Saturday, March 30
Boy reunited with parents after another abduction
Police are investigating another child abduction in the capital after a boy was taken from outside his home and dropped off near the City Dump.
Friday, March 29
'Long way to go' in Grand Lucayan process
WHILE a letter of intent has been signed for proposed new owners to take over the Grand Lucayan, there is a long process ahead.
Two in court accused of electricity theft, causing damage to GB Power Company
TWO men accused of electricity theft and causing damage to Grand Bahama Power Company property of over $650,000 were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate's Court on Friday.
Money-laundering charges dropped against Michelle Reckley and four co-accused
ALL of the money-laundering charges against former Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley and her four co-accused have been dropped.
Minister: Tourism numbers up 16.9 percent
FOLLOWING “record-breaking” results in 2018 of 6.6 million visitor arrivals to The Bahamas, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar reported that tourism numbers are up by 16.9 percent and that the trend is projected to continue throughout 2019.
Man in custody after firearm found
ONE man is in custody after police recovered an illegal firearm in a search of a home on Cumberbatch Alley Thursday.
Shock in Bain Town after father-of-three murdered
TENSIONS ran high in the Bain Town community following the murder of a 37-year-old father of three.
‘Charge my attacker with attempted manslaughter’
A BAHAMIAN man who was slashed in the face during a knife attack in Florida is calling for his attacker to be charged with attempted manslaughter.
Cooper criticises Grand Lucayan purchase price
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Deputy Leader Chester Cooper says he does not trust the Minnis administration’s handling of the Grand Lucayan deal following its announcement two days ago that a letter of intent was signed with Royal Caribbean and the ITM group for ownership of the hotel.
Arise, Dame Janet
JANET Bostwick, the first woman elected to the House of Assembly, received her appointment as Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, at an investiture at Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Defence Force veterans sent on leave
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday confirmed that some Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers have been sent on leave - however he declined the specify the exact number.
Shotspotter technology is launched
THE first phase of the Shotspotter technology programme was rolled out yesterday during a press conference held at Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters.
Water Corp’s managers demand ‘bugging’ probe
The Water & Sewerage Corporation’s executive chairman last night dismissed “baseless and absolutely false” fears employees are being bugged, amid union demands for a police probe.
Man shot dead in Bain Town area
Police are investigating after a man was shot dead in the Bain Town area in the early hours of Friday morning.
Lucayan staff told take the deal now
GRAND Lucayan managers were told yesterday to either take a final voluntary separation package lump sum offer of $3.1m or risk getting less when they are terminated as part of the hotel’s transition to new ownership.
‘We won’t give up on missing Marvin’
A SUPREME Court judge has dismissed a human rights group’s application to have police produce a Gambier Village resident they deny ever taking into custody.
Nygard’s stuck up a creek . . .
A PROMINENT attorney yesterday expressed concerns over the possibility that Canadian billionaire Peter Nygard may be “hiding” behind a Caribbean-based company in order to retrieve a yacht from his Lyford Cay home.
OUT OF ORDER: Ministry probes teacher filmed beating students
THE Ministry of Education is investigating the circumstances surrounding a video in which a teacher is seen repeatedly striking a group of students with a leather belt.
Knowles hopes for 'very fierce' action in National Bowling Championships
WITH some changes to the format for this year's National Bowling Championships, Bahamas Bowling Federation president Tyrone Knowles said they hope that the action will be very fierce in both the men and women divisions.
Illegal foreign salesmen chamber’s ‘top concern’
The government’s “short-term work visa” reforms have revived fears among local retailers and distributors about the ability of unregistered foreign salesmen to steal their business.
Behave yourselves, staff at attorney general office told
THE Office of the Attorney General has warned its staff to behave themselves and not disrespect their seniors or otherwise face disciplinary action.
Minister: No cuts in school policing
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames was adamant yesterday that the government has not scaled back on school policing, in response to the outpouring of public concern in the wake of the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old student near a primary school.
Mitchell questions dismissal of island administrator
A LOCAL government administrator, perceived to be a supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party, has been dismissed, according to party chairman Fred Mitchell.
Man accused of overstay
A MAN accused of overstaying his time in this country was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week for breach of the Immigration Act.
From washing cars to sailing the seas
SHERVANO Johnson, 25, a resident of Pinewood recently received words of encouragement from Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michael Bayley as the young man who began washing cars to earn money at age 13 prepared to ship out for a job aboard one of Royal Caribbean’s 26 innovative ships.
Rooms with a view - but not this big
A proposal is before the Department of Physical Planning to build a resort complex to be called The View Love Beach on a 7.4-acre site on Love Beach.
Transgender group to hold Bahamas meeting next month
THE United Caribbean Trans Network will host an executive and steering committee strategic planning meeting in The Bahamas next month to address transgender rights.
EDITORIAL: A man cannot be allowed to just disappear
Where is Marvin Pratt?
Thank you to PMH workers
Please permit my husband and me a space to express gratitude to the hard working doctors and nursing staff at The Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Accident and Emergency (A&E). We often hear the horror stories of experiences at PMH, A&E but persons neglect to say the positives.
Bullying in our streets
As I sat and read a recent article in the dailies where Gladys Louis (mother of murdered teen Perry Rolle) lamented the fact that she was not there for her son when he needed her most, tears welled in my eyes as I remembered a recent experience of my own.
'Nailbiters' highlight day one of high school basketball nationals
DAY one of the Bahamas National High School Basketball Championships featured several close finishes and set the tone as the top programmes in the country vie for the 2019 title.
Giants take 1-0 leads in NPBA best-of-7 series
THE New Providence Basketball Association got its best-of-seven championship series started on Wednesday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium with the Giants winning the double header.
BFA: Men's title races are all set
THE race for the division titles got settled last night at the RALD Soccer Field in the Senior Men’s Division. The defending Champions, University of the Bahamas Mingoes are officially out of the tournament and the Bears are Fc are officially in!
Boxers set fists on Pan Am Games trials next week
WITH the Pan Ameircan Games trials all set for next week, Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation president Vincent Strachan said they are still appealing for the financial support from the public to get the Bahamas team to Managua, Nicaragua.
Living with the Lord
The well-known passage in John 15:5-8 (NIV) of the vine and the branches attempts to describe a relationship that speaks of intimate union, communion, connection and interrelatedness that has to be experienced to be understood.
‘At One With the One’ programme celebrates first anniversary
The team behind the live broadcast programme “At One With the One” will be celebrating the show’s first anniversary this weekend under the theme “A Move of God”.
Yes to me: Living beyond loss
Loss covers so many different areas, but it will always denote sadness and grief; sometimes an unwillingness to thrive or move beyond the past or the pain.
God is our refuge
There comes a time when most of us will experience the demands and challenges of this world.
Gospel’s brightest stars to be honoured
ONE of the biggest nights in gospel music takes place tomorrow night with the presentation of the 34th annual Stellar Awards at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena.
QC: Gov’t has ‘pulled rabbit out of Freeport’s hat'
An outspoken QC yesterday apologised to the government for previously blasting its decision to acquire the Grand Lucayan, and said: “They have pulled a rabbit out of Freeport’s hat.”
Landfill manager eyes IPO for Out Island expansion
THE New Providence landfill’s new manager yesterday said it was eyeing an initial public offering (IPO) to finance the potential expansion of its business model to the Family Islands.
Clearing Banks chief hits back on ‘oligopoly’
The Clearing Banks Association’s (CBA) chairman yesterday rejected the industry’s branding as an “oligopoly”, adding that there was “no evidence” of price-fixing and fee setting collusion.
Ex-Chamber chief: ‘Get house in order’ for WTO
The Bahamas must “get our house in order” for when it becomes a full WTO member rather than continue to debate the merits of joining, a private sector executive argued yesterday.
Lucayan Board refutes BREA ‘face slap’ claim
The Grand Lucayan’s Board yesterday defended itself from accusations that it had given “a reprehensible slap in the face” to Bahamian realtors over the property’s impending sale.
Colina suffers 26% profit drop in 2018
Colina Holdings (Bahamas) suffered a 26 percent year-over-year net income decline in 2018 as a result of increased policyholder claims, it revealed last night.
IAN FERGUSON: Getting the message across to colleagues
Communication is essential for good leadership. Effective communication and effective leadership are closely intertwined. Leaders need to be skilled communicators in countless relationships at the corporate level, in communities and groups and, sometimes, on a global level.
Thursday, March 28
Two expected to face charges over electricity diversion claims
Two people are expected to be formally arraigned and charged this morning in connection with a complaint filed by Grand Bahama Power Company into alleged electricity theft.
EDITORIAL: Lucayan deal brings back the magic
The Grand Lucayan Resort saga seems, at last, to have a happy ending in sight.
30 nurses leave PMH in only two months
THIRTY Bahamian nurses left Princess Margaret Hospital in a span of two months, Bahamas Nurses Union president Amancha Williams said yesterday.
Police say death of 15-year-old likely to be gang-related
WAILS pierced the air of TA Thompson Junior High School as students uncontrollably wept in response to the murder of their classmate, 15-year-old Perry Rolle Jr, at the hands of a 16-year-old student at neighbouring CC Sweeting High School.
Emotional interview with the mother of stabbed schoolboy: WHY DID THEY HAVE TO TAKE HIS LIFE? WHY?
IF she could say anything to the two teenagers who conspired to fatally stab 15-year-old Perry Rolle Jr on Tuesday afternoon, his mother, Gladys Louis simply has one question, “Why?”.
Lucayan winner ‘close to perfect'
The winning Grand Lucayan bidder was yesterday said to be “very close to perfection” with its “game-changing destination” solution for resurrecting Freeport’s tourism economy.
No drinks, no phones driving laws pass
CHANGES to the Road Traffic Act meant to save lives were passed in the House of Assembly yesterday.
Cop fired ‘like at target practice’
THE lifelong friend of a teenager whose death at the hands of police sparked the 2010 Bain Town riot yesterday claimed the officer who killed him got down on one knee and shot him as if it was target practice.
Buju fans warned: Be careful on tickets
PARADISE Productions officials are warning patrons to purchase their Buju Banton Long Walk to Freedom Tour tickets from authorised sellers only.
A GRAND RESULT: Lucayan deal brings massive economic boost
THE government signed a letter of intent yesterday with Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group for the purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort and redevelopment of the Freeport Harbour, signaling an impending turnaround for Grand Bahama’s beleaguered economy.
Govt ‘on money’ with $65m Grand Lucayan disposal
The government yesterday hit back at its detractors by arguing it was “on the money” with both the timing and value of its $65m Grand Lucayan deal.
There’s a buzz about as hailstorm hits Grand Bahama
GRAND Bahama experienced a hailstorm due to severe weather conditions that developed yesterday afternoon.
Purge of the PLP continues, claims chairman Mitchell
A LOCAL government administrator, perceived to be a supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party, has been dismissed, according to party chairman Fred Mitchell.
2,442 cases of child abuse reported from 2015-2018
THERE were roughly 2,442 cases of reported child abuse from 2015 to 2018, according to Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell.
Dr Kelly's dog whistle
Dr Nicki Kelly is a world-renowned behavioral psychoanalyst who graduated top of her glass at Harvard University and the University of Vienna in Austria and is an authority in the science of assessing the mental health of politicians simply by watching them on television.
Red China not welcome
I don’t know why Chinese embassy officials got all shook up about Caribbean prime ministers – including our prime minister – meeting recently with US president Donald Trump at his Mar-a- Lago retreat in Florida.
New equipment will help deliver critical care
THE public health system has become the first in the region to introduce the ZOLL X Series cardiac monitor and ZOLL Auto Pulse equipment, something officials have heralded as a red letter day in healthcare.
Driver dies at scene of traffic accident
A MAN was killed in a traffic accident on the Grand Bahama highway in Freeport on Tuesday night.
‘Softly’ disappointed over no Family Island division
Bahamas Basketball Federation President Charles “Softly” Robins joined the growing sentiment in the local basketball community to voice their concern over the exclusion of many Family Island teams at the National High School Basketball Championships.
Clarke ranked fourth by COTECC for her division
AS a result of her stellar 2018 campaign, Sydney Clarke is now rated among the elite junior tennis players in the region.
Freedom Farm Baseball League’s U-12 Invitational Tournament opens tonight
TONIGHT marks the opening for Freedom Farm Baseball League’s Under-12 Invitational Tournament as they host several premier youth baseball teams this weekend.
Coroner’s Court returns open verdict on police shooting
A CORONER’S Court jury was undecided on whether a police officer was justified in shooting and killing a 18-year-old man who tried to evade capture in a reported stolen vehicle.
David Slatter MVP in City Bowling League
THE most valuable player (MVP) in the City Bowling League competition Monday night at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre was David Slatter of Telco Enterprises with a 242 high game a 659 high three game series.
Work visa reform to ‘jumpstart’ tech hub
Immigration reforms tabled by the government in parliament yest
Bank competition woes hit financial services access
Lack of competition in the Bahamian commercial banking industry has created barriers to accessing financial services, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report is arguing.
Digital building plan submission to come in 2019
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that the electronic submission and approval of building plans “will happen this year” once the necessary funding is in place.
Airline still focused on international expansion
WESTERN AIR yesterday confirmed that international growth remains in its sights after commencing the expansion of domestic services.
Contractors chief eyes construction rebound
THE Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president yesterday said construction activity could soon experience a major rebound with several major developments in the pipeline.
ART OF GRAPHIX: Designing language all can understand
Getting thrown into the world of graphic design can sometimes feel like learning a new language, especially for novices who may sometimes need to communicate with more experienced counterparts.
Wednesday, March 27
Royal Caribbean International, ITM Group purchase Grand Lucayan
THE government signed a letter of intent Wednesday with Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group for the purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort and redevelopment of the Freeport Harbour, signaling an impending turnaround for Grand Bahama’s beleaguered economy.
‘No PLP policemen, no FNM policemen’
FREE National Movement chairman Carl Culmer has branded Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis’ claims the government is “purging” the police force of Progressive Liberal Party supporters as reckless.
THE ALICIA WALLACE COLUMN: Ask people what they need then maybe we’ll have the right answers
The Economic Empowerment Zone programme launched in the Over-the-Hill community seems to be going nowhere fast with only 17 applications for concessions. It is perplexing that this was presented as a poverty alleviation initiative given its emphasis on businesses rather than households, individuals and vulnerable communities.
Negotiations with teachers to start ‘within a few days’
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd said formal negotiations with the Bahamas Union of Teachers are expected to begin “in days” over a new industrial agreement for the union. The previous agreement expired last June.
Cooper: Disney deal leaves crumbs for the small man
EXUMA MP Chester Cooper said yesterday the country is being “chopped and sold for control” to the interests former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling “spent his life keeping at bay”.
PLP underwhelmed by PM's national address
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell criticised the prime minister’s national address, saying it provided no new information.
Hacking clampdown
REGULATIONS clamping down on the practice of air “hacking” are imminent, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar revealed yesterday.
VIDEO: Hailstones rain down on Grand Bahama
The weather on Grand Bahama took a strange turn today as hailstones rained down.
Cayman deal to ‘triple’ RoyalFidelity pensions
A Bahamian investment bank is simultaneously closing the $40m financing for its management buyout while pursuing a Cayman acquisition that will “more than triple” its pension business.
Crash claims second victim
THE second person involved in Sunday’s fatal traffic accident has died, Inspector Leonardo Burrows confirmed yesterday.
KNIFED TO DEATH OUTSIDE SCHOOL: Juvenile held after boy, 15, fatally stabbed
A NINTH-grade student was fatally stabbed Tuesday following an incident outside a school with another teenage boy.
‘We can’t afford nurses’ overtime’
AS the Public Hospitals Authority has found itself saddled with high overtime bills - at one time climbing to $750,000 in just one month - Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the controversial shift system for nurses has been a vexing issue.
Lucayan managers ‘just want justice’
A UNION executive at the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association says that managers at the Grand Lucayan resort are not being unreasonable and are only asking for “fairness and justice” in the negotiations of their voluntary separation packages.
‘Over-the-Hill initiative fails to address root cause of problems’
THE government’s Over-the-Hill initiative is being ignored because of bureaucracy and its failure to address the root causes of the social and economic challenges facing inner-city residents, according to Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell.
School teaches students with video games
When eighth-grader Alyssa Lingen started her information and communications technology class this year at Patrick Henry Middle School, the art student was repulsed by anything related to computer science, she said.
Manslaughter conviction: Judges dismiss 20-year sentence
THE Court of Appeal has overturned a man’s manslaughter conviction for killing another man in Super Value’s parking lot because while his fingerprint was found on the deceased’s vehicle, there was no evidence as to how long it was there.
FNM chairman: Our party still best for Bahamas
DESPITE a reported decline in support, the Free National Movement is still the best option to lead The Bahamas, party chairman Carl Culmer said yesterday.
EDITORIAL: The challenge of tackling knife crime
THE death of student Perry Louis in a stabbing yesterday is a tragedy that will resonate with every parent across the country.
Not enough indians, too many chiefs
THE Free National Movement (FNM) government of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is being accused of purging the civil service, especially the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), of Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters, after eight assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) were sent on leave.
Gas leak closes insurance complex
THE National Insurance Board’s Clifford Darling Complex headquarters was temporarily closed yesterday morning to address a reported gas leak.
Architects: ‘Free us from building control bondage’
Architects yesterday urged the government to “free us from the bondage of building control”, warning it was “missing out on” up to 80-90 percent of VAT due on professional fees.
Crown to appeal decision to acquit Evans
THE Court of Appeal has granted the Crown leave to appeal its decision to acquit Clinton Evans of murdering Detective Constable Jimmy Ambrose and trying to kill another officer almost 20 years ago.
The better your service, the safer your job, son
My son who was about to embark on his first job asked me what he had to do to ensure job security.
First artificial intelligence Google Doodle features Bach
Google is celebrating composer Johann Sebastian Bach with its first artificial intelligence-powered Doodle.
We would need an officer on board
As a result of the meeting with President Trump are we to understand that the US was offered to up their presence in the southern Bahamas presumably the Inagua RBDF base, to police the waters south of Inagua for contraband — migrant smuggling and especially drugs which head to the US?
‘Buddy’ and Kings top Mavs 125-121
DALLAS (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 23 points, including a crucial basket to help Sacramento stay in front in the final minute, and the Kings beat the Dallas Mavericks 125-121 last night.
NPBA best-of-7 championship series tonight
It is the matchup everybody anticipated as the pennant winners and the defending champions will all hook up in the New Providence Basketball Association’s best-of-seven championship series that starts tonight at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.
NPABO officials: Respect all our referees
ON the eve of two significant nationals - the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s High School and Commonwealth Championships, the New Providence Association of Basketball Officials (NPABO) is calling for deference and respect given to referees across the board.
Bahamian wrestler thorn beats the competition in Barbados
BAHAMIAN wrestler Thorn Demeritte powered his way to a first place finish Sunday at the first Caribbean SuperWeek Beach Wrestling tournament in Bridgetown, Barbados.
On track: Mingoes pick up two titles at USF Bulls Invitational
TAMPA, Florida — The University of The Bahamas Mingoes track programme won two titles at the University of South Florida Bulls Invitational over the weekend to go along with a second and third place finish.
Karate Association hosts referee course, technical seminar
THE Bahamas Karate Association (BKA) hosted a successful referee course and technical seminar in New Providence March 23-24.
THE PRESS BOX: Two free agent running backs My Cowboys should keep an eye on
SLOW and steady is sometimes the best approach in the long NFL offseason.
Federation holds 45th Annual junior Chess Tournament
THE 45th Annual Bahamas Junior Chess Championship took place at Centreville Medical Centre earlier this month.
TECH TALK
• NASA has nixed the first all-female spacewalk over a spacesuit sizing issue.
