was left in a cell to die'
AARON Rolle was severely beaten and left in a cell to die because he did not receive proper medical treatment, Christina Galanos told the Coroner’s Court yesterday.
BEC overtime bill slashed in half, says Miller
THE Bahamas Electricity Corporation has slashed its monthly average of $1 million in overtime pay by 50 per cent, according to corporation chairman Leslie Miller.
$750,000 drug haul seized
POLICE yesterday confiscated nearly $750,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana when they stopped and searched a Kia Sedona van in the Pinewood Gardens area.
Freeport local government workers sign public service appointment letters
FREEPORT – Six local government workers in the West Grand Bahama District signed letters of appointment with the Public Service yesterday, officially becoming public servants.
Violence against women a widespread problem, says US
VIOLENCE against women continues to be a “serious, widespread problem” in the Bahamas, a newly released 2012 human rights report from the US Embassy allegeges.
Report highlights gay man's murder
A NEW human rights report prepared by the US State Department sites the unsolved 2011 murder of a gay man while pointing out that the Bahamas offers no protection against discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons.
Undocumented migrants subject to exploitation
UNDOCUMENTED migrants remained vulnerable to forced labour and exploitation in the Bahamas, especially in the domestic and agriculture sectors, a newly released 2012 human rights report from the US Embassy alleges.
US officials raise concerns over prison's failure to meet standards
HER Majesty’s Prison continues to fail to meet international standards, with overcrowding and access to adequate medical care presenting major problems in the men’s maximum-security block, a newly released 2012 human rights report from the US State Department points out.
Murder suspect repeatedly denies accusations in court
FOOTAGE of a former Burger King manager being shoved by a masked assailant during an attempted robbery was shown to the man accused of the manager’s murder.
Consitution Committee holds first in series of town meetings
THE Constitutional Commission held the first in a number of town meetings slated for New Providence at the Diplomat Centre, Bahamas Faith Ministries on Monday.
Hospital Authority: No shortage of asthma medication
THE Public Hospitals Authority refuted claims by opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis that the Princess Margaret Hospital has a shortage of the Asthma medication albuterol.
Jitney sector alarm on IPO, Gov't's 20% stake
Jitney industry players yesterday expressed major reservations over plans to unify Nassau’s public bus system, one saying he could not support a proposed initial public offering (IPO) and granting a 20 per cent equity stake to the Government.
Broker/dealer's 'strong case' for vindication
Attorneys for Gibraltar Global Securities and its principal, Warren Davis, yesterday expressed confidence they would be totally cleared of all charges, and accused US regulators of employing “bullying tactics” against their clients.
Business blasts 'reprehensible' Atlantis Immigration swoop
Stunned Bahamian businesses yesterday described the Immigration Department’s ‘raid’ at Atlantis as “simply reprehensible”, warning that such actions were counterproductive to the Government’s key objectives of economic growth and job creation.
Colina's 'new life' after segment's 75% profits reduction
Colina Insurance is set to launch a new individual life “product suite” during the 2013 first half, in a bid to “boost sales volumes” after the segment’s net income contribution dropped 75 per cent in 2012.
Developer: 65% of family homes sold
A $200 million New Providence real estate project is on pace to sell 24 units this year, its marketing head telling Tribune Business yesterday that the development had been a “huge success” within the Bahamian market.
Brewery celebrates $1.6m Nassau opening
The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company has extended its New Providence distribution footprint through the opening of its $1.6 million warehouse, retail and office complex on Nassau Street.
McCartney honoured with BACO award
RBC FINCO’s managing director, Tanya McCartney, has been awarded the 2013 Cheryl Bazard Founding President’s Award.
BTC urges more flexible cellular pricing process
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday called for more flexible cellular pricing opportunities, as part of its preparations for the sector’s impending liberalisation in 2014.
'Tank' to square off with Romanian
IN HIS first bout since November’s disappointing loss, Sherman “Tank” Williams is all set to step back into the ring on what he calls the “long way around” to capturing the heavyweight title.
Cuckoos to face Bucs in Bahamas Cup final
One game remains to determine the predominant side in the Bahamas Rugby Football Union (BRFU).
Team Bahamas to field 'strong contingent' at 119th Penn Relays
TEAM Bahamas will field a strong contingent at the senior, collegiate and high school level in the 119th edition of the Penn Relays.
Macedonia still undefeated
ST John’s, rebounding from their only loss a week ago, took their frustrations out on St John’s with a 65-24 rout to push their second place record to 5-1 in the 19-and-under division of the Baptist Sports Council’s 2013 Basketball League at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Saturday.
Diocese honours employee for 40 years of service
Members of the Anglican Diocesan Office held a special luncheon on Friday afternoon to celebrate, recognise and thank Juanita Nairn Grant, administrative assistant to Bishop Laish Boyd, for 40 years of outstanding service to the Anglican Diocese.
Is it right to ask why?
SOME PEOPLE may ask why they must go through heart breaking situations in their everyday lives. Some Christians say it is best to trust that everything happens for a reason. They say it is normal for a person to ask why, but they must remember that God will never lead them astray.
ACM Conference promotes outreach to young men
The Anglican Church Men Council (ACM) hosted its 40th Conference in New Providence from April 10 to 14.
ART OF GRAPHIX: Design techniques for tough clients
Difficult clients come in all shapes and sizes, and it is important to learn how to deal with them.
Soul food key to spiritual walk
THE popular phrase you are what you eat not only applies to the physical world.
Palm Cay eyes 'Filet mignon' in Condo hotel
A $200 million New Providence real estate project is on pace to sell 24 units this year, its marketing head telling Tribune Business yesterday that the development had been a “huge success” within the Bahamian market.
Exuma hotels in regatta boost
EXUMA resorts are eyeing full occupancy this week, with the annual Regatta providing a boost to the island’s economy.
Wednesday, April 24
Astonished by Greenslade response
I was very astonished as I heard the response given by Ellison Greenslade to some of the criticisms levied at himself and the police force in recent days.
Briefly
BC-US--Wall Street-Twitter Tumble/1494
Bacon says sorry for confusion
EDITOR, The Tribune. I was concerned to read press reports that my letter to members of the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, which described a police raid on my home in July 2010, had caused offence to Commissioner Ellison Greenslade.
Immigration embarrasses the Atlantis resort
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell assured reporters yesterday that government’s “Bahamian first” approach on immigration matters would not end up in masses of foreign workers being ushered out of the country.
TOUGH CALL: A tale of South Eleuthera
ROCK SOUND, Eleuthera – Other than sun, sand and sea, South Eleuthera’s attractions are modest – a landlocked ocean hole where you can feed the snappers, an 87-year-old fig tree spreading along the highway, and an historic Methodist manse.
Tyler Johnston showcases ‘Tropical Alchemy’
THE FIRST solo exhibit by artist Tyler Johnston received strong support from the art community when it opened last week at Popopstudios.
Designer gets a fashion nod from Bernadette Christie
Fresh off of his win in the first challenge on Mission Catwalk Season Three, local fashion designer Theodore Elyett is getting a fashion nod from Bernadette Christie, wife of the prime minister.
Shock over immigration staff swoop
VISITORS and employees of the Atlantis Resort were both startled and baffled as a team of Immigration officers disrupted operations at Dolphin Cay to detain and carry off the attraction’s head sea lion trainer.
VIDEO: Man shot dead by robbers during daytime armed raid
A MAN in his forties is the country's latest victim of murder, having been gunned down in a daytime robbery just off the Tonique Williams-Darling Highway.
Embassy's plea over threat to Filipino work permits
THE Philippine Embassy yesterday appealed to the Bahamas government to allow its citizens to keep their jobs as the Christie administration’s new and strict Immigration policies continue to cause concern among businesses.
Bahamian broker facing SEC lawsuit
A BAHAMIAN broker/dealer and its principal were last night hit with a second Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit in two months, with regulators alleging they had operated “unlawfully” in the US in selling $100 million worth of stocks.
Minnis: Dump a health risk
OPPOSITION Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the fire at the city dump is not only a nuisance but a health hazard and cause for concer
Concern over sale of land in Eleuthera
THE island of Eleuthera is becoming an important economic hub and environmentalists say the sale of a large parcel of land at the southern tip, known as Lighthouse Point, requires close examination.
Fitzgerald apologises to students over House snub
AFTER some 14 college students were denied entrance into the House of Assembly last week, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said he has since apologised to the students over the incident.
$20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
FORMER Cabinet Minister Tennyson Wells and his wife Stephanie donated $20,000 to Urban Renewal 2.0 to aid in its initiatives for social reform yesterday.
Man claims police beat a confession out of him
THE man accused of killing a former Burger King manager he planned to seduce and rob, told a jury yesterday he confessed to murder and other related charges because police brutalised him.
Drug unit officers seize marijuana worth $1m
DRUG Enforcement Unit Officers confiscated more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana – with an estimated street value of more than $1 million – in two separate operations on Monday.
'Think out of the box for independence celebration'
Forty marks a generation! “A Time when you ought to have sense” (The late Archdeacon William Thompson).
Host of complaints over jitney service
THE Ministry of Transport and Aviation has received a “myriad” of complaints from the public over the country’s jitney service – including one charge of “pornography being shown on the buses,” according to State Minister Hope Strachan.
'Back and forth' over oil drilling legislation
ENVIRONMENT Minister Kenred Dorsett said his ministry is still involved in “a bit of back and forth” with the Attorney General’s Office after receiving the first draft of oil drilling legislation and sending it back “with comments”.
Workshop on preparation for oil spills
FREEPORT – In light of the recent oil spills off Grand Bahama, former chief public analyst Mike Wallace facilitated a workshop on emergency preparedness and disaster management with a focus on oil spill
Environment campaigner hits out at plan for dolphin experience
FOLLOWING the announcement of a new dolphin experience at Blackbeard’s Cay, one local environmentalist said she “has a huge problem” with the plan.
78 Haitian migrants sent to capital after detention
A TOTAL of 78 undocumented Haitian migrants are being transported to the capital after being apprehended 15 nautical miles west of Farmers Cay in the Exuma Chain on Tuesday afternoon by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
No intention to move city dump despite fire risk
MINISTER of the Environment Kendred Dorsett yesterday said the government has no intention on relocating the city dump – despite the fire hazard it has become over the past decade.
Bahamas 'ideal' for beach soccer
With the development of the sport in the region and the newly constructed beach soccer facility at the foot of the Sir Sydney Poitier Bridge, Enrique Sanz said the Bahamas turned out to be the ideal location to host the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Associaion (CONCACAF) qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013.
BTC major sponsor of CONCACAF qualifier
WHEN the Bahamas Football Association hosts the 10 visiting countries in the first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 CONCACAF qualifier to be staged in the Caribbean next month at the new beach soccer facility at the foot of the Sir Sydney Poitier Bridge, BTC will be the major sponsor.
Penn Relays: Cleare and Rolle to serve as head coach, relay coordinator respectively
COLLEGIATE assistant coaches George Cleare and Henry Rolle will get a chance to put their collective minds together for the team that will represent the Bahamas at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Moscow, Russia.
Sports inbrief
THE Bahamas Association of Track and Field Coaches held its election of officers during the recent Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Scotiabank National High School Track and Field Championships.
Vehicle title system now 'vital necessity'
A proper title system has become “a vital necessity” in combating exploding levels of auto fraud and theft, a leading auto dealer yesterday telling Tribune Business that talks between government and industry players were “heading in the right direction” to create one.
Clearing House targets 2m transactions in 2013
The Bahamas Automated Clearing House (BACH) is aiming to process “close to two million” electronic banking transactions in 2013, and yesterday confirmed it planned to introduce Customer Initiated Entries (CIEs) this year.
Bahamas 'best positioned' for automatic tax information
The Bahamas is the world’s “best positioned” financial centre when it comes to thriving in an automatic tax information exchange environment, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.
Bank to ‘sneak’ growth on 38% market share
Commonwealth Bank is targeting a 2013 “revamp” for its Internet banking service that saw an 11 per cent activity increase in 2011, its president yesterday expressing optimism that it could also “sneak” market share growth.
Eleuthera residents oppose $20m sale of Lighthouse Point
Eleuthera residents are opposing the $20 million sale of the 700-acre Lighthouse Point peninsula on the island’s southern tip, the the head of a non-profit organisation yesterday calling for an end to the cycle of “land speculation”.
SAFE & SECURE: How to become a resilient business
From time to time, companies experience events that disrupt business and their ability to provide service, consequently impeding revenue streams.
MARKETING REVOLUTION: Honesty the best policy for online reputations
“I don’t want a Facebook page,” one of my clients told me emphatically.
DJ OF THE WEEK: Xtra Large
WITH MUCH respect to his country, DJ Xtra Large said he rates every Bahamian deejay, simply because each deejay is unique.
Bank to 'sneak' growth on 38% market share
Commonwealth Bank is targeting a 2013 “revamp” for its Internet banking service that saw an 11 per cent activity increase in 2011, its president yesterday expressing optimism that it could also “sneak” market share growth.
Bahamian music students excel
TWO BAHAMIAN piano students were recognised with honours at the recent Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) High Scorers’ Concert, held at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
John Beadle gets personal in new solo exhibit
BAHAMIAN visual artist John Beadle is set to unveil his most personal body of work tomorrow night at The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. The John Beadle Project addresses issues such as fear and insecurity in the Bahamas and begins 7pm.
Top 4: Who will walk with Idol title?
ANOTHER week flew by with the judges refusing to use their one save card, which led to contestant Janelle Arthur’s elimination.
PMH Critical Care Block 80% complete
THE $53 million Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Critical Care Block is roughly 80 per cent complete, Cavalier Construction’s managing director yesterday telling Tribune Business it was targeting an end-July competition.
'Dis we culture' national auditions
TAKING A step to ensure Bahamian culture is placed at the forefront, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is looking forward to recapturing the glory days of the era of floor shows and cultural Reviews.
Tuesday, April 23
Bahamas to face US, Guatemala, Puerto Rico in Beach World Cup qualifiers
THE Bahamas, hosts of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 CONCACAF Qualifier, will be in Group A for the May 8-12 tournament to be held at the Beach Soccer Complex at the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge.
YOUNG MAN'S VIEW: Students stand up
FIRSTLY, my follow-up column on oil is coming next week! That said, this week became extra interesting when the nation’s youth and future leaders—students enrolled at the College of the Bahamas (COB)—were denied access to the people’s Parliament (House of Assembly) under the fabricated premise that they posed a security threat
Nursing pioneer pursues unconventional specialty
EVER since her certification as the first Bahamian wound, ostomy and continence nurse several years ago, Dawn Albury-Gaitor has been saving the lives of many people.
Commissioner promises there will be action against illegal gambling
POLICE will be “mounting an operation” against the country’s web-shops with Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade stating yesterday that police “will turn up” and “could turn up, anywhere.”
Jury shown 'pictures of Marco's body'
IMAGES showing the exposed and decomposed body of Marco Archer inside a suitcase in bushes behind an apartment complex was shown to a Supreme Court jury yesterday.
Policewoman and brother face court over $64,000 cocaine find
AN AXED policewoman and her brother, a pageant coach and franchise owner, found themselves before a magistrate yesterday charged in connection with last Friday’s $64,000 cocaine seizure at the country’s main port of entry.
Businessman was first of two drowning victims
A TOP Florida businessman was one of two men who drowned over the weekend.
VIDEO: City dump on fire
OFFICIALS are struggling to get a handle on a fire at the city dump that has been smouldering since Friday, Fire Chief Walter Evans said yesterday.
Deputy PM's wife sues company where he served as director
THE wife of Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Ann Marie, is suing a company of which he served as director before the 2012 general election.
Two armed raids
FREEPORT - Grand Bahama police are investigating two separate armed robberies in the Freeport area.
'Who is in charge of Clifton Bay?'
ENVIRONMENTAL activists are demanding to know who is really in charge of Clifton Bay as the publicly-owned area became a construction site – yet again – over the weekend.
