Friday, May 31
NEMA urges preparedness for hurricane season
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday urged Bahamians to be aware of their level of preparedness as international forecasters officially announced projections for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
Anger after load shedding hits New Providence
LOAD shedding struck several parts of New Providence on Friday morning, drawing the anger of many consumers.
Dr Sands: Increased collection of fees likely for healthcare demands
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands forecast "increased collection of gazetted fees” to meet healthcare demands but insisted no one is going to be denied care in its facilities — particularly the destitute.
Murder sentence upheld by Court of Appeal
A man’s half-century sentence for murdering another man as he was dancing with his girlfriend in a sports bar in Grand Bahama five years ago has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Minister says junior doctor contract cuts only in 'isolated incidents'
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday denied junior doctors are having their contracts cut from three years to one year, instead maintaining this is occurring only in “isolated incidents”.
March for Justice Against Child Molestation set for Thursday, June 6
A MINISTRY is calling on the public to take a stand against the increase of child molestation, incest and sexual abuse in the country.
Business declining annually for some local vendors
THE summer season is one of the liveliest seasons for tourism in the country, but for some local vendors sales have been declining annually.
Two in court on attempted murder charges
Two Freeport residents were arraigned on attempted murder charges on Friday in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate's Court.
First land-based commercial coral farm opens in Freeport
CORAL Vita – the first land-based commercial coral farm in the world - was officially opened on Friday in Freeport, creating a new sector of sustainable aquaculture and innovation for reef restoration in Grand Bahama and The Bahamas.
Six ordered to pay back $30,000
FIVE women and a man were ordered to pay back the $30,000 they collectively defrauded a local lending institution out of two years ago by using fake Department of Education employment letters.
A COMIC'S VIEW: Don't let the opportunities given to us by marijuana go up in smoke
I’VE noticed over the past few weeks, especially on the talk show circuit, that the narrative of those against the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana in the Bahamas is starting to change, with talking points becoming far more objective.
Bahamian sailor ready to head home after 30 months of misery stranded in Quebec City port
AFTER spending 30 months on a ship docked at a port in Canada, veteran Bahamian sailor Richard Thompson is packing up to come home.
Arresting Jamaican woman was a 'national security matter', officer tells court
ARRESTING a Jamaican woman who was allegedly raped by a senior immigration officer five years ago was directly related to “the sovereignty of The Bahamas”, a senior police officer insisted yesterday.
$1.3bn tax giveaway
The government gave up more than $1.3bn in customs duties during the 2015-2016 fiscal year due to the multiple tax breaks afforded investors and corporate entities.
Ruth Bowe-Darville sworn in as Supreme Court justice – days before reaching retirement age
FORMER Bahamas Bar Association President Ruth Bowe-Darville was sworn in as the newest Supreme Court justice yesterday–– just a few days before she reaches retirement age.
Budget's winners and losers
THE Department of Social Services’ uniform assistance programme will receive considerably more money in the upcoming fiscal year in an apparent effort to curtail the anger government received last cycle for allotting what many saw as insufficient to cover the needs of dependents. Government estimates that $462,000 will go toward the social assistance benefit.
Family grieves over Miami murder
THE murder of a Bahamian educator in Miami, Florida has shaken her family at home in Nassau.
Strike crisis: Hotel workers signal massive vote for action
HOTEL workers overwhelmingly backed a strike during an official Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union’s poll yesterday.
‘Nowhere near out of the fiscal woods’
The Bahamas is “nowhere near out of the woods” with its fiscal woes, the deputy prime minister admitted yesterday, with the government still confronting several “ticking timebombs”.
Fox homers, Biscuits snap longest losing streak of season
LUCIUS Fox helped the Montgomery Biscuits to snap their longest losing streak of the season with his third home run of the season.
37-year-old jailed for two years after he admits carrying cocaine
A 37-year-old man was remanded to prison yesterday after he pleaded guilty to drug related offences.
Ex-banker not told he had breached company policy
PAUL Major, the former First Caribbean International (FCIB) banker fired for his role in collecting and then depositing a cheque into the local account of disgraced FIFA executive Charles Blazer, was not explicitly told by banking executives that he breached company policy at the time of his termination, a Supreme Court Justice heard yesterday.
UB launches new system for radiation inventory
THE University of The Bahamas has announced its plan to partner with a number of ministries to implement a new Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS) software, which will facilitate the management and inventory of all radiation sources in the country.
Turnquest confirms $39m debt related to BTC pension
WHILE the government boasts of having slashed arrears payments considerably over the last 10 months, one debt owed has yet to be satisfied at all.
Mr Cooper should know better, says Deputy PM
DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday defended the Minnis administration’s 2019/2020 Budget against the Official Opposition’s critiques.
Casual working ‘wreaking havoc in Grand Bahama’
GRAND Bahama union leaders continue to express strong concern about the widespread casual employment of Bahamian workers by companies throughout the island.
Biometrics key to overcoming immigration fraud – Symonette
FINGERPRINTING has proven to be the Immigration Department’s best defence against fraud, according to Immigration Minister Brent Symonette, who spoke of the stunning accuracy of fake documents being generated.
Wells and Stubbs selected to Academic All-League Team
SASHA Wells and Kayvonn Stubbs received an honour for their work in the classroom following a season of milestones on the track for the Oral Roberts University Eagles.
DIANE PHILLIPS: A lack of pride laid bare for all to see
You can blame it on whatever or whomever you want. You can point fingers at the Airport Authority or the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation or the Ministry of Works but the real problem with what is supposed to be an international airport at Great Harbour Cay is a lack of pride.
EDITORIAL: Why limit our options with red tape?
WE’RE not sure whether we should be wishing Ruth Bowe-Darville congratulations on her new job or happy 65th birthday – but the arrival of both at once has caused a few to raise questions.
Taxi drivers' open letter to Renward Wells, MP
Please allow the Taxi Driver’s Grievance Committee to address the following open letter to the Minister of Transport Renward Wells, MP, it is the people’s time.
We need figures on who does the work
COCO Cay - Ocean Cay - South Eleuthera - Carnival/Freeport these cruise lines destinations might have some economics but we need explanations.
Cameron put May behind high wall
Your columnist article: EU felled UK PM is interesting but for accuracy has to be rebutted.
Shaquillo Fritz enters the NCAA transfer portal
ARKANSAS State junior forward Shaquillo Fritz has entered the NCAA transfer portal and is set to continue his collegiate career with a new programme in the fall.
New Providence Modified Pitch Softball League action heats up
THE New Providence Modified Pitch Softball League continued its regular season action over the weekend with a series of games played at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
CITY BOWLING LEAGUE: Wild-Card Team crowned Champions for first time
THE City Bowling League completed the finals of its playoff round last night with a Wild-Card team making the finals and then being crowned champions for the first time since the concept was introduced in 2013.
Bahamas set to host PUKO/USAKI Karate Championships
THE Bahamas Karate Association (BKA) in collaboration with the USA Karate International (USAKI) and Pan American United Karate Organisation (PUKO) are scheduled to host the PUKO/USAKI 4th Continental Karate Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, June 14-15.
Aspiring tennis stars take advantage of Nassau exhibition and Freeport programmes
ON Saturday, Southwest Tennis Club in conjunction with the other sporting clubs at The Flamingo Gardens Park held an all day Saturday exhibition to showcase the talented youths who are engaged in the community’s year-round programmes.
What really happened at IAAF World Relays?
WHAT really happened with Team Bahamas and the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay team not competing at the IAAF World Relays, held in Yokohama, Japan, from May 11-12?
Tambearly International School founder honoured with Beacon of Light Award
TAMBEARLY International School founder and owner Alice Langford was one of the 20 honourees awarded The Beacon of Light Award as The Bahamas Football Association celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 18.
Wealthy Bahamians greatest tax cheats
“High-end” Bahamians and companies are the biggest tax dodgers, the deputy prime minister revealed yesterday, adding: “Poor people pay their taxes.”
‘Breakthrough’ in battle with foreign realtors
THE Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) president yesterday said it has finally made a “breakthrough” in cracking down on unscrupulous foreign realtors who are “crippling” the industry.
Provider for digital B$ ‘will not be greedy’
The digital Bahamian dollar’s technology provider yesterday pledged to “open up” opportunities for local start-ups and financial operators, and promised: “We won’t be greedy.”
‘On point marketing’ drives tourism surge
The minister of tourism yesterday said an “on point marketing campaign” had driven The Bahamas’ record-breaking tourism performance since the start of 2018.
Civil service pension reform eyed by govt
The government is in the process of hiring consultants to study the feasibility of making civil servants contribute financially to their own retirement via a defined contribution pension plan.
Govt targets $20m-$50m boating industry boost
THE GOVERNMENT could generate between $20m-$50m in extra revenue from fully collecting all due cruising permit and yacht charter fees, the deputy prime minister said yesterday.
IAN FERGUSON: Addressing key workplace woes
More than 80 percent of Bahamian businesses do not have the benefit of on-staff human resources professionals.
Thursday, May 30
The law of incense
Of the various laws which govern the kingdom of God, one of the most important laws is the law of increase. In its most basic form, the law of increase states that what we do not use decreases, and what we use increases.
Let's fight for our happiness!
Boy, this is a hard one! Life continues to throw us lemons, ingratitude, stress, disappointment, infidelity, and on and on. How are we to find an iota of happiness in the midst of a culture of chaos? Many of us are flamming a smile, a cheer, a good word and don’t really mean it. Are you flamming it, hoping to make it?
Nurses urged to trust in God
Ebenezer Union Baptist Church in Exuma recently welcomed the island’s nurses with open arms. The nurses from the Department of Public Health on Exuma are celebrating Nurses’ Month under the theme “Nurses – A Voice to Lead, Health For All”.
Young women find their purpose as 'champs'
The empowerment organisation CHAMPS celebrated a great turnout of Christian women for their annual conference, which this year was held under the theme “Designed In His Image”.
A life of prayer produces a bountiful harvest
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-8 NIV)
Prayer's power to bring about miracles
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him .And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying Arise up quickly. And his chains fell of his hands.” – Acts 12 v 5-7 (KJV)
An explosive celebration to change the status quo of young Christians
STRENGTHENING the youth and the wider Christian community is the main aim of the Ignition Youth Explosion event tomorrow.
Tsavoussis and Bayles are the new golf champions
BAHAMAS Golf Federation President Lynford Miller has announced the Bahamas has two new male and female golf champions.
Travis Munnings invited to Impact Basketball Pro Day
TRAVIS Munnings continues his path toward professional basketball, hoping to create an opportunity at high profile showcases during the pre-draft scouting process.
Bahamas Aquatics names 23-member CCCAN team
BAHAMAS Aquatics has selected a 23-member team to compete at the XXXII CCCAN Swimming Championships, set for June 28 to July 2 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Jones on fire
Jonquel Jones continues to show why many pundits expect her to be one of the top players in the WNBA this season as she led the Connecticut Sun to a 2-0 start.
STATESIDE: Trump insists tribute to heroes won't fall silent - but can he deliver?
The US annually commemorates its fallen military heroes on Memorial Day, creating the first three-day weekend of the summer at the end of May. For the past 32 years, one of the most impressive Memorial Day demonstrations has been organised by 74-year-old army veteran Artie Muller. He and a few associates started the motorcycle-driven Rolling Thunder rally in 1988, but have announced that this year’s huge assemblage will be the organisation’s last.
BUSINESS BITES: Some welcome clarity from Cable Bahamas
In its quarterly financial report through March 31, 2019, Cable Bahamas for the first time has added management comments to the usual bare-bones figures —a practice that should become standard for all BISX-listed companies.
EDITORIAL: Steady as she goes
Taking care of the cents seems to be saving the dollars when it comes to the latest budget.
Projects were never meant to influence an election
I take exception to opinions proffered in the editorial appearing in the May 21, 2019 edition of The Tribune under the heading “Nothing lessens the purse strings like an election”.
We have allowed tyrant governments to wreak havoc
Your editorial (May 28), castigating Brent Symonette and Immigration, could have had some balance if it were recognised that Immigration has been, (second only perhaps next to Fox Hill Prison in terms of dysfunctional Government Agencies), a disastrous department over the last 50 years.
We're not controlled by Beijing
You kindly published my opinion of the comment of the Assistant Secretary US on Chinese influence in The Bahamas…a reader commented electronically and I think it appropriate to respond.
Time for some lateral thinking
Intellectual question: am I the only one who does not like that the sun sets at 10 to 8pm, or waking up in the dark? And I wonder why, with our scorched plants waiting desperately for the rain, we are in the same time change zone as those in the north who are desperately looking for sun to bring the first buds out of the ground?
Auto industry to 'pick up steam' through tax cut
Auto dealers yesterday said the industry is poised to “pick up steam” as a result of tax cuts that will give Bahamian consumers “more choice and better prices” from July 1.