Port Authority willing to ‘broker’ fake device deals
Activists yesterday said the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) had expressed a willingness “to step in and broker” settlements to the island’s “fake energy saving devices” controversy.
Hotelier demands ‘prohibitive zoning’ on vacation rentals
A Family Island resort operator yesterday suggested the government consider introducing a license fee for vacation rentals based on the number of bedrooms and, possibly, prohibitive zoning.
‘Uneven’ financial access is hidden in The Bahamas
The Bahamas’ high per capita income and well-developed banking industry hides “very uneven access” to financial services, the Central Bank’s governor said yesterday.
Crab Fest organisers visit tourism minister
The organising committee for the All-Andros Crab Festival has visited the minister of tourism as it gears up to welcome 10,000 Bahamians and visitors to the 2019 version.
BISX adds seven more fund listings
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) yesterday said it has added seven new listings to its investment funds roster.
Bahamian firm staging finance crime workshop
A Bahamian asset protection and loss prevention firm is holding a two-day “advanced” anti-money laundering workshop at the British Colonial Hilton, starting tomorrow.
Work space provider expands to Bay St
A Bahamian shared work space provider is expanding its office offerings to a new Bay Street location that will cater to corporate clients.
Tuesday, March 26
Student knifed to death outside school
A NINTH-grade student was fatally stabbed Tuesday following an incident outside a school with another teenage boy.
Suspect shot dead for firing at officers
POLICE shot and killed a man who allegedly fired a gun at them on Monday night.
03262019 NEWS
Tuesday, 26th March, 2019.
EDITORIAL: A little more substance please, Dr Minnis
LAST night was the second of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ national addresses – and while we welcome any increase in communication from the government, we do wish there was more substance to what he had to say.
Minnis: Disney has outstanding record
DISNEY has an “outstanding environmental record” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday, as he doubled down on his defence of the multi-million-dollar cruise facility proposed for South Eleuthera.
FACE TO FACE: A life lived helping us all learn
Why is it that all librarians are similar in personality? I am not referring to the misconception of a fussy old person who hates noise. I am talking about the trend of librarians being level-headed, helpful, resourceful, friendly people with a quiet spirit and gentle demeanour. Dorcas Bowler is the epitome of that description.
Six in court over murder charges
SIX people, including a woman and a teenage boy, were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with the death of a man found last week with multiple bodily injuries in the Freeport area.
Don’t be swayed by fake news, warns commissioner
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is “functioning quite well,” according to Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson who yesterday downplayed pre-retirement leave of eight senior officers in recent weeks and speculation about his own future.
Ferguson not worried by pace of Oban investigation
COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson yesterday took issue with those criticising the pace of his force’s near year-long investigation into the disappearance of an Oban Energies file.
Shameful: Deal is essentially a giveaway, slams Hanna Martin
THE Minnis administration negotiated miserably on behalf of Bahamians, producing a “shameful” deal, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin has said as she slammed the Disney Island Development agreement for South Eleuthera.
Three face murder charges
POLICE claim that three men in their early twenties are the perpetrators behind two separate fatal shooting incidents in both the Fox Hill and Nassau Village communities, footage of which has since gone viral on social media.
Wells commits to FNM and tells PM: I go where you go
TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Renward Wells yesterday reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Free National Movement and defended the party against critics by reiterating its commitment to transparency.
Two more killed in late night accidents
POLICE are investigating two separate traffic accidents that left two men dead and another man in hospital.
Higgs wins appeal against drugs ban
Bahamian national soccer player Jared Higgs has won his appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Switzerland against the Bahamas Football Association’s four-year ban for an alleged doping violation.
GB Power Company declares ‘bogus device’ amnesty
GRAND Bahama Power Company has put in place an emergency remediation programme for all customers who purchased a “fake” energy saving device which is at the centre of a police investigation into a complaint filed by the company over alleged electricity theft.
Decision imminent on Lucayan deal
The Grand Lucayan's chairman yesterday confirmed a preferred bidder for the resort is likely to be announced this week with the Board set to submit its recommendations imminently.
PM promises crime crackdown and warns criminals: WE WON’T STOP
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has warned criminals that they will be relentlessly tracked down and brought to justice, but failed to unveil new plans that haven’t already been publicised to aid the war on crime.
With tourism, we're onto something positive
Several exciting things have been announced in the Bahamian tourism industry and more are in the pipe line, so to speak.
Justin Roberts leads Sun Devils to 2-1 win-loss record
JUSTIN Roberts had a great individual performance to lead the Arizona State University Sun Devils men’s tennis team to a 2-1 win-loss record in their collegiate matchups over the weekend.
4th High School Basketball Nationals in Grand Bahama
THE best high school basketball players in the island nation are set to showcase their skills at the fourth edition of the National High School Basketball Championships.
Welcome home Team Bahamas!
TEAM Bahamas received a rousing welcome at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on Friday full of cheers, hugs and Junkanoo music upon their return from the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Saunders to join Uplifting Athletes to raise funds for Sickle Cell Anaemia
MAVIN Saunders has been heralded for his community service efforts and has partnered with one organisation to continue those efforts as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Activists slam GB Power over ‘strong arm tactics’
Activists have accused Grand Bahama Power Company of employing “strong arm tactics” to force customers to settle the “fake energy savings devices” controversy on its terms.
Public art plan to help revitalise Downtown Nassau
WITH a view to support Bahamian cultural development, the government is launching a public art and murals programme, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last night.
An eyesore which should be removed
I wish the developers and the lenders of the Fusion IMAX Theatre on the top of Gladstone Road all the luck in the world. They have tackled a huge project and taken a huge financial risk and I hope they get their just reward.
Laundromats deserve our support
The Minister of Tourism seems hell bent on squashing every small independent laundromat on New Providence.
‘Shockingly serious’ attack at Arawak Cay
23-POLICE are investigating the “shockingly serious” attack of a 23-year-old immigration officer attending a private music event at Arawak Cay on Sunday.
Figures reveal level of sexual assaults on cruise ships
ALLEGED sexual assault remains the most reported criminal activity on board cruise ships according to international year-end statistics.
Four-month delay for theft appeal
FORMER College of the Bahamas employee Chimeka Gibbs’ appeal of her conviction for stealing $700,000 from the tertiary institution over a seven-year period was put off by almost four months yesterday due to an issue with the trial transcripts.
PETER YOUNG: Is this the end game? God knows how it’s going to play out
While it is essential to vary the content of this column, the massively controversial issue of Brexit is reaching a climax so this is a follow-up to last week’s report on the subject.
Gaither kicks off outdoor campaign with top 3 finish
It was a relatively good start to the outdoor track and field campaign for Bahamian female sprinter TyNia Gaither as she finished in the top three in the female double sprints in the Prairie View Relays at the Memorial Stadium.
Buying vs renting a wedding dress
Buttons Bridal Show to display latest styles
For many brides-to-be, price is the biggest factor in determining whether to rent or purchase a wedding dress. After price, it’s style, sentimentality and pure emotion that dictate the decision.
A new era of nail design
Technology has not only made our lives easier, it has also allowed us to be more creative in many areas.
Deepening violence against women and young men
Why is it that so many people celebrate violence against women? Why do we define masculinity as a man’s ability to sire children and abuse women? Why do we see it as imperative that men perform violence to control their women?
LIFE LINES: Talking to ourselves
We all talk to ourselves. Our inner dialogue is always running, sometimes quietly and sometimes very loudly, whether we actually speak out loud or not. This inner stream of consciousness has a huge impact on the way we see ourselves, the way we behave and the way we interact with others.
Bahamian men have higher risk of developing prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Bahamian men. Present statistics show that one in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
OFF THE SPECTRUM: Don’t be so down
Down syndrome (DS) is a disorder that has been around for ages. Frankly, before I became knowledgeable of the origin of the name Down syndrome, I detested it. To me, it evoked sadness. It was as if the individuals with DS should be pitied. When I was made privy of how this name originated, I felt humbled at first, then appreciative.
Love in the time of HIV/AIDS
In the first part of our interview with Analise* last week, we spoke to the mother-of-four about how she contracted HIV and learned to lead a full life even with the disease. Thanks to her strict adherence to medication, she has now survived 24 years of being HIV positive.
Five ways to increase your physical activity without exercise
Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic.
Seize ‘new optimism’ for Bahamian empowerment
A Cabinet minister yesterday urged The Bahamas to seize the “new optimism” and empower more local ownership of an economy that “is beginning to tick”.
Nassau air arrivals strike 28-year peak
Air arrivals to New Providence achieved their highest quarterly growth for 28 years during the final three months of 2018, expanding by 20.6 percent to complete a strong year for Bahamian tourism.
Poultry producers in push for quotas
A BAHAMIAN poultry producer yesterday revealed it is “pushing” for chicken imports to be regulated by quotas rather than the current tariff system as The Bahamas’ march to WTO accession continues.
Bahamian restaurant expands to new site
Jumbey Café, the Village Road-based restaurant deeply rooted in Bahamian flavours, has expanded to a second location on Carmichael Road.
Customer service boost for cruise port providers
Vendors, tour operators and government agencies who operate at Prince George Wharf were given the chance to sharpen their customer service skills recently during a two-day workshop.
Bahamas urged: ‘Seize’ blockchain opportunity
BLOCKCHAIN and crypto currency assets have the potential to revolutionise “the way we do business”, a local advocate said yesterday, urging The Bahamas to “seize the opportunity”.
National debt ends 2018 at $8.22BN
The Bahamas’ national debt finished 2018 at $8.22bn, having increased by $335.3m last year, although GDP growth meant it fell slightly in proportion to the size of the economy.
Monday, March 25
03252019 EDITION
Monday, 25th March, 2019.
INSIGHT: Playing it safe when friends fall out
SPECTATORS of the mounting tension between economic superpowers – the United States and China – have had much to talk about this week with both countries trading barbs in the lead-up to President Donald Trump meeting Caribbean leaders in Palm Beach on Friday.
'After 50 years of neglect, you cannot resolve inner-city problems in one year'
DESPITE a poor response to the concessions offered under the government’s Economic Empowerment Zone initiative, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is confident the plan will work.
Bahamas $750m bond missed global standard
The government last night said it “recognised the merits” of reform after the IMF revealed The Bahamas’ last US$750m sovereign bond issue did not meet evolving global standards.
Trump’s promise on crime alerts: President told warnings old and overblown
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he told US President Donald Trump that crime advisories should be used to raise awareness and not initiate fear, adding criminal attacks on American tourists in this country were “negligible”.
Dolphin assault led to sacking
A FORMER Dolphin Cay marine mammal specialist was wrong for not informing her supervisor that a female guest had breached company policy by touching a dolphin’s genitals seven years ago, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Bishops demand ‘war on guns’
FIVE local bishops “frustrated” with the recent wave of gun-related violence in New Providence have called on National Security Minister Marvin Dames to declare a “war” on guns.
Police departures: Why the big deal?
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis says he does not know what the “big deal” is when it comes to controversy over high-ranking Royal Bahamas Police Force officers being asked to take accumulated vacation followed by retirement. Instead Dr Minnis asked: “What is wrong with taking vacation?”
BLTA members take advantage of four-day play tennis course
JOHN Goede, the International Tennis Federation’s development officer for the Caribbean, is in town to conduct a four-day clinic for Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association members.
Regulators warn BPL: Be ‘fair’ in your probe
Regulators have warned Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) to be “fair, transparent and non-discriminatory” over any probe into whether its customers are using “fake energy saving devices”.
The Bahamas is not Nassau, says PM as he promises to keep visiting the Family Islands
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis says he will continue trips to the Family Islands despite Official Opposition criticisms that the visits are being used for political campaigning.
WORLD VIEW: Caribbean in no one’s backyard
PJ Patterson, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, recently observed to an attentive audience in Washington, DC that: “We of the Caribbean should never allow our strategy to be dictated or determined by anyone else”, adding that “we live in no one’s backyard”.
Police seize $12,000 worth of marijuana
POLICE discovered and seized $12,000 worth of suspected marijuana and a firearm in Eight Mile Rock on the weekend.
Decomposing body found in building
FOUL play is not suspected in the discovery of a male’s decomposing body in a building at East Street and Odle Corner over the weekend, a senior police officer said yesterday.
EDITORIAL: The health of a nation, is the wealth of a nation
IT WOULD appear that Prime Minister Minnis is unwilling, embarrassed or unable to muster the courage to address the “pink elephant in the room”. While some may be relieved to learn it is not an Immigration, U.S. crime warning, OECD black listing or global pandemic spread by some highly infectious disease, in reality it is a far more deadly, insidious and immediate threat to our country.
Uncle Sam should look nearer to home
One popular saying springs to mind when attempting to digest the recent pious pronouncements from our good friends in the US State Department: Practice what you preach or change your speech.
We need financial independence
When I was pursuing my math education training with the University of the West Indies in the 1990's, I was taught that developed economics dealt more in manufacturing than the developing economies. For example we would sell them pineapples. They would can it and sell us back for a higher price. It is call adding value to the product.
Were police watching TV?
Re: We need police on our streets.
‘Buddy’ sets franchise season record for 3s
IT was a game of milestones for both Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton in their fourth and final head-to-head matchup of the 2018-19 NBA regular season.
Bahamians make splash in NCAA Swimming Championships
SEVERAL Bahamian student athletes participated in the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas.
NPBA Playoffs: Stingers, High Flyers take 2-1 leads
THE PJ Stingers and the Breezes High Flyers are both now one game away from returning to the New Providence Basketball Association’s championship series.
Pro boxer Rashield Williams loses split decision
RASHIELD Williams felt what it was like to be on the other side of his professional boxing career after he suffered his first loss in his second fight this year.
Big Red Machine in the win column
The St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine captured half of the divisional titles and a number of athletes attained the CARIFTA qualifying standards on the final day of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s National Track and Field Championships.
Miller re-elected president of BAAC in landslide victory
SHAUN Miller has been re-elected as president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Coaches in a landslide victory over past president Curtis Pride with all of his slate of officers voted in.
Ex-Bahamas CEO defeats $2m asset freeze reimposition
A former Bahamas-based chief executive, accused by his ex-employer of taking $2m in unauthorised payments and expenses, has successfully resisted the reimposition of an asset freeze.
Lucayan managers in new ‘reasonable’ proposal to govt
The Grand Lucayan’s managerial union is seeking a ministerial meeting early this week after submitting a “reasonable” offer to resolve the long-running payout impasse.
BAIC warning to tenants: ‘Put your house in order’
THE Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has warned delinquent tenants to “get their house in order”, its chairman noting that several businesses had been evicted over the past year.
Tourism must ‘continuously up its game’, minister urges
A Cabinet minister has called on the Bahamian tourism industry to “continuously up its game” following its record-breaking visitor arrivals performance in 2018.
Tripartite Council in ‘aggressive’ agenda
A Cabinet minister has described the 16 projects in the National Tripartite Council’s strategic plan to improve workplace relations as “aggressive and ambitious”.
BAIC chair’s pledge to ‘step up our game’
THE Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has not been as “visible and impactful” as it ought to be, its newly-appointed chairman has admitted, pledging: “We will be stepping up our game.”
‘Lax’ building practices link to storm damage
A large number of hurricane-damaged homes are built by construction companies that fail to comply with The Bahamas’ building code, a government official has said.
Sunday, March 24
Two in hospital after being attacked at Arawak Cay
Police are reporting that a man and a woman were attacked at a musical event at Arawak Cay on Sunday night.
Friday, March 22
BUT calls for Ministry to establish communicable diseases protocol
THE BAHAMAS Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson is calling for the Ministry of Health to establish a protocol relating to tuberculosis, scabies or any communicable diseases.
Body found in Carmichael Road area 'a homicide'
POLICE are currently investigating the discovery of a body at a Lake Grove Road house late Thursday as a homicide, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash has said.
BUT to present government with letter over industrial agreement
THE Bahamas Union of Teachers will present the government with a letter on Monday relating to its new industrial agreement and is calling for the government to respond within seven days, according to president Belinda Wilson.
Man convicted of home invasion killing seeking to appeal
THE man who shot and killed Blair Estates resident Andre Cartwright during a home invasion five years ago is maintaining that he did not commit the crime.
Negotiations between nurses union, PMH reach impasse
NEGOTIATIONS between the Bahamas Nurses Union and Public Hospitals Authority have reached an impasse, BNU President Amancha Williams said Friday, while indicating there could be industrial action at any time if there is no consensus on lingering concerns.
PM attends multilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump
PRIME Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis participated on Friday in a multilateral meeting between Caribbean Heads of State and Government, and United States President Donald J Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida.
NTC holds second annual general assembly
THE National Tripartite Council (NTC) held its 2nd annual general assembly Friday under the theme “Transform, Innovate and Restore”.
Mitchell unhappy with HOA 'arrogance'
THE details in the Heads of Agreement between the government and Disney for a cruise facility at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera have raised concerns, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday.
Don't be alarmed by TB figures, says Sands
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed yesterday that of almost 200 people screened for tuberculosis in two government schools, skin tests for 20 of them have come back from the lab positive. However, he said this is nothing to be alarmed about.
Jamaican fined $3,000 as he admits impersonating dentist
A Jamaican teenager who goes by the nickname “Pumpkin” has been fined $3,000 for admitting to impersonating a local dentist over the last five months.
Farewell Monsignor
DURING his funeral service at St Francis Xavier Cathedral yesterday the late Monsignor Preston Alexander Moss Jr was described as a gifted preacher, great citizen, and “priest of rare gifts and tremendous talents” by Archbishop Patrick Pinder.
RBDF senior command to relocate - Dames
THE government remains committed to the decentralisation of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, National Security Minister Marvin Dames has suggested.
‘Beaten’ suspect: Seven cops took part
A LAWYER whose client was taken from the Central Detective Unit by emergency medical services this week say pictures capture the bruises the man allegedly sustained in custody.
Five top officers join force exodus
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday pledged “there will be more to come” after five high-ranking Royal Bahamas Police Force officers were retired.
Robber’s killing ruled lawful
A POLICE officer was justified in killing a teenager who was said to have robbed one man and attempted to rob another while armed with a fake gun less than an hour before his death in 2012, a jury has found.
BPL launches own 'fake' device probe
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) yesterday revealed it is investigating whether itself and its customers have fallen victim to the same "fake" energy-saving devices impacting Grand Bahama.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires warns: Choose help carefully
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers said yesterday leaders should choose “high-quality, transparent, and inclusive foreign investment” and ensure they are getting the best deal for their respective citizens in the long-term.
Taxi-plate moratorium to be lifted
THE Minnis administration is committed to lifting the moratorium on taxi plates in the country, Transport Minister Renward Wells said yesterday.
70 inmates graduate after studying gospel
THE Bahamas Department of Correctional Services hosted a ceremony for the second group of inmates graduating from the facility’s journey programme yesterday.
Residents angry about neglected buildings
LUCAYAN Towers South – once a premier residential high-rise condominium building in Freeport/Lucaya – is showing serious signs of deterioration and neglect which is causing some concern among many of the condo owners who reside there and say they pay monthly maintenance fees.
Where ‘rubber meets road’ on tourism growth
The “true testament” of The Bahamas’ record tourism growth will be whether it translates into increased economic impact and jobs, a top Chamber of Commerce executive said yesterday.
Minnis to make second address to the nation
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will deliver his second report to the nation for the year on Monday at 8pm.
A COMIC'S VIEW: Two giants fighting for our affections
The past few weeks, I’ve tried to focus on my personal life - my barber shop stories, and just everyday life as a father raising kids and tending to my family, which I value a lot.
Robinson feels some heat on social media
BAIN and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson received some criticism after he made a Facebook post that appeared to defend a man recently arraigned in court.
EDITORIAL: A chance to change the police for good
THE latest round of senior police officers being told to go home – and more to follow – is no surprise given the top-heavy nature of the force.