Commissioner hits back over 'terrorist' comment
AFTER Lyford Cay billionaire Louis Bacon referred to a police search on his home as a “terrorist raid,” Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said his officers cannot, while discharging their duties, be referred to as terrorists.
30 officers discharged from police force under Greenslade
ASSERTING that no police “missteps” will be tolerated, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade revealed that 30 officers have been discharged from the Royal Bahamas Police Force since he took the helm three years ago.
'FNM has no moral authority to criticise mortgage plan'
THE FNM lacks the moral authority to criticise to government on the Mortgage Relief Plan because it was their poor management of the economy that caused the mortgage crisis in the first place, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts claimed.
Cash: Still no help for home owners after bogus mortgage plan
FOLLOWING the collapse of the government’s “bogus” mortgage relief plan, there is still no meaningful help in sight for struggling homeowners, FNM chairman Darron Cash charged.
30 immigrants held by Defence Force
THIRTY undocumented Haitian immigrants have been brought to the capital after being apprehended by the Defence Force six nautical miles west of Compass Cay in the Exumas.
Green award for school
A LOCAL school was yesterday awarded a top environmental honour – a Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation green flag – in recognition for its commitment to preserving the environment.
Custody death inquest delayed as police officer fails to appear
THE INQUEST into the death of Aaron Rolle was postponed yesterday after a witness failed to appear in court.
Six years of negotiations for social workers near an end
FREEPORT – John Pinder, president of the Bahamas Public Services Union, announced that the much anticipated career path for social workers is in its final draft after six years of negotiations.
US man arrested over marijuana find
FREEPORT – Grand Bahama Police arrested a 42-year-old Chesapeake man in connection with the discovery of dangerous drugs over the weekend.
$5m Blackbeard's Cay upgrade eyes 100 jobs
More than $5 million has been invested in redeveloping Blackbeard’s Cay into an upscale visitor experience that will create 100 jobs, one of its principals said yesterday, arguing that Bay Street “no longer represents the Bahamas”.
Energy sector liberlisation 'in 18 months' if will exists
The Bahamas could start to liberalise its energy sector within 18 months if the political will existed, a leading attorney said yesterday, adding that this nation had to “stop the madness” of spending more than $900 million per annum on oil imports.
Brazilian providers eye Bahamas presence
Brazilian financial services providers are interested in establishing a physical presence in the Bahamas, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday, adding that he wanted to “leverage the success” this nation has had there to crack new Latin American markets.
Ownership transfer proposed for strife torn Oceania project
Oceania Heights’ developers are proposing to transfer control to a homeowners association, prompting a key player in the negotiations to yesterday say he was “more hopeful than ever” that a solution for the controversy-torn project is in sight.
Book launch for Bahamian icon to include international tributes
Bahamian icon Netica Symonette is hosting an official launch and book signing for “A Girl Called Nettie: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love” on Friday at Casuarinas of Cable Beach. The book is a poignant but inspiring story of the life, trials and tribulations of Nettie, as she worked her way through the ranks of the hospitality industry.
If a vagina could speak, what would it say?
Some women go through their entire lives never once seeing their most sacred and private body part: the vagina.
Bahamian connection victorious at Auburn War Eagle Invitational
SHENIQUA “Q” Ferguson, Shaunae Miller, Bianca Stuart and Ryan Ingraham pulled off victories as they led a Bahamian connection from Auburn, Alabama, Athens, Georgia and Nassau at the Auburn War Eagle Invitational over the weekend.
South Ocean masterplan ready in '30-45 days'
A masterplan for the still-closed South Ocean resort should be completed within the next 30-45 days, Tribune Business was told yesterday.
Young athletes break 15 records
IN a year that featured their 25th BAISS Track and Field Championship, the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine closed the season with a commanding performance at a record setting 2013 Scotiabank National High School Track and Field Championships.
Bahamas pursuing Jamaica's 'gold standard' in track and field
JAMAICA’S youth development track and field programme has become the gold standard in the Caribbean and the Bahamas will look to follow suit.
Special honour for 'Sea Wolf'
At 95 years of age, Sir Durward “Sea Wolf” Knowles has received just about every accolade that he can get.
NAD 'deeply concerned' on US air traffic cuts
THE NASSAU Airport Development Company (NAD) said yesterday it was “deeply concerned” over the impact of US air traffic control staff reductions, in addition to similar cuts at US Customs & Border Control (USCBP) operations at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).
What to know about parkinson's disease
MANY countries around the world, including the Bahamas, are celebrating Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month in April.
Vagina Monologues takes bold stand
THE STORIES shared made people laugh and sit in awe emotionally touched.
Top QB prospect in the NFL draft has Bahamian roots
THE man many scouts and analysts project to be the top quarterback selected in this week’s National Football League Draft has strong connections with the Bahamas.
THINK UP - On turning 40: the Bahamian ego
Some of the feedback I received on last week’s article on police antics really resonated with me. Someone commenting on the article produced hyperlinks to news stories exposing incidents of police brutality in South Africa accompanied by a comparative analysis as the writer seemingly sought to mitigate the mounting dissent over the abusive police culture that has recently dominated Bahamian news cycles.
Miller and new BOC vice presidents to attend IOC conference in Peru
RETURNED president Wellington Miller, accompanied by newly elected vice presidents Cora Hepburn and Derron Donaldson, are scheduled to leave town today for Lima, Peru, to attend the World Conference of the International Olympic Committee’s Sports for All programme.
Contractors chief to bring members 'up to scratch'
THE Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) yesterday said it was pushing for internationally-recognised certification for small/medium-sized firms, which make up 80-90 per cent of the industry.
Realtor launches its specialist golf site
Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty yesterday announced the worldwide brand’s launch of a specialist golf market website.
'Golden Knight' officially opens dual track meet
‘GOLDEN KNIGHT’ Ramon Miller took the opportunity to officially open the dual track and field meet for Our Lady’s and St Bede’s Primary Schools.
Due Diligence Project to help assess government's anti-violence efforts
NEXT month, members of the international Due Diligence Project will meet with women’s rights experts in the Bahamas to further the global discussion and raise awareness of the Bahamas’ obligations to end violence against women.
Are you setting meaningful goals?
Have you ever achieved something only to realise that it was not as important as you thought it was?
Monday, April 22
Teens 'selling sex'
A NEW non-governmental organisation has discovered that around 85 per cent of sexually active teens in the Bahamas are engaging in some kind of transactional sex.
VIDEO: Police woman charged
Former Police Constable Toni Sweeting was arraigned moments ago in connection with last Friday's cocaine seizure at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Cop held at airport following drugs find
A WOMAN police officer and her brother are in custody in connection with an attempt to smuggle more than $60,000 worth of cocaine out of the country, The Tribune had learned.
Man shot dead protecting his sister
UPDATE: New information received today revealed that the woman in the story has been identified as the sister of the man who was shot and killed.
COBUS seeks House apology
THE College of the Bahamas Union of Students are demanding an apology from House Speaker Kendal Major and the police after they were barred from entering Parliamentary proceedings.
Man killed in car collision
A 48-year-old man died on Friday when the car he was driving was in collision with another car on Queen’s Highway, Eleuthera.
Rodney Moncur: Licence revoked?
RODNEY Moncur is questioning whether the government has revoked his appointment as a Justice of the Peace after documents he signed were reportedly rejected.
'We must tackle the monster of crime'
AN anti-crime activist has called on the government to take strong action after cruise ship operators warned passengers about crime levels in The Bahamas.
Pinder backs potcake scheme
ELIZABETH MP Ryan Pinder partnered with BAARK (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) to launch ‘Operation Potcake in Elizabeth’ on Saturday.
Students call on college to consider alternatives
COB students yesterday urged college administrators and the government to seriously consider a number of alternative cost saving initiatives, rather than continuing with newly introduced non-tuition fee increases.
Ministry honours legal experts
BAHAMAS Faith Ministries yesterday honoured four outstanding legal professionals for their contributions to Bahamian society.
Concern over wrecks on Exuma beach
GEORGETOWN – Environmentalists were in Exuma over the weekend to investigate three wrecks that have been left to deteriorate on a local beach for more than a decade.
Freeport school pays tribute to Sir Jack Hayward
FREEPORT – As schools around the country commemorated Patron’s Day to mark the 40th Independence anniversary, faculty and staff of Jack Hayward High School paid homage to their patron, Sir Jack Hayward, honourary chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
Two injured in shootings
TWO men are fighting for their lives in hospital after being shot over the weekend in two separate incidents.
Walking for a good cause
The 15th annual Atlantic Medical Fun Walk - held on Saturday - was a huge success, raising much-needed funds for medical charities.
Thousands attend first annual barbecue contest
THE Cattlemen’s first annual barbecue competition took place on Saturday at The Green Parrot Nassau’s Bay Street Marina and Boardwalk.
Bahamas Waste calls on the country to aid in recycling drive
BAHAMAS Waste is calling for members of the public to provide the company with old cardboard to be sent for recycling and used vegetable oil to be processed into fuel, in an effort to cut back on the amount of waste in the country’s ever growing landfill.
Celebrating Earth Day
EARTH Day is an annual day on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection, reports the free encyclopaedia website Wikipedia.
What you can do to prevent global warming
Greenhouse gases are at an all-time high. Although some gases are naturally present in the atmosphere, such as water vapour, ozone, methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, human activities have created a new set of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are negatively affecting the ozone layer. GHGs are making it easier for the sun’s harmful UV rays to pass through, which has resulted in global warming.
Upgrade your home in celebration of Earth Day
Home is the place a person can always escape for some rest and relaxation. This year, celebrate Earth Day by upgrading your home to be a place that also helps you conserve water and be a better environmental steward.
Demitri primed for another stellar season with Hokies
AFTER a breakout freshman season in 2012, Demitri Knowles is primed for another stellar season as he becomes a bigger part of the Virginia Tech Hokies’ offense this fall.
Will government betray Lyford Cay residents?
IN 1954, wealthy industrialist Eddie Taylor came to the Bahamas and bought a large tract of land at the undeveloped western end of New Providence.
Police and policing: Issues and ideas
THE performance of our Police Force continues to be outstanding. We must continue to be supportive and express our gratitude for their performance.
Blackbeard's Cay: Bay Street's 'grave fears'
Prime Minister Perry Christie has directed government officials to investigate the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Blackbeard’s Cay into an all-inclusive cruise passenger destination, after downtown Nassau businesses expressed “grave concerns”.
Bahamas' 27 tax deals face new G-20 pressures
The Bahamas will likely come under immediate pressure to convert its existing 27 Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) into the ‘automatic sharing’ variety, after the G-20 last week “eliminated all doubt” that is now its goal.
$250m BEC bond yet to launch
THE Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s (BEC) $250 million bond issue has still not gone to market, although a Cabinet Minister believes the Government guarantee should ensure it is fully subscribed.
Energy 'major constraint' for 25% of firms
Around one in four Bahamian businesses have identified high electricity costs as “a major constraint” to doing business, according to a World Bank report, a percentage a senior private sector official described as “low”
Firm's $1.1m ramp up for alternative energy 'explosion'
A Bahamian-owned company has invested $1.1 million over the past year to ‘ramp up’ its business ahead of a renewable energy “explosion” that will meet the Government’s 2030 alternative supply target.
'Complete overhaul' for labour dispute resolution needed
The Bahamas needs “a complete overhaul” of its labour dispute resolution processes, a top union leader has argued, while backing US government concerns over weak enforcement of solutions to these matters.
Corporate income tax 'not on Gov't agenda'
The Government is not planning to introduce “a broad-based corporate income tax”, as recently urged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Brewery overcomes 'trade monopoly'
THE Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company’s founder, while describing domestic sales as “very encouraging”, charged that his five year-old company had to overcome “monopolistic trade infringement” in establishing itself in the local liquor market.
Devynne, Carmiesha sign letters of intent to attend Purdue
PURDUE University, here comes hurdler/sprinter Devynne Charlton and sprinter Carmiesha Cox.
CHAMBER VOICE: Generating value from consultants
The consultancy business has grown tremendously over the past decade, with many companies place their growth and sustainability into the hands of management consultants.
Junior tennis players shine in JITIC tourney
THE Bahamas’ top two junior female tennis players - Simone Pratt and Danielle Thompson - came close to a complete sweep of the top two spots at the JITIC 2013 Grade B3 in Dominican Republic.
Big Brazil attendance for Bahamas briefing
More than 40 Brazilian fund managers and investors have attended a Bahamas Breakfast Briefing organised by the Bahamas Financial Service Board (BFSB) to coincide with last week’s Brasil Investment Summit (BIS) in Sao Paulo.
Government to 'beef up' property taxes after amnesty end
THE Government’s will move to “beef up” enforcement of real property tax (RPT) collections once the existing amnesty programme finishes at end-June 2013, a Cabinet Minister saying it had generated interest among property owners.
Sports Fishing: Team Bahamas wins Offshore World Championship
THE Lyford Cay Offshore Tournament team produced another historic performance for the Bahamas, winning the Offshore World Championship in Quepos, Costa Rica, last week.
Bowling: Driskell and Sonith are national champions
DRISKELL Rolle and Sonith Lockhart were the last junior girl and men’s national champions when the doors of the Village Bowling Lanes were closed in the 1990s.
Sunday, April 21
Car crash at PI Bridge
Reports reached The Tribune of a crash at the foot of the Paradise Island Bridge this afternoon.
Education is wealth
EDITOR, The Tribune. I noticed an advertisement on the TV where The Quatar Government stated “Education is Wealth”.
Fishing in the Bahamas
EDITOR, The Tribune. Please allow me to shed some light on the truth about the fishing industry of our country to the Bahamian people.
Saturday, April 20
REPORTS: Multi vehicle crash
There are reports of a multi vehicle crash on Eastern Road at Montagu.
POLICE ‘WILL WIN WAR WITH CRIMINALS’
A WAR between police and criminals in the Bahamas will be won by the police, says a top cop.
Bahamians caught up in Boston ‘bomber’ hunt
A BAHAMIAN medical assistant and her family were caught up in the manhunt for a Boston Marathon bomb suspect.
Friday, April 19
ACCORDING TO ME: Politics, race and work permits
It is about time the government of the day is called out about the shameless and dangerous charade it is playing with the Bahamian people and economy regarding expatriates, work permits and the role of foreign labour in our country.
Fire N Theft leader is gunned down
POLICE sources yesterday said they were concerned that the fatal shooting of one of the country’s most notorious gang leaders could cause “an all out war” among rival criminal groups.
Police officer: I didn't think I would survive gun attack
POLICE Superintendent Clayton Fernander did not believe he would survive a near death attack when two men, at point blank range, fired several shots at him outside his home.
Crash victims in intensive care
THE cousins of West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe were still in intensive care at Doctors Hospital last night after their car crashed into a utility pole in Freeport on Wednesday.
BRIEF: Man riddled with bullets in shooting
A MAN was killed last night after being shot multiple times.
Students demand answers over fees
DOZENS of frustrated and angry college students confronted College of the Bahamas executives yesterday afternoon after it was announced that full-time students would face a $70 increase in non-tuition fees for the up-coming fall semester, with that figure rising to $170 by spring.
President 'being used as scapegoat'
THE College of the Bahamas’ president is being used as a scapegoat in the students-fee hike fiasco, which started when government announced the cutting of the college’s subsidy, Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis told The Tribune yesterday.
Concerns over morgue rejected
THE Public Hospitals Authority released a statement yesterday ensuring the public that it treats all of its patients with “compassion” and “respect” – including the ones in the morgue – following claims of decomposing bodies in the morgue.
Atlantic medical backs fun walk
ATLANTIC Medical Insurance along with its partners, the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the Bahamas Diabetic Association, encouraged every Bahamian to participate in the 15th annual Fun Walk on Saturday, April 20.