Now Reckley faces trial over money laundering charges
THE Court of Appeal has ordered former Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley and four others to stand trial over the money laundering charges a magistrate absolved them of earlier this year.
Jean Rony gets his final leave to appeal to Privy Council
BAHAMAS-born deportee Jean Rony Jean-Charles has been granted final leave to petition the Privy Council in a bid to challenge the Court of Appeal’s revocation of a landmark decision concerning his controversial detention and removal from the Bahamas in 2017.
Former banker was not told he was under an internal investigation
A BAHAMIAN banker fired for collecting and days later depositing a cheque into the local First Caribbean International (FCIBC) bank account of disgraced FIFA executive Charles Blazer, was not told by the bank’s attorneys that he was under an internal investigation into the potential wrongdoing when he was contacted and questioned.
Court hears that investigating exotic dancers led to woman's arrest
A POLICE officer yesterday testified how former Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade’s claims of illegal immigrants performing “exotic” acts at a bar set in motion the events that ultimately led to the arrest of a Jamaican woman who alleges she was raped by a senior immigration officer.
Caution warning on 'lofty' 1% deficit goal
The government was yesterday urged not to get carried away over its “lofty” ambition to achieve “the lowest deficit ratio” for almost two decades in the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year.
DPM: The era of political favours is now finished
The deputy prime minister yesterday signalled a major shift in Bahamian culture by warning that the system of politically-based favours and patronage must come to an end.
'Don't throw away dollars for nickels': Vacation rentals eyed for $8m-$10m
The government is “conservatively” estimating it will realise between $8m-$10m per year from levying VAT on vacation rentals as it was warned not to “throw away dollars in going for nickels”.
Civil service salaries in $53m 'over-budget'
The government’s wage bill for the 2017-2018 fiscal year was over-budgeted by $53m because of non-existent persons on its payroll, the deputy prime minister revealed yesterday.
Furniture retailers gain budget boost
A well-know furniture and appliance retailer yesterday said duty cuts unveiled in yesterday’s budget will benefit Bahamian retailers “long term” and make them more price competitive.
Cruising permit rise 'push back' awaited
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday said the government “feels comfortable” that the boating industry can absorb increased cruising permit rates despite marina concerns.
DPM places tax evaders on notice
The deputy prime minister yesterday warned tax cheats “who have been taking advantage of our inefficiencies” that they are a prime government target in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Poor and financial sector lose out over tax inertia
The government has penalised both low income Bahamians and the financial industry’s competitiveness by failing to enact comprehensive tax reform, an opposition party argued yesterday.
Flexibility for business licences
The government yesterday inserted flexibility into the Business Licence regime by allowing companies to pick which quarter they file their returns and pay the fee.
Father's fury as son comes home from school 'black and blue'
A FATHER’s outrage over the beating of a seventh grade student by a senior official at St Augustine’s College has reignited viral debate over the use of corporal punishment in schools.
Gunpoint robbery
A business was robbed at gunpoint and two men were arrested in connection with possession of dangerous drugs in Freeport, police reported.
17-year-old dies after shooting
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident that left a teenager dead and two other men in hospital on Tuesday night.
Annual list of govt contracts to be published
THE government will publish an annual list of every government contract awarded in a year under its proposed Public Procurement Bill 2019, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said during his budget communication yesterday.
'Deal with issues or we go on strike'
THE Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union has threatened to take legal and industrial action against the government if their concerns aren’t dealt with, union leader Frederick Farrington said yesterday.
'Over-budgeting in the past has allowed us to trim spending'
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said uncovering a history of over-budgeting has allowed the Minnis administration to trim its budget, especially with respect to spending on personal emoluments.
A tale of epic failure: PLP's Cooper accuses govt of borrowing 'like a drunken sailor'
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper branded the 2019/2020 Budget as a “tale of epic failure.”
Government announces plans to borrow $87m
THE Minnis administration yesterday moved two resolutions to borrow a combined total of nearly $87m to defray expenditure and to fund the implementation of a street lighting-retrofitting project.
Body of teacher found in Miami
A BAHAMIAN school teacher living in Miami, Florida who had been reported missing earlier this month has been found dead, according to international reports.
Dangerous drugs arrest at international airport
A MAN was arrested at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday after he was allegedly found in possession of dangerous drugs.
Chipman sister's assembly outburst
A SURPRISING outburst from the sister of a parliamentarian disrupted the Minnis administration’s Budget communication in the House of Assembly yesterday and led to the suspension of proceedings.
Steady as she goes: Turnquest budget has no major surprises
DECLARING the Minnis administration’s 2019/2020 Budget a “break from the past”, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest announced several new duty exemptions and rate reductions worth $28m in government revenue yesterday.
Wednesday, May 29
We need the taxes
Coco Cay RCL’S resort island ain’t cheap any more you gotta pay for everything…you think the Most Hon Dr Hubert Minnis knows?
Prices never go down
Prime Minister’s address with reference to solar reusable energy.
Look after labour
The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production. The Second used electric power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a fusion of technologies that are blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
So how many places are allowed to sell alcohol?
For some time now, I have attempted to inquire into some of what I have deduced is a contributing factor to some of the ills plaguing many of our communities…needless to say, that the exact figures for what was said to be public information…I was denied access…perhaps, editor, you may be able to acquire this information.
EDITORIAL: Don’t strike when there’s still time to talk
We should listen to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar.
Prison shouldn't just be about punishment
Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said improvements are on the way for the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. No timeline has been shared, but the prison is in desperate need of upgrade.
Woman led away after outburst in Parliament
A SURPRISING outburst from a woman in the House of Assembly gallery disrupted the Minnis administration's budget comminication Wednesday morning.
BAAA chief quite content on getting the job done
As the official chief executive officer of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, Mabeline Miller has an awesome task of disseminating the information pertaining to the day-to-day operation of the sport in the country.
Burning up the track with sprinter Daejha Moss
IN Nassau, Bahamas, the temperature is currently in the mid-80s with the sun blaring down on the city’s inhabitants. Add to that, blistering humidity and low wind speeds too. That Bahamian climate remains the same year-round (mostly) with the coldest day dropping to maybe the low 50s (the country’s lowest recorded temperature is 41 degrees set in 1981).
Exuma school gains $163k via small business centre
Exuma’s second private school has obtained $163,000 in financing through the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Access Accelerator initiative.
Team of six ministers to tackle taxi issues
TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said the prime minister has formed a cabinet sub-committee of six ministers to tackle all issues surrounding the taxi industry.
Grand Bahama man on attempted murder charge
A GRAND Bahama man was arraigned in court yesterday, charged with attempted murder.
Minister: Don't get hotel union upset
The Minister of Tourism yesterday urged the hotel union to step back from the “nuclear option” of a strike that would be devastating for The Bahamas’ largest industry and wider economy.
'Less than 20' stateless people in The Bahamas - Symonette
THE number of stateless people living in the country is likely less than 20, according to Immigration Minister Brent Symonette, who noted international agencies based in the country have not identified such an individual since he took up the post.
'Govt has not paid out a dollar in damages'
RIGHTS Bahamas yesterday claimed the government has not paid out a dollar in damages for years despite several court victories for the victims of human rights abuses.
Power push: BPL chairman lays out future plans
BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) intends to phase its way out of power generation, shifting its focus primarily to transmission, distribution and customer service initiatives, according to its chairman Donovan Moxey.
Power restored after huge fire rips through BPL facility
AN assessment is underway at Bahamas Power & Lights’ Bimini power station after a fire ripped through the facility late Monday evening, plunging the entire island into darkness for the night.
Ex-trade chief: Stop WTO 'total disaster'
A former trade minister last night warned it will be a “total disaster” if The Bahamas joins the WTO, as he challenged the government to identify “the benefits for Bahamians”.
Tourism concern on BPL's Bimini blaze
BIMINI homeowners yesterday warned Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) has a “ten-day window” to fully restore the island’s generation capacity before the high tourism season kicks in again.
Bahamas' corporate tax world's most 'corrosive'
The Bahamas yesterday received no credit for laws said to have raised compliance costs by 75-80 percent after its corporate tax policies were rated as the world’s most “corrosive”.
Privy Council appeal on industrial deal 'paralysis'
A trade union leader yesterday said “within 14 days” he will seek a Privy Council hearing on a ruling that threatens to “paralyse” industrial agreements and undermine worker protections.
Etienne earns spot in the NCAA Track & Field Championship
OVER the weekend, Jyles Etienne earned a spot in the NCAA Track & Field Championship with a leap of 7-feet, 2 1/4-inches at the East Preliminary, held in Jacksonville, Florida.
THE PRESS BOX: What will this circus do next in Lakerland?
NOW that ‘Game of Thrones’ has concluded, I find my ‘Westeros’ fix in the form of my dysfunctional Lakers and their ‘brainless trust.’
I kept pushing him off, woman tells court
A Jamaican woman broke down in tears yesterday as she recounted how a senior immigration officer forced her to have sex with him against her wishes five years ago.
Auto dealers hope for budget change
Auto dealers yesterday voiced cautious optimism that the government may today unveil budget changes allowing more models to qualify for the lowest duty threshold.
Warning over contaminated beef
THE Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has advised the public of a recall of raw beef packaged at the Aurora Packing Company, Inc that may be contaminated with e-coli.
Newlywed's maximum eight-year sentence for killing wife on honeymoon
A BRITISH man whose wife vanished at sea in waters near Cay Sal two years ago was yesterday given a maximum sentence of eight years by a Miami federal judge after previously pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Briton's death 'not a homicide'
POLICE are not investigating the mysterious death of a British national as a homicide, according to Assistant Superintendent of Police Shanta Knowles.
Cop faces court on 'rape' of girl, 15
A 27-year-old police constable was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday over allegations of unlawful sex with a minor.
No VAT rise in today's budget
WITH the government’s 2019/2020 budget communication set for today, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest moved to allay one fear, saying value added tax is not increasing.
Hotels and unions told: Calm down
TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar urged the hotel union and industry officials to allow “calmer heads to prevail”, insisting that a strike at this time would have a devastating impact on soaring tourism numbers.
Tuesday, May 28
Don't blame the player, Mr Symonette, blame the game
Stop beating us in court, Fred!
Kayla Edwards: Forever in the heart of each life she touched
When Terez Davis Nixon told me Keysha Edwards Taylor was in town and she wanted to know if I would write a Face to Face column posthumously on her mother, my heart leapt. It was an opportunity to write about a woman who made a great impact in my life and so many others. Bahamian cultural icon Kayla Lockhart Edwards will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of those whose lives she touched. She was just one of those one in a million people whose energy and aura permeated right through you, leaving you feeling good.
A prime minister felled by Europe - will she be the last?
Yesterday’s outcome of the European Parliament elections showed the mainstream centrist parties across the continent took a battering from populist and environmental groups which has resulted in considerable political fragmentation. The elections were a massive exercise in democracy with more than 400 million people eligible to vote and the shock outcome is inevitably dominating the news the other side of the Atlantic. Unsurprisingly, these seismic events have already overshadowed the main political development in Britain last week which was the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May – and, since there has been only limited coverage of this on the main US TV channels, readers might be interested in some analysis.
The gift of life: Friends of blood bank collect 16 pints, aim for 60
The call for blood donations will be an ongoing one for the Friends of the Blood Bank as they gear up for their next drive next month.
Bubble tea phenomenon comes to The Bahamas
While living in Taiwan in 2014 and 2015, Brandon Kemp fell in love with bubble tea.
Lowering the prostate cancer risk
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has registered that 200 Bahamian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, and that number is likely underestimated, as several Bahamian men seek prostate cancer screening and treatment abroad and they are often not captured in local statistics. WHO data showed that 249 men died of cancer in the Bahamas in 2018 and 80 of those men died of prostate cancer.
Not as good as you remember
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.
Learning more about Lupus
On Saturday, May 18, Lupus 242 held its third annual Health Talk at the University of the Bahamas. Educating the public about lupus is one of the major goals of the local non-profit organisation. The group also provides support and information for persons in The Bahamas living with the illness.
VICTORIA SARNE: Be the leading lady of your story
Have you written yourself the starring role in your life story? Are you the leading lady or the understudy waiting in the wings? Perhaps your carefully considered choices, although right at the time, have evolved into something different than originally anticipated. Life has a way of “getting in the way” and sending us in a different direction making it necessary to reassess. Are we where we want to be or at least heading in the right direction?
Bella Bahama! Local model scores Vogue Italia feature
You may know the term ‘Bella Italia’, but LaGrea Higgs is delivering ‘Bella Bahama’. The emerging model made her country proud by being chosen by Vogue’s Italian edition for a special female empowerment themed photo shoot. It is a remarkable accomplishment being featured by such a prestigious and high-end brand, and one that LaGrea is celebrating.
The first female national Baptist director of youth
AS the first woman ever to be named the National Baptist Director of Youth, Samantha Cartwright has had her work cut out for her over the last few months, working diligently to positively impact and develop the Bahamas’ youths.