GBPA conducts own investigation into suspected electricity theft
AFTER recent incidents of suspected electricity theft involving several businesses in Freeport, the Grand Bahama Port Authority said it conducted its own independent investigation and has determined the work performed by a person selling and installing so-called energy saving devices was not in compliance with his business licence.
Why choose Wells as our acting PM?
I couldn’t help but notice an interesting announcement that Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells will be serving as acting prime minister while Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is away at an important meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida.
Hired to serve, not to frustrate
I write today with a frightening concern. Is it possible that, as a result of the standoff between the Passport Office and the Office of the Registrar General, some Bahamians are likely to find themselves stateless or at the very least undocumented?
Munroe, Isaacs Jr latest call-ups for spring training
WITH the latest call-ups, a total of seven Bahamian minor league prospects have now participated in spring training with their respective Major League Baseball organisations.
Freedom Farm tourney to mark 30 years
AS a part of the celebrations for their 30th anniversary, Freedom Farm will hold a 12-and-under International Invitational Tournament next weekend at Freedom Farm.
Ballin’ By Da Beach Basketball Camp to host ‘Run ‘n’ Shoot'
BALLIN’ By Da Beach Basketball Camp looks to make another progressive initiative in local girls’ basketball.
High jumpers qualify for CARIFTA Games
In a repeat showdown from last year, Kenya Forbes turned the tables on Shaunece Miller as the two high jumpers took the top two spots and also surpassed the under-17 girls’ qualifying height for the CARIFTA Games.
NPBA Playoffs: Aliv Bucket and Rockets even series 1-1
THE Aliv Bucket and the Discount Distributors Rockets both won on Wednesday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium to even their respective New Providence Basketball Association best-of-five playoff series 1-1.
Jaron Cornish and the Seawolves eliminated
A STORIED collegiate basketball career for Abaco native Jaron Cornish came to an end when his Stony Brook Seawolves were eliminated from the Roman College Basketball Invitational in heartbreaking fashion.
Upcoming events at Mount Olive Baptist Church
Scripture focus: “O Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great king over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the Excellency of Jacob whom He loved.” (Psalm 47; 1-4)
The war inside
We all know that there are wars raging on the other side of the world. There is the war on crime, poverty and family violence that is being fought on our shores, but there is a third war that needs to be waged and won on the inside of each one of us.
DJ Godson and Co give ‘crazy praise’ to Jesus
AFTER successfully pulling off the recent “Da Crazy Praise Party”, gospel artist Maurice “DJ Godson” Fawkes has turned his attention to preparations for the upcoming Gospel Fest.
Guard your heart more than anything else
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) provides us with very important advice. It states, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”
Religious happenings around town
• Forever: A Night of Worship
Life after death
Whether we are alive or dead, we belong to God and nothing can separate us from God, not even death. Death is best seen as a door through which we go into a new and larger dimension of life with God.
Bahamas’ economic welfare ‘paramount’ in US-China battle
The Bahamian economy’s welfare must be “paramount” when the prime minister meets Donald Trump today, an ex-DNA leader warning: “We can’t afford any more hits.”
Digital B$ ‘very critical’ to future of Family Islands
A digital Bahamian dollar will likely be “extremely critical” for future access to financial services on the Family Islands, the Exuma Chamber of Commerce’s president argued yesterday.
Govt ‘can’t in wildest dream’ take tourism upsurge credit
THE opposition’s and shadow tourism minister yesterday argued that the government “couldn’t in their wildest dreams” take credit for The Bahamas’ record-setting tourism pace.
Hotels enjoy growth ‘in all key indicators’
Major Nassau/Paradise Island hotels have enjoyed “growth in all key performance indicators” during early 2019, a leading hotelier said yesterday.
Chamber chief eyes ‘quick’ electricity theft resolution
THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s (GBCC) president yesterday voiced hope for a “quick and amicable” resolution to the Grand Bahama Power Company’s (GBPC) theft claims.
Thursday, March 21
03212019 EDITION
Thursday, 21st March, 2019.
Video footage of two shootings goes viral
VIDEO footage depicting Sunday’s two fatal shootings has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage at the level of brazen, violent crime in the country.
Pair face murder charge
TWO Grand Bahama men accused of attempted murder were arraigned in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Woman denies swindling her employer of $200,000
A 54-year-old woman was charged with 76 counts of fraud yesterday over allegations she swindled her employer out of more than $200,000 over the last year, then used some of the money to pay for real estate.
Bowe: Too early to judge Over-the-Hill initiative
DECLARING the Over-the-Hill programme noble and well-intentioned, Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants president Gowon Bowe said yesterday the verdict is out on whether its tax concessions component will prove “fit for purpose”.
Campbell defends size of United Nations delegation
SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell said yesterday 70 people in a delegation that recently travelled to a women’s rights conference in New York either paid for their own expenses or were assisted by private sector donors.
‘What we see is a repeat, or worse, of Castaway Cay’
ACTIVISTS slammed the heads of agreement tabled in Parliament yesterday between Disney Cruise Lines and the government as a realisation of “our worst environmental, economic and societal fears.”
Tourism ‘firing on all cylinders’ via 9% rise
A Cabinet minister yesterday said Bahamian tourism is “firing on all cylinders” with forward stopover bookings for the next three months some nine percent ahead of 2018 comparatives.
Disney’s deal with all the trimmings
DISNEY Island Development Ltd, the company set to construct a multi-million-dollar cruise facility in South Eleuthera, will receive hefty exemptions to carry out the project that would otherwise result in millions added to the public purse.
Relatives question brother’s jail death
RELATIVES of a Haitian man who died at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services last month are demanding answers over the cause of his death.
As PM prepares for Trump’s Florida meeting: China Embassy blasts US ‘lies’
CHINESE officials in the Bahamas say they are confident the people and government of the Bahamas will see through the fabrications and “irresponsible accusations” put forth by the United States, referring to planned talks between US President Donald Trump and various regional leaders.
Power firm warns over bogus device
POWER supply has finally been restored at several businesses in Freeport following an investigation conducted by the Grand Bahama Power Company into a “fake” energy saving device that was allegedly sold to many business owners and residents on Grand Bahama by a local contractor.
Outrage at shotgun shark killing
BAHAMAS National Trust executive director Eric Carey wants authorities to investigate a “sickening” shark killing captured on film.
App to help track garbage collection set for release
THE Ministry of Environment will be releasing an app that will allow users to track garbage collection, Director of Environmental Health Services Melanie McKenzie said yesterday.
Isaac takes top prize in writing competition
Isaac Choute of CI Gibson Senior High School scooped first prize as overall winner at last week’s awards ceremony for the third annual national essay competition organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with The Nassau Institute. Runner-up was Angel Knowles of Temple Christian Senior High School and Megan Thompson of Kingsway Academy came third.
Sands make 9th year tournament one of giving back
FREEPORT, Bahamas — As spring approaches, so do the hot days of the Bahamian sun, but thankfully the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company was able to enjoy a breezy and not too warm Sunday on the greens for their 9th Annual Sands Beer Golf Tournament in Grand Bahama.
‘Night and day’ - if Disney’s $32m effect stays on island
Disney’s cruise port will have “a night and day” effect on South Eleuthera provided most of its forecast $32.2m annual impact remains in the community, a business leader said yesterday.
We need ministry of natural resources, says MP Chipman
CENTREVILLE MP Reece Chipman petitioned the House of Assembly yesterday to establish a Ministry of Natural Resources.
The world has lost a noble, courageous, saintly man
Msgr. Preston Moss’ first impact on my life happened when he and Sister Madene Russell advised my late Father (Sir Clement) that, as a 15-year-old student, I should attend Barry College, then an all girls Catholic College. Frequently, when I saw Msgr. Moss, he would remind me that, as a Freshman at Barry, I carried the cross during a significant outdoor procession. He encouraged me, as he did others, to recall my duty to carry to the world the redeeming message of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. A conversation along this line last year, was my last engaging encounter with Msgr. Moss.
Supreme Court to decide if Archer gets new appeal
THE Court of Appeal has ordered that a Supreme Court judge will determine whether Ministry of Works Registrar Omar Archer’s appeal of his conviction for threatening a former assistant commissioner of police in a social media post should be reinstated.
Joenel’s appeal for help to pay for her kidney op
A TEENAGER is seeking donations to help pay for a needed kidney transplant.
EDITORIAL: The question's there - is the prize enough?
THE tabling of the Heads of Agreement for the Disney deal in South Eleuthera gives us all the chance to see the devil in the detail.
Mitchell's insight behind solar deal
Kudos to Hon Fred Mitchell for the insight when he was Foreign Minister of persuading the UAE to make the $4million donation and yesterday the largest solar generating unit was opened officially - of course the Minnis government made no mention or reference to the work of Mr Mitchell - would never expect that.
Making history: Bridgewater jumps from high school to pro ranks
DOMINICK Bridgewater made Bahamian basketball history by becoming the first player to make the jump straight from high school to the professional ranks.
Charles Bain and Colonials advance to 2nd round
CHARLES Bain and the Robert Morris Colonials are moving on to the second round of the 2019 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
Special Olympics: Two more medals for Team Bahamas
Team Bahamas closed out the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games with two medals won on the final day of competition in Abu Dhabi.
Sprint hurdler Sasha Wells named Summit League’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
A breakout indoor season for sprint hurdler Sasha Wells produced a top honour in her conference.
World Jr Tennis Championships qualifier: Bahamas 0-2 in group play
TEAM Bahamas is now 0-2 in group play as they attempt to qualify among the top teams in the region for the World Junior Tennis Championships.
‘We’d be double size’ if not for SEC probe
A “super-strong” Bahamian broker/dealer would be “twice the size it is now” if not for a “bogus” US investigation targeting its principal, Tribune Business was told yesterday.
Electricity theft ‘fraud victims’ face big bills
Multiple Grand Bahama businesses and residents could be “victims of a fraud” that may have cost the island’s sole electricity provider millions of dollars, it was revealed yesterday.
Aviation attorney gives aircraft registry update
A Higgs & Johnson partner addressed proposed upgrades to this nation’s aviation regime at the recent International Business and Finance Summit (IBFS) in Bimini.
Aliv to accept B$ right from launch
Aliv’s top executive has pledged that the mobile operator and its controlling shareholder, Cable Bahamas, will accept payment in digital Bahamian dollars from the day these are launched.
Trump-ing US travel warning on Bahamas
A Cabinet minister yesterday said he has “cautiously” asked the prime minister to raise The Bahamas’ concerns over US travel advisories when he meets Donald Trump this weekend.
Tourism minister: All say 'things are hot'
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the benefits of The Bahamas' "unprecedented" tourism growth were having a "trickle down" effect that is boosting various segments of the industry.
Wednesday, March 20
03202019 EDITION
Wednesday, 20th March, 2019.
Call to prevent expansion of shanty towns
THE government is working on an enforcement plan to prevent the expansion of shanty towns in the country, according to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes yesterday.
THE ALICIA WALLACE COLUMN: It’s shoddy, unacceptable and time we demanded better
The current administration has not been popular - and that may be an understatement.
Grand Lucayan buyers down to 'three or four'
THE government has narrowed its list of potential purchasers for the Grand Lucayan down to “three or four” out of 60 interested bidders, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar.
'Attack does not warrant formal advisory about travelling to America'
THE savage knife attack of a Bahamian at a Pembroke Pines eatery over the weekend, while “unfortunate,” does not warrant a formal advisory for Bahamians travelling to the United States, two Cabinet ministers have said.
Stay on your guard in US, slash victim warns Bahamians
READMITTED to a hospital in Florida due to severe swelling and excruciating pain in his face, Harold Williams warned Bahamian travellers to “stay on your guard” during their next visit to the United States.
Dames defends failure to appoint inspectorate
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday defended the government’s failure to appoint the Police Complaints Inspectorate despite its legal mandate to do so.
Freeport revival ‘as real as it’s been for 20 years’
Freeport realtors yesterday revealed “a 360 degree turn” in buyer activity in recent weeks due to the prospect of an economic revival that is “as real as it’s been for 20 years”.
‘New post office - it’s months away’
BAHAMIANS have been “deceived” by the government regarding the relocation of the General Post Office, Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday.
PM’s initiative - just 17 apply
WITH no restroom and an unseemly roof, Trevor Moss’ tyre shop in Bain and Grants Town would be an ideal beneficiary of tax concessions under the government’s Over-the-Hill programme.
Police call 911 for suspect ‘beaten’ in custody
EMERGENCY medical services were called to the Central Detective Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force yesterday to help a man who was allegedly beaten in custody, according to his lawyer Christina Galanos.
PM set to meet Donald Trump on Friday
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and other regional leaders will meet with US President Donald Trump on Friday as the American leader looks to “counter China’s predatory economic practices” in the region among other things.
BAAA High School Track and Field Nationals set for this weekend
FORGET about who won the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools track and field championships.
NHI: ‘We’re going where no man has gone before’
The Chamber of Commerce’s top executive yesterday said it was “critical” to get National Health Insurance (NHI) right first time, adding: “We’re going where no man’s gone before.”
GB energy theft ‘may become much larger’
A Freeport-based advocacy group plans to meet with the Grand Bahama Power Company’s (GBPC) regulator next week over the “really terrible” way the utility has handled claims of electricity theft.
Ecuadorian pair admit overstaying
TWO Ecuadorians who admitted to coming to The Bahamas to be smuggled to the US were arraigned on Tuesday in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court for being in breach of the Immigration Act.
Foulkes calls for ‘give and take’ in Morton Salt talks
AMID tenuous negotiations between Morton Salt (Bahamas) and the trade union representing its line-staff, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes has called for a process of “give and take,” urging the two sides to move closer to a resolution.
Seven fast-food outlets in GB could be closed today
THE closure of at least one of the seven fast-food restaurants owned by the Cooper family could happen as early as today due to the disconnection of power supply at those businesses by the Grand Bahama Power Company, The Tribune has learned.
Schools will be digital within 18 months – Lloyd
EDUCATION Minister Jeffrey Lloyd said yesterday in the next 12 to 18 months, public school systems will be digital.
Banton: Time to stand up and speak out
“And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.” - 2 Chronicles 7:12-15
Dr Sands, I need help – this is serious
Could you print this as an open letter to Dr Duane Sands? Thank you, Bob Thompson
CC Sweeting High to kick off 50th anniversary celebrations
CC Sweeting Secondary High School is all set to kick off its 50th anniversary celebrations with its tribute to coaches Julie Wilson and Mario Bowleg on Saturday.
Killer paid off bills with ‘blood money’
A MAN previously admitted to police that he murdered another man in the Woods Alley area three years ago not only in furtherance of a murder plot, but because he and the deceased were gang rivals.
Special Olympics athletes win 12 medals - five gold
Team Bahamas added a bronze from the 7 -a-side Unified soccer team to its medal haul at the Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Summer Games.
NPBA PLAYOFFS: Commonwealth Bank Giants teams take 2-0 lead
THE Commonwealth Bank Giants continued their undefeated season with another win over the University of the Bahamas Mingoes and their junior team, Your Essential Store Giants, also won over the Triple K Stampers.
Arie and Kaitlyn take home King of the Hill Cycling Classic titles
THE New Providence Cycling Association held its King of the Hill Cycling Classic for the month of March over the weekend around the western end of the island with Arie Smith carting off the men’s title, while Kaitlyn Williams won the ladies’ crown.
THE PRESS BOX: Four potential free agent signings for my Cowboys
FINALLY, the wheels are moving for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
Mario Brown City Bowling League MVP
THE most valuable player (MVP) in City Bowling League competition Monday night at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre was Mario Brown of the Tenback Strikers-Lee’s Motor Works with a 644 high three game series.
Promoter of $5m crypto exchange backs regulation
A Bahamian entrepreneur seeking to raise $5m to finance a crypto currency asset exchange has backed the deputy prime minister’s call for regulation of this space.
Ragged Island renewables as high as 95%
RAGGED Island’s renewable energy penetration will be as high as 95 percent through a solar plant that will be owned by Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), it was revealed yesterday.
Local provider slams eight month solar approval wait
A Bahamian solar energy provider yesterday branded "gird-interactive" systems as ideal for The Bahamas while bemoaning the eight-month wait for solar installations to be approved.
BAMSI teams with tourism for Andros Harvest Festival
The Ministry of Tourism has teamed with the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) to host the first annual Harvest Festival in Morgan’s Bluff, North Andros, on March 30.
Morton Salt asserts ‘good faith’ stance
MORTON Salt yesterday asserted that it has been negotiating “in good faith” with the trade union acting for over 100 line staff amid growing industrial tensions on Inagua.
Workshop focuses on enhanced construction
Contractors and other construction industry players were yesterday armed with knowledge on how to build homes that can withstand up to category 5 hurricanes.
Regulator admits renewable energy roll-out ‘relatively slow’
Energy regulators yesterday revealed there has been a “relatively slow” take-up of small-scale renewable generation with just 2.1 megawatts (MW) installed to-date.
Tuesday, March 19
03192019 EDITION
Tuesday, 19th March, 2019.
Man shot dead on Mackey Street
POLICE are investigating the country’s latest homicide after a man was found dead at the junction of Mackey Street and Wilton Street Tuesday morning.
PETER YOUNG: Rejected it may be, but May’s deal may be pill which has to be swallowed
For many people in Britain it is mind-boggling that with so little time remaining before the nation is due to leave the European Union on March 29 the terms of its departure have still not secured parliamentary approval.
Bahamians can take advantage of US interview waiver
MANY Bahamians seeking American visas have taken advantage of the US’ interview waiver programme, according to US Embassy spokesperson Penny Rechkemmer.
FACE TO FACE: Now that’s a SMART idea
Last week I met a group of smart women who decided to come together to do something special for this country.
'Two made disclosures within extension time'
TWO of three parliamentarians who requested extra time to disclose their assets and liabilities this year made their disclosures before the end of the extension period, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
No restriction on cannabis-based products
THERE are no restrictions on the import of topical products containing cannabis compound CBD, according to Customs Controller Dr Geannine Moss yesterday.
‘GBPC refusing to sit down and talk to us’
A LAWYER representing Grand Bahama business owners has claimed that a Grand Bahama Power Company executive refuses to sit down with them to find an “amicable” resolution regarding disconnection of power supply at seven fast food restaurants which are the subject of a police investigation into alleged electricity theft.
Reckley trial moves a step closer going to court
FORMER Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley is one step closer to standing trial over allegations she defrauded the government of $1.2m via the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repair programme in Grand Bahama.
Jamaican teenager denies pretending to be a dentist
A JAMAICAN teenager who goes by the nickname “Pumpkin” yesterday refuted allegations he posed and billed himself as a local dentist over the last five months.
BISX: We’ll make it cheaper to go public
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) will next week issue proposed rules changes designed to “make it cheaper and easier” for companies to go public.
Bahamian’s face slashed in Florida restaurant attack
A BAHAMIAN man has said he is thankful to be alive after he was slashed in his face during a knife attack at a restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Saturday.
‘Don’t be so petty, prime minister’
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper is firing back at Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent taunts against him, calling for the prime minister to “resist the temptation to be petty”.
Gospel singer on rape charge
CHRISTIAN Massive lead singer Cartnel Kent Johnson was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday with allegedly raping a woman earlier this month.
Oban boss - 100% we’ll go ahead
ALEXANDER Grikitis, president of Oban Energies, declared his confidence in the future of the $5.5bn oil storage and refinery project after a lengthy meeting with government officials at the Ministry of Labour yesterday.
Bahamian players all set for invitational tournaments
IT may not be in the highly publicised NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but several Bahamian players will have an opportunity to extend their postseasons at the Division I level.
Massage on the move
For the past 11 years, Nadia Beneby has dedicated her time and passion to massage therapy.