Sentence reduced for man convicted of gun possession
A MAN convicted and sentenced for firearm possession a year ago reappeared in Magistrate’s Court at the direction of a Supreme Court judge to receive a lesser sentence than the mandatory minimum of four years established in late 2011.
Man killed in Nassau linked to murder case in Miami
THE killing of a Bahamian man in Nassau has complicated a high-profile murder investigation in Miami, according to law enforcement officials in that city.
Attorney General: Public will be satisfied with oil drilling rules
ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said the public will be “satisfied” with the planned regulatory framework to be put in place ahead of the start of exploratory oil drilling – as it “meets the highest environmental and regulatory standards”.
Bank's $10m compliance 'catapult' from Gov't
Bank of the Bahamas International yesterday said a planned $10 million increase in its capital base was designed to “catapult compliance” with international standards, while not diluting existing shareholders’ holdings.
Nygard 'attacks' cost over 50 Bahamian jobs
More than 50 Bahamian jobs in the financial services industry are today said to have been lost because of Peter Nygard’s “attacks” on his Lyford Cay neighbour, hedge fund magnate Louis Bacon.
Bahamian investors 'optimistic' over Windsor takeover
A former Water & Sewerage Corporation chairman yesterday said an all-Bahamian investor group was “very optimistic” it would win its bid to take over operations at the Windsor reverse osmosis plant and replace BISX-listed Consolidated Water.
Airline executive 'not confident' of FAA audit pass
A leading aviation executive last night said he was “not confident” the Bahamas would pass its upcoming audit by the US, warning that a downgrade to Category 2 status would inhibit the expansion plans of his and other local airlines.
$200m development's 'tax break' offer
Developers of the $200 million Palm Cay community have promised to pay the full 10 per cent Stamp Duty on all sales contracts signed before month’s end, saying the move could generate buyer savings of up to $40,000.
BAIC workshops aim to empower entrepreneurs
THE Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is hoping to spur Bahamian entrepreneurship via the launch of its Business Empowerment series.
Financial Crisis plan finished by early 2014
Bahamian regulators expect to complete their work on a National Financial Crisis Management Plan by late 2013 or early next year, the Central Bank governor telling Tribune Business they were “completely vested” in the extra resiliency this would create in the industry.
VAT covering 99% of economy despite $50,000 exemption
THE Government’s plan to exempt businesses with an annual turnover of $50,000 or less from paying Value Added Tax (VAT) will capture “99 per cent” of the turnover taking place in the Bahamian economy, a senior Ministry of Finance official believes, relieving small businesses from the compliance burden.
'Shame' over denial of entry to House
THE College of the Bahamas Union of Students yesterday cried shame on the police officers who it claimed “wrongfully and unethically” denied COB students access to the House of Assembly the day before.
OPINION: Excitement brewing for IAAF Worlds
THIS past week was quite an eventful one for sports in the Bahamas.
'Big Youth' takes a break
After winning his fifth fight since moving to New York two years ago to push his impressive undefeated record to 13-0, light heavyweight Ryan “Big Youth” McKenzie is taking a much needed break here at home.
'We are working on laws to police Internet'
FOLLOWING the Police Commissioner’s vow to pursue and bring charges against cases of “lewd” or “obscene” photos published on social media, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson says the government is currently “working on” laws regarding internet policing.
KINGSWAY ACADEMY SAINTS SENIOR GIRLS ARE BAISS CHAMPIONS
THE Kingsway Academy Saints are still celebrating as the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools senior girls soccer champions.
Thursday, April 18
Coalition applauds moves on Freedom of Information
CALLING the right of the public to access information about the business of the government “an essential and critical tool in a truly democratic society,” the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay yesterday lauded the Christie administration’s announcement that it was close to enacting the Freedom of Information Act.
Briefly
THE cousins of West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe were still in intensive care at Doctors Hospital last night after their car crashed into a utility pole in Freeport on Wednesday.
BSC Basketball classic
WHILE Eagles Nest and Macedonia remained undefeated in the 15-and-under and 19-and-under divisions respectively in their clash of the undefeated teams, the only two undefeated teams in the men’s division are slated to meet on Saturday as the Baptist Sports Council continues its 2013 Basketball Classic at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
UPDATE: COBUS denies COB president was pushed
7.30pm - College of the Bahamas Union of Students has denied reports that protesting students pushed COB President Betsy Vogel Boze this afternoon.
JUST IN: Clayton Fernander back in Nassau
Superintendent Clayton Fernander, who has just returned from the United States where he underwent surgery to save his right arm greets Assistant Commissioner Hulan Hanna at the Odyssey airport moments ago.
Providing an 'Avenue of Hope'
WOMEN leaders are coming together tonight at the British Colonial Hilton for the official launch of “ Avenue of Hope Bahamas.”
Don't count Clarke out
MANY Bahamians have testimonies of a time when they beat the odds or overcame an obstacle in their life. Reggae gospel artist Ricardo Clarke has had similar experiences and after overcoming many obstacles he has learned to never count himself out.
The lord is my shepherd
IF NOT the most popular, one of the most outstanding scriptures in the bible would have to be the book of Psalms.
Walking with Jesus
Am I walking with Jesus? This is an important question to ponder. If your answer is yes, it pre-supposes a life that has been dedicated to obedience to God’s word...
The ultimate check list
We have become so advanced that we have moved away from the basics. Every now and again it is good to revisit the way we started. A few weeks ago while I was at work, a gentleman came into the place where I am employed and made a very important point.
Man shot last night is alleged gang leader
Police have just confirmed that a man shot last night was the leader of the 'fire and theft' gang.
No entry to Parliament for students
POLICE did not have the power to bar a group of students from entering the House of Assembly yesterday, according to former House Speaker Alvin Smith.
Court dismisses web shop appeal
COURT of Appeal judges considered a conservatory order unnecessary yesterday, noting that web shop owners were free to carry on their legal licensed business operations.
Claim over hospital morgue
BODIES are decomposing at the Princess Margaret Hospital’s morgue according to a funeral home owner who refused to pick up a body yesterday until it can be positively identified.
US gun checks would have helped the Bahamas
OFFICIALS in the Bahamas had hoped that the now failed proposed measure to expand gun background checks in the United States would have assisted law enforcement here to stem the tide of illegal firearms into the country.
PM seeks new rules on signing contracts before elections
LEGISLATION is being drafted to block governments from signing contracts before general elections, which could be for political gain, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday.
Freedom of Information Act 'as soon as possible'
THE government hopes to have the Freedom of Information Act, which was passed in Parliament under the previous administration, in force “as soon as possible”.
Inquest into custody death delayed due to absent witnesses
THE CORONER’S inquest into the death of Jamie Smith was delayed yesterday due to witnesses not being present and one of the lawyers claiming not to have received documents he needed to proceed.
MP's cousins badly hurt in car crash
TWO sisters – cousins of West Grand Bahama MP Obie Wilchcombe – were flown to Nassau yesterday with serious head injuries after their car crashed into a utility pole on the Warren Levarity Highway in Freeport.
Hall: Nottage not so noisy about crime now that he is in government
BISHOP Simeon Hall accused National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage of being vocal about crime while he was in opposition, but failing to deliver now that he is in office.
Man charged with murder
A 52-year-old man police were questioning over the weekend in connection with the country’s 28th homicide for the year was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Jurors chosen for Marco murder trial
A 12-MEMBER jury was empanelled yesterday to hear evidence in the Marco Archer murder trial before Justice Bernard Turner.
Final list of candidates named for BUT election
THE stage has been set for the upcoming Bahamas Union of Teachers general and district elections with the final approved list of candidates being revealed yesterday.
Roof falls in on Gaming Board
PLANS to relocate the Gaming Board to their new offices on Collins Avenue had to accelerated yesterday after workers discovered that the ceiling and floor of one section of the current building collapsed overnight.
School is solar power poineer
MINISTER of Education Jerome Fitzgerald applauded the historic installation of solar panels with 39Kw peak output at Tambearly School in Westridge, Nassau.
Minnis and Christie clash in House
OPPOSITION leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday lashed out at the PLP over their treatment of the “Father of Labour” Sir Randol Fawkes as he fought for the rights of Bahamian workers.
Distillery opens for tours at Downtown Nassau Estate
THE Watling’s Distillery is now open for free tours at the Buena Vista Estate in Downtown Nassau.
'Conviction rate up by 20 per cent'
THE government’s Swift Justice initiative has created an increase in the conviction rate of nearly 20 per cent, according to statistics released by Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson.
Kalik sponsors 60th National Family Island Regatta
THE Beer of the Bahamas, Kalik, continues to support the National Family Island Regatta Committee, as the beautiful Elizabeth Harbour in Georgetown Exuma is readied to host arguably the biggest regatta of the season April 25-27.
First ever LPGA event in Bahamas at Ocean Club
THE LPGA is expected to make its first-ever official appearance in the Bahamas next month with the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
‘King Eric’ unveils Palm Cay Princess
In preparation for the 60th National Family Island Regatta, a local sailing icon christened a new sloop before it sets sails in Georgetown, Exuma, next weekend.
Who will be national high school track and field champions?
OVER 1,000 student athletes from approximately 28 schools throughout the country will have three days to decide the title of national champions to conclude their scholastic athletics season.
TOUGH CALL: The vexing question of pictures on online media
When a cellphone picture of the alleged assault was circulated around their Nova Scotia high school, Rehtaeh immediately dropped out, and eventually committed suicide. Her funeral was held on Saturday.
Nassau Palm sale set for May close
The Nassau Palm Hotel is “under contract” to be sold in a multi-million dollar deal set to close at end-May, Tribune Business can reveal, with its owners hoping it is ‘third time lucky’.
Atlantis chief says May, June 'very worrisome'
Atlantis’s top executive yesterday described the outlook for May and June as “very worrisome”, with the resort’s leisure and group traveller segments giving off mixed indicators
AGM to determine Bahamas First's BISX listing fate
Next month’s Bahamas First Holdings annual general meeting (AGM) will likely determine whether the insurance group “abandons altogether” plans to list its shares on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX), Tribune Business was told yesterday.
Galanis: Flat $100 Business Licence fee is ‘mistake’
A prominent Bahamian accountant yesterday urged the Government to reconsider its proposal to reduce all Business Licence fees to a flat $100 rate, arguing that such a move would “fly in the face” of achieving equality in taxation policy.
Yacht brokerenjoying 80%sales upswing
A BAHAMIAN boat/yacht broker has seen an 80 per cent sales upswing for 2013 to-date, telling Tribune Business yesterday that most of the boats sold were over the $100,000 threshold.
'Embrace' private sector into work permit decisions
Private sector representatives should sit on the Immigration and Labour Boards, a well-known businessman suggested yesterday, warning that many companies were beginning to “resent” being forced to hire understudies as a condition of work permit approvals.
Tambearly takes New Providence lead on solar installations
Tambearly School has become the first New Providence-based school to install “significant” solar power panels that provide a collective 39 kilowatt (Kw) output.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: Designing the best impression
Why should businesses pay attention to their graphic designer? In a market crowded with dozens of competitors all selling the same product or service, the only way to stand out is by strong branding and image.
VAT may create tax specialists
THE Government’s proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) is expected to generate an entirely new revenue stream for private sector accountants, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) president yesterday telling Tribune Business the reforms may create jobs for Bahamian tax specialists.
Customs duties under 20% ‘not a far stretch’
Slashing Customs Duty rates below 20 per cent when Value Added Tax (VAT) is introduced is “not a far stretch”, a senior Ministry of Finance official said yesterday, adding that shifting the tax burden services should reduce the levy on imported goods.
Wednesday, April 17
Top Colina executives inspire COB students
Colina Insurance executives sought to inspire the next generation of Bahamian professionals by discussing their career journeys before students during the College of the Bahamas (COB) recent Business Week.
Legacy of Sir Lynden's 'millionaire' error
AT SOME time or other one has heard the proverb — “necessity is the mother of invention”.
Major firsts for COB music festival
THE SOUTHEASTERN African-American Collegiate Music Festival ended on a strong note when the harmonious voices of five choirs filled the College of the Bahamas Performing Arts Centre.
Think of the poor batons
EDITOR, The Tribune. Re: ‘Blows to prisoner who died were not excessive’.
Telling the truth on Dr. Minnis
EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Bahamian people should know that real leadership is on the way and that the FNM will once again be the home of real leadership, although it is in a state of flux, confusion and no leadership today.
Sizzla and Tarrus deliver successful show despite rain
A LITTLE rain did not dampen the experience for patrons who are calling the recent Guinness Talent Search Concert featuring Reggae stars Sizzla and Tarrus Riley “a classic” one.
Theodore Elyett wins Mission Catwalk first challenge
Twenty-eight year-old Bahamian Fashion Designer Theodore Elyett has just gained another major achievement in the international fashion arena to add to his budding repertoire of accomplishments.
DJ OF THE WEEK: Dion Da Butcha not out of steam yet
HE IS humbled that there are young deejays looking up to him, but Dion ‘Da Butcha’ Knowles said his era is not over just yet. He said he has so much more to offer to the entertainment world.
Alicia Keys to perform at sold out venue
THE SET The World On Fire Tour has taken Grammy-award winning singer Alicia Keys all over the United States and Canada. But for one night, she will cross the borders of the Bahamas for a first-time performance during the Atlantis Live Concert Series, Saturday.
JUST IN: Court of Appeal judges dismiss web shops' appeal
The application filed by attorneys representing web shops was just dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Pair charged over shooting of policeman
TWO men accused of the recent hold up and near-fatal shooting of a senior police officer were charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Passengers told to be on their guard
CRUISE ship officials are concerned that crime levels in New Providence – in particular downtown Nassau – are escalating at a pace no longer safe for passengers, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday.
Crime down, says Greenslade as he denies statistics are doctored
AS he announced a drop in major crimes in the Bahamas of 13 per cent from January 1 to April 15 yesterday, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade denied rumours that the police force was doctoring the statistics.
Mortgage plan failure leaves PM 'disappointed'
PRIME Minister Perry Christie admitted yesterday he is “disappointed” with the way the government’s Mortgage Relief Plan has panned out – with not a single qualified home-owner receiving assistance.
Reassurance over bird flu
AS CHINA wages its self-described “silent war” against the spread of a new strain of bird (avian) flu, officials moved to reassure Bahamians that - despite the influx of tourists and links with China trhough Baha Mar and the container port in Freeport - it is highly unlikely that the country will have to tackle the challenges of dealing with the now deadly flu.
PM: I do not have to get involved over web shops
FOLLOWING the FNM’s call for the immediate closure of illegal gambling and lottery operations, Prime Minister Perry Christie said he does not have to “get involved in enforcing it” as police know how to do their job.
Greenslade rejects tabloid rumours over police shooting
COMMISSIONER of Police Ellison Greenslade yesterday denied tabloid rumours claiming Superintendent Clayton Fernander was involved with criminals and that his police-issued weapon jammed the night that he was attacked.
Commissioner: I will not be dictated to over web shops
POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said no one has the right to tell him when and how he should act when it comes to web shop operations.
Mitchell plans consul role for Chicago
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell announced yesterday that the government is considering opening a resident Honorary Consul in Chicago to help enhance the relationship between the Bahamas and the people of that city.
Detective says suspect admitted stabbling victim
A HOMICIDE detective claimed that during the investigation into the murder of a fast food restaurant manager, the prime suspect admitted to police he stabbed the victim.
Judge dismisses no-case claim in doctor's trial
AN EMERGENCY room doctor who pleaded not guilty to claims of indecent assault was told by a magistrate that he does have a case to answer.
PM: We have met with stem cell researchers
THE government has already met with researchers and investors who are interested in the country’s stem cell research plans, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
Copa Airlines 'being watched closely'
ALTHOUGH pleased that Copa Airlines has led to increased visitor arrivals, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the government is watching the Panamanian airline closely.
Belgian on theft charge
A BELGIAN man who supplies air conditioning units appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of stealing more than $200,000 from two customers.