WSMU on collision course with Dept of Labour
THE Water and Sewerage Management Union appears to be heading towards a clash with the Department of Labour, with WSMU president Ednel Rolle insisting the union does not have to call an election prior to its November general meeting.
NIB staff return to work as negotiations continue
NATIONAL Insurance Board staff returned to work yesterday morning and the entity resumed full operations following a week marred by tensions, service-level disruptions and the forced closure of a number of its offices.
Dames insists prison conditions are improving
SIGNIFICANT improvements at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services over the past two years have made conditions at the facility better, National Security Minister Marvin Dames insisted yesterday.
Ex-employee denies defrauding Ministry of Finance of $400,000
THE business former Ministry of Finance accounts clerk James Anwar Johnson allegedly caused to receive over $400,000 in unauthorised payments by manipulating various invoices is owned by his aunt, a magistrate heard yesterday.
Bank to redeem $81.5m preferred shares in 2019
Commonwealth Bank is aiming to redeem all its outstanding $81.5m preference share capital before year-end 2019 in a bid to “maximise returns” for equity investors.
Bahamas can't be 'last of the Mohicans' on tax
The Bahamas must avoid becoming “the Last of the Mohicans” by ensuring foreign companies actually “benefit from paying taxes” here, a top accountant is arguing.
'Abandon' $580m project's location, developer is told
A fisheries group is urging the developers behind the $580m South Abaco mixed-use resort project to “abandon” that location amid fears of “detrimental effects for the entire country”.
Condos increasingly popular with retirees
A Bahamian real estate firm says condominiums are becoming popular with retirees seeking to downsize in a way that maximises both retirement income and quality of life.
Opposition urges: "Give workers piece of the pie"
The government’s political opponents yesterday said they were “very taken aback” over the state of hotel industry industrial relations, adding: “The workers need to get their piece of the pie.”
Union chief's work return key to Water Corp solution
The government’s top labour official yesterday said the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) line staff union appears to be on track to resolving its grievances with executive management.
Jazz Chisholm and Lucius Fox go head-to-head in minor league
BAHAMIAN minor league baseball players went head-to-head for the second consecutive weekend in the Double A - Southern League.
Gardiner expects to run 200, 400 at IAAF Worlds
Inflammation in his right Achilles tendon prevented Steven Gardiner from representing the Bahamas at the IAAF World Relays that was held earlier this month in its new location in Yokohama, Japan.
Baseball players advance to NCAA Tournament Regionals
SEVERAL Bahamian baseball players made deep runs with their respective progammes during the NCAA Division I Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament regionals as College World Series qualification continues.
All Andros & Berry Islands regatta all set for July 5-7
THE All Andros and Berry Islands Regatta committee looks to galvanise support for July’s event as they expect thousands to patronise the upcoming 26th edition.
Police killing a justified homicide, court decides
A Coroner’s Court jury unanimously concluded yesterday the 2010 police killing of Walden Mitchell, a former police officer, was a justified homicide.
One year on, a family mourns
ONE year later, “Justice for Dee” markings still mark the walls of the Mason’s Addition community where Deangelo Evans was killed by police.
Ferguson: We have nothing to hide
POLICE Commissioner Anthony Ferguson has defended the officers involved in an operation more than a week ago that resulted in police fatally shooting three men inside a Blair home, calling them “very responsible”.
Union boss warns of 'industrial mayhem'
A trade union leader yesterday warned that industrial “mayhem” via a general strike will result unless employers stop attacking worker rights that have taken decades to build.
'Fred, stop suing': Symonette calls on QC to work with him to avoid court
IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette wants Fred Smith to stop suing the government, insisting yesterday the outspoken human rights lawyer has made his point.
Monday, May 27
VIDEO: Bimini in darkness as fire hits BPL facility
A MASSIVE fire ripped through a Bahamas Power and Light facility in Bimini last night, leaving the island in darkness.
The public's trust in the police should not be taken for granted
ON May 17 the gunshots that rang out in the wee hours of the morning in Blair Estates sent a tremor throughout the community, fracturing the perception of the police force. So often in police-involved killings, competing accounts on what took place began to spread. Three lives were taken - of men known to the police for a multitude of drug offences and allegations of violent crimes - but there is still discomfort and uncertainty with questions over what actually took place.
ORG: NCIA Bill 'raises flags' for us
THE Organisation for Responsible Governance has raised concerns over the National Crime Intelligence Agency Bill that was passed in the House of Assembly last week.
Helping kids to beat the bullies
Bullying is the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force them to do something.
EDITORIAL: More summer trouble as hotel union votes
When we wondered in Friday’s paper if a summer of discontent was heading the way of The Bahamas, little did we know another cloud was already forming on the horizon.
Browne and Mottley: Shapers of the regional future
PRIME Ministers Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda and Mia Mottley of Barbados are two of the Caribbean’s young and dynamic leaders, both workaholics with clear and determined visions for the betterment of their countries. Each of them is a committed regionalist, notwithstanding insinuations to the contrary in sections of the regional media.
Security is paramount
The current crime trend in The Bahamas and in particular the island of New Providence dictates that we enhance security measures provided for our government officials. Since my departure from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, (as a regular) I have been engaged in the security profession, firstly as corporate director of security at the Paradise Island Resort & Casino and continued with the Atlantis resort. It is at this resort that I had the opportunity to study and be exposed to security concepts that included VIP security. The resort had frequent visits from dignitaries, such as the Shah of Iran, presidents of the United States of America, movie stars and local high profile politicians. Special security arrangements had to be implemented during such visits to the resort. We hosted Royalty at functions in the resort.
Respect the process and don't jump to conclusions
The nation knows that I supported and voted for the now Minister of National Security who was seeking election to the House of Assembly for Mount Moriah. As a constituent and resident, I was terribly disappointed by the representation of the then MP. He was the worst of the worst in my view. This was no state secret as I had told the then DPM this on countless occasions, in the presence of that individual. The PLP and its leadership cadre paid me no mind, to their peril.
Williams prevails by unanimous decision
After losing his last fight by a split decision in the United States, Rashield Williams went to the Dominican Republic where he took his frustration out on his opponent in the third fight of his professional career with a four-round unanimous decision on Saturday night.
North and Central Andros in win column
THE North and Central Andros team finally snapped the Temple Christian Academy Suns’ three-year reign as champions of the Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships.
Athletes advance to NCAA Division I Outdoors
SEVERAL Bahamian student athletes have advanced to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships following their performances at their respective regional qualifiers.
DPM: Deficit target in reach with $400m cut
The deputy prime minister has signalled that the government remains on track to hit its main 2018-2019 fiscal target by touting a $400m reduction in the annual deficit since it took office.
'Clean up' Immigration before new exemption
The Immigration Department must “clean up its act now” before the government imposes any further responsibilities such as the 14-day work “visa” exemption, an ex-minister is warning.
Jones posts double double as Sun win on opening night
JONQUEL Jones began the 2019-20 WNBA regular season with a double double as the Connecticut Sun won on opening night.
NPBA ELECTIONS: ‘We couldn’t proceed with the meeting’
EUGENE Horton will have to hold onto the presidency of the New Providence Basketball Association a little longer than he had anticipated.
'It's the workers who are hurting'
A former hotel union presidential candidate says industry workers are not feeling the benefits from booming tourism numbers, adding: “We are the ones hurting in this.”
Taxi drivers ready for Tuesday protest
TAXI drivers say they are gearing up for another protest as the government has failed to address their outstanding concerns.
Zealous regulation still 'degrading' experience
Financial services customer experiences are still “too degraded” by the over-zealous application of strict Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, the Central Bank’s governor believes.
Govt to demystify budget language
The Ministry of Finance is aiming to demystify fiscal and Budgetary terms through a collaboration with social media influencers designed to explain what they mean for ordinary Bahamians.
Bahamas commits to sustainable tourism
The Bahamas reiterated its “steadfast” commitment to sustainable tourism at a regional United Nations (UN) meeting on the industry.
Exuma's Swimming Pigs hog the Cannes limelight
Exuma and its swimming pigs were spotlighted at last weekend’s Cannes Film Festival through a beach party title sponsored by Grand Isle Resort & Spa.
Woman dies in traffic accident
A WOMAN is dead following a traffic accident on San Salvador yesterday. According to reports given to police, shortly after noon a crash occurred on Queen’s Highway near the community of Sandy Point, involving a champagne coloured 2011 Hyundai sports utility vehicle and a black 2010 Nissan Note.
Guaranty Bank clients lose FIU injunction bid
Two Guaranty Bank & Trust clients have failed to prevent the Bahamian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) from obtaining their financial records despite claims of political persecution.
Milo Butler work begins
THE Ministry of Public Works/Bahamix will start road works on Milo Butler Highway’s northbound lane from 9.30am to 2.30pm starting today for six working days.
US Coast Guard calls off hunt for aircraft
THE US Coast Guard suspended its search for an aircraft on Saturday which went down approximately 221 miles northeast of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.
D'Aguilar confirms plans for new airport
THE Minnis administration has committed the funds needed to construct a new airport terminal at Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands within the next year, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has confirmed.
'He tried to clear his name. Now he's gone. I hope they're happy'
THE mother of a 28-year-old man shot and killed yesterday morning claims he was working to clear his name following a 2015 murder charge.
CocoCay could be model for Grand Lucaya
AN enhanced Grand Lucayan with Royal Caribbean International at the helm would spur a “huge economic impact” on Grand Bahama and should reinvigorate the country’s entire tourism sector, according to the cruise line’s president and CEO Michael Bayley.
Govt hires private lawyer in BPL action
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel confirmed yesterday the government has retained a local firm of private lawyers to defend a $1.1 million lawsuit against Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister for the wrongful termination, misfeasance in public office, and defamation/slander.
Medical marijuana - why are we waiting?
FORMER Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez yesterday called the government’s position on medical marijuana “ludicrous” and “illogical” given the medicinal use of derivatives from other scheduled drugs like cocaine and opium.
Hotel workers in strike ballot
The hotel union will take a strike vote this Thursday after slamming the industry’s proposal to eliminate the automatic 15 percent gratuity and other worker benefits as “a slap in the face”.
Saturday, May 25
GB youth leaders seek end to 'senseless' killings
Grand Bahama youth leaders are seeking to unite to stop the "senseless" killings in Grand Bahama, where they say young men are being gunned down in the streets as a result of gang violence.
Friday, May 24
Men charged in Grand Bahama
Five men were arraigned on Friday in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court in connection with a number of serious offenses, including possession dangerous drugs, unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
NIB Family Island offices stay closed amid unrest
THE National Insurance Board’s (NIB) Family Island offices resumed operations on Friday after days of unrest over a new industrial agreement.
No more tickets for buses stopping - because there aren't enough stops
BUS drivers will no longer pay tickets for bus stop infractions due to “inadequate” stops, says Frederick Farrington, president of the Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union.
Bus programme coming soon - but minister says it's a study, not a pilot
TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said he is looking to launch the pilot programme for the unified bus transportation system by the end of the month.
Man accused of killing one, trying to kill four more; second man also in court
A 22-year-old Haitian man was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday over allegations he murdered one man and attempted to murder four others in an incident that occurred earlier this month.
Two accused over sex attacks
A 21-year-old man was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of assault with attempt to rape.
Mitchell: FNM govt corrupt to the core
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell insisted the government was corrupt to its core as he blasted National Security Minister Marvin Dames on Friday.
Is a summer of discontent heading our way?
To hear some members of the government talk, you’d think all was right with the country – but is that a summer of discontent we glimpse on the horizon?
We're going backwards
I am writing from Mangrove Cay, Andros, where I have lived for the last 15 years. Clearly, we are going backwards, and I think this can be said for The Bahamas, in general.
A COMIC'S VIEW: Irresistible?
A FUNNY thing happened on the way to calming my young son down after an afternoon of playing baseball.
An ambitious plan which finally appears to be bearing fruit
It would be hard to find a government entity riddled with more scandal and strife than the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI) but for all of its missteps, mistakes and headline-grabbing hurdles – most self-afflicted – BAMSI appears headed toward a title of most unlikely success story of the year.
Morality is for group prosperity
Human cooperation is the cornerstone of human achievement. From the development of language and the brain via sharing information in tribes, clans or in modern times the nation state. I have an hypothesis that the formation of criminal gangs in The Bahamas is a modern expression of human cooperation not just for survival but for prosperity of adversely affected groups and will either cooperate or challenge the formal system.
Globetrotters with new shoes
Pre-election 2017 was it not the FNM who heavily criticised the PLP for travel and never reporting?
NCIA Bill 'dangerous and unconstitutional' - Davis
ALTHOUGH passed in the House of Assembly Wednesday, the National Crime Intelligence Agency Bill contains elements that are “dangerous” and “unconstitutional”, Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis has insisted.