‘Big improvement’ needed on $16m Water Corp debt
The Water & Sewerage Corporation’s main supplier yesterday warned it expects a “significant improvement” in the state-owned utility’s repayment of $16.1m owing to it at end-February 2019.
Single-use plastics ‘to be banned by 2020’
DRAFT legislation is in place for the ban of Styrofoam and single-use plastics, with a target date of implementation by 2020, according to Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira.
AG's Frank Smith appeal adjourned until May
THE Crown’s appeal of former PLP Senator Frank Smith’s recent acquittal of 15 bribery and extortion related charges was adjourned by over a month because the prosecution has not received the trial transcripts.
Newbold to focus on TV
PRESS Secretary Anthony Newbold is now overseeing television programming for the Office of The Prime Minister, The Tribune understands.
$4m solar car park opens at stadium
THE Minnis administration is currently in the process of bringing solar power to Ragged Island – an initiative which will make steps toward fulfilling the government’s long-awaited promise of making that island the first fully “green” island in the region.
EDITORIAL: Fishing for the truth about Oban
IT is more than a year now since the much-heralded Oban Energies Heads of Agreement was signed – a year in which the leaders of the project have changed and government enthusiasm has wilted in the face of revelations about those they were dealing with.
Well done, my child, well done indeed
Preston, our fallen Priest, most highly esteemed! May the Good Lord be with you!
We must leave the right legacy
My people, we are called to be the environmental consciousness pioneers, at this critical juncture of Earth’s dramatic agony, caused by our human species.
Major Jr wins another title
Kevin Major Jr, playing in his second tournament for the year, clinched another title as he breezed through the USTA/UTR Open Championships in Miami Beach (South Beach), Florida.
Swimmers Evans, Bastian to compete in NCAA Championships
THE NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships begin this week and a pair of Bahamian student athletes have qualified to compete.
BSF names open water swim team for CARIFTA
FOLLOWING the Mako 5K Open Water Swim at Long Wharf on Saturday, the Bahamas Swimming Federation has released the names of the swimmers who will represent the Bahamas at the XXXIV CARIFTA Swim Championships.
NCAA Division I Baseball: Bahamians in sweeps
THE NCAA Division I baseball season is underway and several Bahamian players were key in weekend sweeps for their respective teams.
UB golfers turn in solid performance at first ever international competition
MIAMI SHORES, Florida – The University of the Bahamas’ golf team turned in respectable scores after the team’s first ever international competition against Johnson and Wales University and Keiser University at the Miami Shores Golf Course this weekend.
Bankers’ Athletic Association Fun Run & Walk on Saturday
THE Bankers’ Athletic Association is scheduled to hold its annual corporate fun run/walk race, starting from Goodman’s Bay at 6:30am on Saturday.
Zonta hopes to spark gender equality discussion
Although great strides have been made in the Bahamas in regards to women’s rights, there is still a long way to go. And it is important not to become complacent, as many more barriers must be overcome to achieve true equality between the sexes.
Leaders in heels
Sherika Brown is encouraging women to discover the power in their femininity as she readies to host her latest event, “Leading in Stilettos”, this month.
Royann Dean is inspired by innovation
With more and more creative people entering the business world, it’s important to have meaningful conversations that both inspire and educate professionals about the ins and outs. And no one knows this better than public relations consultant Royann Dean. That is why she teamed up with The Current at Baha Mar this year to present another series of “Inspired/By talks”.
LIFE LINES: Harnessing our thoughts
Why should we try to harness our thoughts, understand them or rein them in when we are frequently told to “think things through”. Certainly we need to “think things through” objectively and in a realistic way before taking certain actions which could be either physically dangerous, risky economically or emotionally hazardous. In other words, exercising some common sense in everyday situations.
At-risk girls join Governor General’s Youth Award
A juvenile detention facility for girls is about to receive a new addition.
FDA approved non-invasive treatment for urine leak
Tens of thousands of Bahamian women and men have their bladder dictate their lives and reduce the quality of their everyday lives.
The importance of kidney health for everyone – Part I
Last Thursday was observed as World Kidney Day.
Setting up your support structure
Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic.
Living with HIV: Mother-of-four has survived for 24 years
ANALISE*, wife and mother of four, is one of the longest living HIV-positive individuals in the Bahamas. This year makes 24 years since she contracted the virus at the age of 18.
Ministry of Tourism slammed on beauty queen ‘disrespect’
A 50-year music industry veteran yesterday slammed the Ministry of Tourism’s failure to treat a former Bahamian beauty queen with “fairness, dignity and respect” in their copyright battle.
Transaction costs ‘slowing’ electronic payments switch
The costs associated with settling electronic transactions are “slowing the pace of change” in the Bahamian payments system, the Central Bank’s governor said yesterday.
Exuma testing for digital B$
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday said Exuma will be the first island where a digital Bahamian dollar is tested, unveiling plans to impose a ceiling on the value stored in mobile wallets.
Govt agencies ‘must speak to each other’
A Cabinet minister yesterday admitted the inability of government agencies “to speak to one another” is undermining public sector efficiency, branding their planned digital transformation as “essential”.
DAVID ALLEN JR: Walk away from WTO in absence of equality
Have you ever been bullied? It is not fun. Bullying usually occurs when someone stronger and larger perceives their target to be weaker and smaller.
Govt seeks to replicate 925kw solar car park
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged the government will be “aggressive” in going after its renewable energy targets following the $4m unveiling of this nation’s first utility-scale solar project.
‘Fill the gaps’ on digital payments
A senior commercial bank official yesterday said “there is a huge opportunity” for start-ups and entrepreneurs to “fill the gaps” created by the switch to electronic payments.
BAMSI teams with tourism for Andros Harvest Festival
The Ministry of Tourism has teamed with the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) to host the first annual Harvest Festival in Morgan’s Bluff, North Andros, on March 30.
Workshop focuses on enhanced construction
Contractors and other construction industry players were yesterday armed with knowledge on how to build homes that can withstand up to category 5 hurricanes.
Monday, March 18
Robbery victim dies of wounds
A suspected armed robbery, which turned fatal late Sunday night, has pushed the country’s murder count to 15 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.
03182019 EDITION
Monday, 18th March, 2018.
INSIGHT: Treat people like animals and that's how they'll behave
FORMER United States President Barrack Obama once said: “We believe that when people make mistakes, they deserve the opportunity to remake their lives.” This begs a question to ask ourselves: While we can all agree that those who have become offenders ought to be removed from society, have we done a good enough job of creating a pathway after they’ve paid their debts to return as functioning members of the same?
INSIGHT: No one should go to prison for smoking a joint
No one should go to prison for smoking a joint. No life should be ruined over a small amount of weed.
Tynes: Govt wrong not to hold mid-year budget debate
FORMER chief parliamentary clerk Maurice Tynes has criticised the handling of the decision not to hold a debate in the House of Assembly on the mid-year budget statement, telling The Tribune the government does not own Parliament.
Body found in GB being treated as a homicide
POLICE are currently investigating the weekend discovery of a man’s body in Grand Bahama as a homicide, Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler told The Tribune yesterday.
Cannabis products? Everybody wants them, says Sands
“EVERYBODY wants it,” is how Health Minister Dr Duane Sands described the boom in cannabis-derived products hitting shelves locally.
Oil explorer’s $2.54m is ‘certainty we’ve craved’
A Bahamas-based oil explorer has cemented “the certainty we’ve been craving” with a $2.54m working capital raise that will underpin all activities leading to the drilling of its first well by 2020.
Court action halts shanty town builds
THE Supreme Court order blocking the government from clearing out shanty towns in the country now prevents those residents from altering or expanding those communities.
‘We weren’t stealing power supply’
THE Cooper family – the operators of several major fast food franchise restaurants in Freeport - has “categorically and emphatically” denied any wrongdoing concerning the alleged theft of electricity by the Grand Bahama Power Company.
Ministers miss the disclosure deadline
THREE Free National Movement parliamentarians - two of them Cabinet ministers - were granted more time to file their public disclosures, The Tribune was told.
Shot dead right in front of cops: Officers witnessed Fox Hill gunman open fire on duo
TWO men were shot, and one killed, yesterday afternoon during a brazen drive-by shooting at the Fox Hill roundabout.
Spot on, PM – Brian Moree is right man for the job
I congratulate the upcoming Chief Justice on his expected appointment as substantive Chief Justice of our wonderful nation, the Hon Brian Moree. Former Acting Justice Moree is the perfect individual for this appointment. The entire country knows that I do not often agree with the Most Hon Prime Minister, but with this appointment, God bless his soul, he is right on this one.
EDITORIAL: As the world steps forward, once again we drag our feet
WHAT exactly does The Bahamas want its position to be when it comes to marijuana?
GAIN AN EDGE: Born to unlock the world of literacy for everyone
Having strong literacy skills are important if people want to pursue higher education and advance in their careers, according to reading specialist and Dean of Social and Educational Studies at the University of The Bahamas (UB), Dr Ruth Sumner.
POLICE ADVICE: Simple rules to keep your child safe
Child safety is a crucial part of their development and growth.
PM promises major capital investments in Exuma
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced over the weekend that Exuma is poised for major capital works projects, which will include a new airport and an Office of the Prime Minister.
‘Cat Island must get by with one airport’
THERE is no way to justify spending money on the refurbishment of the Arthur’s Town Airport, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has said, as he suggested Cat Island residents could “comfortably get by” with one airport.
Bahamas beats Turks and Caicos 6-1
Team Bahamas gave the home crowd many reasons to cheer with a dominant performance on the home pitch and former national team standout Nesley Jean got his first win in his new role as head coach.
Wolfpack’s second annual track and field meet dubbed a success
ALTHOUGH some of the top local athletes opted not to compete, the DTSP Wolfpack Track Club’s second annual track and field meet was termed a success at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.
WORLD VIEW: Cooperation, coercion and capitulation
ON March 12, the Council of the 28-nations European Union (EU) placed 15 small territories on a list of what it calls “non-cooperative jurisdictions”. What the EC considers these territories to be “non-cooperative” about reveals the raw exercise of power by the strong over the weak.
Change arrival schedule
To those who effectively eliminated the Bahamian group with the small equity holding of certain Cruise Lines please listen up - how is Global going to increase passengers - spend obviously the most important issue if they, Global, have no influence on the schedules of the cruise boats?
NHI chief: ‘We have work to’ justify model
National Health Insurance’s (NHI) top executive yesterday admitted “we have work to do” to convince the government its “financing model” will not result in multi-million dollar shortfalls.
Remove short pants ban
To the people of the Bahamas and the Minister of Education and Prime Minister in particular. It has come to my knowledge that our public libraries do not allow entry to people wearing short pants.
VAT can tell its own tale
VAT Revenue shortfall of $180 million…
No ‘one-size fits all’ for enterprises act
The introduction of the Commercial Enterprises Bill faced heavy scrutiny from the Bahamian public, who weighed in on how beneficial the legislation would be to Bahamians as opposed to foreign investors.
Joshua Murray wins 5K open water swim
JOSHUA Murray pulled away from Ricardo Jolly to win the Bahamas Swimming Federation’s Mako 5K Open Water Swim at Long Wharf on Saturday morning. Anya MacPhail tried to catch them both but fell short.
UTEP Springtime: Rolle and Smith make their presence felt
IT was a good send off for Dreshanae Rolle, while Shakeem Smith made his presence felt over the weekend as the duo participated in the UTEP Springtime at the Kidd Field in El Paso, Texas.
CARIFTA SWIM TEAM: Stamp and Morley are replaced
THE Bahamas Swimming Federation has been forced to make an adjustment to the national team that will travel to Bridgetown, Barbados, over the Easter holiday to defend their title in the CARIFTA Swimming Championships.
NCAA basket: Bahamian players fall short on ‘Selection Sunday’
FOR the first time in several years, no Bahamian players heard their respective programme’s name called on “Selection Sunday” as the field for the men’s basketball NCAA Tournament was announced.
Conchman triathlon helps young Grand Bahamians get a fast start
FREEPORT, Bahamas — As part of their mandate to support organisations that focus on youth and sports, the GBPA Conchman Triathlon began their donations with the Grand Bahama Amateur Athletic Association (GBAAA).
KPMG Youth Winter Championship - a great display of junior sailing talent
THE sixth annual KPMG Youth Winter Championship was held March 9-10 by Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS) and Nassau Yacht Club (NYC) on Montagu Bay.
Breezes High Flyers top Aliv 95-86
THE New Providence Basketball Association got its best-of-five semi-final playoffs started at the AF Adderley Gymnasium over the weekend and there were no surprises in the outcome of the games played.
Kravitz deal new focus of beauty queen’s struggle
The Ministry of Tourism’s multi-million dollar marketing deal with Lenny Kravitz is central to the latest flare-up in its ongoing copyright battle with a former Bahamian beauty queen.
WTO open up to foreign law firms ‘total nonsense’
The Bahamas’ chief WTO negotiator last night slammed as “absolute nonsense” assertions that the government is willing to open the legal services sector up to foreign firms.
Freeport can be exchange control removal test bed
A well-known QC has urged the Government to use Freeport to test out further exchange control liberalisation and end Bahamians’ status as “second class citizens in their own economy”.
Sisters pricing app moves to test stage
A mobile pricing app created by Bahamian twin sisters has met its second milestone by promotion to the testing track on the Google Play Store.
Morton Salt union plans trade dispute filing today
THE union representing line workers at Morton Salt says it will today file a trade dispute against the company, with its president accusing the Inagua-based harvester of “tit for tat” tactics.
Women explore path to entrepreneurship
Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) representatives met last week with members of the Women Investment Group (WIG) for a post-International Women’s Day panel discussion.
Culinary team finalised to take on region’s best
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has finalised the National Culinary Team that will compete against the region’s finest at the upcoming Taste of the Caribbean event.
Sunday, March 17
Police find body on Grand Bahama
Police are investigating after the body of a man was found near Coral Road on Grand Bahama on Saturday.
Friday, March 15
Police release photo of 'car used in abductions'
POLICE have released a photo of the car reportedly used in the recent spate of child abductions in New Providence.
GB Power Company files complaint over suspected electricity theft
THE Grand Bahama Power Company has filed a police complaint against a prominent family over the suspected theft of electricity by several fast food businesses.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 'One of New Zealand's darkest days' – 49 killed in mosques attack
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — At least 49 people were shot to death at two mosques during midday prayers Friday — most if not all of them gunned down by an immigrant-hating white supremacist who apparently used a helmet-mounted camera to broadcast live video of the slaughter on Facebook.
Five Haitian nationals jailed for illegal landing
FIVE Haitian nationals were sentenced to serve a month at the Bahamas Department of Corrections for illegally landing in the country, according to a press statement from the Department of Immigration.
Several parliamentarians 'miss disclosure deadline'
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday she will be carefully watching the response of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis regarding parliamentarians missing the deadline to disclose their assets and liabilities.
Local attorney backs US report on prison conditions
A LOCAL attorney has endorsed the United States’s recent condemnation of the country’s inhumane prison conditions, charging that the accuracy of the report is “frightening”.
IDB loan to go towards to e-government services
THE digital transformation of the Bahamas Cabinet and all government services will soon become a reality through a $30-million Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan that is expected to be executed within the next two to three weeks by the Government of the Bahamas, according to a cabinet minister.
US visa applications get easier for Trinidadians and Tobagonians
APPLYING for a US visa has just got much easier – for Trinidadians and Tobagonians.
25 new beds donated to PMH
A BED donation presentation was held yesterday at Princess Margaret Hospital to celebrate the PMH Foundation donating 25 new hospital beds to the hospital – a gift worth more than $90,000.
Dialysis machines to be presented to hospital
THE Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation will shortly present the hospital with a “number of” dialysis machines, PMH Foundation chairman Dr Richard Demeritte announced yesterday.
03152019 EDITION
Friday, March 15th, 2019.
Bathroom work is underway, says BPL
BAHAMAS Power and Light Company said yesterday it is in the process of mitigating sanitation concerns raised about bathroom facilities at the Clifton Pier plant.
A COMIC'S VIEW: The many ups and downs of fatherhood (and why the Stealth Bomber had nothing on me)
As I sat doing a live remote from Dunkin Donuts last Friday, I got to see a young father, maybe a first timer even, have a ‘special moment’ with his child.
Ferguson insists: We are in control over child abductions
WHILE recent child abductions have sparked fear in some communities in New Providence, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said police are following good leads and suggested the situation was under control.
Residents complain about state of Cable Beach post office
DISGRUNTLED residents have decried the state of the Cable Beach Post Office.
Cabinet demands answers on NHI
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) must “give it another go” after failing to win Cabinet approval for the scheme at the first try, a minister revealed yesterday.
‘Trust us to play fair on complaints’
AS he urged those aggrieved by officers to make their complaints known with the Complaints and Corruptions Unit, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said the process must be fair on all sides.
No-show Nygard - ‘Just lock him up’: QC urges court to jail tycoon for two years
ATTORNEY Fred Smith, QC, yesterday called on a Supreme Court judge to jail Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard for two years for failing to appear in court yet again to attend his own sentencing for breaching a court order prohibiting him from engaging in any illegal dredging near his Lyford Cay home.
‘Missing Marvin’ hearing delayed
SUPREME Court Justice Andrew Forbes has delayed his ruling on a habeas corpus application in the case of 40-year-old Marvin Pratt, after agreeing that government filings in the case have not fully addressed the specifics as laid out in the application.
Contract awarded for West End clean-up
A CONTRACT worth $80,000 was awarded yesterday for the clean-up and removal of massive debris from the temporary dumpsite in West End.
Former NBA player concerned over exclusion of FI teams in the High School Basketball Nationals
WITH the National High School Basketball Championships just under two weeks away, former NBA player Dexter Cambridge voiced his concern at the exclusion of many Family Island teams.
Bahamas Flag Football League to open its 11th season Sunday
THE Bahamas Flag Football League is all set to open its 11th season at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium, starting at 12:30pm on Sunday.
Landfill manager ‘well armed and ready to go’
The New Providence landfill’s new operator yesterday said it is “well armed with funding and ready to go” as it takes over the site’s management for the first time today.
Public defender office 'making slow progress'
TWO years after the Office of the Public Defender was opened to much fanfare, the office is slowly growing as many continue to fight serious charges in court without a lawyer.
Activists call for overhaul of Immigration Dept
RIGHTS Bahamas yesterday called for an overhaul of the Immigration Department after longstanding claims of bribery and excessive force were included in a newly released report by the US State Department.
Father of four allegedly takes own life
POLICE are investigating two separate alleged suicides of a man and woman that occurred within hours of each other.
Attempted unlawful sex conviction overturned
THE Court of Appeal has overturned a man’s conviction for attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl seven years ago.
BNT adds another fundraiser as part of 60th celebrations
The Bahamas National Trust has launched a new fundraiser as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.
Red Cross Fair takes new turn
OFFICIALS from the Bahamas Red Cross announced yesterday organisers of the 78th annual Red Cross Fair will be “breaking tradition” by hosting the fair at a new and larger location this year. Red Cross director general Caroline Turnquest said the two-day event will be on April 6 and 7 at Clifford Park from noon to midnight.
We must do more to combat disease, urges Minnis as he opens conference
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis opened a scientific conference on Wednesday hosted by Medical Association of the Bahamas & Bahamas Dental Association. The two-day event is being held at the Baha Mar Convention Centre.
EDITORIAL: Action as well as words, Mr Commissioner
FAIRNESS is on the mind of Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson.
Aruba falls to Bahamas 3-0 in World Tennis Juniors qualifier
The Bahamas was victorious over Aruba 3-0 as the World Tennis Junior Tournament continued in Santo Domingo yesterday.