Gibson: New jobs can't come soon enough
ALTHOUGH the government is on its way to creating jobs, “it can’t be too soon” because of the number of Bahamians who are struggling to make ends meet, Labour Minister Shane Gibson said.
Roberts calls on banks to help homeowners in wake of mortgage relief plan problems
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts called on commercial banks to do more to assist their distressed customers in the wake of criticism that the government has failed to assist homeowners with its stuttering Mortgage Relief Plan.
Nygard eyes $30m stem cell facility
Fashion tycoon Peter Nygard is planning to invest between $25-$30 million in constructing a stem cell research-focused medical facility at his Lyford Cay home, Tribune Business can reveal, a project that could employ between 100-125 Bahamians in the construction phase.
Bahamas First in 18.5% motor claim increase
Bahamas First has seen a 20 percentage point decline in comprehensive insurance policies’ share of its auto book since the recession began, with total Bahamian motor claims increasing by 18.5 per cent in 2012. ==
Under 50% of companies use innovation
Less than half of all Bahamian companies are introducing innovations into their businesses, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report finding that in 15 per cent of firms this was because “staff are resistant to change”.
Freeport 'permissible' under WTO requirements
Freeport’s ‘free trade zone’ status will be “permissible” under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, a well-known attorney argued yesterday, because the city has consistently been a net contributor to the Public Treasury.
Fears key City Markets pension asset 'vandalised'
Trustees for the City Markets’ employee pension fund were yesterday urged to properly secure the defunct supermarket chain’s former headquarters and warehouse, amid claims that the buildings were being “vandalised” and asset stripped.
MARKETING REVOLUTION: Value the story of your business
In 2010 I went to Singapore to the first ever Youth Olympics. I was honoured to be a part of the Bahamas team and to coach my daughter to a fifth place finish in Judo...
Buena Vista distillery opens with 4,000 sales
The John Watling’s Distillery yesterday confirmed it had opened its Buena Vista Estate to complimentary tours, having to-date sold more than 4,000 bottles of its rum.
GB casino replacement 'in place' by end-June
THE FINAL decision on an operator to take over the Grand Lucayan’s casino from Treasure Bay could be taken in two weeks, the Tourism Minister said yesterday, telling Tribune Business the Government was looking to have a replacement in place by end-June.
Robinson Road leak sparks push for 'rigid' petroleum regulation
The MINISTER for the Environment said yesterday that within the next few weeks he hoped to know how bad fuel leak-related contamination was at the Robinson Road-based Texaco service station, adding that the issue highlighted the need for a “rigid” regulatory environment for the petroleum industry.
Oil drilling laws at Cabinet 'in 30 days'
DRAFT legislation containing the necessary regulatory framework for oil exploration in the Bahamas could be before Cabinet with in the next 30 days, the Minister for the Environment said yesterday.
Roadmasters return from marathon safely
SIDNEY Collie and Shavaughn Blades were glad the seven members of the Road Masters Running Club were not in “harm’s way” when they competed in the Boston Marathon on Monday.
Waltiea to Lynx up next season
Although she follows NCAA coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin in another historic moment when she was selected in the third round with the last of the 36 picks for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), center Waltiea Rolle said she’s not looking to report to Minnesota Lynx until the 2014 season.
'Fireman' takes a break to be with family
AFTER going through an exhausting three-week period to get ready for his introduction to the promotion of track and field, ‘golden knight’ Chris “Fireman” Brown intends to take a well-deserved rest at home with his family in Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera, before he resumes training for the outdoor season
SAC Big Red Machine to make presence felt on the track, field
AFTER reeling off their 25th straight Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ track and field championship title, the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine is looking forward to making its presence felt at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Scotiabank National High School Championships.
UPDATE: Police deny students access to the House of Assembly
Police officers are out in force in Rawson Square this morning as protestors from The College of the Bahamas are expected to gather in the front of the House of Assembly to demand the reversal of proposed fee increases.
Cruise passengers told to be on their guard
CRUISE ship officials are concerned that crime levels in New Providence – in particular downtown Nassau – are escalating at a pace no longer safe for passengers, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday.
Top 5 Idols: The winner will be a woman
AMERICA decided that Lazaro Arbos’ time was over. He was voted off American Idol last Thursday. Since the top 10 was chosen, all of the male contestants were sent home week after week. A women have yet to be sent home from the top spot.
Tropical Alchemy to open with ceremonial blessing
Popopstudios International Center for Visual Arts will host a reception for the opening of Tyler Johnston’s show on April 18, Tropical Alchemy, including a special performance by Bahama Woodstarr.
Things 2 Do
Tropical Alchemy Artwork by Tyler Johnston Location: Popopstudios 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 16
YOUNG MAN'S VIEW: Sub-standard airports and no strategic plan
IN the wake of the tragic mishap at the airport in Mayaguana, one has come to discover that the Bahamas has a lax aviation regime which—but for conscious pilots and operators—could have resulted in far more aircraft-related accidents/crashes across the archipelago.
Businesses held hostage for unemployed
AT A time when local business owners need all the encouragement they can get to expand and create jobs, Immigration has announced a clampdown on work permits with its minister admitting that the department is so behind the times in both staff and equipment that it is unable to meet the needs of the business community.
Two arraigned over policeman shooting
THE two men suspected of shooting police Superintendent Clayton Fernander were arraigned in court at noon today.
Three die in blasts, dozens injured
A GROUP of Bahamian runners and their cheering team watched in horror as chaos erupted at the height of the Boston marathon yesterday.
Final costs on roads not as high as expected
THE severely expensive and lengthy New Providence road works project is expected to reach completion well under its additional $77 million budget, according to Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.
Marco Archer murder trial will go ahead
THERE will be no stay on the Marco Archer murder trial after Justice Bernard Turner yesterday struck out the application made by murder accused Kofhe Goodman.
Gibson determined on NIB report action
NATIONAL Insurance Minister Shane Gibson said he is already satisfied in his mind “what course of action we should take” based on the findings of the audit into the National Insurance Board.
Cut in water losses
THE Water and Sewage Corporation expects an $81m contract with Israeli firm Miya Water will result in a significant reduction in water loss.
Attorney releases photographs of Nygard Cay construction
ATTORNEY Fred Smith has released photos of the ongoing construction at Simms Point/Nygard Cay which he says is damaging the environment.
Mitchell: No more industry work permits without labour certificates
FREEPORT – Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said the government will no longer allow industrial companies to apply for work permits without labour certificates showing that there are no Bahamians available to fill the jobs.
Mark Wahlberg praises Bahamian artist on TV show
CELEBRITY artist and Tribune cartoonist Jamaal Rolle was praised by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg on the US morning TV show “Live with Kelly and Mike” yesterday morning.
Inspection held at BORCO facility
OFFICIALS from the Ministry of the Environment and Housing exectued an inspection of the premises and operations of the BORCO storage facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama, yesterday.
Online housing database launched by ministry
THE Department of Housing announced the launch of an online housing database, part of what Minister Ken Dorsett called an ongoing effort to modernise and improve customer service.
Meetings to discuss high rate of unemployment
STRATEGIES for tackling the country’s troubling unemployment rate and other labour issues will be discussed in a series of meetings this week as the Bahamas hosts an international forum on labour.
Cable Bahamas announces 'a quantum leap forward'
CABLE Bahamas announced a “quantum leap forward” which will see REVON broadband Internet subscribers enjoy an increase in speeds of more than 500 per cent.
Police investigate as windscreens of cars are smashed
POLICE are working to find out who smashed the windows of more than a dozen parked cars in southwest New Providence over the weekend.
BTC's majority shareholder praises 'highly successful' first two years
BTC has had a highly successful two years in which it reduced calling rates for customers, improved their experience, and introduced mobile data services and a full range of smartphones, according to its majority shareholder Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC).
government considering implications of returning Baillou Hill to two-way
THE government is reviewing the implications of returning Baillou Hill Road to a two-way thoroughfare, Minister of Works Philip Davis told reporters yesterday.
Officers hold walkabout in area hit by series of crimes
IN RESPONSE to a series of home invasions, shootings and armed robberies in the area, police officers and Urban Renewal workers conducted a walkabout in Eastern New Providence yesterday morning.
'Skills gap trap' creates 40-year-old workforce
Skills shortages among high school leavers have resulted in the Bahamas having “a pretty old workforce” with an average age of 40, a private sector executive yesterday warning there was “no easy fix” to this nation’s labour problems.
$2.5m impact blunts Bahamas First profit
Bahamas First Holdings yesterday said it shrugged off a collective $2.5 million ‘hit’ from Hurricane Sandy and various investment/commission decreases to hit “90 per cent” of its 2012 comprehensive income target.
Oil explorer talks $20bn and counters deal critics
The Government will earn more than $20 billion in royalty revenues if the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) discovers one billion barrels of oil in this nation’s waters, the company’s chairman revealed yesterday.
Collie finished marathon before explosions
Sidney Collie has established a reputation as one of the most successful roadrunners in the Bahamas and his success in the sport thrust him into the line of fire at a horrific scene in the world’s oldest marathon.
Shaunae Miller wins gold in 200m at Spec Towns track meet
TWO days before she celebrated her 19th birthday, Shaunae Miller sped to the fastest time this year under all conditions to win the women’s 200 metres at the Spec Towns Track Meet in Athens, Georgia.
Broker scores Top Producer hat-trick
Bahamas Realty broker Silvina M. Andrews scored a hat-trick after becoming the realtor’s Top Producer for the third time in 2012.
Sports in brief
BRAJAXBA Tennis is slated to host its third Age Group Tournament for 2013 at the National Tennis Centre on Saturday and Sunday.
Brandon Murray named National Player of Week
BRANDON Murray produced a career day that most players - at any level - can only dream of having on the baseball diamond and set several school records in the process.
Claim that 'elections were ambushed'
HEADED once again by Wellington Miller, the Bahamas Olympic Committee elected a new executive board at the Police headquarters on Friday night.
Mortgage relief 'bogus from start'
A FORMER Bahamas Mortgage Corporation chairman yesterday blasted the Mortgage Relief Plan as “pure public relations” and “bogus from the beginning”, after the Government admitted that the plan had yet to benefit any distressed homeowners.
Foreign reserves 'healthy' despite $70m fall from 2012
The Bahamas’ foreign exchange reserves remain “relatively healthy” despite having declined by $70 million year-over-year, the Central Bank’s governor acknowledging recent “challenges” in continually rebuilding them.
Concern on new LPIA fee rises
A BAHAMIAN airline executive yesterday warned that increased fees levied against carriers at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) could ultimately impact the country’s tourism sector,adding that the Government must decide on a plan for the aviation sector going forward.
'Fantastic' if 30% of Auto Show proposals convert into sales
A Bahamian auto dealer yesterday said it “would be fantastic” if just 30 per cent of the 130 proposals it wrote at the weekend’s Car Show translated into hard sales.
Monday, April 15
Good Cop, Bad Cop: Part 2
Several years ago I witnessed a fatal car accident in the Cable Beach area. Because I recognised the vehicle, I abruptly left my dinner at a neighbouring restaurant and shot across the street to assist the sole occupant who unfortunately turned out to be a friend. In my anxiety I asked a policeman, who had arrived on the scene shortly after me if the driver appeared to be dead; to which the officer replied, “What it look like?” My friend was unscathed because the airbag had deployed.
Woman to 'recharge' at empowerment seminar
Transformation Strategist Simmone L. Bowe will be hosting an intimate women’s empowerment seminar and social dubbed “Recharge” on April 26 at The Crab House.
Getting Unstuck: How to step off the treadmill of samenes
Whether we are in a rut, going through some identity crisis or just having a dull feeling of monotony, being stuck is real and often difficult to navigate.
Hypertension.....The " Silent Killer""You cannot manage high blood pressure if you do not know you have it"
By ALESHA CADET
'Young cats' for sale at cheap price
The lines from a famous early Sparrow Calypso - “Get The Cat” - have come back to haunt us. In a 2008 article in The Tribune, Larry Smith talked about the destruction of the Bahamian community as crime rose and violence increased.
KayGeni is a triple threat
By ALESHA CADET
Businesses held hostage for unemployed
AT A time when local business owners need all the encouragement they can get to expand and create jobs, Immigration has announced a clampdown on work permits with its minister admitting that the department is so behind the times in both staff and equipment that it is unable to meet the needs of the business community.
UPDATED: Explosions hit Boston Marathon - four Bahamian runners safe
THE four Bahamians who were taking part in the Boston Marathon today - which was hit by two explosions - are safe and well.
Briefly
EDITOR, The Tribune. Is Perry Gladstone Christie the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, or is it attorney Wayne Munroe?
Urgent reform needed for immigration crisis
EVER since I read the Sir Lynden O. Pindling Distinguished Lecture of 2003 by then Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell – “What it means to be Bahamian” – I have wanted to confront Mr Mitchell on the remarkable inconsistency between what he articulated as his personal views on Bahamian identity and the public policy carried out by the Department of Immigration.
Healthy business atmosphere needed for job growth
IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell, speaking at a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation luncheon on Thursday, has accused The Tribune of “highjacking” the debate over government’s proposed work permit policy.
FNM leader calls for police action
FNM leader Hubert Minnis yesterday called for the immediate closure of illegal gambling and lottery operations, as law enforcement have more than enough justification to take action.
One killed, four in hospital in attacks
FOUR men are in hospital and another was fatally stabbed in several separate violent crimes over the weekend.
Nygard challenged to show his sincerity
ENVIRONMENTAL lawyer Fred Smith challenged Peter Nygard to prove he is sincere about working together to save Clifton by stopping all marine and land construction activities at Simms Point.
Freedom March plan revealed by Moncur
ACTIVIST Rodney Moncur has said a Freedom March is being organised to protect the fundamental rights of individuals - following concern over recent remarks by the Commissioner of Police of how social media should and should not be used.
‘No reason for Greenslade to stay silent’
HUMAN Rights activist Rodney Moncur said there is no reason for police commissioner Ellison Greenslade to remain silent over the leaked crime scene photos of the murder of Nellie Mae Brown-Cox.
Meet Roger - the once in a lifetime potcake
ROGER, one of Operation Potcake’s most moving success stories, has undergone a delicate surgery to save his paw.
Judge to rule if Marco murder trial can go ahead
A DECISION by Justice Bernard Turner on whether media coverage has prejudiced the Marco Archer murder trial is expected today.
Ivory Coast aims to strengthen ties with the Bahamas
THE Bahamas and the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire discussed collaboration in the areas of tourism and financial services in a move to strengthen diplomatic ties formed almost 25 years ago.
Water sports operator wants government decision on jet skis
AFTER years of waiting for answers, a local water sports operator is calling on the government to “make up its mind” about the use of modified jet skis.
Minnis: 150-bed hospital pledge is not realistic
FREEPORT – FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the 150-bed hospital being promised to Grand Bahama by the PLP government is not realistic. The governing party is merely “selling a dream” he said – one that will never become reality, just like several other promises made in the PLP Charter for Governance.
'Stop playing games over Clifton'
THE Coalition to Save Clifton has urged antagonists to “stop playing games” over the heritage site.
30% collateral slash: IMF in ‘real estate indices’ call
The value of property assets used to secure Bahamian commercial bank mortgages has fallen by up to 30 per cent, prompting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to call for this nation to develop “real estate price indices”.
City Markets pension plan suffers $758k overpayment
The City Markets staff pension plan overpaid some beneficiaries by a collective $757,668 between 2004-2010, although some $4.216 million was left available to pay benefits as at end-January 2012.
Kirani stuns 'Golden Knights'
Chris “Fireman” Brown stood with keen interest as he watched Grenada’s Kirani James heat up the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium to highlight an action-filled evening in his inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational.
IMF's corporate tax an OECD 'Trojan Horse'
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) may be acting as a ‘Trojan Horse’ for the G-20/OECD in pushing for the Bahamas to implement a corporate income tax, a former finance minister has warned.