We must work together to sort out issues, urges Wilson
BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday called on the Ministry of Education to “truly partner” with the BUT in an effort to discontinue “ongoing issues in education”.
Warning over contaminated meat
THE Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has advised the public of a recall of beef frank links produced by Vienna Beef Ltd that may be contaminated with pieces of metal.
Freeport murder charge
A Freeport man was yesterday arraigned on attempted murder charges in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court.
Police identify body found at Port New Providence
POLICE have identified the man found lifeless on the lawn of a Port New Providence home on Sunday but the cause of his death remains a mystery.
Court grants another two suspects bail
TWO of the four people arrested on firearm and drug related charges after police fatally shot three men at a home last week were granted bail yesterday.
Sebas fund no Island Luck 'back door' IPO
The two mutual funds launched yesterday by Sebas Bastian’s new investment house are not an alternative “back door” to an Island Luck initial public offering (IPO), top executives said.
Ivanique Kemp to try out for rugby team
FORMER female high hurdles national record holder Ivanique Kemp, already a talented track and field athlete who made the switch to rugby, will be joining Carly Johnson on a trip to Washington DC to try out for the Furies women’s rugby team.
Provisional licences available to start-ups
The government last night confirmed that provisional licences are now available to entrepreneurs starting companies in “low-risk” categories.
No proper business ignores the numbers
Statistics play an important role in all business ventures. Every successful business person must be quick and accurate with their decision-making. They must know what their customers want, how best to produce it, and in what quantity. Statistics help a company plan production according to the taste of consumers and the quality of the product.
Three Haitians arraigned for overstaying
THREE Haitians were arraigned in a Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week for breach of the Immigration Act, including overstaying and illegal landing.
BTVI hosts workshop for new AC system
Discount Air Condition Supplies teamed with The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) to host a workshop on a new pre-insulated duct system for central air conditioning systems.
Student athletes get set for NCAA East, West Regionals
Several Bahamian student athletes will participate in the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field East and West Regionals this weekend, looking to qualify for the Division I Championships.
Bahamians are a hit in NCAA Division 1 baseball
NCAA Division I baseball has moved into various conference tournaments across the United States and several Bahamian players are looking to advance with their respective programmes.
Bahamas Bowl all set for December 20
THE bowl season will begin in the Bahamas this year as the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl has been set for 2pm ET on Friday, December 20.
Young has his most productive offensive outing of the season
CHAVEZ Young had his most productive offensive outing of the season and Lucius Fox got the better in the first game of his head-to-head series against Jazz Chisholm in minor league baseball play.
Growth platform laid for Sebas' investment house
Investar Securities’ mutual fund launch is the first step in developing a fully-fledged investment bank, its chairman said yesterday, describing some local investments as “a crap shoot”.
Bran: WTO can't 'take bread from Bahamian people'
The government must ensure it does not “take bread out of the mouths of Bahamians” by taking this country into full WTO membership, the DNA’s former leader said yesterday.
Sandals: Try $30m sexual assault case in The Bahamas
Sandals is urging a New York judge to dismiss a $30m sexual assault claim because it occurred at its Nassau resort and should therefore be heard by a Bahamian court.
'Handicapped' over disabled building access
The level of access disabled people have to Bahamian commercial buildings is “awful” because of an inability to enforce the law, a private sector executive blasted yesterday.
Bran: Target marijuana, lottery for $1bn boost
THE DNA’s former leader yesterday urged the government to “be bold” and target medical marijuana and a national lottery as industries that can deliver a $1bn economic boost.
Dames dismisses Davis comments as 'disgraceful'
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday accused Official Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis of mounting an “all-out attack” on the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the wake of Mr Davis’ comments that the time has come for police to stop investigating police-involved killings.
Tuna Classic starts today
THE Bones Babes, an all Bahamian female fishing team, are preparing to head back on the boat for the 2019 Harbourside Marine, Tuna Classic.
Sentencing delay for Nygard as lawyers busy
THE sentencing of Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard on contempt charges was delayed again yesterday, with his attorneys being granted an adjournment due to a scheduling conflict.
Hunt for armed robbers
POLICE on New Providence are seeking assistance in identifying and locating the men responsible for two armed robberies which occurred overnight.
Sorted - new post office finally delivered
THE General Post Office was officially opened yesterday during a ceremony held at its new Town Centre Mall location.
Offices close in NIB row
SIGNIFICANT line and managerial staff absences forced the National Insurance Board to activate its emergency contingency plan, which featured the closure of both its Wulff Road and Fox Hill offices.
Foulkes went against advice to okay strike
LABOUR Minister Dion Foulkes is facing questions for giving the Water & Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) a strike certificate despite the union’s irregularities.
Wife of reservist who shot would-be robber: It's very scary, it's escalating
FEARS over escalating gun violence persist in the Fox Hill community, according to the wife of an off-duty reservist who shot and killed an alleged robber who acted “in a threatening manner” early yesterday morning.
May quits as UK Prime Minister, to leave post on June 7
LONDON (AP) — Theresa May announced Friday that she will step down as U.K. Conservative Party leader on June 7, admitting defeat in her attempt to take Britain out of the European Union and sparking a contest to become the country's next prime minister.
Thursday, May 23
Suspected car thief shot dead by off-duty police reserve
AN off duty reservist shot and killed a suspected car thief early yesterday morning, according to police.
EDITORIAL: Time to clean up our act
The national motto may be Forward, Upward, Onward, Together – but for some people it seems to be Backward, Downward, Rearward and Every Man For Himself.
Celebrating women of grace
HELPING women discover what they have been created to do is the aim of the Shiloh Abundant Life Ministries conference that kicked off last night.
Anglicans look to the future
The Anglican Consultative Council which recently met in Hong Kong for its 17th meeting set the Anglican Communion’s mission and ministry agenda for the coming years.
The meaning of grace
Grace is God’s kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favour and spiritual blessing. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Are you valuable or are you valued?
Are we at the end of the “Yes to Me” series? Readers and listeners alike have been reaching out: “Ayanna, I’ve started my second book!” “I am now speaking up for myself more…”
Our system gives one person too much power
The general elections scheduled for 2022 will not be our fathers’ elections. There is an emerging realignment of politics as we know it in our wonderful nation. The FNM is now approaching its third year back in office. While there have been some small baby steps and minimal successes, the political jury is still out on its performance or lack thereof over the last two years and counting.
God is a deliverer
Psalm 107 vs 20 -21 KJV: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from all their destructions Oh that man would praise the Lord for his goodness ,and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Meditation: A mother's call - part II
Last week we considered a mother’s call to love and prayer. This week we reflect on her call to celebrate, and we remember those for whom Mother’s Day is a challenging time.
Locked in for a night of fun, faith and purpose
This Friday, members of the Pulse Youth Church will present a special lock-in event for young Christians.
Bahamas increases its China presence
The Bahamas participated in China’s business-to-business tourism industry exhibition for the first time this year in a bid to generate increased visitor traffic from that rapidly-growing market.
Level the playing field
THE comments of the US Assistant Secretary Western Hemisphere is laughable in fact so jokey that it really makes no sense.
What's the hurry?
If someone removes some of the cards in a pack of playing cards, players would say that they are not playing with a full deck. And so it might be said of some people, who seem not to have a full measure of intelligence.
BBF executives attend FIBA development workshop
THE Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) continues its mandate of developing the sport and was recognised by the international governing body as one of its fastest growing member federations in the region.
Ayton named to NBA All-Rookie First team
Add another milestone to the list of accolades for a standout rookie season for the Phoenix Suns. Ayton was named to the NBA All-Rookie First team, just days after he was named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Dubet named A-10 All- Conference Second Team selection
COLE Dubet’s senior season has been the most productive of his NCAA baseball career and the St Louis Billikens infielder was honoured by the Atlantic 10 Conference. Dubet was named an A-10 All-Conference Second Team selection for the St Louis Billikens.
Largest class of student athletes to graduate from UB
THE largest class of student athletes is expected to graduate from The University of The Bahamas at commencement today.
Fidelity targets $25m full-year profitability
A BISX-listed bank yesterday said it is on target to beat 2018’s earnings growth and deliver $25m in full-year profits despite the absence of first quarter loan book expansion.
MP admits concerns over Harbour Island project 'legitimate'
NORTH Eleuthera’s MP yesterday admitted there are “legitimate” concerns over a Harbour Island development’s massive expansion given the insufficient infrastructure to accommodate it.
Target below par sectors for cuts, govt is urged
Governance reformers yesterday urged the government to target any spending cuts in the 2019-2020 budget on areas that have historically “not generated great returns”.
Construction cost offset derailed by height restrictions
A Berry Islands investor is alleging that his plan to offset The Bahamas’ high construction costs by building condominiums has been derailed by the non-disclosure of height restrictions.
'Extraordinary' price increases warning
Bahamian consumers and businesses were yesterday warned to brace for “an extraordinary level” of increase in the price of US imports as a result of Donald Trump’s trade war with China.
Designing a career from early passion
Charlene Bullard is a name synonymous with Bahamian graphic design. Since her childhood years she has always had a strong interest and passion for the arts, which compels her to continue experimenting with painting, drawing and colour coding. She also loves working with her hands, and uses her spare time to draw and create concepts that challenge her. Scrolling through magazines, and travelling and exploring the internet, are another sources of inspiration that have refined her skills.
Police shift from 'who do you know' recruitment
A Cabinet minister yesterday said efforts to boost the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s (RBPF) ability to combat cyber crimes are ongoing, as he admitted that recruitment had too often been based on “who you know”.
Local start-ups access $786,000 in financing
Thirteen small businesses have collectively gained access to $786,000 in financing to-date via the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), which says another $7m is in the pipeline.
Bahamian law firm sponsors conference
The Higgs & Johnson law firm was among the sponsors of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Caribbean Conference recently held in Nassau.
Bahamas hosts major accounting conference
More than 50 accounting firms from around the Americas will gather at Atlantis today when UHY Bain & Associates hosts a major conference for the chain’s regional and European firms.
Ex-banker charged with unlawful sex with boy, 14, to stand trial in 2020
A FORMER banker accused of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old boy will stand trial in April of next year, a Supreme Court judge has said. Paul Lewis, 37, of Yamacraw Shores, was given the dates of April 6 through 10, 2020, for trial by Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson yesterday.
Man, 43, faces separate charges of murder and attempted murder
A New Providence man was charged with murder and attempted murder in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with two separate shooting incidents in Grand Bahama.
Bayley keeps his promise to Feeding Network
On a sunny afternoon in November, Royal Caribbean International president & CEO Michael Bayley stood in the AquaTheater of Symphony of The Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world as it made its inaugural visit to Nassau, and before an audience of hundreds including volunteers from one of the destination’s most challenged communities made a promise – to fund all the food needed by the Bahamas Feeding Network in 2019.
It's time for the police to stop investigating the police - Davis
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis has said the killing of three people by police on Friday and the competing narratives about what led to it are “troubling”.
'Gun epidemic closely tied to drugs trade'
OF THE 762 murders in the country since 2012, 629 of these have been as a result of gun violence, National Security Minister Marvin Dames revealed yesterday. So far this year, he said, there have been 31 murders, but 87 percent of these or 27 involved firearms. Between 2012 and 2018, approximately 602 or 82.4 percent of the 731 homicides involved guns, he also said.
Body camera deal nearly done
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said contracts should be signed soon with the approved vendor to provide body cameras for law enforcement agencies.
Time to clean up: Residents fed up with garbage outside their back door
RESIDENTS of Millennium Gardens have complained about mounds of unsightly trash left indiscriminately in their area and are calling on the government to intervene to remove the “eyesores” from the area.
Name's changed but it's the same story - and they still love the President
Nancy Pelosi and Tim Ryan are both Democratic members of the US House of Representatives, but they don’t really have much in common beyond that. In fact, Ryan ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Pelosi as House Minority Leader in 2016, before the Democrats swept into control of the House last year. But Ryan and Pelosi do share something now. They are both focused on and worried about Ohio.
Victim dies of multiple gunshots
POLICE on Grand Bahama have recorded another homicide after a man was shot dead early yesterday at a known crime hotspot in Freeport.
Hunt for missing teen
POLICE are looking for Nadia Regis, 15, who was reported missing by relatives yesterday.
Rapist pastor begs to go back to US jail: Fox Hill prison too dangerous
A BAHAMIAN pastor sentenced to life plus 20 years on child rape charges in Georgia will be extradited after waiving his right to local legal proceedings yesterday.
Disabled access - we must do more
SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell said yesterday that too many commercial and publicly used buildings remain only partially accessible to people with disabilities despite a long-passed deadline for them to be in compliance with the law. The deadline passed on December 31, 2017.
Suspect set free over cell beating
POLICE abuse of a suspect has led the Court of Appeal to overturn a man’s armed robbery conviction and sentencing.