Lack of dredging sees return of the seahorse
The discovery of a seahorse in North Bimini Bay may very well be the sign that, with the temporary stoppage of dredging within the mangroves, these unique treasures may be returning to the area. It was a juvenile seahorse, which indicates the possible presence of adults in the area.
NPBA Division I: Rockets advance to Final Four
THE Discount Distribution Rockets completed the New Providence Basketball Association’s Division I Final Four.
Spelling out one man's brilliance
``Honouring a Great Man of God’’
The Press always has the last word
Some advice to the Most Honorable Dr Hubert A Minnis - you can never hide from the press. The press always has the last say even if you try to hide.
False adverts for my five dollars
I saw something called a five dollar filler upper advertised in a KFC commercial on TV.
Irving posts triple-double, Celtics top ‘Buddy’ Hield and Kings 126-120
BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 31 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics overcome a 17-point first-half deficit and beat the Sacramento Kings 126-120 last night.
Coach ‘Drips’ Poitier to adopt new role at Florida State College
ON April 1, coach Edric C ‘Drips’ Poitier is expected to take on a new role at Florida State College at Jacksonville where he coaches their Blue Waves women’s volleyball and reconstructs their beach volleyball programme after a three-year coaching sting at Savannah State University.
Bee’s Trucking Destroyers are NPWBA champions
THE New Providence Women’s Basketball Association rescinded on its decision to take away a game from the Bee’s Trucking Destroyers and awarded them their fourth straight championship title after they won game four 72-59 over the youthful Foxxy Angels.
Walk Race, All-Star Basketball tourney on March 23
TO show their appreciation for their contributions as their physical education head of department and basketball coach, CC Sweeting Senior High School is set to hold the Julie Wilson Walk Race and the Mario Bowleg All-Star Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 23.
Swimmers make a splash at Alpha Aquatics Invitational
LOCAL swimmers gained a competitive edge during qualifying races for regional and global swim competitions as they participated in the Alpha Aquatics Invitational at the Betty Kelly Kenning national swim complex over the weekend.
NCAA Division I: Bahamian baseball players on win streaks with respective programmes
SEVERAL Bahamian baseball players at the NCAA Division I level are on winning streaks with their respective programmes.
Bahamas’ ‘realest’ church celebrates 12 years of serving with heart
This Sunday, Hope Centre Ministries is celebrating 12 years of bringing the gospel to the people in a “down to earth” manner which sets them apart from many local churches.
A new academy for Caribbean gospel artists is launched
Something big is happening on the gospel music scene, as a new professional academy for artists from all over the region was officially launched this week.
Miracle Life hosts revival for those in need of comforting
For those going through a time in their life where they need to be comforted and encouraged, Miracle Life Ministries believes its one-night Prophetic Revival is the perfect event.
Stop upstaging Jesus!
What has 21st century ministry evolved into? We have moved on so far from where the Church once was during the Apostolic era with Paul, Peter, James and John. It is imperative that we return back to the discarded values of the past, and quickly!
Agape love
There is some misunderstanding about the meaning of Agape love among believers.
Meditation: The world needs more kindness
How kind are we as a people? How kind are you as an individual?
Bahamas Mothers’ Club gives praise
The Bahamas Mothers’ Club is holding its first service of thanksgiving this Sunday.
The significance of Lent
The purpose of Lent is to renew and strengthen our spiritual lives. The Church makes ample opportunity for us to do this; there is an increase in spiritual opportunities that are tailor-made for the season.
Love Beach battles resort development
LOVE Beach residents have voiced strong opposition to a proposed resort-based development, arguing it will violate zoning restrictions, destroy the beach and disrupt the community’s peace.
DPM on Moody’s: ‘Crystal ball is not exactly clear’
The deputy prime minister yesterday said “the crystal ball is not exactly clear” in response to Moody’s warning that the government will not hit its 2020-2021 budget surplus target.
Employees facing uphill battle over grievance redress
Weaknesses in the Bahamian judicial system prevent many employees from seeking redress for discrimination and other forms of victimisation, the US State Department is arguing.
Bahamas signs UK aviation deal
The Bahamas has moved to boost aviation links with the UK through the signing of an Air Service Agreement (ASA) between the two countries.
Works ministry to hold contractor workshops
The Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) yesterday said it will hosting two workshops on “proper construction practices” to ensure contractors adhere to local and international building codes.
IAN FERGUSON: Producing change staff can believe in
If you want to know why so many companies sink into chaos, take time to listen to the language used by their leaders. Leadership, at any level, is certainly not easy, but unclear, vague, roller-coaster pronouncements make many top managers’ jobs more difficult than they need to be.
Financial sector ‘has some responsibility’ for EU woes
A leading accountant yesterday said the financial services industry must “bear some responsibility” for The Bahamas’ constant struggles with international regulatory initiatives.
Thursday, March 14
03142019 EDITION
Monday, 14th March, 2019.
DIANE PHILLIPS: He is not a dummy - the life and lessons of Michael Wells
In everyone’s life, there is someone who changes you. For me it was Michael Wells. Michael was born with cerebral palsy, the result of a breach birth. No one expected him to live past the age of 20. In June, I helped him celebrate his 53rd birthday.
$9.2m – That's how much money the govt has spent since it acquired the Grand Lucayan
THE government has to date spent $9.2m on operations and payouts to line staff since it acquired the Grand Lucayan resort in Grand Bahama, The Tribune can reveal.
US State Department report: Abaco heads list for sexual violence
ABACO had the highest number of reported cases of sexual violence, according to a US State Department report, which suggested rape and domestic violence cases are often stalled in the courts.
US State Department report: Inspectorate that looks into complaints about police fails to meet
A CIVILIAN organisation that is legally mandated to investigate complaints against police officers has not had a meeting since September 2017, according to the United States’ latest human rights report.
Surprise guests for Buju show lined up to tempt older fans
PARADISE Productions officials said yesterday other artists who have not yet been announced will be added to the Buju Banton Long Walk to Freedom Tour.
Moody’s: Govt to miss balanced budget goal
Moody’s yesterday warned the Government it will likely miss its target of generating a small Budget surplus by 2020-2021, predicting it will still be running a deficit equal to 1 percent of GDP.
03132019 EDITION
Wednesday 13th March, 2019.
Maynard fumes over BPL toilets
BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard has warned that Bahamas Power and Light employees stationed at Clifton Pier will be “pulled off the job” if “deplorable” bathrooms at the plant are not brought up to an acceptable standard.
US State Department report: Prison conditions ‘life-threatening’
THE US State Department has described local prison conditions as “life-threatening” in its latest human rights report, its strongest description of prison conditions in recent times.
US State Department report: Concerns over statelessness
THE US State Department flagged the cases of Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean Charles and Taranique Thurston as it renewed concerns over statelessness in the country.
US State Department report: No campaign finance laws leave country vulnerable to corruption
UNREGULATED campaign finance and an opaque procurement process continue to expose the country to potential abuses, according to the US State Department.
‘Mickey Mouse governance’ is Wells LOI price
The Bahamas has been “left in a Mickey Mouse state of governance” by the continuing silence over the Renward Wells Letter of Intent (LOI) controversy, the DNA’s ex-leader blasted yesterday.
EDITORIAL: Look in the mirror and say it isn’t so
Not long ago, questions were raised in this very column after the United States issued a travel advisory for The Bahamas, warning tourists to be on their guard as they visited our shores.
Preston Moss: Our humble priest with a unique ability
Catholicism has deep roots in the Bahamas and nowhere more so than in the Family Islands. The church was real, it was visible, and it was relevant in the lives of out islanders.
Time to redevelop Carmichael Road
Over the years, Carmichael has grown tremendously to the point where it has earned the nickname, City 2000. We now have one branch of each bank, government offices, plazas, numerous food chains and other businesses that other parts of New Providence may not see for another decade or so. But we have a major problem and that’s Carmichael Road itself.
Show some respect to the House
Is the refusal of the Minnis government to debate the Interim Budget a slap in our faces whilst they talk the economy is on the upswing?
Higgs selected to Academic All-Big 12 teams
Texas Longhorns guard Lashann Higgs has been sidelined with an injury for much of the season, but has still made her impact on the Texas Longhorns’ women’s basketball programme in the classroom.
Bahamas winless in World Jr Tennis Championships qualifier
SEVERAL of the island nation’s elite junior tennis players are attempting to qualify among the top teams in the region for the World Junior Tennis Championships.
Sun Belt: Munnings’ double double helps Warhawks to win in opening round
TRAVIS Munnings is playing his best basketball when it matters most and continues to lead his ULM Warhawks through the postseason.
Wolfpack Classic this weekend in honour of coach Peter Pratt
THE second annual Wolfpack Classic, to be held in honour of coach Peter Pratt, is all set for this weekend at Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
RESULTS: Alpha Aquatics International Swim Meet
• HERE’S the results of the Alpha Aquatics International swim meet held at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex over the weekend:
70-year-old accused of raping eight-year-old girl
A 70-year-old Freeport man accused of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday, however he maintained that he did not commit the crime.
Who can you trust? Know your consumer rights
OFFICIALS will focus on the theme “Trusted Smart Products” during World Consumer Rights Week.
Jury visit to site where cop was shot delayed by two weeks as key witness unavailable
A jury’s request to visit the place in Bain Town where a 19-year-old was gunned down by police almost 10 years ago was put off by two weeks yesterday due to the unavailability of a key witness.
Students heading to Special Olympics
REIGNING champion of the Dog Days Half Marathon School Challenge, The Beacon School, is eyeing another victory with a line-up that includes Special Olympic athletes.
Man charged with attempting to kill two police officers
A 29-year-old Pinewood resident was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday with attempting to murder two police officers with a high powered semi-automatic weapon last week.
19-year-old charged with having sex with girl, 13
A 19-year-old man accused of having sex with a minor was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Antiguan government quick to dismiss links between GPH and cruise cancellations
THE government of Antigua and Barbuda has sought to dispel “misleading and scare-mongering” reports that suggested a link between the cancellation of Carnival Cruise Lines’ service to its country, and its recent engagement of Global Port Holdings.
WSC opens new shop in Mall at Marathon
THE Water and Sewerage Corporation opened a new location at the Mall at Marathon yesterday, with WSC executive chairman Adrian Gibson saying this should help the water provider increase bill collection.
McPhee-McCuin and Rebels fall to Gators 67-54 in opening round of SEC tournament
YOLETT McPhee-McCuin’s first season as head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels’ women’s basketball programme came to an end early in the postseason.
UB women’s volleyball recruitment exercise this weekend
THE University of The Bahamas women’s volleyball programme is all set to host a recruitment exercise this Friday and Saturday at the Kendal Isaacs gym. The sessions start at 6:30pm on both nights.
‘I cannot go further with people’s funds’ on Grand Lucayan
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the $5.5m payout demanded by Grand Lucayan managers was based on “faulty analysis”, and blasted: “I can go no further with the people’s money.”
RBC FINCO: We ‘underperformed’
Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Bahamian mortgage arm has warned it will “continue to be challenged” with low growth and bad loans that, at $124.3m, exceed industry averages.
Crypto regulation must be ‘friendly’ to entrepreneurs
REGULATIONS governing crypto assets and related instruments must be “entrepreneur friendly”, a local industry advocate urged yesterday, saying: “We have a unique opportunity before us.”
Realtor expands ahead of its 10th anniversary
Bahamas Islands Realty has unveiled expansion plans just short of celebrating its tenth anniversary “success as a small firm with large talent”.
Water & Sewerage in out island outsource
The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) has signed a contract with Sun Island Transfers (SunCash) to collect Family Island customer payments and move them to New Providence.
Union boss doubles down on BPL generation warning
A trade union leader yesterday reiterated that he will “accept nothing less” than Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) training his members to operate New Providence’s new generation plant.
Taxi drivers resolve issues at Baha Mar
THE Bahamas Taxicab Union’s (BTU) president yesterday said it had reached what he described as an amicable resolution over the working conditions for drivers operating at Baha Mar.
Wednesday, March 13
CULTURE CLASH: They can’t get by without a bit of help from friends
Last week Friday was International Women’s Day, and several events were held in Nassau and other cities all over the world. It was interesting to see what agencies, organisations and individuals did in their acknowledgement of the internationally recognised day.
Five women fined for overstaying
FIVE foreign women—three Venezuelans, a Guyanese, and a Jamaican—were collectively fined $5,000 for overstaying in the Bahamas, with the Jamaican woman said to have worn out her welcome by almost two years.
Final six poachers free to go
THE remaining six of 46 Dominican poachers previously convicted of plundering Bahamian waters of some 33,000 pounds of fish last year are now free men.
Bahamas has no Boeing 737 MAX planes
CIVIL Aviation officials yesterday confirmed the country does not have any Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in its registry following the model’s fatal plane crash in Ethiopia over the weekend.
70-year-old faces charges of sexually assaulting girl, 8
A 70-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl is expected to be formally arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this morning.
Video shows policeman slapping man in club
VIDEO footage has captured the moment a police officer slapped a man in a club downtown –– but according to the club’s supervisor, the clip tells only a small part of the story.
How much is this ’frolic’ costing?
MEMBERS of the Progressive Liberal Party railed against the government’s handling of Grand Lucayan employees and the execution of the plan to sell the resort, calling for greater accountability in the spending of tax dollars.
‘Now it’s time for us to go forward’
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has expressed his administration’s commitment to doing what is necessary to ensure this country maintains its standing as a respected international financial centre.
'Next level' for financial sector after EU escape
The Bahamas must use its escape from the European Union's (EU) tax "blacklist" to take the financial services industry to the "next level of growth", the deputy prime minister urged yesterday.
Minister confirms schools TB cases
THERE are two separate confirmed cases of tuberculosis at Government High School and at AF Adderley, Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd said yesterday.
Renward’s relief in $700m lawsuit
Court brings end to waste project dispute
The Supreme Court has dismissed the $727.364m damages claim brought against Renward Wells and two government "agents" by the firm at the centre of the Letter of Intent (LOI) controversy.
‘His hand never left the plough’
THE late Monsignor Preston Moss was yesterday described by Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder as a man of “very deep faith” and an “engaging preacher with a deep, deep understanding and knowledge” of sacred scriptures.
Ex-minister backs corporate tax call
A former finance minister yesterday joined calls for The Bahamas to consider implementing a low-rate corporate tax as a way to shed its long-standing “tax haven” label.
EDITORIAL: Let us pick up the baton from Queen's College
QUEEN’S College needs a round of applause.
Campbell urges good practice at UN
THE government believes that good practices and policies are those that are consistent, innovative and comprehensive, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie Campbell said on Monday.
Locking up our young people develops criminals
I have said it before and I will say it again. The Royal Bahamas Police Force, under the stellar command of Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, ably assisted by the high command, inclusive of Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean and the outstanding Assistant Commissioners of Police, Clayton Fernander and Ken Strachan, et al, especially Chief Supt B K Bonamy, are doing a wonderful job in fighting and detecting crime.
‘I don’t think it has really set in yet that I am the first full-time coach to be hired at the university’
NOT a week after he was hired as the first full-time head coach at the University of the Bahamas, Ednal Rolle was busy recruiting for the Mingoes’ track and field programme at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships.
Junior tennis stars rise at Albany
IT is one year since the last Winterbotham IC Junior Series for 10 and under and 12 and under boys and girls was held at The Albany Tennis Academy.
Queen's College hosts Bahamian Exchange and hears their stories
QUEEN’S College and KBII Communications hosted their third annual Bahamian Exchange under the theme “Meet the people, Hear their Stories” on Friday night.
Three immigrants in court
THREE immigrants were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court for various breaches of the Immigration Act.
Is Disney deal worth $250m or $400m then?
Disney Cruise port in Eleuthera an HOA signed, in private no press…very, very sad but after the OBAN mess and refusal to cancel I suspect PM was scared out of his wits plus he continues to run from the press. You only run when there is something to hide from!
Plenty of women in Bahamas have much to celebrate
International women’s day (March 8) is intended to highlight women all around the world. This is a day when accomplishments of women should be the focus of everyone’s attention.
Destroyers win game four
Instead of popping the champagne to celebrate as four-time New Providence Women’s Basketball Association champions last night, the Bee’s Trucking Destroyers will have to come back and play another game on Thursday.
BSF names water polo team
THE Bahamas Swimming Federation has completed two thirds of its national team that will represent the country at the XXXIV CARIFTA Swim Championships.
THE PRESS BOX: My Lakers should explore trading LeBron
MEANWHILE, the dysfunction in LA with my Lakers is painfully obvious.
World Juniors Tennis: Tough fight for Team Bahamas on day 1
IT was a tough fight for our top junior tennis players on day one of the World Juniors Under-14 Tennis Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Byron Ferguson secures berth in the Greece All-Star Classic
BYRON Ferguson has secured his berth in the Greece All-Star Classic this weekend.
Stampers, UB Mingoes advance to semi-final of NPBA playoffs
THE Triple K Stampers and University of the Bahamas Mingoes advanced to the semi-final of the New Providence Basketball Association playoffs.
DPM: We won’t allow any crypto asset ‘disasters’
THE DEPUTY Prime Minister yesterday said the government aims to prevent “disastrous situations” by imposing proper regulation for cryptocurrency assets and related instruments.
‘Breathing space for action’ by EU, says former AG
The Bahamas’ escape from the European Union’s (EU) tax “blacklist” has created “breathing space for action” to reposition the financial industry, an ex-attorney general argued yesterday.
ART OF GRAPHIX: Practice for difference rather than perfection
Someone once said: “Practice makes perfect”. But is this really true? Does it make us experts or picture perfect? Perhaps the jury is still out on this but, for argument’s sake, let us all agree that this is based on a flawed premise because perfection does not exist.
Bahamian firm teams for AI road inspections
A Bahamian construction firm is joint venturing with a foreign provider to offer artificial intelligence (AI) based road assessments to the government.
Tuesday, March 12
03122019 EDITION
Tuesday, 12th March, 2019.
FACE TO FACE: In honour of women who all made their mark
Women all around the world celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) last Friday, a global occasion recognising the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
EDITORIAL: Disney deal under a cloud of darkness
Let’s play a game.
Supreme Court to rule on sacking of Muslim officer
THE Court of Appeal has ordered that a Supreme Court judge is to determine whether former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade was right to fire a police constable because of his unwillingness to compromise a key component of his Muslim faith.
Family of TB victim to be allowed to view body
THE government will allow the family of a cruise ship employee who died in the Bahamas three days to view her body before it is cremated.
PLP convention may face another delay
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s convention may be postponed again, party leaders suggested yesterday.
Davis plans to bring in interim PAC report this month
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis hopes to table an interim Public Accounts Committee report this month.
Moree to take over as Chief Justice on June 1
Brian Moree, QC, will take over as The Bahamas new Chief Justice on June 1. The Tribune understands. Mr Moree, pictured, will assume the post over nine months after Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs died in office.
What is going on in the Bahamas? Why can't our children be safe?
THE mother of the eight-year-old girl who was abducted from her Culmersville home last week says her daughter, although still traumatised, is ready to return to school.
Lenny tells how this country gave birth to his sense of freedom
GRAMMY-winning artist Lenny Kravitz has credited the country’s essence and culture as the inspiration behind much of his career success.
Davis asks - why Disney secrecy?
OFFICIAL Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday criticised the closed-door signing between the government and Disney Island Development Ltd for a multi-million dollar project in Eleuthera, adding it appeared to be shrouded in secrecy.
Lucayan managers told: 'There's no more money'
Grand Lucayan managers were yesterday bluntly warned "there's no more money" after they rejected the Government's $3.1m payout offer and took their grievances to the Industrial Tribunal.
Visa scam ‘Mr Fix-It’ jailed for five months
THE Mr Fix-It at the centre of a US visa scam involving The Bahamas Immigration Department has been jailed for five months by a federal court.