$10m entertainment project planning 375-job 'Encore'
A BAHAMIAN development firm is looking to construct a $10 million ‘upscale’ entertainment complex in western New Providence, one of its principals telling Tribune Business it would finance the venture through a 60/40 split between a private placement and VIP membership pre-sales.
Hastings upsets Campbell-Brown in 200m
AMERICAN quarter-miler Natasha Hastings produced one of the most exciting performances in the first global international meet for elite athletes at the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.
Chamber chairman in Jobs Bank call
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chairman has called for the creation of a ‘Jobs Bank’ accessible to all Bahamians, arguing that not enough information on employment opportunities was being made available.
Cable putting 'final piece' in on $89m US purchases
CABLE Bahamas is putting together the “final piece” in its $89 million acquisitions of three Florida-based telecommunications providers, a senior executive telling Tribune Business that the deals now only await approval by the Bahamian government.
Insurance faces 'significant strain' if rates cut again
The Bahamian insurance industry will be placed under “significant strain” if there is a further cut in the Prime interest rate, with one underwriter also said to require “recapitalisation”.
Offshore sector 'reverses' decline via 12.6% growth
The Bahamas’ international banking industry had “reversed” the recession-induced balance sheet contraction by 2011, growing assets by 12.6 per cent that year.
McPhee-McCuin first Bahamian head coach in NCAA Division 1 basketball
HISTORY-making milestones have become commonplace for Yolett McPhee-McCuin over the course of her storied basketball career and the latest may give her the greatest opportunity to influence young lives.
Rugby: Bahamas falls to USA South 42-15
IT will be back to the drawing board for the Bahamas Rugby Football Union and its national programme after suffering a dissappointing loss at home in regional play over the weekend.
'Weak' credit unions face sale or wind-up
Three “very small and weak” credit unions, facing a combined $500,000 to $1 million shortfall, will be sold or liquidated prior to the Central Bank of the Bahamas taking over supervision of the sector.
CHAMBER VOICE: Maximising intern benefits for us all
As we near the summer months and our high school and college students prepare to take their breaks, the market place will soon be flooded with youngsters vying for summer internships and employment.
Mailbot Cybots win national title
FOR the Mailboat Cybots, a dominant season ended in fitting fashion when they captured the Bahamas Basketball Federation national title.
Cable hits 'fantastic' 17k voice subscribers
CABLE Bahamas has attracted more than 17,000 subscribers to its ReVoice fixed-line service since it introduced the offering just over a year ago, its marketing head describing this level of market penetration as “pretty fantastic”.
'Young guys' beat out Thomas, Barry
DONALD Thomas and Trevor Barry, the 1991 and 2011 IAAF World Championship men’s high jump gold and bronze medallists respectively, had to bow out to two young stallions in Ryan Ingraham and Jamal Wilson as they competed in the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational.
Wellington Miller back in as BOC president
ALTHOUGH the meeting was interrupted by three outgoing officers, who were totally disappointed in the structural set up for the elections, the Bahamas Olympic Committee went on to elect its new executive board to serve for the next four years.
Sculling to highlight 60th National Family Island Regatta
WHEN the 60th version of the National Family Island Regatta is held in Elizabeth Harbour, Georgetown, Exuma, the sculling championships will be a major part of the festivities.
Sunday, April 14
30% collateral slash: IMF in 'real estate indices' call
By NEIL HARTNELL
Briefly
EDITOR, The Tribune.
'No reason for Greenslade to stay silent'
By LAMECH JOHNSON
Saturday, April 13
Murder victim was ‘America’s Most Wanted’
THE man gunned down outside a Johnson Road home on Thursday was wanted in connection with a double murder and an attempted murder in Florida.
Woman ‘was told of Burger King robbery plan’
THE man accused of plotting to rob Burger King on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway allegedly told a close friend, a former colleague of that branch’s former manager, that he was “liking a boy” at the branch and planned to rob him.
Police shooting: second arrest
Police officers last night arrested a second suspect in connection with the shooting of Supt Clayton Fernander.
Friday, April 12
A guest editorial on government's immigration policy
IN OUR e–mail yesterday, we received “some thoughts for an editorial” from an influential foreign resident, who has spent many years in the Bahamas and has always been most concerned for this small nation’s welfare.
Track stars arrive for the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational
THE international stars are here for the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational. LaShawn Merritt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Justin Gatlin, Kellie Wells and Candyce McGrone were just a few of the athletes met at the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday where they were interviewed in the VIP Lounge before being escorted to the Games Village prior to Saturday’s event in the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
Nygard to Bacon: Let's work together
THE nasty feud between two billionaire Lyford Cay neighbours, which has played out in the press for years, may be coming to a head as one extended an offer to work together for the sake of the Bahamian people.
Athlete hopes for end to charges
STEPHEN Newbold’s lawyer hopes charges against the Bahamian sprinter will be dropped after his co-accused Josh Mance was cleared this week.
Mystery remains as 2nd officer still unconscious
DETAILS surrounding the alleged shooting of a police constable remain unknown, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade explained yesterday, as the victim has been unconscious – with injuries to the head – since Wednesday night.
Mitchell accuses Tribune of 'hijacking' immigration debate
THE Immigration Minister yesterday accused The Tribune of “hijacking” the debate over the Government’s proposed work permit policy, alleging that this newspaper was “protecting its own interests”.
Police force launches web shops Investigation
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has launched an intensive investigation into all web shops throughout the country to determine whether illegal activities are taking place, according to Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade.
Man gunned down in latest killing
POLICE are calling for at-risk young men to confide in authorities after a man they believe was targeted was gunned down outside a Johnson Road home.
Possibly fatal bullet was deflected from officer's heart
ALTHOUGH senior officer Clayton Fernander may have to undergo amputation after he was shot multiple times at “point blank range” Wednesday night, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said “it’s nothing short of a miracle” that a gold medallion hanging around his neck deflected bullets from directly striking his heart.
IMF calls for Bahamas corporate income tax
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday warned it was “imperative” for the Bahamas to quickly reduce a national debt-to-GDP ratio that is on course to strike 76 per cent by 2016-2017, having urged the Government to introduce a corporate income tax.
Minister declines permit turnaround time commitment
The minister responsible for immigration yesterday declined to commit to the ‘20-day response’ timeframe sought by the private sector for work permit approvals, admitting that “a drastic increase” in staff and technology was required to achieve this.
Building supplier sees '15% a month' growth
COMMONWEALTH Building Supplies (CBS Bahamas) has seen business at its South West Plaza location grow at “over 15 per cent a month” this year, its general manager yesterday confirming the company was shutting down its Robinson Road location that “really caught a beating” during the road improvement project.
Bahamasair 'overstaffed by one-third'
Bahamasair is “overstaffed by about one-third” compared to international aviation industry standards, it was disclosed yesterday, with its payroll and pension scheme also branded “rather costly”.
Bahamas world's fourth largest IFC at $595bn
The Bahamas is the fourth largest international financial centre by assets, it was disclosed yesterday, with the $595 billion held by this nation’s financial institutions equivalent to 96 times’ gross domestic product (GDP).
Six arrested after marijuana discovery
FREEPORT – Bahamian authorities arrested six persons after $86,000 worth of marijuana was discovered on a boat.
Home owners could save half of what they owe
EFFECTIVE immediately, the Real Property Tax Amnesty Programme could save taxpaying home owners up to 50 per cent of what they owe the government if they act fast and make arrangements with the assessment team at the Charlotte Street offices.
Mother trying to come to terms with daughter's death in plane crash
ENA White-Charlton, the mother of Enamae Polowick, who died last Thursday in the tragic Mayaguana plane crash, is still coming to terms with her daughter’s death, relatives say.
Anger as area around historic fort cleared
OUTRAGED by recent efforts to clear the area surrounding a historical site, Winton residents fear the legacy of a local fort is at stake in an ongoing land dispute.
'Sea Wolf' won't serve another term
DURING a special reception for participants in the Western Hemisphere Star Class sailing championships, legendary skipper Sir Durward “Sea Wolf” Knowles announced that he will not be serving as the commodore for another term.
Cellmate of man who died in custody deported a week later
THE HAITIAN man who was in the holding cell with Aaron Rolle at the Southern Police Station was deported a week after Rolle’s death, the Coroner’s Court was told yesterday.
Man who claimed brutality walks free from court
A MAN who claimed police beat him to get a confession concerning a 2010 murder was unanimously acquitted in Supreme Court.
Still no release date for NIB report
THE “shocking” audit into the National Insurance Board’s operations has still not been released to the public and there have been no official indications of when it will be.
STUBBS OPINION: Let's give a hand to Chris Brown
Not too many of our athletes have had the initiative to put their reputation on the line by stepping out of the box and putting on an event that attracts some of the top athletes in their sport to come to the Bahamas to compete.
BEC line union urges two-year tax break
THE Government should consider granting the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) a two-year tax holiday, the head of the union representing its line staff said yesterday, arguing that this would help the utility monopoly “catch itself”.
'Behaviour issues' generate 65% of employee firings
Almost two-thirds of employee firings in the Bahamas stem from ‘behaviour problems’, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report has revealed, finding that “the lack of skills” among workers is the main barrier to their hiring.
Two face court accused with 26th murder of the year
TWO MEN accused of being responsible for the country’s 26th homicide for the year were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon.
'Not enough garbage trucks'
ENVIRONMENT Minister Kenred Dorsett yesterday blamed the slow pace of trash collection throughout New Providence on a small fleet of garbage trucks.
Doctors to appear on TV documentary
A procedure that has seen 520 patients treated at Doctors Hospital over the past five years will be featured this summer on a documentary series hosted by talk show host, Larry King.
Deposit insurer 'lacks capital' if bank fails
The Deposit Insurance Corporation (DIC) does not have “sufficient equity capital” to compensate Bahamian depositors if a large bank failed, it was revealed yesterday, and has “transparency and disclosure shortcomings”.
IMF: CLICO liquidation must be 'accelerated'
CLICO (Bahamas) liquidation needs to be “accelerated”, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged yesterday, noting that the Government’s failure to-date to issue its promised $30 million guarantee was increasing policyholder liabilities.
WIKILEAKS: Bahamas described in Cables as 'suburb of Miami'
A FORMER Attorney General of the Bahamas described the islands as “a cultural and economic suburb of Miami” to a new US Ambassador, a secret file has revealed.
Students take part in math workshop
MORE than 30 students participated in the 10th Primary Mathematics Students’ Workshop.
Bahamas must compete intransparency's 'new norm'
THE global financial services industry is shifting to ever-greater transparency, the Financial Services Minister warning that the Bahamas must be committed to competing in this “new normal”.
Scotiabank title sponsor for national high school track championships
FOR the sixth consecutive year, Scotiabank will be the title sponsor for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships.
Thursday, April 11
SHOOTING OF POLICEMAN: Man held
A 23-year-old man is in custody in connection with the shooting of Superintendent Clayton Fernander
Is the Bahamas falling behind?
WE HAD just settled to write an editorial when the phone rang. What the caller had to say changed the intended subject matter for today’s column.
UPDATED: Commissioner hopeful that Clayton Fernander will pull through
TWO policemen – including senior officer Clayton Fernander – were shot in separate incidents last night, prompting Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade to call for the Bahamian public to unite to fight the unprecedented level of crime facing the nation.
Charges against Newbold's fellow sprinter dismissed
PROSECUTORS have dismissed charges against Bahamian track star Stephen Newbold’s fellow sprinter – after the pair were accused following a gun incident in Florida.
Nygard's behaviour
Today’s Tribune featured an article about the extensive reclamation of the seabed at Simms Point, Lyford Cay, the home of fashion designer Peter Nygard.
Call for rejection of applications by Nygard
THE original crusaders for the preservation of Clifton have called on the government to reject any application by Peter Nygard for a grant or lease of Crown land in the area.
All airports to be checked
FOLLOWING the tragic accident at Mayaguana which claimed three lives, the government plans to give serious attention to emergency lighting at all public airports in the country, said Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin yesterday.
Police officer charged
A POLICEMAN has been charged in connection with the beating of a detainee, two weeks after a picture of the victim’s injuries were posted on Facebook during the Easter holidays.
Stem cell research moves one step closer
CONTROVERSIAL and praised as revolutionary in the medical field, stem cell research is one step closer to being implemented in the Bahamas with yesterday’s introduction of proposed legislation.
Officer said of prisoner: 'He won't try that again'
ALTHOUGH he complained of difficulty breathing and was vomiting blood, Aaron Rolle’s repeated pleas for medical attention were ignored by police – with one officer suggesting the prisoner would learn a lesson from his injuries – the Coroner’s Court was told yesterday.
Nottage: Talking about shutting down web shops is not my job
NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said the police force has enough personnel to shut down web shops if that is the final order from the courts.
Beyoncé, Jay-Z 'eye private Bahamas island'
POP superstar Beyoncé Knowles could be getting her own island in the Bahamas.
Light planes only for Mayaguana
EFFECTIVE immediately the Mayaguana Airport will be closed to all scheduled commercial carriers and aircraft over 6,000lbs, Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said yesterday.
Mourning relatives say they are disappointed with government
Relatives of the victims who died in last week’s tragic Mayaguana plane crash say they are still in mourning over the deaths and are “disappointed” the government hasn’t been more clear as to what will happen moving forward.
Former AG seeks $100,000 damages
FORMER Attorney General Carl Bethel is appealing the ruling of a judge in his libel case against Cable Bahamas and Carter Broadcasting Media and is seeking $100,000 in damages for a report aired three time on the news, which he claims was defamatory and untrue.
Lawyer withdraws from representing murder accused
A MAN who wanted a Crown-appointed attorney to follow his instructions in his trial involving the kidnapping, attempted robbery, and murder of a fast-food restaurant manager is now representing himself.
Campaigner Duncombe joins forces with Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay
THE Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay and reEarth Director, Sam Duncombe, are partnering in their collective aims to save the environment of The Bahamas.
Rowers take on Miami Regatta
TWO young members of the Nassau Rowing Club made history at the Espirito Santo 40th Miami International Regatta on Saturday as the first competitive rowing entry from The Bahamas in all the years of the sport.
Tax compliance 'most significant matter' facing industry
MINISTER of Financial Services Ryan Pinder said the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act might be the “most significant international matter facing” the financial services industry today.
'Outrage' over City Meat pension transfer
“Outraged” former City Markets employees yesterday vowed to hold “a massive demonstration” on Bay Street in protest at attempts to transfer the defunct supermarket chain’s pension plan trust to a new company.
Financial model requires 'very serious rethink'
The Bahamas requires “a very serious rethink” on the business model for its financial services industry, a leading attorney warning yesterday that the continued push for automatic information exchange and to criminalise tax evasion represented a major “challenge”.
Corporate giants urged: 'Co-exist' with Clifton Bay
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) and four other industrial companies have been urged to “co-operate” in developing a plan that will enable them to “harmoniously co-exist” with other users of the Clifton Bay area.
Sanitary trade law consultation 'within next week'
The Government will launch public consultation on its proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) legislation “within the next week”, as it bids to play host to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) director-general this June.
Corporate governance 'vital' to family business survival
Good corporate governance will be “critical” for Bahamian family-owned businesses as this nation enters the trade liberalisation world, an attorney yesterday saying this will enable them to better withstand greater competition.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: How to display the power of connection
Do you know how to set up a display projector? Well, if you wish to display your PowerPoint presentation using a computer projector, then you will need to know how to connect the two.
NAD adds four to leadership team
The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD)has added two directors and two managers to its overall leadership team.
Bahamas can be stem cell 'world leader'
THE Bahamas has the opportunity to become a “world leader” in the field of stem cell research and therapy, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday, as he tabled a Bill seeking to regulate the sector in the Bahamas.
No US 'strong-arm' on FATCA compliance
A SENIOR US Treasury official said yesterday that the US government was not seeking to ‘strong arm’ foreign jurisdictions into Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting.