PLP's NIA operated for 'personal gain'
HEADS of respective law enforcement agencies raised concerns that the former government never communicated to them how the National Intelligence Agency was to function in the collective fight against crime.
Mass NIB no-show hits customers
TENSIONS at the National Insurance Board (NIB) escalated yesterday with an estimated 300 line-staff staging a “sick-out” and leaving many disgruntled customers at the corporation’s Baillou Hill Road headquarters.
Wednesday, May 22
Equestrian Bahamas holds its sixth Annual End of Year Awards Ceremony
FANS of equestrian sport gathered on Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2018-2019 season at Equestrian Bahamas’ 6th Annual End of Year Awards Ceremony.
ALICIA WALLACE: We are who we are but should always work together
Yesterday was World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development which is promoted by UNESCO. It was focused on recognising and celebrating heterogenous societies, comprised of different ethnicities and cultures. This has not been our strong suit.
Stop leaving people in limbo over immigration
THERE is a lot of sabre rattling when it comes to the issue of immigration – so it was very welcome to hear the clear voice of retired Justice Rubie Nottage yesterday putting issues into perspective.
Why national interest and sovereignty must prevail
The singular obligation that the government and People of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas owe to illegal immigrants is to treat them humanely.
A 20th birthday worth celebrating
There are many non-profit organisations that have fought bravely to preserve the rights of Bahamian citizens, one such organisation is the Coalition To Save Clifton (CSC). This awesome body of proud Bahamians, have throughout the course of 20 years, worked tirelessly to ensure that what rightfully should be enjoyed by Bahamians, is indeed given to them and not others.
Shooting alert system off target
This $1.5 millions electronic system for the police to hear gunshots seems to be totally redundant taking into consideration the quickness of the very active social media.
You're not including the people
I watched the Prime Minister last evening…an interesting address badly put together, but we expect that of OPM Communications who seem to constantly have a failing grade.
Cooper: PM pandering to constituents
RAGGED Island MP Chester Cooper yesterday accused Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of pandering to his constituents in a bid to score political points, and called for an apology over longstanding neglect.
Stop the WTO 'scare tactics'
WTO opponents must stop using “inaccurate scare tactics” to intimidate The Bahamas from joining world trade’s rules setter, a prominent local attorney charged yesterday.
$22m baseball stadium finished by November
The construction of the new national baseball stadium is well on the way and, when completed, project manager Michael Foster said it will be a multi-purpose venue with all of the amenities.
Growth undershoot leaves 'no room' for further taxes
The Bahamian economy’s 2018 GDP growth underperformance shows there is “no room” for new or increased taxes in next weeks’ budget, a former finance minister said yesterday.
Pathologist confirms man died from single gunshot
A FORENSIC pathologist confirmed yesterday that a 40-year-old man shot and killed by police near Sisal Street west five years ago died from a gunshot to the head.
'Pork' Burrows invited to officiate at World Games
MARTIN ‘Pork’ Burrows Sr will add the Babe Ruth League to his list of achievements as a Bahamian baseball/softball international umpire.
Key roles of newly elected basketball federation
AS a means of accountability, the newly elected Bahamas Basketball Federation would like to inform the general public of the key roles that our team will serve in.
Govt will 'explore options' if web shop tax talks fail
A Cabinet minister yesterday confirmed the government will “explore its options” if it is unable to persuade the four web shop hold-outs to pay due taxes via negotiation.
Equestrian Bahamas holds its sixth annual end of year awards ceremony
FANS of equestrian sport gathered on Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2018-2019 season at Equestrian Bahamas’ 6th Annual End of Year Awards Ceremony.
'Think positively' on Nassau Flight privatisation bid
A Cabinet minister yesterday brushed aside fears that Nassau Flight Services (NFS) privatisation could spark lay-offs, saying the state-owned entity needs “investment and modernisation”.
New, increased taxes are 'economic suicide'
The government will “commit economic suicide” if it introduces new or increased taxes with next week’s budget, a governance reformer warning yesterday: “Everybody’s been taxed to death.”
Road expansions 'a huge difference' for commerce
The road expansion package unveiled by the prime minister will “make a huge difference” to commerce and Bahamians’ “mental well-being”, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.
Baha Mar expands with Sugar Factory
Baha Mar yesterday revealed it is expanding its culinary offerings with the opening of Sugar Factory, the American eatery and confectionary shop, in spring 2020.
Retiring Caribbean Court judge joins Lennox Paton
A retiring Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judge is joining a Bahamian law firm’s Nassau office as a consultant from September 2019 onwards.
Bahamian provider sponsors summit
Bahamas-based Cloud Carib sponsored this month’s three-day Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) conference in Port of Spain to reinforce its emergence as a regional player.
Bahamian firm sets up captive affiliate
Nichol & Co, an actuarial and risk consulting firm, yesterday announced the opening of a Bahamian subsidiary focused on providing captive insurance services.
120 overseas workers coming in to install tri-fuel engines at BPL
THE government has given Finnish technology company Wartsila Oyj Abp permission to bring 120 workers to the country to install tri-fuel, high efficiency engines at Bahamas Power & Light’s Clifton Pier plant.
Woman facing firearm charge given bail
A WOMAN charged in connection with the discovery of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and dangerous drugs at a home where three men were shot and killed by police last Friday, was granted bail in the Supreme Court yesterday.
Seven foreign nationals fined for overstaying
SEVEN foreign nationals - four Brazilians, two Jamaicans and one Haitian - were convicted and fined for overstaying in three separate cases yesterday.
Woods presents new agreement to WSC
WORKERS at the Water and Sewerage Corporation presented their new industrial agreement to executive management yesterday.This follows months of standoff, strike threats and a war of words with executive chairman Adrian Gibson.
NIB workers demonstrate after reaching an 'impasse'
DOZENS of National Insurance Board employees demonstrated yesterday outside the entity’s Baillou Hill Road headquarters, after President of the Union of Public Officers Marvin Duncombe said the group had reached an “impasse” in negotiations with management.
Dames: We followed law on vacation leave
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said the government has followed the law when applying vacation leave policies in law enforcement agencies, though he did not elaborate.
Brother of slain marine has the right to criticise, says minister
“PEOPLE have a right to criticise,” National Security Minister Marvin Dames said yesterday in response to the scathing rebuke the brother of slain Royal Bahamas Defence Force Petty Officer Percival Philip Perpall delivered against the RBDF at Perpall’s funeral last Thursday.
Former Tribune man helps tell sinister murder story
ONE of Nassau’s most sinister murder plots is to feature in a Sky TV documentary later this year.
How Ardastra is putting a kestrel back in the sky
IT takes roughly five minutes and some prompting for the American kestrel – a small, colourful falcon –to realise it’s free. Discovered around two weeks ago flapping on the ground, a do-gooder brought the young bird to Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre believing it to be lacking the flight and survival skills that it would have been taught by its parents had it not fallen from its nest.
Conference highlights key Bahamas products
The recent Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Caribbean conference allowed The Bahamas to spotlight the products that “set us apart from other financial centres”.
'Police did what they had to do'
ROYAL Bahamas Police Force officers “did what they had to do” when they killed three men at a Blair home on Friday, National Security Minister Marvin Dames has said, while insisting that, regardless of what allegations are made, the facts will eventually be made known.
'Sue govt if citizenship applications drag on'
PEOPLE waiting more than five years for an answer to their application for citizenship have a right to sue the government, according to retired Justice Rubie Nottage.
Africans seeking asylum
THE 12 Africans taken into custody by Department of Immigration officials in Grand Bahama last week are seeking asylum, fearing they would be killed if they are returned to their homeland of Nigeria.
'War of words between China and US not our business'
ARGUMENTS raised in an ongoing war of words between United States and Chinese officials are “not our business”, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said yesterday.
Tuesday, May 21
Nothing loosens the purse strings like an election
READERS will be forgiven if the announcement by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of major road projects last night sounds familiar.
Pay up or feel the wrath
So some of the Web Shops are not compliant (have not paid) the required licence fees/taxes…big deal Minister…simply issue a judicial warrant on the offending businesses and seize their assets and, of course, immediately close them down not to open til every dime is paid…
US needs to back $ with gold
The petrodollar is a system where oil is sold in United States dollars exclusively.
It's a question of tenders
All procurement tenders or RFP’s are controlled by the Financial Secretary - whoever holds that position sits as Chair of the Tenders Board. Tenders Board overseas all tenders of Government.
Colour can't be that hard
Colour of vehicle licence plates - so it needs a Cabinet decision to change these and probably an amendment to the Road Traffic Act?
He dreamt of being a great scientist, a top lawyer... but life had another plan
I remember when I was growing up, when selfies were unheard of, the signature of a certain photographer stood out. Any time I visited someone’s home and saw a fabulous portrait with that iconic Rodger D signature in gold lettering, I knew they had been photographed by one of the best in the country. To this day, Rodger Dwight Eisenhower Sands’ mark of excellence still stands.
Justin Roberts gets Arthur Ashe award
From the University of South Florida to Arizona State University, Justin Roberts has completed his collegiate eligibility by receiving the Southwest region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award.
IAAF World Relays: Minister thanks the athletes
THE IAAF World Relays is an international relay sporting event hosted by the International Association of Athletic Federations.
The Keto way of life
It’s the wellness trend that is sweeping the globe and it has officially touched down in the Bahamas. The ketogenic diet, or keto for short, was last year’s most searched diet on Google. Celebrities like Halle Berry, the Kardashians and LeBron James have been singing its praises on social media. It’s the latest “it” diet, the new “sexy” way to drop the pounds and lose the inches. And even though it’s been around for 100 years (mainly to treat people with epilepsy), it’s just now been rediscovered and being pushed into the spotlight.
Fox and Seymour go head-to-head in Double A
LUCIUS Fox of the Montgomery Biscuits and Anfernee Seymour of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp went head-to-head in the Double A Southern League to highlight recent activity from Bahamian baseball players in the minor leagues.
The importance of understanding blood pressure - know your numbers
Are you suffering from high blood pressure? In the Bahamas, it’s an epidemic silent killer. A 2006 healthy lifestyle initiative led by the government noted that approximately 21 percent of the Bahamian populace had hypertension. And according to a 2012 PAHO report, the number one cause of death in the Bahamas between 2006 and 2009 was related to hypertensive disease with 688 deaths.
Fresh market health fair focuses on long-term solutions
WITH the aim of educating the community on ways they can truly live healthy lifestyles in the long term, Solomon’s Fresh Market will be hosting its fourth annual Fun Walk & Health Fair.
One step at a time
I remember when I started my 110-pound weight loss journey, how I would get so hung up on every time I “fell off the wagon”. You know, every time I had something that wasn’t on my meal plan, or I missed a workout. I would get so down on myself that I would question what was even the point of trying. Especially since I was going to fail again anyway. It’s crazy to think of how one bad decision would turn into two days of bad decisions, then a week, and before long I would have given up completely.
Sickle Cell Association works to create positive, lasting change
When a 26-year-old man declared he would die in hospital, it was difficult to believe. There was no gunshot wound, no visible signs of trauma, nor was there an apparatus attached to him indicating he was under critical care. However, like he predicted, 20 minutes later, after calling his mother, the father to a two-year-old took his last breath. He died in the arms of Kayla Mortimer, the new president of the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association’s (BSCA).
Ricardo Smith to run for president of the NPBA
OVER the weekend, Ricardo Smith unveiled his plans and slate of officers who intend to run with him when he contests for the office of president of the New Providence Basketball Association this weekend.
How marijuana affects male fertility
The debate rages on locally and internationally regarding the legalisation of marijuana. Men in their prime reproductive years represent a large demographic of users of marijuana. It is imperative therefore to understand how marijuana affects sperm and how it potentially affects the children conceived with male marijuana users.
Web shop hold-outs told: 'Don't hide behind lawyers'
A Cabinet minister yesterday reiterated calls for web shop hold-outs to “stop hiding behind the lawyers” and pay millions in taxes due under the industry’s settlement with the government.
Developer's 'final chance' on disputed $944k deal
An Exuma developer has been given “one final chance” by the Court of Appeal to produce the subdivision approval necessary to resolve a disputed $944,192 real estate deal.
BPL eyes 'two for price of one' over renewables
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) Board will meet today to discuss the timeline for rolling-out utility-scale renewable generation across the Family Islands as it targets “two for the price of one”.
'Don't step over dollars for nickels'
THE government was yesterday warned against any major boating fee increases in next week’s budget, a top marina executive yesterday warning: “We can’t just step over dollars to pick up nickels”.
Minister pledges 'transformative next six months'
A Cabinet minister yesterday said “the next six months will be very transformative for the Bahamian economy” with decisions awaited on several multi-million dollar tourism investments.
$160k funding sends shiver up the spine
A Bahamian sorbet and ice cream brand has accessed more than $160,000 in financing with help from the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC).