PM leads tributes as Preston Moss dies
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis led tributes yesterday to Monsignor Preston Moss, a long-serving religious leader who died yesterday at 79 after battling cancer.
Seahorse sighting brings a little hope
the sighting of a juvenile seahorse in North Bimini Bay following the ending of dredging within the mangroves has excited environmentalists.
Renegades get 3-0 win over United White, Lady Dynamos earn 3-2 victory
THE Bahamas Football Association’s girls 18-under division played two games at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Centre on Saturday.
‘Save Adam to uplift Eve’
International Women’s Day calls for balance between the sexes
The empowerment of women plays an important role in the advancement of men, according to Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie Campbell, who encouraged men not to look at International Women’s Day as an event that excludes them.
YOU GO GIRL: Richine Bethel prepares millennials for the future
Richine Bethel finds fulfilment in empowering youth, helping them organise their lives and goals through her Millennial Enterprise initiative.
Like a boss! Girls to benefit from unique perspectives
For the third year in a row, Katherine Coakley is seeking to uplift Bahamian girls and teach them how to take charge of their lives with her annual “Girl Bosses” event.
Going organic for female reproductive health
Increasingly, countries around the world are paying more attention to female health. This, coupled with the growing interest in all things organic, has lead Theresa Alcock to launch her own health and beauty company called Come Back Kitty specifically for women.
Stop peeing all night, every night
Repeatedly waking up at night to urinate can be a frustrating problem endured by tens of thousands of Bahamian women, men and children.
Lymphedema and complete decongestive therapy
The month of March – in addition to being March Madness for all the sports enthusiasts – is observed as Lymphedema Awareness Month.
Breaking through barriers
Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic.
Dental hygienists make fighting oral health issues their mission
Bilney Lane children gifted with electronic toothbrushes
An often overlooked but vital part of overall health is the health of the mouth. And because it is often neglected, two registered dental hygienists are on a mission to raise awareness of dental hygiene in the Bahamas with an aim to decrease the amount of oral health issues that exist.
Bahamas’ swim team looks for 3-peat in Barbados
WITH a strong contingent in the senior boys’ division, led by Commonwealth Games participant Izaak Bastian, head coach Travanno McPhee said he’s confident that the Bahamas can three-peat at the XXXIV CARIFTA Swimming Championships.
Bahamas ‘not in clear’ as blacklist escape signalled
The Bahamas was yesterday warned “it is not in the clear” despite international media reports suggesting it has escaped the European Union (EU) tax “blacklist” due to be announced today.
Another 36 migrants taken into custody in ‘operation impact’
THIRTY-SIX migrants were taken into custody during a joint operation in the capital late last week.
Cocaine dealer has sentence reduced for guilty plea
A man previously sentenced to three years in prison for being caught with 10 ounces of cocaine he planned to distribute has effectively had his sentence reduced to time served because he was not afforded a “rebate” for admitting to the offence.
Special funding made available for businesses in West Grand Bahama
Residents of West Grand Bahama have access to funding for small businesses through “a special programme” unavailable to other developed communities by way of the Small Business Development Centre, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Peter Turnquest.
Ride for Hope has something for everyone
THE 12th annual Ride for Hope (RFH) saw 160 riders participate to raise money for cancer initiatives in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera over the weekend.
We need an audit of public services
Ease of doing business in The Bahamas, for the most part, is an oxymoron or a contradiction in terms.
Rahming: ‘A lot of prayers have been answered’
After falling short in her first attempt in 2016, judoka Cynthia Rahming has made the provisional qualification list for her initial appearance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Jones and Bobcats claim national championship title
BAHAMIAN prep basketball player Kai Jones notched another milestone in his career with a national championship title.
MLB: Five Bahamian prospects on Spring Training rosters
THERE are now five Bahamian baseball prospects on Spring Training rosters for their respective Major League Baseball organisations.
Western Warriors destroy United 7-0, face Dynamos in big dance
THE matchup for the Bahamas Football Association’s championship trophy in the under-15 boys’ division of the Youth Soccer League is all set.
Cox to return for 2nd stint in Iraq Superleague
BAHAMIAN national basketball team player Torrington Cox will return to Iraq with his latest signing.
Bahamian broker left at SEC mercy
A Bahamian broker/dealer and its staff remain at the mercy of US regulators after a federal court found its principal had failed to justify the imposition of an emergency restraining order.
New car dealers: Recovery, but not like ‘06-07
The Bahamian new car industry is “at the initial stages of recovery”, a leading dealer said yesterday, with the sector hoping this can be spread more equitably via the upcoming budget.
Chamber chief: Full disclosure on Disney deal
THE Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday called for the Heads of Agreement (HOA) for Disney’s $250-$400m Lighthouse Point project, and the development “strategy”, to be made public.
Disney project hailed as ‘start of new era’
Disney’s $250-$400m Lighthouse Point project was yesterday hailed as the “beginning of a new era” by South Eleuthera’s MP despite activists’ concerns over a “secretive” deal.
Central Bank to host blockchain seminar
The Central Bank of The Bahamas will next Monday host its second Blockchain seminar as part of its continuing drive to modernise The Bahamas’ payments system.
Financial services looking past challenges to future
The Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) annual International Business & Finance Summit (IBFS) explored both potential growth possibilities and the impact of regulatory changes.
Monday, March 11
03112019 EDITION
Monday, 11th March, 2019.
EDITORIAL: A financial burden we can do without
LET ME ask you a personal question: How well do you get along with your bank?
Family desperate for body of woman, 29, to be returned to South Africa
THE family of a South African woman who died in this county is said to be distraught and desperate to have her body repatriated home.
INSIGHT: We need a greater sense of urgency in ensuring protection of our children
IN September 2011, 11-year-old Marco Archer left his home to go to the store, never to return to the loving arms of his mother. We all know how tragically this story ended for this family.
Four taken to hospital with gunshot wounds
A MAN shot his girlfriend and three other people at a home on Cowpen Road yesterday leaving them in hospital, police said.
J Lo and A-Rod make it a match in the Bahamas
JENNIFER Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were engaged as they vacationed in The Bahamas over the weekend.
Ex-boss ‘robbed’ ferry firm of Bahamas route
The former chief executive of Balearia Caribbean must pay his ex-employer $2.844m in damages for effectively stealing the Resorts World Bimini ferry contract from under them.
What really happened to my son?
THE father of a 30-year-old biker killed in a collision last week has raised issues with the police’s account of the incident, claiming his son was being chased by officers when he was fatally struck by a vehicle that allegedly had run a traffic light.
Disney’s go-ahead in ‘$400m’ project: Lighthouse Point plan allows land for national park
THE government and Disney Island Development Ltd have signed a Heads of Agreement for the construction of a $250m to $400m cruise port and entertainment facility at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera.
HELP COPS FIND THE CHILDREN SNATCHER
ROYAL Bahamas Police Force investigators have no leads and are challenged with getting people to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for the abduction of three boys on Thursday.
Country’s debt - we all owe $7k
THE country’s national debt as of December 2018 stood at $7.5bn, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has revealed, meaning every Bahamian incurred a debt of nearly $7,000 each.
Royal Caribbean targets western Paradise Island
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) is acquiring real estate at Paradise Island’s western end in a bid to develop what is thought to be a “getaway destination” for its passengers.
NPBA playoffs: Bucket stop Eagles Nest 98-91, Regulators top Rockets 100-97
THE New Providence Basketball Association continued its first round best-of-five playoff series with another double header at the AF Adderley Gymnasium over the weekend.
Tribute dinner for former Governor General
FORMER Governor General Arthur Dion Hanna was lauded as a staunch nationalist and one of the founding fathers of an independent Bahamas at a special dinner to mark his 91st birthday.
Crime Stoppers' app helping to keep our youngsters safe
THE recent spate of abductions of children in New Providence has led to public outcry for improvements in alerting the public to safety threats – but one group has already taken steps to do just that and is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information in the latest incidents.
Medical experts gather for three-day conference
MEDICAL professionals will commune over best practices and industry challenges like client management and nursing shortages at their 47th annual science conference this week.
Maynard generates his own hot air
A fossil is a preserved prehistoric organism. There is no better word to describe the president of the Electrical Workers Union, the bellicose and always underwhelming Paul Maynard.
Too much brass, and no privates
The month of March was proclaimed Royal Bahamas Police month and a series of official and community events across the country have been organised.
Minnis right to avoid the media
Juan McCartney your March 6 National Review op-ed in The Nassau Guardian said that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis “became hostile towards the media as he realised that he was subject to serious vetting”.
Comets are BAISS Track & Field champions
The quartet of Kendrick Major, Max Azor, Shaun Miller and Matthew Thompson put an explanation mark on Queen’s College Comets’ triumph over the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine with a record-breaking performance in the under-20 boys 4 x 400 metre relay.
NCAA Division I basketball players in the spotlight
ABOUT a week away from “Selection Sunday”, Bahamians in NCAA Division I basketball concluded their regular seasons and preparare for conference tournament play while others had early exits from their respective tournaments.
Temple Christian Suns win two titles
THE Temple Christian Suns shined once again as their mini-boys and primary girls emerged as champions in the Bahamas Scholastic Sports Association’s 2019 basketball season.
U Sports Basketball: Bahamian men reach Final Eight
THE U Sports Men’s Basketball Final Eight featured several Bahamian players, however, each fell short in their bid for a National Championship.
Cynthia Rahming on provisional qualification list for Olympics
National judo champion Cynthia Rahming, in the -57kg division, is on a provisional qualification list for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Bee’s Trucking Destroyers take 2-1 lead over the Foxxy Angels
COACH Donnie Culmer and his defending champions Bee’s Trucking Destroyers will take a 2-1 lead into game four of their New Providence Women’s Basketball Association’s best-of-five championship series against the Foxxy Angels.
Quartet breaks 4x4 meet record
THE newly formed RK Athletics quartet of Maverick Bowleg, Cliff Resais, Ashley Riley and Andre Colebrook returned to the McNeese State Cowboy Relays 2019/Bob Hayes LA Challenge as a professional team where they broke the meet 4 x 400m metre record they set as collegians for Southeastern Louisiana.
WTO tariff cut fears for ‘40,000 Bahamian jobs’
Local contractors have voiced mixed reactions to fears that a WTO-induced 50 percent tariff rate cut on pre-fabricated buildings “puts 40,000 Bahamian construction jobs at risk”.
Galleria’s copyright fight to Privy Council
Galleria Cinemas has won permission to appeal a judgment, which its attorney says threatens to “stagnate” the Bahamian creative economy, to the London-based Privy Council.
Taxi drivers meet on cruise port overhaul
Taxi drivers last week met with the preferred Nassau cruise port bidder and Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP) to discuss Prince George Wharf’s impending redevelopment.
Bank conference focuses on technology disruption
A Bahamas-based financial services provider has hosted a conference analysing how technology advances have the potential to transform every economic sector.
Sterling names wealth management unit head
A Bahamas-based financial services provider with $9bn in assets under management has named Patrick Milot-Daignault as head of its wealth management unit.
Bahamian destination manager wins award
Cacique International, the Bahamian destination management company (DMC), has been named as a BI WORLDWIDE Inspirational Partner for 2018.
Cruise line: 2,000 jobs in Grand Lucayan offer
A top Royal Caribbean executive has confirmed it is working with Mexican port developer, ITM Group, on a proposal to redevelop the Grand Lucayan that could create 2,000 jobs.
Sunday, March 10
Four injured in shooting at Cowpen Road home
Police are investigating after four people were shot in a house on Cowpen Road early on Sunday morning.
Friday, March 8
Four C’s Adventures owner and captain to stand trial next year
FOUR C’s Adventures owner and one of his captains will stand trial in 2020 over allegations of negligence in the fatal tour boat explosion last year.
Police confirm three boys were taken on Thursday – four in 24 hours
POLICE have confirmed that three boys were taken in Thursday’s abduction — not two as officers initially reported.
Miss University of the Bahamas welcomed back to Freeport
NEWLY crowned Miss University of the Bahamas Lydia Cooper, a student of the UB North in Grand Bahama, returned to Freeport on Friday afternoon to a warm reception at the Grand Bahama International Airport.
Patricia Minnis speaks to students on International Women’s Day
AS part of the world’s celebration of International Women’s Day, Mrs. Patricia Minnis, wife of the Prime Minister, visited and spoke with primary school students of Queen's College on Friday.
Tributes paid to Freeport businessman Donald Roberts
GRAND Bahamians gathered on Friday to remember Freeport businessman Donald "Don" Roberts, the owner of Dolly Madison Home Centre.
Supreme Court Justice rules Shane Gibson 'should be tried'
SUPREME Court Justice Indra Charles has dismissed a constitutional motion by former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson and stayed the criminal proceedings against him.
Royal Caribbean International president: New Providence not a worrying destination
ROYAL Caribbean International’s top executive says New Providence is not a “worrying destination” when it comes to the safety of its passengers.
Grand Bahamian Tamar Moss appointed Commonwealth Youth Council chief executive
GRAND Bahamian native Tamar Moss has been appointed chief executive of the Commonwealth Youth Council.
Three arrested after police fired on
THREE men were arrested after a man opened fire on police with a high-powered weapon on Thursday afternoon.
Deputy PM calls for collaboration to close gender gap
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest yesterday underscored the need for all sectors of society to closely collaborate on efforts to close the gender gap.
First group graduates from FOAM literacy programme
A FREE literacy programme for the children of murder victims has graduated its first group of 10 students.
Comets win BAISS Track and Field title
The Queen’s College Comets regained the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools‘ Track and Field Championship title to claim their third meet in five years.
A COMIC'S VIEW: My five tips for Bubba
It’s always great to catch up with my godson, ‘Bubba’ (that’s the nickname I gave him, the first day his parents brought him home from the hospital.)
Smile please . . . $6,500 fine for woman who posed as orthodontist
A 27-year-old Jamaican woman cried in court yesterday before being fined over $6,000 for swindling five women out of over $7,000 collectively for braces by posing as an orthodontist and operating under a fake name.
Count me in for 2022: I plan to stand next time, says 70-year-old Miller
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s desire to run new candidates in the next general election is on a collision course with the ambitions of former parliamentarians such as Leslie Miller who expect to be nominated in 2022.
Charges dropped against Archer after police fail to attend a hearing
A MAGISTRATE dropped charges against Omar Archer yesterday after police officers failed to attend a hearing, Mr Archer’s lawyers say.
Three men in custody as underage girls are found
POLICE have taken three males into custody in connection with harbouring two underage girls who officers say ran away from home, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash confirmed to The Tribune yesterday.
'Neighbourhood watch a great success'
WITH more than 80 neighbourhood watch groups in New Providence, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has witnessed much success in its fight against crime and restoring peace in communities, according to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean.
US probe threat to 60 Bahamian jobs
The principal of a Bay Street-based broker/dealer is seeking a court injunction to halt a probe by US federal regulators that threatens up to 60 Bahamian jobs.
Three children taken in 24 hours
THREE boys were allegedly abducted in two separate incidents in less than 24 hours, but were found a short time later, police said. A woman is believed to have taken the boys in each case. Police said they are investigating each matter separately but are looking to see if they are connected. The latest abduction took place before 4pm, when two boys, 8 and 10, were walking on Kool Acres Road in east New Providence when “they were picked up by a female who was the lone occupant” of a dark coloured vehicle, police said.
Officers ‘casualties’ in Reckley row
HIGH-ranking Royal Bahamas Police Force officers Emrick Seymour and Stephen Dean are perceived to be “casualties” of Clarence Reckley’s early retirement, The Tribune was told yesterday.
$250,000 donation to UB business school
LENO Corporate Services Limited has donated $250,000 to the University of the Bahamas’ School of Business.
Cancelled meeting delays review of public disclosure submissions
A cancelled meeting has delayed the review of public disclosure submissions, with the committee’s chairman Myles Laroda yesterday telling The Tribune: “I can’t say if they all got in”.
bahamians prepare for trip to Dubai
A group of almost 50 Bahamians who will be travelling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in October recetly met with The Bahamas’s non-resident Ambassador to UAE and Qatar, H.E. Tony Joudi.
Angels even series 1-1
The youthful Foxxy Angels avenged their opening loss to even their New Providence Women’s Basketball Association best-of-five championship series with the defending champions Bee’s Trucking.
EDITORIAL: Another heart-stopper approaches for Mrs May
Since the British people voted by a narrow margin in the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, the protracted negotiations have produced numerous twists and turns, setbacks, deadlines and disagreements.
‘A good deed is never lost’
New Birth Church reaches out to the needy
A “good deed” is usually thought of as a kind gesture; making a difference in someone’s life with no real expectation of receiving anything in return.
Too many questions still unanswered
I can only sum up the current affairs of BEC/BPL, as a fiasco.
BAISS track & field: QC Comets lead by 17 points
THE top two schools atop the leaderboard in the BAISS Track and Field Championships standings are separated by just 17 points, setting the stage for a thrilling finish in today’s finale.
BFA teams to compete in tourneys
THE Bahamas Football Association has announced that their men’s and under-17 boys teams will be heading off next week to compete in two different tournaments.
QC: Commercial enterprises act ‘too restrictive’
An outspoken QC yesterday warned that the Commercial Enterprises Act is “too restrictive” and needs to be expanded if Freeport is to become a true “technology hub”.
Man’s appeal over cop killing still undecided
THE Court of Appeal is considering whether it will agree with a man’s assertions that he should not have been convicted for killing a senior police officer during the course of an armed robbery five years ago.
15 illegal immigrants face court in Freeport
FIFTEEN illegal immigrants of mixed nationalities were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week for breaches of the Immigration Act.
Ignore the cries of the selfish Nassauvians
Traditionally, successive governments have been known to be Nassau-centric.
Williams to square off with Jamaican on March 22
AFTER a successful professional debut last month in Mexico, Rashield Williams is expected to return to the ring on March 22 when he is slated to take on Jamaican native Javaune James.
Special Olympics Bahamas off to the World Summer Games
SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas was able to meet their financial requirements and its delegation of 40 persons left town yesterday for the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
Strikers Boxing Club fighters to make debut in second Back Yard Rumble
WHEN the Bahamian Sons Promotions holds their second Back Yard Rumble, a number of fighters out of the Strikers Boxing Club are hoping to make their debut.
The world needs prayers
The annual World Day of Prayer is a wonderful opportunity for us all to pray for one another.
What is Lent?
There has been an excessive amount of arrogance expressed concerning this holy season of Lent which the greater part of Christianity finds most fulfilling, both spiritually and otherwise. Most of our people are simply not aware of its importance and the possible impact it carries.
Charles Bain and Colonials through to Northeastern Conference semi-finals
CHARLES Bain and the Robert Morris Colonials are through to the semi-finals of the Northeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament after a comeback win in the opening round.
NPBA PLAYOFFS: Eagles Nest, Rockets in the win column
THE Leno Eagles Nest stunned the Aliv Bucket and the Discount Distributors Rockets knocked off the Leno Regulators as the New Providence Basketball Association continued its first round playoffs at the AF Adderley Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Kevin Williams top bowler
THE top scorer in the Financial Bowling League on Wednesday night at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre was Kevin B Williams of the Strike Force with a 587 high three set.
Putting matters into perspective
It is conceivable that there are persons who are grappling with various challenges at this time (illness, finances, relationships, employment, et cetera.) This is the reality of life’s journey.
IMAX executive: Bahamas is ‘most restrictive market’
A Fusion Superplex executive yesterday branded The Bahamas as “the most restrictive banking market I’ve ever seen”, forcing investors to “think outside the box” for project financing.
Govt: Tax won’t ‘disrupt’ vacation rentals market
The government yesterday pledged “not to disrupt” the booming vacation rental market as it confirmed plans to impose taxation on the sector in the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Govt seizing on EU woes to put ‘house in order’
The Bahamas will exploit the European Union’s (EU) “reprieve” to “shore up” its financial crime defences to withstand any future challenges, the deputy prime minister pledged yesterday.