YESI joins with 'largest youth soccer club in world'
YOUTH Empowerment through Sports International (YESI) has joined forces with Rush Soccer, “the largest youth soccer club in the world,” to enhance the passion for soccer in the country and throughout the Caribbean.
Lourawls making a name for himself
Sunrise Christian Academy has become a major pipeline for Bahamian basketball talent at the high school level, and now the latest product of the Bel Aire, Kansas institution has drawn interest from some of the top NCAA programmes in the country.
BAWF in campaign to reinstate wrestling as olympic sport
THE Bahamas Amateur Wrestling Federation (BAWF) has joined with federations around the Americas in a campaign to reinstate wrestling as an Olympic sport.
BSFN Boat Show at Palm Cay April 27
PALM Cay, the upscale waterfront development on Nassau’s eastern shore, will host the second annual Bahamas Sports Fishing Network (BSFN) Boat Show April 27.
Seahorse Institute seeking new home
SECURING a new home is still top priority for the Seahorse Institute, a special needs training centre for children with autism and other developmental delays.
Wednesday, April 10
Unity celebration of Jewish Passover
Abundant Life Church celebrated a Passover Seder with over 200 people in attendance on Thursday, March 28. Co-Pastor Cranston Knowles has always had a love for Israel and the Jewish people. After he graduated from bible school, he spent time on a Kibbutz in Israel which only magnified his love for the Jewish people. He has been sharing with his church about Israel in end-time prophecy and recently took the church on a trip to Israel. Because of their hunger, he decided that this was the year to hold a Passover Seder (meal and teaching about Passover).
$2m downtown project on target for May end
By NATARIO McKENZIE
Christ Community Church celebrates 18th anniversary
MEMBERS of the Christ Community Church held a four day anniversary celebration that brought together over three hundred people. They danced and sang in praise and worship for the church’s 18 years of existence. Edris Cunningham, church administrator and director for worship said there were several activities held that led up to the anniversary service held last Sunday.
Suspended bubbles pay homage to Bahamian waters
HOW DOES one capture the essence of a bubble on canvas, and create each bubble uniquely? Veteran artist Antonius Roberts was faced with this task when he began developing the concept for his new show “Bubbles” three years ago.
Anthony Morley still inspired by 'The Beauty of the Bahamas'
With More than forty years of gifted experience in art, Bahamian artist Anthony “Big Mo” Morley still takes pleasure in painting the beauty of the Bahamas. He unveiled his newest work “Bahamas on Canvas” last Saturday at the Gallery at Old Fort Bay.
Hillside House embraces regional and global perspective
CELEBRATING the work of artists in the Caribbean region and across international borders has always been an objective of Hillside House Studio and Gallery, in addition to its showcasing of Bahamian work. Tomorrow, Bermuda native, Lisa Quinn will exhibit artwork for the first time in the Bahamas during the “Flowers of Dream” exhibition at the Cumberland Street gallery.
Amateur artists secure national platform to display work
THE NATIONAL Art Gallery of the Bahamas hosted its third annual All-Start Amateur Artist Night, which saw participants explore themes such as spirituality and balance, justice, transformation and survival.
COB Short Film Festival to showcase student work
The College of The Bahamas will hold its 3rd annual Short Film Festival. The festival takes place on Wednesday, April 17, starting at Noon, in the auditorium of the Harry C. Moore Library. The festival is open to the public.
High school students awarded in annual visual arts exhibition
For the seventh consecutive year, RBC Finco, in partnership with the Art & Design Unit of the Department of Education, sponsored The Visual Arts Exhibition. The exhibition showcases art and craft produced by students in high schools, junior and senior, and primary schools throughout the Bahamas.
Local fashion designer makes reality TV debut
Mission Catwalk, a Caribbean based fashion reality television series is in search of burgeoning fashion talent in the region. The hit series, which was recently ranked as the number one television show in Jamaica, is about to get a Bahamian invasion.
'Vagina Monologues' makes Nassau debut
V-Day Nassau Bahamas will present a one-night only benefit reading of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues. Women and men of the Bahamas are volunteering their time and talent to stage the event and fundraise for the Bahamas Crisis Centre.
One man left standing
The Season 12 Top 6 finalist in this year’s American Idol singing competition were revealed last Thursday. Not surprisingly, Lazaro Arbos was the only man left standing amongst the top five female finalists.
Tribute to the living Deejay Legends
LOVERS of old school music were taken back as far as the 70s last Friday at Club Luna in celebration of the country’s living deejay legends.
DJ of the week: DJ A.I.
AFTER spending all his spare time straight out of high school perfecting his craft, DJ AI’s hard work did not go unnoticed. Even though he started at 100 JAMZ in 2003 as a live broadcast engineer, it later opened the door for him in 2005 to become an on air mix deejay.
Muslim who stepped out of RBDF ranks during prayer wins case
A FORMER Defence Force officer, who converted to Islam nearly two decades ago, won his civil suit against the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for breaching his freedom of religion when he was disciplined for stepping out of a parade during a prayer.
Bank denies handling funds of terrorist
THE Bahamas branch of an international bank has rejected claims it handled funds for one of the world’s most wanted fugitives.
Man accused of killing Marco seeks trial delay
KOFHE Goodman, the accused man slated to stand trial for the murder of Marco Archer, is asking the presiding judge in his case to have the trial stayed indefinitely as he fears he will not receive a fair trial because of the publicity the case has attracted.
Greenslade silent over online photos
THERE has been no word from Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade on whether action will be taken against the person or persons who re-posted photos that led to Rodney Moncur being charged before the courts.
WIKILEAKS: US relationship fears revealed
A REFUSAL to exhume the body of a serial killer who was hanged in Nassau led to US Embassy concerns there was a “racially oriented antagonism” toward the United States under Lynden Pindling’s government.
Roberts: Hell will freeze over before we stop holding FNM accountable
DENOUNCING the FNM’s stance on last week’s Mayaguana plane crash, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said “hell will freeze over” before anyone stops his party from holding the former government accountable for their “failed” policies.
BEC staff who protested to be handed pay cut
WHILE the BEC union has taken on an apologetic tone over recent industrial action, Labour Minister Shane Gibson has made it clear that the workers will face repercussions for their standoff with officials.
'Major concern' over BISX listed firm's $5m prefs
The $5 million investment in a BISX-listed firm’s preference shares “is of considerable concern” to the liquidators of its largest client, who have warned that the deal will receive their “continued attention”.
$5bn national debtnot necessarily hit by latest bond
A former finance minister yesterday said the Government’s overdraft had come down to around $65 million, adding that its latest bond issue would not necessarily take the national debt beyond the $5 billion mark.
Web shop attorney: Closure 'a gamble'
IF the Government chooses to act on yesterday’s ruling by the Chief Justice it could set itself up for further legal action, an attorney for several web shop oerators warned.
Web shop damages fear 'rather hollow'
The Chief Justice yesterday ruled that the web shop industry had produced no “credible evidence” it would be irreparably harmed without an injunction preventing its shut-down, describing claims of ‘financial Armageddon’ as “rather hollow”.
PM warned of Judicial Review over Nygard
The Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay has warned the Prime Minister it will launch Judicial Review proceedings in the Supreme Court if the Government fails to respond by Friday to its concerns over construction activity at Nygard Cay, its attorney warning: “The rule of law is at stake.”
MARKETING REVOLUTION Be the smoke detector, not the firefighter
It’s been interesting to have my son back from university, and to have his input into my Judo business. In some ways it’s like a time warp, because five years ago the Judo business was a completely different beast.
'Flo' Saunders: 300 game 'wasn't my greatest feat'
He has been credited with being the first Bahamian to roll a 300 average game as a bowler. But Glenroy “Flo” Saunders said there’s an even greater accomplishment for him to reflect on as he welcomes the return of competitive bowling with the Bahamas National Bowling Championships being held by the Bahamas Bowling Federation.
Antoan and Albert 'just waiting for phone to ring'
FROM the time they ventured into the professional ranks, it was always the dream of good friends and training partners Antoan Richardson and Albert Cartwright to either team up or compete against each other.
Williams wants to help BAAA revive distance running programme
ANTHONY Williams, the first Bahamian to win a medal in a distance event at the CARIFTA Games in 1977 when he picked up a silver in the under-20 boys’ 800 metres in Bridgetown, Barbados, would like to help the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations revive the once flourishing distance programme.
Basketball development camp this summer
DEXTER Cambridge said he wasn’t all that impressed with the performances at the recent Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic. So he is spearheading a basketball development camp over the summer.
Baptist Sports Council's 2013 Basketball Classic heating up
THE action is starting to heat up in the Baptist Sports Council’s 2013 Basketball Classic with only two teams in each of the three divisions still undefeated.
Wayne Munroe tells shops to stay open despite court ruling
LAWYER Wayne Munroe has advised his web shop clients to remain open despite Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett lifting a conservatory order yesterday that had prevented the government from shutting down their gaming operations.
35 candidates in union race
THIRTY-FIVE candidates have submitted nomination papers for the 15 positions on the executive committee of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, BUT secretary general Stephen Mcphee confirmed.
Residents complain about slow garbage collection
COMPLAINTS about the slow pace of garbage collection across New Providence came in yesterday, with several callers expressing concern about the risk of serious health problems.
Gaming shops no longer protected
GAMING web shops are no longer protected by a court order that prevents law enforcement from taking action against them as Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett yesterday ruled that “the police must be allowed to enforce the law unless and until the law has been declared to be invalid”.
Christie: gambling laws will be enforced
PRIME Minister Perry Christie assured the public yesterday the gambling laws of the Bahamas will be enforced.
Larry King TV shows puts focus on Doctors Hospital
DOCTORS Hospital and the Bahamas will be featured this summer on the documentary series In View, hosted by legendary talk show host Larry King.
MP accuses FNM of trying to wash its hands of responsibility
MICAL MP V Alfred Gray believes that the Free National Movement is attempting to “wash its hands” of responsibility with regard to the tragic accident at the Mayaguana Airport.
i-group head 'deeply concerned' over crash
HEAD of the I-Group Stephen Roy was “deeply concerned” over last week’s runway crash on Mayaguana that left three people dead, Prime Minister Perry Christie told the media yesterday.
NATIONAL BOWLING CHAMPS: Driskell and Richard in the lead
WITH a blistering 1,314 (219 average) 6-game set, Richard “Richie” Pyfrom leads the men in the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s National Bowling Championships after the first night of competition Monday night at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace.
Tuesday, April 9
Local fashion designer makes reality TV debut
Mission Catwalk, a Caribbean based fashion reality television series is in search of burgeoning fashion talent in the region. The hit series, which was recently ranked as the number one television show in Jamaica, is about to get a Bahamian invasion.
The dogs who screwed the cats
THE PAGES in Betty Joe Cooper’s latest book will make you laugh and maybe even raise an eyebrow, as the Bahamian author delves into relationship issues using the popular metaphor of dogs and cats to examine male and female behaviour.
UPDATES: Chief justice lifts injuction protecting web shops
3.45pm UPDATE: Attorney Wayne Munroe has advised his web shop clients to stay open despite the Chief Justice's decision.
Pathologist's testimony over custody death victim
PATHOLOGIST Dr Caryn Sands testified yesterday that Aaron Rolle had multiple injuries at the time of his death, including two broken ribs, a ruptured intestine, haemorrhaging around the pancreas and left kidney, bleeding in the bowel and contusions on his lower back, shoulder blade and left clavicle – all caused by blunt force trauma.
Bahamas extends condolences in death of Margaret Thatcher
THE Bahamas government has extended its condolences in the death of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Baroness Margaret Thatcher – known to many as “The Iron Lady.”
$1M cost of Carifta Games
ALTHOUGH the former government spent $600,000 to officially open the National Stadium, it took almost $1 million in public funds to carry out a series of corrective work in the lead up to Carifta, said Sports Minister Danny Johnson yesterday.
Man held for armed raid
POLICE say they have nabbed a man wanted for questioning in connection with an armed robbery Sunday morning.
Photos back on Facebook
ONE of the photographs whose publication on Facebook led to the arrest of Rodney Moncur has again been published online as Bahamians continue to protest over his treatment.
Man cleared of murder
A MAN was acquitted of a nine-year-old murder charge yesterday after the prosecution, following its statement to the jury, closed its case without offering any evidence.
WIKILEAKS: Revealed - Secret cables that uncovered concerns over Pindling link to notorious swindler
AS BAHAMIANS basked in the optimistic aura of newly-won independence, US diplomats were already showing concern about a number of worrying trends developing in the fledgling island nation.
Two men hurt in shootings
POLICE are investigating two separate shootings that sent two men to hospital on Sunday.
Father suffers stroke but still sees his daughter's wedding
ERIN Metz and her fiancée Tom Sardina dreamed of having a destination wedding and a cruise to the Bahamas with 60 of their closest friends and family on board seemed ide
WIKILEAKS: Also revealed
Cable reveals support for Bahamas' admission to UN.
WIKILEAKS: Cable fears secession in Abaco
One of the cables in the latest batch released by Wikileaks raises concerns over a possible secessionist movement in Abaco.
Bahamas not the only nation with oil on the agenda
By DAVID McFADDEN
Call for independent probe into workers death
FREEPORT – The Bahamas Industrial Engineers, Managers, and Supervisors Union wants an independent investigation into the death of a worker at the Grand Bahama Power Company.
Man says confession was forced from him by police
A MAN alleging that his confession statement to a 2010 murder was forcefully obtained from him by police is presenting a final witness today in the Supreme
Further concerns over dredging
CONCERNED residents in the area surrounding Sandyport claim the dredging of the canal is contributing to beach erosion and causing debris to wash up on nearby shores.
Carifta games brought in well over $1 million says tourism official
THE 2013 CARIFTA games generated “well over $1 million” in direct visitor spend a senior tourism official said yesterday, saying that the overall economic impact was far greater when Nassau/Paradise Island hotels were factored in.
Superwash Prince Charles rebounds 20-25 per cent
SUPERWASH has seen business at its Prince Charles Drive laundromat rebound 20-25 per cent, its president Dionisio D’Aguilar telling Tribune Business the laundromat’s southern locations were also seeing an ‘upward trend’ in business.
Mega resort team sets its sights on getting extra 300,000 airline seats to Nassau
TOURISM officials along with Baha Mar executives are continuing their push to get an additional 300,000 airlines seats to Nassau per year to facilitate the mega resort, director general David Johnson telling Tribune Business, “We have to make it happen’.
'Positive interest' in Baha Mar's luxury residences
BAHA MAR’S luxury residences have generated “positive interest” among international buyers, a senior executive expressing confidence that the resort would meet its sales goals.
2013 new car sales 'fairly static'
BAHAMIAN new car dealers are anticipating that this weekend’s annual new car show will help stimulate sales and buyer interest, with one dealer describing this year’s sales as being “fairly static” thus far.
The Bahamas at the forefront of investment summit
THE Bahamas will be front-and-centre at the Brazil Investment Summit 2013 (BIS) which takes place April 17-18 in Sao Paulo.
Plea to establish aircraft registry
AN ATTORNEY has called on the Government to move quickly to establish an aircraft registry to not only bring added business to The Bahamas but also ensure that the country meets ICAO standards for airport safety.
Net profit of $1.06 million FOR AML
AML Foods Limited recorded a 26 per cent total sales increase for its fourth quarter ending January 31, 2013, during which it recorded a net profit of $1.06 million.
Bowling's back
The Bahamas Bowling Federation’s National Bowling Championship is back. After a 15-year hiatus in New Providence - it was last held two years ago in Grand Bahama - the Nationals opened last night at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace. The event is slated to run through Sunday, April 21, when the final is expected to be aired live on Cable 12 TV.
BAAA to select teams for Penn Relays later this month
FOLLOWING the completion of the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium this weekend, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will finalise the four relay teams expected to compete in the 117th version of the Penn Relays Carnival.