Central Bank partners with industry on finance literacy
The Central Bank of The Bahamas has teamed with the Clearing Banks Association (CBA) to host the first Financial Literacy Fair this coming Saturday at the Fusion Superplex.
Bahamas 'one storm away' from Puerto Rico disaster
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) ongoing challenges mean this nation could be “one storm away” from a Puerto Rico-like disaster, a Chamber of Commerce executive warned yesterday.
BISX names digital exchange partner
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) yesterday identified its partner for the launch of a digital securities exchange as BRX Holdings, a financial technology (FinTech) firm.
Bahamas Realty's 'unique position' on property sale
Bahamas Realty’s commercial division was yesterday said to be “in a unique position” to facilitate the sale of an East Bay Street office complex in which it is a tenant.
Ladies, do not settle for life's 'junk'
Having worked with young women from all walks of life, Samita Ferguson believes there is a vital need to continuously remind them of their worth and the power they possess.
A sweet tooth for success
Charis Simmons-Carey is one of many Bahamian women who in recent years has decided that sticking to their 9 to 5 job was not going to help them achieve their dreams. Armed with innovative ideas, determination, and large helping of faith, they set out to establish themselves as entrepreneurs.
We will rock you - part II: assembling the orchestra
Last week in this column I talked about the significant role older women will take on in the future growth of western economies, both as consumers and providers. Although it is already happening, governments and corporations have failed to acknowledge or take advantage of this. The concept of aging is changing as both men and women in developed nations have a longer life expectancy than ever before. “The Longevity Economy” by Joseph F Coughlin is a factual, easy-to-read and informative analysis, but it seems there is still a long way to go before we get a major shift of the communal psyche to abandon the prejudice and accept this evolution as a modern reality.
National sovereignty is what really matters
As a former diplomat, I shy away from writing in this column about domestic political issues. However, the controversy last week following the recent meeting in Jamaica of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has a broader international dimension which it might be interesting to examine.
Video shows man returning with firearm
VIDEO surveillance captured inside and around the Backyard Restaurant, the scene of the 2014 police shooting death of Andrew Stubbs, shows the deceased being led out of the establishment and returning, seemingly armed, roughly 20 minutes later.
Mitchell: We should stay out of US-China relations
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday asserted there is “no evidence” China has any “hegemonic desires” on The Bahamas or any military desire against the United States. In a press conference held yesterday, the former minister of foreign affairs said all of the investments from China in The Bahamas are simply commercial investments, as he implored Bahamians to avoid “dog-whistles and racism and xenophobia”.
Minnis holds talks with US investment group
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis held “productive discussions” with senior officials of the United States’ Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the US Embassy at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
Ragged Island to get $8m to help recovery from Irma
NEARLY two years after Hurricane Irma devastated Ragged Island, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis outlined plans last night for an $8 million investment in rebuilding key public infrastructure on the island.
Land transfer to enable serious development of Norman's Cay
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel led debate on a resolution in the Senate yesterday to bring closure to what he described as “one of the more sordid episodes in the modern history of (the) country”.
'Having my student debts paid off was like winning the lottery'
A BAHAMIAN student is among the Morehouse College graduating class of 2019, whose college debts will be paid off by billionaire Robert F Smith. Mr Smith made the pledge during his commencement speech at the college’s graduation on Sunday.
Eight Cubans sent home
EIGHT Cubans were repatriated to Havana, Cuba onboard a Bahamasair flight under escort on Saturday.
Man stable after stabbing in fight
A MAN is in hospital in serious but stable condition following a stabbing incident early yesterday morning at Taino Beach in Grand Bahama, police reported.
Police investigate after man found dead in garden
POLICE are investigating the circumstance surrounding the death of a man at a home on New Providence on Sunday.
Identity of man in submerged truck confirmed
GRAND Bahama Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding death of Lenward Jermaine Black, whose body was discovered in a truck found in a Freeport canal last week.
Unarmed? We'll tell the coroner
IN THE face of serious allegations levelled by relatives of three men fatally shot by police on Friday, Acting Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle urged people to give officers the opportunity to have their say in court before conclusions are drawn.
Shootout detainees claim 'cops beat us'
FOUR occupants of a home where three men were killed by police on Friday were arraigned on charges of possessing unlicenced firearms, ammunition and dangerous drugs with the intent to supply.
Chinese - US should do better
CHINESE Chargé d’Affaires Haigang Yin yesterday called on the United States government to contribute more to the development of the region instead of politicising economic and trade issues.
'Abduction' suspects released
THREE men, who were being questioned by police into last week’s alleged abduction and sexual assault of two teenagers, have been released from custody, according to Inspector Leonardo Burrows. However, he said, the investigation is continuing.
PM unveils major road projects
THE government plans to widen the Gladstone Road corridor from two lanes to four, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last night, adding the design phase for this major road project will soon begin.
Monday, May 20
EDITORIAL: Money talks when it comes to US v China
THE Bahamas has found itself in the middle of an international squabble recently.
Explain yourself, minister
The military funeral for the late Warrant Officer Perpall who met his death on guard duty at Government House from the TV News showed that the Minister for National Security was absent and Minister Lloyd stood in his place.
We need to find the skills
The Minister of Labour, Hon Dion Foulkes, in a news story in The Nassau Guardian this Tuesday reportedly stated that there are a number of issues relating to Bahamian workers lacking skills and skills they really ought and need to have a greater opportunity to be employed. He indicated that this “is a very serious issue”.
Not the First Lady
Before this gets out of hand - empathically the wife of the Most Honourable Dr Hubert A Minnis is not the “First Lady” nor is she a holder of the title - “Lady”. People posting on Facebook please be educated and understanding she is the wife-spouse of the Most Honourable Hubert A Minnis, nothing more and nothing less.
Erase this yes, sir, boss mentality
What is WTO? It is the World Trade Organization comprised of some very large countries and organisations controlling the economies of smaller countries. Is that not colonisation?
Minnis to make third national report tonight
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will deliver his third and final national report for the year tonight. In his report, the prime minister will bring important updates to the public regarding land reform, environment, energy reform, general infrastructure and digital transformation and modernisation.
Bimini car wash owner shot dead
THE shooting death of a Bimini man early yesterday morning has left the entire close-knit island community of North Bimini in shock.
'Life without parole for rapists and murderers'
BISHOP Simeon Hall has called for elected parliamentarians to “place more fear in the hearts of gang members and criminals” by implementing life with no parole for murderers and rapists.
US planning more investment in Caribbean
DISCUSSIONS are scheduled to take place this week in the country aimed at possibly sparking increased United States Bahamian investment, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Cynthia Kierscht. She said collaboration and cooperation on this matter is clear and will continue.
INSIGHT: We are not the enemy
The presentation by Rights Bahamas (RB) and Robert F Kennedy Human Rights to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (Commission) in Jamaica on May 12 was unfortunately not reported in context by the local media except for The Tribune, the only organisation that bothered to send a journalist to this important international hearing and cover what actually happened.
FNM's youth movement ready for convention
THE Free National Movement’s youth arm, the Torchbearers Youth Association, will hold a convention in August which aims to share “the plans and policies” the government has introduced for young people.
INSIGHT: Why is corporal punishment still accepted in this country?
THE Bible has told us much about sparing “the rod of correction”. In turn, we have bastardised what refers to guidance and discipline to justify downright child abuse. While some of us, many of whom have turned out to be productive citizens, reflect fondly on the days of taking the walk to what felt like the gallows to pick the switch off the tree, it is time to have a serious discussion on why this is still culturally accepted in our country.
CARICOM must unify to resist the imposition of OAS chief
READERS of this commentary, particularly those in small countries, might wonder why they should be concerned about who is the chief executive officer (CEO) of any multilateral or international organisation. It could be claimed the disposition of the person holding such an office, is far removed from the existence of people who are focussed on the necessities of living and improving their lives.
GAIN AN EDGE: Kathy's message for her students - there's hope for your dream
Kathy Pinder was a ‘creative’ way before the term became popular. In fact, she began her informal fashion design career at the age of 13 while using the remnant fabric from her father’s drapery store.
POLICE ADVICE: We all have a role to play to be safe from crime
BE vigilant and help keep your community safe from crime. No place is immune to crime, team work with members in your community and family members can make a difference to minimise it
24 nurses complete training programme in GB
TWENTY-FOUR high school students completed the Nursing Cadet Programme at the Grand Bahama Health Services last week bringing an end to several weeks of training at the Rand Memorial Hospital. The group is anticipated to enter the country’s nursing sector, which is currently experiencing a crisis due to the retirement of nurses in the country and the global demand for such workers.
12 Africans in custody after smuggling ring uncovered
IMMIGRATION officials believe they have uncovered an elaborate human smuggling scheme in Grand Bahama involving 12 African nationals.
Drug seizures already ahead of 2018 levels
DRUG seizures conducted as part of collaborative efforts to combat trafficking in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos have already outpaced those of 2018.
Mega BPL refinance eyes November close
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) nine-figure refinance is eyeing an end-November 2019 closing, Tribune Business can reveal, with the targeted sum “likely” to be less than the original $650m.
Law shouldn't 'tax you out of business'
The Government is “taxing people out of business” via an “unconscionable” Business Licence fee that exacerbates the struggles of loss-making firms, a well-known fiscal hawk is arguing.
Govt targets $50m yacht charter fees
The Government will target untapped existing revenue sources such as the 4 percent yacht charter fee in the upcoming 2019-2020 Budget, the deputy prime minister has revealed.
BISX inks 'world class' digital exchange boost
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange’s (BISX) goal of becoming a “world class” digital trading player has received a major boost after it secured a partner to launch a new exchange.
Privatising Nassau Flight: Foreigners need not apply
A Cabinet minister has told foreigners to forget about bidding for Nassau Flight Services (NFS) with his ministry today launching the privatisation process for the state-owned ground handler.
Jones shoots perfect from 3 in win over Liberty
JONQUEL Jones delivered another dominant performance and her hot shooting led the Connecticut Sun to a blowout win in their WNBA preseason finale.
Wilson in tie for fourth place at 10th Shanghai Grand Prix
HIGH jumper Jamal Wilson, tied with two others for fourth place, was the only Bahamian to compete at the 10th Shanghai Grand Prix track and field meet after injuries to fellow competitor Donald Thomas and quartermiler Steven Gardiner kept them both out of action.
MMA: Silver stardom for Bahamian fighters
Bahamian fighters won a pair of silver medals at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Unified the Pan-American Open Championships of Amateur MMA.
Freeport promoted as summer location
The Ministry of Tourism targeted south Florida travel agents, influencers and media in shining a spotlight on what Freeport has to offer summer travellers.
Eleuthera enthusiastic but 'not over hump'
Eleuthera’s economy is currently enjoying “a sense of optimism” rarely felt in recent decades, the island’s Chamber of Commerce president says, while warning: “We are not over the hump.”
Customer training for Avis staff
Avis staff in Nassau and Freeport were given advice on how to enhance the customer experience during training sessions held over the week beginning May 6.
Water corp nets 47% Out Island revenue rise
THE Water & Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) total Family Island revenues increased by 47 per cent year-over-year during the 2018 fourth quarter, its executive chairman has revealed.
'Runaway train' SOEs: Govt must take control
THE Bahamas must get its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) “under control”, the Deputy Prime Minister is demanding, saying: “They have been running like a runaway train.”
Customs 'one-stop shop' long overdue
More than 1,600 businesses are now using Customs’ “long overdue” online clearance platform that will create a “one-stop shop” for all users once its roll-out is fully completed.
Beach Soccer: Bahamas eliminated
THE Bahamas men’s national beach soccer team were eliminated in the quarterfinal of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships.
NPSA: Wildcats, Truckers win season openers
BOTH the new look Sunshine Auto Wildcats and the Commando Security Truckers picked up where they left off last year, winning the season opening games in the New Providence Softball Association 2019 season.
Ayton named NBA Rookie of the Year Award finalist
DEANDRE Ayton was named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
'Don't shoot, don't shoot, children in here'
“DON’T shoot, children in here!” a young boy has recounted as being among the last words of one of three men fatally shot by police on Friday.
Davis fears budget cuts and taxes
OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis yesterday released predictions for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget, questioning if there will be an increase in taxes as well as a drastic cut to recurrent and capital expenditure.
Sunday, May 19
Lighthouse Point environment assessment not yet done - but will be made public
WHILE the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Disney Cruise Line’s proposed Lighthouse Point project has yet to be completed, Minister of Environment Romi Ferreira on Friday vowed that this information will be made public as soon as it is received by the government.
Man shot dead in Bimini
Police are investigating after a man was shot dead at his home in Bimini early on Sunday.
Saturday, May 18
Marijuana stash found in deserted building
Grand Bahama Police discovered a quantity of dangerous drugs hidden in an unoccupied building in the Eight Mile Rock area.
Friday, May 17
'Elaborate human smuggling scheme' uncovered in Grand Bahama
IMMIGRATION officials believe they have uncovered an elaborate human smuggling scheme in Grand Bahama involving 12 African nationals.