Shiloh Abundant Life bets on the power of prayer
The Shiloh Abundant Life Ministries is hosting its second annual prophetic prayer conference this month and wants to remind all Bahamians that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous availeth much.”
Govts ‘largest ever solar project’ opens Monday
The government’s “largest solar project” to-date will be officially opened on Monday at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium’s parking lot.
IAN FERGUSON: An engaged worker is a better performer
What every company wants from its staff is employee engagement: An individual sense of purpose and focused energy, evident to others in their display of personal initiative, effort and persistence directed towards achieving company goals.
$42m Superplex beats US-based IMAX rivals
A FUSION Superplex executive yesterday said the complex has been one of IMAX’s leaders for the last four months, outperforming rivals in New York and Florida.
Thursday, March 7
Police investigating more child abductions
Police are investigating another alleged abduction after a child was taken from a park off Soldier Road on Wednesday before being dropped off a short time later.
03072019 EDITION
Thursday, 7th March, 2019.
DIANE PHILLIPS: Hey you, stupid, switch your phone off
Our daughter got married last Saturday. It was magical.
Mother in search for her son
MARIA Curtis is desperately searching for her 20-year-old son, who she said has been missing for nearly five months.
MP McAlpine: I will run again, nominated or not
WHILE Fredrick McAlpine appears to be out of favour with the Free National Movement, the controversial MP says he intends to run again in the Pineridge constituency even if he does not get the nomination from his party.
Frankie Campbell's advice to those who are minded to 'harm our women': Turn away from your wicked ways
SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday admonished Bahamians to make the protection of women and girls “a personal responsibility,” urging those seeking to bring harm to them to “turn away from their wicked ways”.
BPL’s new $95m power plant needs to be built by experts
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said yesterday construction of Bahamas Power and Light’s new $95m power plant at Clifton Pier must utilise the professionals who know how to do it.
Battle erupts over ‘100% green’ resort
A Bahamian private island, billed as the world’s first “carbon neutral” luxury eco-resort, is at the centre of a bitter dispute as the March 15 deadline for its $3.8m “minimum bid” auction looms.
Opposition members walk out in budget debate row
OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis wants parliamentarians to reject the recent mid-year budget communication of Finance Minister Peter Turnquest, but House Speaker Halson Moultrie quashed his effort to put the matter on the agenda for parliament to debate yesterday.
PM’s challenge in Reckley row
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has challenged PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis to make his accusations about senior officer Clarence Reckley’s retirement in Parliament, suggesting this was the only way he would respond to claims this directive came from his office.
Passport chaos - we are trying to sort it
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said his ministry has created an internal committee tasked with improving procedures at the Passport Office, as applicants seeking new travel documents this week described the process as “frustrating” and “backwards”.
18-month wait for Labour Day trial
THE man whose truck mowed into a crowd during last year’s Labour Day Parade will stand trial in 2020 over allegations that he negligently caused the death of four women and injured eight other people.
No action against people who missed disclosure deadlines
THE Office of the Attorney General was never asked to take action against three officials who failed to disclose their assets and liabilities on time last year, according to Public Disclosures Commission chairman Myles Laroda.
Ex-AG: Bahamas economic model ‘broken, in crisis’
The Bahamas must transform an economic model that is “in crisis” by “shoring up” local entrepreneurs and capital, a former attorney general argued yesterday.
Dorsett, Burnside to be inducted into World Baseball Softball Confederation Hall of Fame
TWO Bahamian softball icons are set to be added to the list of World Baseball Softball Confederation Softball Hall of Fame inductees.
School to host jobs fair
THE Department of Labour is holding its first job fair of the year this Saturday at CR Walker Senior High School on Baillou Hill Road. The event runs from 11am to 3pm.
Cruise passengers hit by 115mph winds
PASSENGERS onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Escape are finally getting their time in paradise with stops in the Bahamas, this after the ship was slammed out of nowhere late Sunday night by hurricane-force wind gusts while sailing along the US east coast.
Police officers 'did not identify themselves before shooting'
TWO police officers in plain clothes did not identify themselves moments before one of them shot and killed a teenager in the Bain Town community almost 10 years ago, a lifelong friend of the deceased testified yesterday.
Appeal for help for Meals on Wheels programme
FOR nearly three decades, Mt Olive Baptist Church Social Outreach Ministries has successfully run a feeding network, providing food to over 130 people in the Bain Town community each week.
EDITORIAL: Video nasty for our passport office
A VIDEO by a talented Bahamian comedian circulated this week on social media.
So just how serious is our PM about CARICOM?
Just how serious is the Prime Minister when it comes to CARICOM? Stayed one day and flew off to New York for a personal event, an award from UWI Alumni Association. Congrats on the award!
Time to wake up and speak out
I am writing this letter on behalf of us, the Bahamian people, in the spirit of constructive criticism and with suggestions for improving the woeful passport office experience. I am certainly thankful that this is but a “once-every-10 years” occurrence because my recent experience was a two-day/7 hour debacle.
QC Comets in lead after day 1
Day one of the 2019 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ Track and Field Championships saw the two familiar powerhouse programmes race ahead of the field in another edition of the renewed rivalry.
Sailing: KPMG returns as sponsor of the Youth Winter Championships
KPMG continues its role as a major supporter of local youth sailing with its sponsorship of several initiatives on the horizon.
Sammy Hunter named to the BioSteel All-Canadian Game
SAMMY Hunter continues to add to his season of accolades and was recently recognised as one of the top prep basketball players in Canada.
National Bowling Championships set to begin March 31 at Mario’s
THE Bahamas Bowling Federation (BBF) is pleased to announce that between March 31 and April 14, the 2019 Bahamas National Bowling Championships is scheduled to be held at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace.
Bahamas urged: Use EU reprieve for own ‘assault’
The Bahamas was yesterday urged to use “the reprieve” provided by Europe’s rejection of its own “high risk” countries’ listing to craft “our assault on an illegal process”.
DPM: ‘New chapter’ for financial services
The deputy prime minister yesterday hailed the Investment Funds Bill 2019 as “a new chapter” for Bahamian financial services, replacing and rebalancing an “outdated” regulatory regime.
‘Legal question’ over Promotion Boards’ $50m
A former attorney general says a “live legal question” exists over the $50m raised by the various tourism industry promotion boards to market The Bahamas annually to potential visitors.
Bahamas provider extends $22.5m to Cayman project
A $22.5m loan from a Bahamas-based financial services provider is providing much-needed bridge funding for the re-development of the five-star Grand Cayman Grand Hyatt.
Former AG backs income tax move
A former attorney general has backed the introduction of income tax in The Bahamas as a more “progressive” and fair way to distribute the tax burden.
‘Nothing to celebrate’ in mid-year budget
The DNA yesterday slammed the government’s projected $185m revenue shortfall as “unacceptable and inadequate”, adding that Bahamians had “nothing to celebrate” in the mid-year budget.
Cooper: Change the conversation
THE Bahamas has a chance to “change the conversation” after the European Commission’s list of nations that pose a “high” financial crime risk was rejected by the bloc’s 28 member states.
Wednesday, March 6
03062019 EDITION
Wednesday, 6th March, 2019.
Son who beat mother, 81, to death loses appeal
A MAN is to continue serving his 35-year sentence for murdering his 81-year-old mother four years ago, then recording a video and taking pictures of her bedroom floor instead of immediately calling for help.
CULTURE CLASH: Why is it an assaulted child’s mother must share the blame for her ordeal?
International Women’s Day is on Friday, and this year’s theme is Balance for Better. The theme is broad enough to capture any number of issues, from equality in the workplace to legal reform.
Renewed calls to do more to protect conch
THERE are renewed calls for conch protection measures from environmentalists, including banning the exportation of conch meat and ramping up efforts to tackle the “scourge” of poaching.
‘Majority of Bahamians believe in the PLP’
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday he thinks the majority of the country believes in the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) brand and that the party is for the people.
Vaccinations get off to a slow start
MORE than 100 people have been given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in recent weeks, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.
Mum-to-be accused of arson
A 23-year-old pregnant woman was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with a fire that resulted in property losses of some $2 million at a Freeport mini-mall, where 13 stores were destroyed last Wednesday.
BPL to seek Shell equity for its $95m
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) will likely take an equity ownership interest in Shell’s new power plant in return for its $95m emergency generation investment, it was revealed yesterday.
‘Reckley’s husband forced to retire’
OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis accused the government of pressuring the police force to send a senior assistant commissioner of police into retirement.
Maynard on the warpath - again
BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard yesterday threatened “dark days are ahead” as he waged war against Bahamas Power & Light and Wärtsilä, the newly contracted firm slated to build a $95m electricity plant this year.
Cops say snatched girl not assaulted
POLICE yesterday denied claims the eight-year-old girl abducted early Sunday morning had been sexually assaulted.
Biker dies in crash ‘running red light’
A 30-year-old man is dead following another traffic accident, the sixth victim in a little over a week. While the deceased has not been identified, The Tribune understands he is Clarence Dean Jr. He is the 12th traffic fatality of the year, according to police.
Sands sets ‘HIV free’ deadline
BAHAMIAN officials have made a commitment to being the first country by 2030 to eradicate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in regaining footing as the world’s leader in low mother-to-child transmission.
After injury, Bria finishes 2nd in triple jump at NAIA Indoors
AFTER sitting a year to recuperate from an injury, Life University junior Bria Sands soared back into form with an All-American runner-up position in the women’s triple jump at the NAIA National Indoor Championships.
Don’t cut spending ‘too far’, govt told
Private sector leaders yesterday warned the government not to “go too far” with its planned $130m spending cuts, pointing out that 40 years of fiscal woe “can’t be undone in three years”.
Buddy’s 28 points lifts Kings to 115-108 win over Knicks
SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Harrison Barnes’ best game with Sacramento helped the Kings keep pace in a crowded Western Conference as they attempt to end the NBA’s longest active playoff drought.
Teleos Cherubims senior girls capture BSAA basketball title
Teleos Cherubims captured another Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association senior girls’ basketball title, this time they did it in grand style.
Wastewater master plan coming together
THE $18.7m construction of several wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations in New Providence will be completed by the end of the month, saving the Water & Sewerage Corporation maintenance costs, WSC chairman Adrian Gibson said yesterday.
Five US concerns about crime – and how we can sort it
The US State Department issues annual advisories for countries around the world, which our local media has on their annual calendar as a headline story for years. So let’s kill the story. Not by asking them not to report on it, but by eradicating the cause.
Inquest hears how angry mob surrounded police
A FORMER police sergeant testified yesterday how an angry mob of Bain Town residents attempted to swarm him and his partner after the latter shot and killed a teenager in that community almost 10 years ago.
EDITORIAL: A bold vision to be HIV free
THIS week has proven a remarkable one for hopes of tackling a scourge for the world – and very much so for our nation.
The problem is the way we vote now
Enact ranked choice voting. Anyone who endorses democracy and understands our voting process can tell you our system is flawed. The two-party system is clearly dysfunctional: Party tribalism divides and distracts us, and who wouldn’t want more options in political representation? I doubt anyone is satisfied with what’s currently available at the voting booth.
Local taxes for local needs
Please let me know if the following analogy is incorrect.
We need caution on Venezuela policy
What we are seeing play out in Venezuela today would probably have horrified Dwight Eisenhower.
Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins pays courtesy call on Minister of Education
BERNARD ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins, former world middleweight champion, recently paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd.
RBPF Acklins and Crooked Island community members host fun run/walk
IN keeping with the commissioner’s mandate as they celebrated the month of March and the 179th Anniversary of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the members of the Police Force, along with island administrator Leonard Dames Jr and other members of the Acklins/Crooked Island community, hosted a fun run/walk on Saturday.
Carlton E Francis basketball team has a ‘winning attitude’
SINCE becoming the new principal a year ago, Olivia Daxon said she was waiting for the opportunity to join coach Sherman Smith in celebrating another championship performance from their Carlton E Francis basketball team.
Destroyers get 64-60 win over Angels to take 1-0 lead in series
THE defending champions Bee’s Trucking Destroyers took a 1-0 lead over the Foxy Angels with a 64-60 win as the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association opened its best-of-three championship series at the DW Davis Gymnasium last night.
US warnings ‘threaten core of our existence’
The Bahamas “must do everything in our power” to combat US crime advisories, the Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive warning yesterday: “It threatens the very core of our existence”.
Power managers: Job fears, but ‘on right path’
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) managerial union yesterday said the utility’s generation reforms are “on the right path” while voicing fears about its members’ job security.
Banks’ bad loans strike ten-year low
Bad loans commercial banking industry borrowers dropped to under $800m at end-January 2019, falling to their “lowest levels for ten years”.
BISX market cap rises $50m in '18
The market value of all BISX-listed securities rose by nearly $50m during 2018, with a strong fourth quarter enabling the exchange’s All-Share Index to close the year up 2.2 percent.
Bahamas Striping wins award from think-tank
The Bahamas Striping Group of Companies (BSGC) has been honoured with the Nassau Institute’s Freedom Award for Entrepreneurship.
Govt pushes innovation as solution to change
The government is pushing technology and innovation as a response to the dynamic, rapidly evolving global economy, the deputy prime minister has confirmed.
BPL renewable energy plan still in ‘draft phase’
BAHAMAS Power & Light’s (BPL) $95m deal for new electricity generation “ties in” to its renewable energy plans, a senior executive has confirmed, although these are only in “draft phase”.
Fishermen call for ‘illegal racket’s’ end
Fisheries representatives yesterday called on the government to address “an ‘illegal racket” infiltrating a sector that should be reserved for “Bahamians only”.
Tuesday, March 5
03052019 EDITION
Tuesday, 5th March, 2019.
Doctor’s absolute discharge decision ruled ‘unduly lenient’
THE chief magistrate’s decision to absolutely discharge a doctor for causing harm to another man was too merciful a sentence, the director of public prosecutions has said.
Gibson’s happy to see the water flow on Ragged Island
THE Water and Sewerage Corporation has an ample supply of water available in Ragged Island for residents or anyone who wishes to construct a home or business in the southern island.
FACE TO FACE: Following in the footsteps of the King
Eric Gibson is a household name. The moment a Bahamian hears it, the title “King” precedes it in their mind. King Eric & His Knights were a popular calypso band in The Bahamas since their inception in 1957, a time when music legend Harry Belafonte released his “Calypso” album which received much international acclaim.
ED FIELDS: Just look around - why's the spotlight always on us?
If other countries can write about how careful to be when coming to the Bahamas, we should exercise the same right to both defend our country and to alert our citizens, and by extension the world, about the dangers of other destinations.
Sands stays silent as PLP contacts CARICOM
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday appeared unconcerned over reports the Official Opposition has written to CARICOM regarding the controversy surrounding the trial of former PLP Senator Frank Smith.
Activists claim Ferreira misled them over oil
ENVIRONMENT activists are angry at Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira, who they say told them last year there was no chance the Minnis administration would move forward with offshore oil drilling.
Bishop urges Marco system to be fast-tracked
BISHOP Simeon Hall yesterday accused the government of stalling the full implementation of Marco’s Law, including the alert system for missing children.
Tech centre to tap into creative skills of the young
THE Fort Charlotte MakerSpace, Technology and Innovation Centre was officially opened on Sunday for residents of the area.
Tourism chief targets top US safety ranking
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged to put US crime warnings on “a continued downward trend of severity” that will lead to The Bahamas being rated among the world’s safest nations.
One last summer of BPL’s torment: Then cheaper bills and power that stays on
WHEN Finnish group Wärtsilä completes installation of a new electricity plant at Clifton Pier, Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd would have ended the expensive practice of rental generators and “drastically” decreased the fuel surcharge on consumer’s monthly bills.
Measles victim’s brother has virus
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed yesterday that there has been a second case of measles in the country — this time in a 10-year-old tourist.
HE’S STILL OUT THERE
POLICE are still searching for the man who abducted and allegedly sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl.
Gambling addiction ‘just like cocaine’
A COUNCIL is being established to address the issue of problem gambling in The Bahamas, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands announced yesterday.
EDITORIAL: Is there really light at the end of the tunnel?
AT long last, the so-called temporary measure of renting generators to supplement the power output at Bahamas Power and Light may be coming to an end.
Commissioner to be revealed this month - Dames
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames expects to announce the new commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services this month.
BPL vendors ‘fall through cracks’ in payment delay
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) chairman yesterday admitted some vendors had suffered payment delays because they had “fallen through the cracks” with its new procurement system.
Law enforcement leadership programme gets underway
SIXTEEN law enforcement officers will participate in a three-month programme to earn certification in law enforcement leadership.
Gunman robs man of cash and iPhone
POLICE are looking for the man responsible for an armed robbery that happened on Sunday.
BUSINESS BITES: Right decision - now it’s all about delivery
Last October the Ministry of Tourism, noting that 3.5 million passengers annually were visiting Nassau via several cruise lines, issued a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) for “an upgrade and revitalisation of the downtown Nassau tourism product”. Although we are statistically the largest Caribbean destination, it was common knowledge that we ranked low in guest satisfaction and tourist spending.
Migrants aiming to get into US caught at sea and face charges
SEVENTEEN migrants of mixed nationalities who were being smuggled illegally to the United States from Grand Bahama were intercepted at sea and turned over to Department of Immigration authorities this week.
Are we getting the security we deserve? No . . .
The issues at National Security - are we getting the service and the security we should be receiving bearing in mind the enormous percentage of the National Budge expended?
We have to plan if we want equal pay
Is Article 26 of The Constitution concerning discrimination constantly being abused?
Warhawks play Bahamian national anthem in honour of Munnings, Anderson, Cooper
“MARCH On, Bahamaland” blared through the speakers to celebrate the Bahamian connection at the University of Louisiana Monroe-Warhawks men’s basketball programme on senior night.
Press the button on chronic radio callers
Today on one of the radio stations around noon the listening public had to endure one chronic caller and an ex-politician in full flight talking total gibberish.
Lucius Fox listed as No.11 overall prospect in Tampa Bay
LUCIUS Fox became the seventh Bahamian minor league prospect to be listed among the top 30 in his organisation by Major League Baseball this offseason.
Cherubims, Suns control openers in best-of-three
Temple Christian Suns and Teleos Cherubims controlled the outcome of the opening games in their respective best-of-three Bahamas Scholastic Sports Association’s best-of-three championship series at the DW Davis Gymnasium yesterday.
Whylly, Goodman & Hurricanes win ACAA title
A PERFECT regular season continued with a perfect run through the playoffs for the Holland College Hurricanes as their Bahamian pipeline led the way to their seventh consecutive Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title.
Outsiders win 5th Annual Sam Haven Softball Tournament
THE Outsiders team won the 5th Annual Sam Haven Softball Tournament at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Saturday.
James ‘all in his feelings’ since All-Star break
THE Lakers are 1-3 since the All-Star break and LeBron James seems to be all in his feelings.
Did Jordyn Woods commit an unforgivable sin? Bahamians weigh in on the hot scandal
MODEL Jordyn Woods, the 21-year-old best friend of make-up mogul Kylie Jenner, has found herself in the midst of a scandal that has grabbed worldwide attention. She has trended on Twitter, become the subject of countless memes and been the hottest topic of every celebrity blog and talk show.
Loving who more . . . How self-centered relationships impact children
The misplaced emotions of Elizabeth Smith, a young mother of three girls, were stronger for her boyfriend Nicholas White than for her children.
LIFE LINES: Discomfort – a catalyst
We all like to feel comfortable in our surroundings and in our relationships, whether with family, friends or work associates. Feeling uncomfortable is, well, uncomfortable, and affects our enjoyment not only of the moment but often influences our behaviour.