Carifta 'glitches' lead to some major changes for Martinique 2014
FROM media coverage, to logistics, to the format of the games themselves, a myriad of issues surrounded the Bahamas’ hosting of the 2013 BTC CARIFTA Games, causing some major changes for the meet moving forward to Martinique in 2014.
Byron seeks to help young volleyball prospects explore professional ranks
BYRON FERGUSON made a major splash on the professional volleyball scene in Europe this past season and now the Bahamas’ premier middle blocker has his sights set on bringing greater awareness to a path to the pro ranks for Bahamians.
No relief for secret society of abused women
Although the public seems fatigued by stories of domestic violence and sexual abuse, the problem continues to run rampant in the Bahamas to the extent that it has become somewhat accepted as a social norm.
Achebe's death a painful reminder of 'things falling apart'
One of the pioneers of the literary post-colonial struggle died this week.
Bahamas participates in global forum to end violence against women
DURING THE 57th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women held last month at the United Nations in New York, the Bahamas government reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate and prevent all forms of violence against women.
Building your capacity to navigate change
Life is a continuous process of change. For the most part, people look forward to changes that improve their situation.
Good cop, bad cop: Law enforcement gone rogue
According to a recent Amnesty International study, there are thousands of reports each year of assault and ill treatment against officers who use excessive force and violate the human rights of their victims (AIUSA Rights 1999).
Virtual colonoscopy offers less intrusive choice
INDIVIDUALS who are concerned about taking a colonoscopy exam can consider an alternative procedure that also detects precancerous growths and other diseases in the colon.
Monday, April 8
Sweethearting: On the way out?
IT’S no secret that many marriages in the Bahamas suffer from one or both partners acquiring a “sweetheart” on the side.
Fred Mitchell's marks the death of Margaret Thatcher
The Bahamas government extends condolences on the passing of Dame Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
YOUNG MAN'S VIEW: CARIFTA - we can do better
FIRSTLY, let me congratulate our 2013 CARIFTA team for their gallant representation of our country at the 42nd annual CARIFTA Games.
Fred Mitchell and his immigration policy
IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell has urged the private sector to stop complaining over work permits and instead to help the government tackle skills and training deficiencies within the Bahamian workforce.
An unrelenting dilemma
“One of the critical issues that we have to confront is illegal immigration, because this is a multi-headed Hydra that affects our economy, our health care, our education systems, our national security, and also our local criminality.”
Tax reform in the Bahamas
Governments everywhere want economic growth and jobs for their people. Yet they sprinkle job killing taxes (re the VAT) throughout the economy. Then they give exemptions, rebates, subsidies, etc in hopes of countering the damage caused by the very taxes they levied.
Support for activist grows on internet
ACCUSING the police force of double standards, Rodney Moncur said if he must face charges of posting “indecent photos” on the internet, so should the police officers who allegedly circulated the gruesome crime scene images of murder victim Nellie Brown-Cox.
Search for killers after man is shot
POLICE are on the hunt for two men who shot and killed a man early yesterday morning.
Lack of training blamed for police brutality
THE high number of police brutality complaints may result from a lack of psychological preparedness training in new recruits, one mental health professional believes.
FNM hits back at pm over plane crash blame
RATHER than “take the high road,” the Christie Administration decided to “duck and cover and blame someone else” in the aftermath of last week’s tragic Mayaguana plane crash which claimed three lives, FNM Chairman Darron Cash charged yesterday.
Youngsters perform in Easter concert
In commemoration of the country’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, 250 school-aged children of the Urban Renewal 2.0 Band performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
New 150-bed hospital for Grand Bahama planned
FREEPORT – Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said a new 150-bed hospital will be constructed on Grand Bahama to meet the demands of both public and private patient care.
Contracts are signed to renovate clinics
FREEPORT – Contracts worth a total of $160,000 were signed for renovation work at three clinics in East End, Grand Bahama.
BTC concern over internet availability
AHEAD of the government’s release of its revised electronic communications sector policy, BTC is calling for special attention to be given to the state of Internet penetration across the country.
Further criticism of Carifta internationally
CRITICISM of Carifta 2013 in the international press continued with a letter to the editor printed in Jamaica’s Daily Gleaner last week.
Tributes paid to former Guardian Publisher
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham offered his condolences to the family of the late Kenneth Francis, calling the former newspaper publisher one of the country’s “notable sons”.
Law firm to host free forum on wills and trusts
On April 20, the law firm Halsbury Chambers will host a free legal forum at the British Colonial Hilton titled “Wills, Living Wills and Trusts”.
Estate agency launches iPad app to showcase Bahamas property
LOCAL real estate company HG Christie Ltd has announced the launch of a real estate iPad app that will showcase Bahamian properties to the world.
New $6M marina to open off Bay Street
A NEW $6 million state-of-the-art marina is slated to open by mid-June in the heart of historic Nassau.
Trade mission to Brazil from Grand Bahama
MINISTER for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville led a delegation of Grand Bahama based business executives on a trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Organisers say support grows for Clifton Coalition
Lyford Cay Property Owners Association joins the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay
The Caribbean in a vortex
HOW beneficial or not to the Caribbean is the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the 27-nation European Union (EU) as a bloc and the 15 small Caribbean members of CARIFORUM individually?
GDP boost fuelled by construction manufacturing, hotel, marine transport
THE Government has released preliminary estimates showing that the Bahamian economy’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.83 per cent based on constant prices, fuelled largely it said by increases in the construction, manufacturing, hotel and marine transport industries.
'Tremendously difficult' to do business on the family islands from scratch
THE process of doing business in the family islands is “even more opaque” when compared to New Providence and Grand Bahama according to one attorney who said that there were limited mechanisms for governmental approvals.
'Conchservation' campaign set for full launch
A “CONCHSERVATION campaign” is set to be fully launched nearing the end of this month according to Bahamas National Trust (BNT) executive director Eric Carey, who said that there would a national dialogue on the sustainability and preservation of the Bahamian conch population.
Boutique resort targeting Bahamian business
INVESTORS behind Abaco’s Hope Town Lodge are hoping to make the boutique resort “a go-to” island destination for Bahamians, the group’s chairman telling Tribune Business, “I would like see us running at 80 or 90 per cent all year around”.
Plea to grant concessions to Family Island business operators
FAMILY Island business operators should be granted concessions which will allow them to upgrade their operations and satisfy the modern market according to a top private sector executive, who also said that many of the out islands lacked the “critical mass” to sustain businesses.
Co-operatives and Credit Unions could be subject to new rules
CO-OPERATIVES and Credit Unions could soon be subject to new legislation and the Department of Co-operative Development (DCD) will surrender its duties to the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
$6 million marina set for mid-June opening
A NEW $6 million state-of-the-art marina is slated to open by mid-June in the heart of historic Nassau.
Bahamians shine with gold at Auburn Tiger Track Classic
SHENIQUA ‘Q’ Ferguson, Anthonique Strachan and Warren Fraser opened their 2013 outdoor seasons with victories in the Auburn Tiger Track Classic at Auburn University in Alabama over the weekend.
COB's annual track classic 'ran well'
Tamaz Thompson, Antonique Butler, Julianna Duncanson and Leslie Dorceval were all double medal winners at the College of the Bahamas’ Third Annual Track Classic on Saturday.
Richardson, Cartwright suit up in Minor League
THE path to solidify a career in Major League Baseball continues for Antoan Richardson and Albert Cartwright as the minor league season opened play last week.
Bahamas Olympic Committee nominations complete
WHILE the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s election of officers is all set for Friday night at the Paul Farquharson Building at Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters, the nominations of persons vying for the various spots were completed over the weekend.
Sunday, April 7
Value added tax
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Saturday, April 6
Minister: We will upgrade airport if I-Group does not
THE Government will upgrade Mayaguana’s airport if the I-Group does not, says the island’s MP V. Alfred Gray.
Two suretors sign for his bail
HUMAN rights activist Rodney Moncur has been freed for his next court appearance after two suretors signed for his $7,500 bail.
BEC Union says ‘we are sorry’
AFTER three days of demonstrations, the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) abruptly changed its tone yesterday offering apologies to Prime Minister Perry Christie and BEC Chairman Leslie Miller.
Friday, April 5
UPDATE: Moncur speaks to the media
The prosecution in the Rodney Moncur 'grossly indecent act' case have decided to proceed with a voluntary bill of indictment on May 10.
Severe weather warning
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning from 10:45am until 12:45pm today.
'Truck burned for more than an hour' with three inside
HAVING stood by helpless and in horror as the bodies of three of their neighbours burned for more than an hour, Mayaguanans are blaming yesterday’s plane crash disaster on years of government neglect.
Christie seeks meeting with I-Group
Prime Minister Christie said his government has to have an immediate meeting with the I–Group, which was responsible for the Mayaguana airport’s upgrade.
Rodney Moncur charged in court over Facebook pictures
HUMAN rights activist Rodney Moncur has been charged with “committing a grossly indecent act” by posting a picture of a man who died in police custody on his Facebook page.
Commissioner warning over use of social media
POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade has warned the public not to post “lewd” or “obscene” pictures on social media and has vowed to pursue such cases and bring charges.
PM 'will not allow union to hold gun to his head'
PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday he will not allow Bahamas Electrical Workers Union executives to “hold a gun to his head” and force him to make swift decisions that may not be in the best interest of the Bahamas. Mr Christie was responding to members of the BEWU who, for the past three days, have been demanding the immediate firing of Bahamas Electricity Corporation Executive Chairman Leslie Miller and the end of the rostering system at the corporation.
Emergency runway lights to be installed immediately
EMERGENCY runway lights will be installed in Mayaguana immediately, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin announced yesterday.
Mayaguanans 'treated like animals'
APPALLED witnesses of yesterday’s tragedy in Mayaguana say political leaders have never cared enough about remote Family Islanders like them.
FNM sends its condolences to Collie family
FREE National Movement leader Dr Hubert Minnis expressed his deepest sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of Edith Barnes-Collie and Enamae and Tim Polowick – the mother, sister, and brother-in-law of former FNM MP and Cabinet minister Sidney Collie.
Daylight raid on jewellery store
A LOCAL jewellery store was robbed of thousands of dollars in merchandise after two armed men committed a daring daylight heist.
Mitchell hits back at critics over immigration
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell hit back at critics over the much debated proposed change in immigration policy with respect to work permits.
Clifton coalition debate issues
MEMBERS of the newly formed Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay took to the airwaves to share their agenda and clarify some of the “thorny issues” surrounding the heritage site.
Boy handed award for resucing child from sea
A BOY from Florida has been given an award after he waded into the sea in Nassau and saved the life of another child.
Pair jailed over possession of $500,000 drugs haul
TWO men were sentenced to spend six years at Her Majesty’s Prison after being convicted in two separate drug cases.
Pilots jailed in cocaine trial
TWO pilots standing trial in Magistrates Court in connection with the seizure of $250,000 worth of cocaine two years ago were convicted and sentenced yesterday.
PM pays respects to former Acting Deputy Commissioner
PRIME Minister Perry Christie visited Police Headquarters yesterday morning to pay his respects to retired Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Christopher Noel McCoy – a man who “gave to his country all that we could have reasonably expected him to give.”
Lift up your heads
WE all know the words of our beloved national anthem penned by Timothy Gibson. But have you ever stopped to truly pay attention to those words? If you have, you may have noticed that those words hold a key to unlocking doors we have yet to open as a nation. That golden key is cut with four words: lift up your heads.
BEC: It’s not about firing, it’s all about money
THE firing of one and the suspension of a second Bahamas Electricity Corporation employee sparked an eruption at BEC this week that has made it clear that unionists believe that they — and not the people of this country — have the last word on the management of the corporation.
PM "not at all happy" with gov't and Mayaguana developers relationship
PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that he was “not at all happy” with the relationship that currently exists between the Government and Boston based I-Group developers, saying that the Mayaguana development project was not moving fast enough.
National development plan 'long overdue' says private sector executive
THE concept of developing a national plan for The Bahamas is “long overdue” a key private sector executive said, as the Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF) launched yesterday.
Government to budget $20 million to market Baha Mar
THE Government has set aside $20 million from this year’s budget to market the $3.5 billion Baha Mar development as part of its agreement, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday, raising the issue to highlight the financial challenges The Government faces in relation to providing subsidies and concessions for the Bahamian tourism sector.
Quality is the mark of a new supermarket
SUPER VALUE’s owner and president Rupert Roberts said that the opening of his third Quality Supermarket in the Sea Grapes Shopping Centre would create 50 jobs, telling Tribune Business that approximately $3.5 million had been invested into the store.
'It feels awesome to be undefeated'
Ryan “Big Youth” McKenzie continues to put on a spectacular show in Verona, New York.
National Bowling Champs set to start next week
THE lanes at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace will be buzzing over the next two weeks as the Bahamas Bowling Federation hosts its National Bowling Championships, starting on Monday.
BTC jumps on board in support of Chris Brown invitational
ALTHOUGH it’s still early in the outdoor season, he’s excited to be putting on his inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational Track and Field Meet at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium next week Saturday.
STUBBS OPINION: 'We could have structured our team in a better way to combat Jamaica'
SO it was all business once again for the Jamaicans...
BLTA Junior Clay Court Tennis Tournament winners
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association completed its RBC-sponsored Junior Clay Court Tennis Tournament at the Gym Tennis Club over the weekend.
Sports in brief
THE College of the Bahamas is scheduled to hold its Track and Field Meet at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.
Thursday, April 4
PM is no advocate for the disabled
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Dr. Minnis urged to stay the course
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Creole speakers
EDITOR, The Tribune
Briefly
pics uploaded
UPDATE: Minister releases statement on Mayaguana runway crash
MAYAGUANA - AN emergency evacuation flight turned deadly this morning when the plane chartered to pick up the ailing individual crashed into a vehicle near the runway, killing three people, the Minister of Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin revealed.
VIDEO: Demonstration as PM attends forum
Protesting BEC workers have taken their third day of demonstrations to the front of the Superclubs Breezes where Prime Minister Perry Christie is attending the opening of the International Development Bank's Caribbean Growth Forum.
Rodney Moncur defiant on arrival at court
Human Rights Activist Rodney Moncur cried out "freedom" as he was led to court this morning.
Jail threat to BEC staff
UNION chiefs at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation could face fines of up to $10,000 or be jailed for two years if they breach labour rules on industrial action, the Government threatened last night.
Three police officers dismissed
THREE police officers have been dismissed from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and its Complaints and Corruption Unit has a new chief.
'No preferential treatment for unions'
LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson says the Government is not in a financial position to give preferential treatment to one union over another.
Borrowing 'not higher' than in 2012
THE Government expects its requests to borrow money this year will not exceed last year’s commitments with lending institutions, Minister of Finance Michael Halkitis said yesterday.
GIBSON: Still no date for release of NIB audit report
NATIONAL Insurance Board Minister Shane Gibson yesterday said there was still no clear-cut indication of when audit reports into the board’s operations will be released to the public or their cost to taxpayers.
'Secrets Act bars moves over FOIA'
THE Bahamas’ Official Secrets Act would have to be done away with in order for the much talked about Freedom of Information Act to come about, a communications boss said yesterday.
Reader's views on the BEC standoff
AS the BEC/government standoff continues to escalate, Tribune readers are expressing their support of the corporation’s chairman, Leslie Miller.
Police called to second day of BEC protests
POLICE were called to the Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s headquarters yesterday morning after protesting union members barricaded themselves inside the Baillou Hill Road compound, blocking customers from entering.
FNM Chairman blames Miller for disruption
IF PRIME Minister Perry Christie wanted to demonstrate true leadership, he would fire Leslie Miller for “abusing his authority and destabilising BEC” according to the opposition Free National Movement.
Police officer charged after claim of beating
FOLLOWING the social media publication of a photo reportedly depicting the buttocks of a man who claimed to have been beaten by police, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade confirmed an officer has been charged in connection with that incident.
Is this the Bahamas or the Soviet Union?