Police focus on high visibility after downtown abduction, sexual assault
POLICE will continue to focus on high visibility throughout the capital, according to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, who expressed concerns over the recent downtown abduction and sexual assault of two young women.
Bahamas and Turks and Caicos' drug seizures already surpass those of 2018
DRUG seizures conducted as part of collaborative efforts to combat trafficking in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos have already outpaced those of 2018.
Load shedding exercise hits eastern New Providence
BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) carried out another load shedding exercise on Friday that left customers in the eastern area of New Providence without power for almost two hours.
Man's hopes of contesting attempted murder conviction dashed
A SECOND man has had his hopes of contesting his conviction for attempting to murder another man during a botched armed robbery seven years ago dashed by the Court of Appeal.
Students complete Nursing Cadet Programme
TWENTY-FOUR high school students completed the Nursing Cadet Programme at the Grand Bahama Health Services this week bringing an end to several weeks of training at the Rand Memorial Hospital.
Prime Minister presents keys to three homeowners
ABACO – Three homeowners in the Spring City subdivision received their keys from the prime minister on Friday.
EDITORIAL: Make sure everyone is following the rules
TO anyone who has made use of public transport in The Bahamas, it will come as little surprise that there are irregularities in the sector.
A COMIC'S VIEW: My Top Ten list of what not to do at your office summer party
SUMMER is here and there’s nothing more “political” than office parties, fun days and after work happy hours.
Potter's Cay vendors concerned after barricades go up
VENDORS at Potter’s Cay Dock are expressing concerns about the livelihood of their businesses, after barricades were placed under the Paradise Island bridge to prevent customers from parking in front of stalls.
‘Don’t shoot the messenger - there are laws'
AS the government’s crackdown on CBD products also forces out dairy alternative hemp milk and protein powders, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands says “don’t shoot the messenger”.
Brother of fallen marine delivers blistering attack on RBDF
“A NATIONAL disaster” is how the brother of slain Royal Bahamas Defence Force Petty Officer Percival Philip Perpall described the circumstances surrounding his brother’s murder, as he delivered a blistering attack on the RBDF yesterday during Perpall’s military funeral.
‘Drastically shrinking’ middle class market
The Bahamian real estate market “shrinks drastically” beyond the $450,000 price point because too many purchasers are being priced out, a local developer has warned.
Private equity venture eyes ‘$100m-$200m opportunities’
A BISX-listed firm yesterday said its newly-created venture capital subsidiary can exploit “over $100m to $200m in opportunities” provided by Bahamian companies that need reinvigorating.
BISX-listed Fund: ‘much changed’ if vacancy cut 50%
A BISX-listed fund’s administrator yesterday said “the picture will be much changed” by year-end 2019 if it succeeds in slashing vacant space at its flagship property by 50 percent.
BISX seeks share in each listed firm
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) wants to obtain a share in each of its listed companies so it can determine if they are meeting their disclosure obligations.
‘PLP needs credible candidates’
Progressive Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper has stressed the need for the party’s 2022 general election candidates to be “good” and “credible” people.
Hung jury in woman’s murder
A MOTHER was awash in tears yesterday after hearing that a Supreme Court jury was two members short of unanimously convicting the man who was accused of killing her 21-year-old daughter while she was on her cellphone on their front porch four years ago.
Taxi plate change to beat hackers
THERE are “roughly 5,000” self-drive licence plates in circulation, according to Road Traffic Controller Bradley Sands, who yesterday suggested some rental car operators are presently “illegally crossing over” into the taxi business.
Mother Pratt’s Mandela honour
FORMER prime ministers, politicians, family members and friends all joined Cynthia “Mother” Pratt at Prayer and Praise Assembly yesterday for an international humanitarian award ceremony.Mrs Pratt was awarded the 2019 Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award and a NPAN certificate as a 21st century Pan-African “change agent”.
Teenage girls’ rape nightmare: Friends grabbed by gunmen and held for ransom
THE harrowing abduction and sexual assault of two young women yesterday morning has led police to detain three men for questioning, officials confirmed yesterday.
UPDATED: Three men shot dead by police
POLICE killed three men during an early Friday morning operation, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said. This is the most fatalities recorded in a single police-involved shooting incident in recent memory.
Drugs and firearms found on Exuma
EXUMA police conducted special operations in three settlements on Tuesday and recovered a quantity of dangerous drugs and two illegal firearms.
Appeal after reports of stabbing at school
POLICE in New Providence have issued an appeal for information surrounding the reported stabbing of a CH Reeves student on Wednesday.
Inquest opens into police shooting death
AN inquest into the 2014 police shooting death of Andrew Stubbs, 40, began with testimony from two witnesses yesterday in the court of Coroner Jeanine Weech Gomez.
Play us straight, sir
Finance Minister Peter Turnquest acknowledges some difficulty in collecting Gaming Taxes from the Number Houses. I support the government in its effort to collect any and all legitimate taxes.
Freeport man denies dangerous dog charges
A 27-year-old man was charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with a ferocious dog attack.
Early morning armed robbery at West Bay Street bar
POLICE are seeking the public’s assistance in apprehending the suspect responsible for an armed robbery at West Bay Street bar early Thursday morning.
Hail seen around New Providence after severe weather
SEVERE weather in New Providence likely caused reported hail sightings in the western part of New Providence on Wednesday, the Meteorology Department has said.
DIANE PHILLIPS: There’s no explaining why you feel the way you do – or maybe there is . . .
Next time you can’t figure out why you feel a burst of happiness for no apparent reason or you suddenly sank into a slump, check the weather. It has a lot more to do with how you feel than you probably realise.
PLP hypocrites
What hypocrites these PLPs are!
D+ max for FNM
Pre-May, 2017 we heard such pious words and promises - every second allegation against the then government so now two years in I wish to sum up my report so far for the FNM. A max grade of “D plus”.
United States nets 3-2 victory over Bahamas
Team Bahamas lost its first match of the group stage but already secured its place among the quarterfinalists in the 2019 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships.
MMA: Mixed results for Bahamians on day one
DAY one of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Unified Pan-American Open Championships of Amateur MMA produced mixed results for Bahamian competitors thus far.
Girls Empowerment Hoops Programme first of its kind in Bahamas
CARIBBEAN Sports Academy Basketball has launched a new initiative, aimed at the local development of young women in the sport.
9th Annual Junior Rugby Festival all set for this weekend in Grand Bahama
FREEPORT Rugby Football Club (FRFC) is preparing to welcome teams from Cayman, Miami and Nassau for their ninth annual Youth Rugby Festival, starting today with play until May 19.
Nassau Rowing Club prepares for 6th annual Learn to Row Summer Camp
BEGINNING the week of June 24, the Nassau Rowing Club is all set to hold its annual Learn to Row Summer Camp for the sixth year in a row.
Modified Pitch Softball League regular season kicks into gear
THE New Providence Modified Pitch Softball League continued its regular season over the weekend at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
A mother’s call – Part I
This call starts from when your child is in the womb. Once you know that you are pregnant, love needs to flow to the baby. When I speak to the teen mothers at Providing Access to Continuing Education (PACE), I encourage them to heal and forgive as best they can so as to filter out all negativity that is like an internal poison to them and their child.
Trusting God completely
There are many passages that invoke a feeling of safety and divine providence, but Psalm 46:1 (KJV) is a personal favourite of mine: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Marjorie Davis follows in father’s footsteps to receive honour from Vatican
Seventy years ago, Sir Cyrus Ulysses Davis became the first Bahamian to be given an honour by the Vatican when he was appointed as a Knight of St Gregory the Great in 1949.
Back to Chippingham
Holy Spirit Anglican Church reaches out to the community
The historic Holy Spirit Anglican Church on Howard Street in Chippingham is going outside its four walls and venturing out into the community with its first ever “Back to Chippingham @ Holy Spirit” weekend.
Episcopal Bishop wins top broadcasting award for royal wedding sermon
An estimated 1.9 billion people watched Bishop Michael Curry, the first African American to head the US-based Episcopal Church, tell a congregation of royals and celebrities that “love is the way.”
A crisis of conscience
The Bahamas Christian Council recently came under criticism after questioning the conduct displayed during Carnival’s Road Fever.
A fresh wind for gospel music
A star-studded concert experience featuring both international and local talent will attempt to breathe new life into the Bahamian gospel music scene.
Tourism targets ‘new and refreshed face’
The Tourism Development Corporation(TDC) held a Community-Based Tourism workshop at the University of The Bahamas (UoB) in a bid to create more entrepreneurial opportunities.
Export revenues cut out from business licence
The government is moving to stimulate export activity by excluding all revenues generated from the calculation of business licence fees, the deputy prime minister said yesterday.
Top US govt financier set to visit Bahamas
The head of the US government’s development finance institution will visit The Bahamas next week to explore investment opportunities in energy and other sectors.
BTVI chief meets with US official
A US government official met with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) president just a day before a scholarship programme was reinstated for Bahamians.
Insolvency Association to discuss legal reform
The Restructuring and Insolvency Specialists Association (RISA Bahamas) is to host a roundtable discussion on proposed changes to this nation’s insolvency legislation.
Thursday, May 16
EDITORIAL: The truth about murder
THERE is a harsh reality behind the statistics of murder that is rarely seen in all its brutal truth.
STATESIDE: In the spotlight for all the wrong reasons
The Caribbean region doesn’t frequently figure in US national politics, but a hurricane, convulsive civil disturbances and a return of Cold War politics have thrust the region into American headlines more than usual already this year.
Lloyd calls for punitive sanctions over viral videos
EDUCATION Minister Jeffery Lloyd has decried a viral video depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, saying the government must pursue punitive sanctions against people who spread such videos.
Newlywed lost at sea declared dead by judge
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A judge has declared a missing Florida newlywed dead, almost two years to the day she disappeared while honeymooning in the Bahamas.
Wells insists no jet ski licences issued to Baha Mar
ONE day after clarifying his ministry’s involvement in an ongoing dispute between watercraft operators and Baha Mar, Transport Minister Renward Wells was again challenged on that position in the House of Assembly by members of the opposition yesterday.
Cable tells shareholders: ‘It’s only matter of time’
Cable Bahamas top executive yesterday reassured investors it was “only a matter of time” before double-digit revenue and operating income growth eliminated balance sheet imbalances.
Smith case magistrate took ‘great care’ with outcome
THE Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on whether it will acquiesce to the Crown’s petition to have former PLP Senator Frank Smith retried over allegations he solicited $65,000 in bribes from a woman he was said to have assisted in getting a cleaning contract from the Public Hospitals Authority.
Suicide hotline ‘not a priority’
However, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday he is uncertain if a suicide hotline is effective in reducing such incidents.
Power - it’s misery for next week
CUSTOMERS in New Providence can expect load shedding to continue through next week, Bahamas Power and Light announced yesterday.
‘Cannabis’ u-turn hits firm hard
THE government’s crackdown on the importation of cannabis products, most notably hemp and CBD, is costing one health food retailer thousands of dollars.
What’s the bill? Govt carrying out audit on all owed public sector leave
A SCREAMING match erupted in the House of Assembly yesterday between Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and PLP leader Philip Davis as the nation’s leader defended his administration’s decision to send some senior officers on vacation leave.
Aliv: ‘No let up’ after 62% revenue growth
Aliv’s top executive yesterday pledged that the mobile upstart is “not letting up one bit” after year-to-date revenues jumped 62 percent to hit $40.9m.
Man, woman critical in hospital after shooting
A MAN and a woman were left in hospital after they were shot on Tuesday night.
RICHARD COULSON: If crime-ravaged New York could clean up its act, why can’t we?
Nassau has just recorded 13 killings in 21 days, including two double homicides. The much vaunted decline in criminal violence seems to have hit a road-block. In the eyes of the Lord, every human life is equally sacred and every murder is an equal tragedy. But in the harsh world of law enforcement, things don’t look quite the same.
'Vaccinations have profound impact on infant mortality'
THE manager of the country’s National Immunisation Programme says vaccines have “profoundly” impacted the infant mortality rate as well as the spread of other communicable diseases in the country.
Evil always prospers
Kindly indulge my compulsion to respond to Bishop Simeon Hall’s clarion call to pray for 30 days without murder.
Relays were no loss
This weekend if the decision of the past was maintained Nassau would have had the IAAF relays, but fortunately this time it went to Japan.
When illegals can be a bonus
There are few subjects that evoke as much emotion as that of immigration in Bahamian society. I would like to focus on illegal immigration.
Team Bahamas makes it through to quarter-final
The Bahamas is through to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships.
Kadeem takes home trophy for league lead in blocked shots
BAHAMIAN national team standout Kadeem Coleby was honoured among the top players in the Japanese B-League at its annual awards show.