Join the fight for a healthy Bahamas
Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic.
Atlantic Medical hosts 21st annual Fun Run for cancer and diabetes
In a bid to encourage Bahamians to adopt healthier lifestyles, Atlantic Medical Insurance (AMI) will host its 21st Annual Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 13. AMI will donate all proceeds to the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the Bahamas Diabetic Association.
The dangers of skin bleaching
DESPITE its many known health risks, bleaching is unfortunately still a method many Bahamians use in a quest to achieve what they believe will be new and improved skin.
Art for autism
UNDER the theme “Spoken Spectrums”, students, parents and teachers of the Garvin Tynes Primary School’s Autism Unit will be hosting to a night of art and music.
BISX-listed Fund targeting $1m Financial Centre boost
The BISX-listed Bahamas Property Fund is “looking to grow again” in 2019 through potential acquisitions and rental prospects following a $1.232m “bottom line” turnaround.
BPL executives brush off ‘game plan’ challenge
BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) executives yesterday brushed off questions about their “game plan” as they moved to “fast track” the $95m installation of 132 megawatts (MW) in new power generation.
Vacation rental bookings increase 37% for January
The Bahamas maintained its strong tourism performance through January 2019 with total air departures from Nassau and Airbnb bookings both up by “double digits” year-over-year.
Contractor registrar pledges to get regulation right ‘first time’
The government is moving swiftly to develop the regulations that will underpin the Construction Contractors Act and bring it into force, the contractors’ registrar promised yesterday.
Law firm sails off with award
A Bahamian law firm has been honoured as 2019’s Shipping and Maritime Firm of the Year in the Lawyers World awards.
Limited payment options hit BPL Out Island clients
BAHAMAS Power & Light’s (BPL) chief executive yesterday conceded that limited payment options may have exacerbated unpaid customer bills in some Family Islands.
BPL Xmas reconnection offer below expectations
BAHAMAS Power & Light’s (BPL) chief executive yesterday said its Christmas reconnection offer had not produced the expected customer response, saying: “We’re not sure exactly why that was.”
Florida hospital appoints Bahamas representative
Cleveland Clinic Florida, a leading hospital in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, has named Shenika Nesbitt as its representative in The Bahamas.
Freeport firm to quadruple ships’ waste reprocessing
A Freeport-based processor of oil and other ships’ waste plans to quadruple its capacity after being selected for financial and technical assistance by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Monday, March 4
03042019 EDITION
Monday, 4th March, 2019.
INSIGHT: Why the Trump-Cohen drama can serve as a cautionary tale for us all
TESTIMONY given by Michael Cohen - former attorney of US President Donald Trump – took over American media last. With impeachment becoming a possibility, yet still a rarity in American politics, many are on the edge of their seat.
Moultrie set to bring in new rules for parliament
HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie, hoping to make parliament independent of the executive branch, expects to give the attorney general a draft bill next week that would create a parliamentary service commission that would control the budget and administration of the Senate and House of Assembly.
INSIGHT: 0.00000717% – That’s the chance of a tourist being a victim of crime here
Every year we have a circular discussion about the Travel Advisory issued by the US. State Department. It usually comes out in January, but because of the shutdown, it was just released. It is time we get off this hamster wheel once and for all.
Privatisation targets wages 99% of income
A key privatisation target’s payroll costs now equal 99 percent of revenues, a Cabinet minister has revealed, as he confirmed: “We’re trying to outsource as many entities as possible.”
Five locals held for illegal fishing
FIVE Bahamians and three other men were arrested over the weekend after they were found fishing in a protected marine preserve in the Berry Islands with scores of conch on board their vessels.
Three die in road tragedies
THREE people died in two car accidents over the weekend –– a middle aged man on Tonique Williams Darling Highway and two men in South Andros.
BEYOND WORDS: Girl, 8, dragged from her home in dead of night
AN eight-year-old girl is deeply traumatised and her family shattered after she was abducted from her home early yesterday morning. Distraught loved ones are calling for the immediate activation of the MARCO Alert system.
POLICE ADVICE: Don’t be afraid - education about drugs must start in the home
Peer pressure to experiment with drugs starts as early as the fourth grade.
Lucayan ‘finalists’, union offer under scrutiny this week
The best bids for the Grand Lucayan, and the government’s voluntary separation offer to its managers, will both be discussed tomorrow as efforts to resolve the resort’s future heat up.
CR Walker Knights seniors emerge as champions again
THE CR Walker Knights emerged as champions once again as they won their fourth straight Government Secondary Schools Sports Association senior divisional title last week.
Girls to face charges after damaging dorm
A GROUP of girl residents of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls are expected to face charges after they damaged a dorm in an attempt to escape the facility, according to the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.
Pair held after 'brazen' armed robbery
TWO men are in custody in connection with what police described as a “brazen” armed robbery in Abaco.
EDITORIAL: A word of advice - double check the advisory
THERE has been a lot of talk in recent days about the travel advisory issued by the US Department of State to visitors.
Time to return Freeport to the success it once was
I was relieved to hear Prime Minister Minnis say in his recent national address that his government was well on its way to resurrecting Grand Bahama’s economy with the reopening of the hotels, golf course, casino, etc.
Right choice for our port
It has long been accepted and preached from the roof tops throughout this wonderful nation that I am a proud New Deal PLP. My leader is the Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC, MP (Cat Island; Rum Cay & San Salvador), whom I consider the Prime Minister-in-waiting. So, my political alliance is not a hidden secret. There are events, however, which transcends the inevitable blur and misconceptions of pure politics.
Why waste so much on drones?
Can the Commissioner of Police, or anyone else definitively state, as a result of police action serious crime - serious crime, murder, has decreased, or is it the law of averages…300+ murdered over the past three years. Perhaps 300 criminals locked up, so you have basically exhausted who will commit the serious crime? Oh, we are pleased with the decrease.
WORLD VIEW: If Venezuela needs aid then why not deliver it through the UN?
THE United States of America, Canada and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean together share the deeply-held values of democracy and human rights more than the majority of other countries in the Western hemisphere.
GAIN AN EDGE: Lynette’s making her mark in among the men
Being a woman in a technical class traditionally dominated by men is not easy. Lynette Albury knows that all too well.
Bahamian connection making presence felt on the track
Thanks to coach Bernard Newbold, there is a new Bahamian track and field connection in Harmount, Louisiana, and already they are making their presence felt in the opening of the outdoor season.
Mackey ends college career as all-time leader
NASHAD Mackey concluded his collegiate basketball career with the Embry-Riddle Eagles as one of the programme’s all-time leaders.
Ednal Rolle first full-time head coach at UB
UB Athletics has hired former track and field national team hurdler Ednal Rolle as the first full-time head coach at the institution. The internationally certified coach takes the reigns of the programme starting today.
Jumpers lead the way at National Jr College Indoors
JUMPERS Kyle Alcine, Holland Martin and Denvaughn Whymns all soared to some outstanding performances in leading the way for a number of Bahamian athletes competing at the National Junior College Indoor Championships.
Ayton and Suns stop James and Lakers
MATCHED up against the “small ball” lineup of the Los Angeles Lakers, Deandre Ayton asserted his dominance with one of his best all around games of the season and led his Phoenix Suns to their second win in three games.
Burrows, Wilson and Tigers pull off biggest upset of the season
THE Atlantic University Sport men’s basketball championship featured several Bahamian players in the conference tournament finale.
NPBA: Giants complete perfect regular season, Your Essential Store clinch pennant
WHILE the New Providence Basketball Association’s perennial men’s division one champions Commonwealth Bank Giants put the lid on a perfect regular season, their first year division II team Your Essential Store Giants clinched their pennant.
Organisers get ready for 2nd ‘Back Yard Rumble' at Kendal Isaacs Gym April 13
SHERMAN ‘the Tank’ Williams likes what he has seen coming out of the Strikers Boxing Club. He feels like coach Ronn Rodgers has produced some quality fighters who have the potential to follow in his footsteps as a great fighter on the international scene.
Record breaker Joanna Evans helps swim team win its seventh-straight Big 12 title
GRAND Bahamian Joanna Evans, with two record-breaking performances, helped the second-ranked University of Texas women’s swimming and diving team win its seventh-straight Big 12 title by 319 points on Saturday night.
BPL to unveil $95m power plant boost
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) will today unveil a $95m deal for a major upgrade of its New Providence generation capacity to take effect by summer’s end.
Digital B$ ‘pilot’ ready for 2020
The Central Bank’s governor has revealed that the Family Island communities where it will test the first version of a digital Bahamian dollar will be selected before the end of April 2019.
Fixed light bills urged for small Out Island firms
Family Island commercial leaders have called for small business electricity bills to be fixed amid rising fears over Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) imminent mass disconnection exercise.
FOCOL names sixth tanker after Bradley
FOCOL Holdings last week commissioned its sixth tanker at Prince George Wharf, naming the vessel after former company director and Cabinet minister, Bradley Roberts.
Bahamian-founded firm expands by acquisition
A sponging company founded in The Bahamas in 1908 is targeting further expansion through the acquisition of a major natural sponge distributor.
Union chief ‘amazed’ at WTO non-involvement
A trade union leader yesterday said he was “amazed” that the Bahamian labour movement has not been asked to contribute more meaningfully to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) debate.
Govt urged to transfer soes to private sector
The government has been urged to shift state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to the private sector and remove their multi-million dollar losses from its balance sheet.
Small Business Centre chief chosen for US programme
The Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) executive director has been chosen to participate in a US government leadership programme.
Bahamians urged to fill the ‘skills gap’
Bahamian students have been urged by the acting director of labour to ready themselves to fill the country’s skills gaps and reduce employer demand for work permits.
Saturday, March 2
Two dead after car crash in South Andros
Two men are dead after a traffic accident in South Andros early on Saturday evening.
Friday, March 1
03012019 EDITION
Friday, 1st March, 2018.
Commissioner: We must clean the place where we live
POLICE Commissioner Anthony Ferguson yesterday moved to end debate over crime statistics in the wake of another US State Department crime advisory. He warned that despite the positive trends Bahamians still needed to “clean the place where we live.”
Bid to raise $100,000 for tenants who lost businesses in fire
A Go Fund Me page has been launched to raise $100,000 to assist the 13 store tenants whose businesses were destroyed following a devastating fire at Rachel's Britannia Mini Mall in Freeport earlier this week.
Britannia Mini Mall fire 'was arson'
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler said that following preliminary investigations, the Police Fire Services has pin-pointed the cause of the fire at the Britannia Mini Mall as arson.
All Opposition parliamentarians 'have filed public disclosures'
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell confirmed on Friday that all Opposition parliamentarians have filed their public disclosures.
Police Month gets underway with walkabout in Freeport
POLICE on Grand Bahama kicked off Police Month on Friday with a community walkabout led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler, who with his officers, interacted with persons on the streets and at various establishments in the Freeport area.
Police Commissioner leads walkabout through Nassau
THE Senior Command of the Royal Bahamas Police Force visited several communities in the capital on Friday, marking the official start of “Police Month” and the 179th anniversary of the force.
Dames: Cabinet paper for sex offender registry complete
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said the Cabinet paper for the sex offender registry is completed and will be submitted soon.
American Airlines to use larger aircraft for Miami to Nassau flight
AMERICAN Airlines will start operating one of their seven daily flights from Miami to Nassau beginning in June using a larger aircraft.
Testing on MARCO Alert system 'completed'
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said testing on the Mandatory Action Rescuing Children Operation (MARCO) Alert system is completed and the proposal will be submitted to Cabinet for approval very shortly.
Infant left in car 'rescued by ministry staff'
MINISTRY of Health employees had to forcibly open the window of a car on Friday to rescue an infant who had been left unattended in the government agency’s parking lot, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.
A COMIC'S VIEW: The odd things that our kids say
MY youngest son Andoni and I were playing catch the other day.
‘$255m from gaming’ since 2014
BAHAMAS Gaming Operators Association CEO Gershan Major said web shops represent probably the third or fourth most significant sector of employers in the Bahamas, and have contributed more than $255m since 2014 to the Bahamian economy.
Woman held over mall fire
A WOMAN is in custody assisting police in Grand Bahama with an arson investigation into a fire that destroyed a Freeport mini shopping plaza valued at some $800,000.
24-hour hotline launched to tackle human trafficking
THE government has launched a 24-hour human trafficking hotline to help victims or those who aware of the crime to anonymously report it.
EDITORIAL: EU DEMANDS AND NEW THREATS OF BLACKLISTING
THE most recent action by the European Union to include The Bahamas in a list of 23 nations categorised as a ‘high risk’ financial crime jurisdiction has brought to the fore once more the issue of our compliance with international standards in the fight against such crime.
DPM: We’ll ‘scale back’ spending more if needed
The government will “scale back” spending for the 2018-2019 fiscal year if revenue further underperforms, it was revealed yesterday, amid a $21.7m year-over-year fall in trade taxes.
Coco Cay offers hope to jobless
WITH the $200m overhaul of Coco Cay nearing completion, executives from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines were in the capital yesterday for the cruise line’s third job fair since November.
Dames: I didn’t lose my temper
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames has suggested reports on his clash with Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine in the House of Assembly on Wednesday were overblown as he brushed off opposition calls for him to enroll in an anger management programme.
‘End this sexual violence epidemic’
THE Bahamas has an “epidemic” of sexual violence, according to Bahamas Crisis Centre Director Sandra Dean-Patterson who made the remark as the organisation plans to launch a campaign, #SilentNoMore, to destigmatise sexual abuse and encourage victims to share their stories.
MPs rush to meet filing deadline
PUBLIC disclosures from parliamentarians were flying in like “hotcakes”, according to Public Disclosure Commission Chairman Myles Laroda yesterday.
Govt offers no evidence against Rufa
CANADIAN Bruno Rufa’s third judicial review against the Department of Immigration closed yesterday with no evidence or submissions filed by the government.
FOCOL chair ‘can’t believe’ stock so low
FOCOL Holdings chairman yesterday revealed that its share buyback was launched because it “can’t believe” investors place so little value on a stock that consistently delivers healthy profits.
Missing man case adjourned
THE habeas corpus application for a “missing” man who relatives believe was taken into police custody was adjourned to next month after the government was late filing its response.
DIANE PHILLIPS - Lake Killarney: Unseen beauty under threat
Out in the middle of the island mostly hidden from view is one of The Bahamas’ greatest treasures. It’s called Lake Killarney and today it is under threat from development that is encroaching on its banks with buyers building down into the swampy marshes and destroying mangroves by the hundreds with careless abandon.
Minnis is honoured by university
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was honoured on Wednesday by the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) for exemplary professional achievements.
Walkabout won't solve the mess
How we solve our problems is a pretence of questionable sense – get five – six ASPs from the police together and do a walk-a-bout downtown, if that reassures anyone - gather four-five ASPs do a walk-about and all is resolved like drinking down Alka Seltzer!
Raptors are the junior track & field champs!
They had their consecutive meet title streak broken in 2018, but the CH Reeves Raptors regained their place as the GSSSA junior track and field champions.
Hutchinson Jr OCAA Player of the Year
IN what has been his most productive season in the three years he has starred for the Niagara College Knights’ basketball team, Van ‘Bubba’ Hutchinson Jr was rewarded with the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Player of the Year award.
Young listed as Blue Jays’ No.23 prospect
CHAVEZ Young became the latest Bahamian minor league prospect featured on Major League Baseball Pipeline’s top 30 projections for each franchise.
‘Shaq’ Cleare inks deal in Spain
FRESH off another appearance with the senior men’s national team, Shaquille Cleare is on the move once again at the professional level.
Williams set to face ‘Knockout’ in ‘Back Yard Rumble’
WHEN Bahamian Sons Promotions returns to the Bahamas in April for its second edition of ‘Back Yard Rumble,’ heavyweight Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams will headline the exciting professional boxing card.
Junior golfers Turnquest, Hedge win national titles
THE Bahamas Golf Federation hosted the 2019 Bahamas Golf Federation Junior National Championships recently at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island with a field of over 40 up and coming junior golfers from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Florida.
Stampers stun High Flyers 89-85, Shockers stop Pirates 85-78
AS the New Providence Basketball Association gets set to complete its regular season this weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, two games were played on Wednesday night with teams jockeying for the final playoff spots.
32nd annual Valentine’s Day Regatta winners soak up spotlight
THE 32nd Annual Valentine’s Day Regatta opened its first day of sailing on Saturday, February 16 on Montagu Bay.
SPLASH IN HISTORY: Seawaves first official triathlon club in the Bahamas
THE Seawaves Triathlon Club made history last week when it became the first officially recognised triathlon club in the Bahamas under the Bahamas Triathlon Association (BTA).
Samuel P Haven National High School Soccer Championships begin April 27
THE Bahamas Football Association, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, has announced that the 2019 Samuel P Haven National High School Soccer Championships is scheduled for April 27 to May 4 in New Providence. These championships will showcase the top teams from various school leagues for the senior boys and girls’ divisions.
The storms of life
All of us have faced a difficult situation at one point or another. Such is life.
ALIKE BUT NOT THE SAME
Solutions vs resolutions
Although I am so much like I was last year and the year before, many things about me are no longer the same. Psalm 84 motivates me to go from strength to strength until I appear before God. Hopefully you see yourself growing the same way.
Mount Olive Baptist Walk-About
Mount Olive Baptist Church on Meadow and Augusta Streets will be hosting its Outreach Walk-About this Saturday.
Words of Warning
Lent is just around the corner, next week as a matter of fact. Lent is a time to make a change. The following words of warning shock us to stop, take notice, and make a decision.
The Anglican Lenten Mission 2019
The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands has announced its Lenten Mission 2019 under the theme “Becoming a Better Disciple for Jesus”.
The War Room convenes in Eleuthera
Change Bahamas Ministries are headed over to Eleuthera as they prepare to host the 2019 War Room conference tomorrow night.
Tomorrow’s faith leaders stage an ‘invasion’
The Youth Ministry of First Baptist Church, led by Deacon Adrian Finley, hosted their annual service “Youth Invasion” service last Sunday.
Virgin Galactic: Rocket reaches space again in test flight
Virgin Galactic’s rocket plane reached space for a second time in a test flight over California on Friday, climbing higher and faster than before while also carrying a crew member to evaluate the long-awaited passenger experience.
Huawei and Samsung reveal folding smartphones
China’s Huawei unveiled a new folding-screen phone on Sunday, joining the latest trend for bendable devices as it challenges the global smartphone market’s dominant players, Apple and Samsung.
TECH TALK
• One of the US’ aircraft carriers will spend the next two years in dry dock for some maintenance and state-of-the-art upgrades.
‘Quantify’ VAT shortfall, BICA chief urges govt
The government was yesterday urged to “quantify” its VAT shortfall, a top accountant hailing its admission of a near $200m total revenue undershoot as “very bold and courageous”.
CIBC enjoys ‘best result’ for 11 years
CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Bahamian unit enjoyed its “best performance for 11 years” after 2018 profits rose nearly 11 percent due to improved loan book performance and rising US rates.
Taxi drivers: We won’t be ignored over cruise port
Taxi drivers yesterday warned they will not be “disenfranchised” by the cruise port’s redevelopment, their union president pledging the sector will be “at the forefront of negotiations”.
BAMSI moves to cut food wastage by 40%
THE Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is aiming to reduce food spoilage and waste by 40 percent through its hiring of a refrigerated transport container.
DPM blasts the opposition’s ‘reckless disregard for truth’
THE deputy prime minister yesterday hit back at his opposition counterpart’s assertion that the government’s fiscal policies are being dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
IAN FERGUSON: Championing the cause of change
Adapting to change in business is often a great challenge for many employees. The ability to assimilate into a new and dynamic environment in particularly perplexing for veteran workers who may have been entrenched in a process, environment and culture for an extended period of time.