TRIBUNE readers hit out at both the police and the government following the arrest of activist Rodney Moncur, comparing the modern Bahamas to the restrictive Soviet Union.
Speaker in rallying call to school staff
HUNDREDS of schoolteachers, counsellors, teaching students and community leaders from across the Bahamas had the opportunity to change their perspective on the educational destiny of Bahamian students last week at the Lyford Cay Foundation’s Speaker Series.
Sandyport dredging put on hold amid concern over permit
Dredging of the Sandyport canal has been put on hold as an application for the clearing of the access point has now been placed before the Prime Minister’s Office.
Gomez dismisses claims over missing body
HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez dismissed reports of a missing body at the Princess Margaret Hospital morgue, though he confirmed the facility suffers from an ever-present overcrowding problem.
Police name woman drowned in canal
FREEPORT – The woman who drowned when her vehicle went into a canal has been officially identified as 25-year-old Indira Carey.
Concern over increase in armed robberies this year
FOLLOWING a string of hold-ups over the weekend and two more this week, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said the armed robbery trend since the beginning of the year has been “very disconcerting”.
Concerns raised over shortage of beds at Rand Hospital
FREEPORT - Rev Arnold Pinder, president of Grand Bahama Christian Council, is concerned about the purported shortage of beds at the Rand Memorial Hospital.
Cordell is top chef
ASPIRING chef Cordell Wells, a 10th grader at the NGM Major High School in Long Island, was crowned the winner of the National All-Island Senior Young Chef competition.
Country 'still challenged' on benefits from FDI inflows
THE Bahamas remains challenged on providing downstream benefits from foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, despite leading all of Latin American and the Caribbean with a gross investment ratio of 27 per cent in 2012, Investments Minister Khaalis Rolle said yesterday.
Government sets its sights on capital works projects
MINISTER of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said the government will soon be able to embark on some of its capital works projects, as many of the major projects like the controversial New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) will be coming off the books.
Optimism over deal for air traffic controllers
THE AIR traffic controllers’ union is headed back to the negotiating table today, its president Roscoe Perpall telling Tribune Business that plans to ‘corporatise’ the air traffic service would be “progress” and would help alleviate a number of issues.
New ways to inspire economic growth in the Bahamas
KEY stakeholders from the private and public sector and society at large are expected to begin dialogue today on ways to enhance productivity and economic growth in The Bahamas at the launch of The Bahamas chapter of the Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF).
Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants' suspension lifted
THE Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (BICA/the Institute) suspension from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC/the Federation) has been lifted, BICA’s president announced yesterday.
Margaret brings home five gold
With a series of dominant performances over the past two years at both the local and regional level, Margaret Albury-Higgs has established herself as a rising swim star.
Carifta swimmers' 30-medal haul
A 30-medal total and fifth place finish for Team Bahamas at the 28th CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, gives Bahamas Swimming Federation executives optimism on the future of the programme, but also placed local issues within the sport at the forefront.
College basketball player gets community service award
WHILE most collegiate basketball players are held in high regard for what they do on the court, one Bahamian student athlete is receiving major recognition for the work he does in his community.
Surge in business listings viewed on the web
AN online business search engine released figures yesterday which showed that some 900,000 business listings are viewed monthly since it was launched on 2009.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: What's the best resolution for images in Powerpoint?
It’s no secret, and it’s final: The Bahamas finished 2nd place behind Jamaica in the CARIFTA Games. Eight golds, 10 silvers and 13 bronzes totalling 31 medals.
Rodney Moncur taken into police custody, again
Reports have reached The Tribune that Justice of the Peace and former DNA candidate Rodney Moncur has been taken into police custody for the second time in one week.
Wednesday, April 3
Voice of Deliverance concert to minister through music
By JEFFARAH GIBSON
Briefly
pics in website daily, black swan
Mastering the power of the word
By JEFFARAH GIBSON
What does this scripture mean to you?
“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (Exodus 20:3-4)
UPDATE: Police called to BEC headquarters
BEC workers staged a second day of demonstrations this morning by walking off their jobs at the corporation's head office on Blue Hill Road.
Sisters hope to take talent global
The Pyfrom sisters have never been short on fame; they were well known in the Bahamas from the day they were born as quadruplets.
Jazz lovers long for the return of The Jam Sessions
The Jam Session, a weekly open mic for instrumentalists and Jazz musicians, quickly became a hot spot for underground talent when it started last February.
Raw Tour 'success' invigorates Judah The Lion
Since his “successful” Raw Tour in Los Angeles, Judah The Lion has returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to take his music to another level.
Harbour Island gallery opens exhibit with long-time friend
VISUAL ARTIST Elizabeth Berry returned to the Princess Street Gallery in Habour Island, last Wednesday, where she’s been showcasing her work for the past sixteen years.
DJ Chronic takes his father's advice to heart: 'be better'
HIS RISE to popularity started from humble beginnings in the small community of Englerston, Nassau. Through the many trials he had to overcome, Tiko, also known as DJ Chronic, has risen to the top of his game.
Top 7 Revealed: Nicki and Devin Velez Feud
THE Season 12 American Idol Top 8 Finalists became the Top 7 last week, after contestant Devin Velez was eliminated.
DJ Chronic embraces 'new challenge' as a performing artist
IT IS said that pain and suffering can lead to creativity. Never was this more the case for DJ Chronic than two years ago, when tragedy in his life spurred him to come back stronger and better
Union claims victimisation
MORE than 100 BEC workers walked off the job yesterday after a union executive was suspended and another employee was terminated “without cause”.
BAAA CHIEF: Carifta hiccups inevitable
MIKE Sands, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president, believes that “hiccups” were inevitable during Carifta as thousands flocked to the national stadium over several days.
Teenager shot on jitney
POLICE are questioning a 17-year -old boy in connection with a shooting that has left a 19-year-old man in hospital.
Delay in web shop injunction ruling
THE Crown, in seeking to have an injunction lifted off the government and law enforcement, which prevents them taking action against web shop gaming operators, argued that operators had themselves admitted they were engaging in gaming.
Theft delays store opening
THE scores of persons anticipating employment at the new Shepherd’s Mart – formerly Robin Hood – will have to wait a bit longer confirmed principal owner Sandy Schaefer yesterday.
Bahamian judge in war crimes trial role
FORMER Bahamas Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall has sentenced two former Bosnian senior officials to 22 years in prison for their role in the 1992-95 Bosnian war.
Mass rescue exercise held jointly with US authorities
FREEPORT – A joint mass rescue operation exercise, dubbed Operation Black Swann, was officially launched at the Freeport Harbour on Tuesday by officials from the US Coast Guard and US Embassy, NEMA, and other disaster stakeholders on the island.
Did Fred learn anything from Abu Dhabi?
IN YESTERDAY’S Tribune, a photo, taken in December, was published of Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell being received by Abu Dhabi foreign affairs minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
2,000 visitors expected for Gospel concert
MORE than 2,000 visitors are expected to arrive in the Bahamas next month for a major gospel concert event that will kick-start a busy month for the country’s tourism industry.
Delay in PLP's Andros promises
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development Philip Davis thanked residents of South Andros for their patience as the government works to settle debts and bills left by the previous administration.
Call for companies to be held accountable over oil
FREEPORT – Grand Bahama Human Rights activist Joseph Darville says the government must insist that the “offending companies” in the industrial park be held accountable for a voluntary relocation of all residents living in the affected nearby communities of Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard.
The Fireman lights a fire of enthusiasm in schools
CHRIS ‘The Fireman’ Brown is doing the rounds and making his presence felt in Bahamian schools.
Last surviving colonial governor dies, aged 101
THE last surviving British colonial governor of the Bahamas has died in England at the age of 101.
Campaign to legalise medical Cannabis
THANK you for this opportunity to announce the formation of Medicannabah – Bahamians for the legalisation of medical cannabis.
Increased taxation is nothing without good governance
APRIL is tax return month in the US - and here in the Bahamas we have just embarked on the road to substantially increased taxation, with the proposed introduction of a value-added tax on goods and services before the next general election. This will begin a process of raising government revenue from around 19 per cent of GDP to some 23 per cent.
Triple gold feat keeps Bahamian tradition alive
University of Georgia’s assistant coach George Cleare said Shaunae Miller came here and did what she was required to do - win three gold medals and cart off the Austin Sealy Award for the most outstanding athlete at the 2013 BTC Carifta Games over the weekend.
Games didn't go on without its share of glitches
AMIDST all of the criticism levelled at the organisers of the BTC Carifta Games, Basil Christie tried to set the record straight, indicating that the local organising committee picked up the baton and tried to deal with a series of problems that arose with the aurora of the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
Carifta Swim Championships: Team Bahamas in fifth place
The 36-member swimming team was sitting in fifth place after the first three days of competition at the 2013 Carifta Swimming Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.
Chris Brown Invitational: American 400 specialist to compete in the 200m
WHILE they have been rivals on the track, American 400 metre specialist LaShawn Merritt said he and Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown have forged such a close relationship that he would not miss the opportunity to come to the Bahamas to participate in his Invitational.
Bahamians should be proud of Team Bahamas' performance
HEAD coach Greg Cash said the Bahamian public should be proud of Team Bahamas’ performance at the BTC Carifta Games over the weekend.
Caves Heights "matches" 2012 unit sales
THE CAVES Heights development has already “matched” last year’s unit sales, its vice-president of sales and marketing telling Tribune Business that about $9 million had been generated from sales at the luxury ocean front condominium development so far this year.
Total private sector arrears show 2.3 per cent February decrease
TOTAL private sector loan arrears decreased by 2.3 per cent in February according to the Central Bank, with short-term (31-90 day) loan delinquencies falling by 8.7 per cent to $315.7 million.
Bahamas to host regional FATCA workshop
THE MINISTRY of Financial Services is set to host a regional workshop on the United States’ Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) next week.
MARKETING REVOLUTION: The power of a printed newsletter
A friend of mine owns some funeral homes in America. So imagine my surprise when he told me that he puts out a regular written newsletter. Of course I immediately used the joke
Scotiabank lauches revamped "Scotia Professional Plan"
SCOTIABANK recently launched its revamped Scotia Professional Plan – a suite of flexible banking products created for professionals.
June 1 deadline for decision on FATCA
THE BAHAMAS is working towards a June 1 deadline for a final decision on how it will approach the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Financial Services Minister Ryan Pinder said yesterday, saying that ultimately this jurisdiction could come out “ahead of the competition”.
Tuesday, April 2
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY NUMBER ISSUED
The police have said that the 919 emergency number is down due to technical difficulties.
Miracle baby waits readily for heart surgery
THREE-year-old Ru’shon Fox has experienced more health related issues in his short lifetime than some adults ever do. When he was born his heart showed no activity, one leg was shorter than the other and he had kidney issues.
Bahamian models shine bright in NYC
BRITTANIA’s recent trip to the big apple taught her how stiff the modelling industry really is. The experience is something she will never forget, the young model told Tribune Woman.
BEC workers protest firing
Around 50 BEC workers are demonstrating outside of the company's headquarters on Baillou Hill Road.
Jamaica first, Bahamas second, Trinidad third
THE debut of the Thomas A Robinson Stadium saw Bahamian athletes earn 31 medals - including eight golds - as the Bahamas hosted the 2013 Carifta Track and Field Championships.
Man shot dead in street
A 45-year-old man became the country’s latest murder victim when he was gunned down early Saturday morning. It happened around 2am in the area of Peach Street and Montrose Avenue.
Rodney moncur tells of arrest
RODNEY Moncur, human rights activist, says he is relieved to have not been a victim of police brutality – which he believes is common – after his arrest over the weekend.
Six armed raids at weekend
POLICE are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the men responsible for six separate armed robberies over the weekend.
GIBSON rubbishes 'made-up' leak of nib audit report
NIB Minister Shane Gibson yesterday denied widespread reports that the recently handed over audit results into the Board’s operations have been leaked
Teenage girl drank bleach
A 17-year-old girl is recovering in hospital after allegedly attempting to commit suicide by drinking bleach late Saturday night.
'Three inches from death'
A LOCAL businessman hit out at the “war zone” that has been allowed to develop around the Shirley Street/Kemp Road junction after a projectile smashed into his car, narrowly missing his head.
Woman drowns as car plunges into canal
FREEPORT – The body of a young woman was retrieved from a vehicle that went into a canal in an upscale residential area early Sunday morning.
Warning as bricks hurled at vehicles
POLICE are warning drivers to be “extra careful” when driving on Shirley Street late at night or early in the morning, saying several cars were attacked with cement bricks over the weekend.
PM's pride at Carifta opening
Prime Minister Perry Christie expressed his pride in officially opening the 42nd Carifta Games on Friday.
Children's home visited by students
STUDENTS of Laurens Central School in Laurens, New York found time to assist Bahamian children while cruising through the Bahamas on their senior class trip.
Humane Society draw delayed by illness
DUE to the illness of her husband, Bahamas Humane Society President Kim Aranha has announced that Sunday, April 21, will be the new date for the raffle draw for the society’s travel bonanza. The draw will be held at 4pm at Animal Fun Day in the Botanical Gardens.
Is your car an easy target?
The Honda Accord, Saber, Inspire, Nissan Sunny, Bluebird, and Maxima, just to name a few, are all highly targeted vehicles for auto theft here in the Bahamas.
Going for gold x3
SHAUNAE Miller put her exclamation mark on her final appearance at the BTC Carifta Games by smashing the one-year-old record by Anthonique Strachan to clinch the under-20 girls 200 metres in dramatic fashion.
Laquan soars for gold in long jump
FOR the second consecutive year, even as he moved up in the age group division, LaQuan Nairn emerged as a double medallist on the field for Team Bahamas.
Teray runs for gold in 200m
In just over 20 seconds, Teray Smith turned from the object of misguided public ridicule to one of the heroes of the Carifta Games with his gold medal performance in the U20 B 200m.
Devynne wins 100 hurdles
FOR Devynne Charlton, it was a humbling moment when she was crowned the fastest female at the BTC Carifta Games. But she would have preferred to have stamped her mark in the 100 metre hurdles.
Stephen settles for bronze in 400
TRYING to put the controversy of the last few weeks behind him for at least one weekend, Stephen Newbold found solace in a return to the track.
Carifta Swim Championships: Bahamas in 5th place
Water polo team wins bronze
TUC president hits back at private sector on work permits
THE private sector’s uproar over the government’s work permit policies were described yesterday as “strange” and “regressive”, a union leader emphasising that Bahamians must be considered first for all available jobs.
NAD execs projects more than 24,000 arrivals in Easter
NASSAU Airport Development (NAD) executives projected more than 24,000 arrivals at the Lynden Pindling International airport this Easter holiday weekend during which The Bahamas played host to the 42nd annual Carifta games.
Rassin: Bahamas Medical Centre closer to breaking even
DOCTORS Hospital is about three to three and a half years away from diversifying its business mix into a 50/50 split between its current core and medical tourism, its president telling Tribune Business that the BISX-listed healthcare provider’s Bahamas Medical Centre was moving closer to breaking even.
Air traffic controllers union rejects new goverment proposal
THE air traffic controllers union has rejected government’s proposal on an interim industrial agreement.
Mitchell on Abu Dhabi visit
FOREIGN Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (pictured right) receives Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell during an official trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Summer interns are here!
AS we near the summer months and our high school and college students prepare to take their breaks, the market place will soon again be flooded with youngsters vying for summer internships and summer employment.
Bimini Big Game Club sees 30% revenue increase
THE historic Bimini Big Game Club is seeing a 30 per cent increase in year-to-year revenue and is expected to increase staff by 35 per cent, according to the resort’s general manager Michael Weber.
Monday, April 1
US Secretary of State John Kerry 'visits the Bahamas'
The Bahamas has reportedly had a special visitor for the Easter Weekend: US Secretary of State John Kerry.
CARIFTA GAMES LIVE: Bahamas second on medal table after Day 2
The Carifta Games are underway - tribune242.com will keep you up-to-date