Jonquel posts double double in loss to Wings
JONQUEL Jones and the Connecticut Sun dropped their second game of the WNBA preseason tournament, but the All-Star forward continues to post promising numbers in limited minutes.
Mackey Williams and Eva Maycock win ‘Uncle Lou’ 10K fun run/walk
THE competition was intense once again in the St Augustine’s College Alumni Association’s 11th Annual Leviticus “Uncle Lou” Adderley 10K fun run/walk race.
Bjorn Munroe Grand Bahama Jr Tennis Championships sanctioned by the UTR
THE second annual Bjorn Munroe Grand Bahama Junior Tennis Championships has been sanctioned by the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) organisation, and is set to take place in Freeport in June.
DPM: ‘Not reached’ business licence reform stage yet
The deputy prime minister says the government has “not reached the point” of finalising business licence reform despite being “very sensitive” to the burden it imposes on the private sector.
‘We have destroyed the tourism product’
A well-known musician and entertainer yesterday argued that The Bahamas has allowed foreign investors to “dictate” its tourism identity, blaming the cruise lines and mega resorts for destroying “the Bahamian experience”.
Broker principal: US probe defeat ‘not a setback’
A Bahamian broker/dealer’s principal yesterday argued he had suffered “no setback” after his first bid to block a probe by US federal regulators was thrown out.
GB entrepreneurs readied for growth
The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has moved to ensure Bahamian entrepreneurs and businesses are ready to exploit potential multi-million dollar cruise line investments.
Arawak port chief hails ‘phenomenal’ festival
The Nassau Container Port’s operator yesterday said its first-ever Maritime Festival was “a phenomenal experience” that exposed Bahamians to the full breadth of the maritime industry.
Wells fails to ease jet ski sector fears
Jet ski operators yesterday expressed fears that other resorts will follow Baha Mar and restrict their business opportunities by giving one local firm an exclusive on watersports activities.
Bain Town, Bimini initiative targeting community tourism
THE Bahamas can use community-based tourism to empower rural and inner-city communities, a university academic argued yesterday, with two pilot initiatives set to be rolled-out in the fall.
Commission early adopter of of global co-operation deal
The Securities Commission has become one of only eight regulators approved to adopt an enhanced information sharing protocol developed by a global supervisory body.
Wednesday, May 15
Post Office opening likely for next week
NEARLY one week after Acting Post Master General Jennifer Johnson suggested the General Post Office would open in its new Town Centre Mall location this week, Transport Minister Renward Wells has now pointed to “next week” for the much-anticipated opening.
THE ALICIA WALLACE COLUMN: They’re only children - look after them well
There is reluctance to recognise children as whole people with a range of emotions they have to learn to recognise and handle and their own likes and dislikes in addition to the need for guidance, education and discipline.
We are committed to resolving issues with star academy, says Lloyd
WHILE Education Minister Jeff Lloyd could not confirm yesterday whether the government intends to buy the property for the proposed STAR Academy, he noted talks are underway with church leaders, stating that all parties are “committed” to resolving this issue.
New colour for taxi plates on the way
THE government is moving forward with plans to facilitate the colour change of taxi plates, Transport Minister Renward Wells revealed yesterday.
Rights Bahamas dismisses Bethel comments as ‘petty’
“IMMATURE” and “petty” is how activist group Rights Bahamas is describing recent comments made by Attorney General Carl Bethel and Immigration Minister Brent Symonette in the wake of an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) hearing held in Jamaica last week.
Transportation of huge generators for BPL delayed by adverse weather
THE transportation of Wartsila tri-fuel generators and engines from the Arawak Cay Port to Bahamas Power & Light’s Clifton Pier site has been stalled because of weather issues, according to BPL board chairman Donovan Moxey.
Pair accused of Potter's Cay murders
TWO men, ages 25 and 30, were arraigned yesterday for the shooting deaths of two men at Potter’s Cay Dock last week.
Turnquest: No basis for criticism over GDP figures
ADMITTING officials don’t know why the country’s GDP performance fell below the International Monetary Fund’s forecast, Finance Minister Peter Turnquest said critics have no legs to stand on as consistent economic growth is apparent.
Baha Mar employs two Bahamians to provide water sports - Wells
AMID concerns from watercraft operators about Baha Mar’s alleged renting of motorised watercraft to its guests, Transport Minister Renward Wells yesterday confirmed the resort is not licenced or authorised to do so directly.
‘Like a cancer’: Port to join URCA battle
The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is set to intervene in Freeport’s utilities regulation battle, with a top QC yesterday accusing the government of “eating like a cancer” at the city’s governance.
Smith trial magistrate’s remarks on ministers: OUT OF ORDER
IT was “wholly inappropriate” for Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to have not only criticised two Cabinet ministers for their involvement in former PLP Senator Frank Smith’s now-disposed of criminal matter, but also connect it to her decision to acquit him of all charges, the country’s lead prosecutor asserted yesterday.
'Critical surgery' for Bahamian economy
The Bahamas "must perform critical surgery on our economy" to return to the 3 percent-plus average GDP growth enjoyed pre-recession, the Chamber of Commerce's chief executive said yesterday.
Probe launched over online child videos
ACTIVISTS and health workers have condemned the viral spread of three separate videos depicting minors in exploitative situations.
Dad dies in late-night drive-by
POLICE are investigating a drive-by shooting that left one man dead and four others injured in hospital on Monday night.
Set free illegals? No chance
THE suggestion that this country should “fling” open its doors to undocumented migrants is dangerous and reckless, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said yesterday, insisting limited resources among other things would not allow it.
‘Quality of life’ disconnect between gov’t and people
A prominent businessman yesterday said there was a disconnect between WTO-type policy decisions and how they “translate into an improved quality of life” for most Bahamians.
Kacey breaks 29-year-old school sport discus record
A BAHAMIAN boarding school senior has broken the institution’s 29-year sports record in discus. Kacey Kemp, of Darlington School, told The Tribune yesterday she felt amazing winning the discus category last Friday in the Georgia High School Association’s track and field meet. She also wished her deceased father was present to celebrate her win.
Pair enjoy Tennessee scholarship reward
WHITNEY Curtis and Erin McKenzie received a life-altering education from Middle Tennessee State University, thanks to the Cartwright-Coakley Scholarship.
Fulbright scholarship programme set to return
THE MINNIS administration signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with the United States Embassy in Nassau to re-establish the Fulbright scholarship programme for Bahamian students.
EDITORIAL: Is there not a better way than detention?
Disadvantageous, dangerous and reckless.
Some national service could be the answer
Given the level of crime in our country I believe it’s time we reconsider compulsory national service for our youth (young men and women). Perhaps we could split the participants evenly across the defence and police forces and rotate them at the halfway mark of a two-year programme. I think the potential benefits to our youth and country would be tremendous and include:
Time to stop bickering and deal with each other
Crime continues to mar our lives in The Bahamas.
Are these cones legal?
I am fully aware there are strict rules as to blocking a road a such and alike the landscape people/workers do daily infant of Bah Mar.
Coach Gardiner: Still hope for relay teams to qualify for IAAF Worlds
Although they didn’t get to compete and possibly qualify for the IAAF World Championships, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ relay coordinator Rupert Gardiner said there’s still hope for the relay teams to qualify for the IAAF World Championships.
Bahamas 6th overall in Caribbean Golf Classic
THE Bahamas finished sixth in the race for the George Noon Cup in the 24th Caribbean Golf Classic, hosted at the Westin Puntacana Resort and Club in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic.
MMA: Pan-Am Open starts today
THE Bahamas is set to host a new event to the Bahamas and the region as local mixed martial arts continues to boost its international profile.
‘The Tank’ Williams: ‘A lot of them are ducking and dodging me’
HIS main event bout on the “Backyard Rumble - Part II” wasn’t what he anticipated, but Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams says he’s not going to let them disappoint him as he continues his professional boxing career.
Sarkis dismisses $150m damages claims from CCA
Baha Mar’s original developer yesterday dismissed the $150m counter-claim launched by the project’s contractor as another episode in its “long history of misrepresentations”.
Technology hub flagship admits problems but no GB pull-out
The “flagship” for the government’s Grand Bahama technology hub yesterday denied it plans to exit the island while admitting its business strategy had run into problems.
Financial services hails tax residency certificate
THE financial services industry yesterday hailed the long-awaited introduction of tax residency certificates as a means to ensure The Bahamas “does not run afoul” of global watchdogs.
PLP has ‘no credibility’ on GDP growth attack
The deputy prime minister yesterday slammed the opposition’s criticisms of the failure to hit 2018’s 2.3 percent economic growth target as having “no credibility”.
Ferry day excursion targets 70k guests
A Bahamian entrepreneur is aiming to take 70,000 passengers per year on day excursions to Eleuthera by launching a passenger ferry service later this year.
BTC’s junior achiever GB group wins big
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) Grand Bahama Junior Achievement (JA) company, ‘BTC B.O.S.S.’ (Bold Outstanding Successful Students), took the top awards at the local JA Banquet.
Sandals honours lead performers
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa & Offshore Island honoured its top performers on May 9 through the resort’s annual Sandals Prestige Awards.
Tuesday, May 14
We won’t be letting web shops off unpaid taxes, warns D’Aguilar
THE Minnis administration has no intention of forgiving any of the unpaid taxes owed by gaming operators, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday.
FACE TO FACE: When things don’t quite go as you planned, some unexpected heroes step up
Those were the resounding words declared by the surgeon as he pulled out my baby girl on the morning of April 24, 2019. With tears of joy flowing from my eyes, I heard her cry and saw the beautiful body that was growing inside of me all those months… all 8 pounds, 8.5 ounces of her.
New Providence hit by load shedding - again
A GENERATION shortage yesterday forced Bahamas Power and Light to institute load shedding, leaving customers in the eastern and western areas of New Providence without power for hours.
Ferguson to intervene in threatened water strike
Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson said yesterday he intends to intervene in a strike threat by the Water and Sewerage Management Union to avoid what could be a serious situation.
GDP grows by 1.6% but it's below IMF's 2.3% prediction
THE country’s real gross domestic product grew by 1.6 percent last year compared to 2017, new data from the Department of Statistics reveals.
Alleged child abductor fit to stand trial
ALLEGED child abductor De-Edra Michelle Gibson has elected to be tried in the Supreme Court over allegations she abducted three little boys, one as young as three, from various places in New Providence between February and March.
42-year-old on murder charge
A 42-year-old was remanded to prison yesterday over allegations he murdered another man outside of an abandoned building on Hospital Lane earlier this month.
CCA slams Sarkis with $150m claim
Baha Mar’s main contractor last night demanded a minimum $150m in damages from Sarkis Izmirlian over alleged “shareholder oppression” that wiped out its entire investment in the project.
One dead, four injured in Plantol Street shooting
One man was killed and four other people were injured in a shooting incident on Plantol Street on Monday night.
‘NO-ONE CAN TELL US WHAT TO DO’: Ministers insist – We control our borders, not you
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel delivered a robust defence of Bahamian sovereignty yesterday in response to a claim that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) can order the country to change its citizenship laws.
Senate president’s Carnival ‘conflict’
OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis yesterday called on Senate president Kay Forbes-Smith to choose between her political appointment and private practice as he characterised her engagement by Carnival Cruise Line as “influence peddling”.
TRIUMPH AFTER TRAGEDY: Daughter of Labour Day crash victim receives college scholarship
It’s been nearly a year since Dominique Gibson received the devastating news that her mother had been killed in a crash during Nassau’s annual Labour Day parade. The tragic accident, she said, robbed her of best friend and biggest cheerleader. While her mom might be gone, the 17-year-old said she is doing everything in her power to still make her proud.
Give the gift of life at Saturday’s ambitious blood drive
The ambitious amount of 60 pints of blood is what organisers of this weekend’s blood drive are hoping to receive from donors this weekend.
A holistic approach to skin care
It was after a terrible acne breakout three years ago for which she failed to find an effective remedy that Simone Gibson decided to take matters into her own hands, literally.
‘We need a dedicated suicide prevention hotline’
IN the wake of the fifth suspected suicide of the year, mental health officials are calling for a functioning national suicide prevention hotline. Yesterday, The Tribune contacted the government’s national suicide hotline and discovered the number was out of service.
Symonette stands firm on changes
THE opposition’s criticism of amendments to the Immigration Act is a “political red-herring”, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette said yesterday.
Bethel: PLP fostering racial divisions and fear
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday slammed members of the Official Opposition for their position on the divisive amendments to the Immigration Act, accusing them of seeking to block all meaningful progress by the government.
‘Conflict’ concern on work permit reforms
The government was yesterday warned that the short-term work permit exemptions may conflict with “professional standards and regulations” for certain job categories.
Causes of painful urination
Many men and women are unfortunately plagued by recurrent episodes of painful urination, called dysuria.
‘Gov’t jaunt to Japan to watch relay races’
PICEWELL Forbes, the PLP spokesman on sports and culture, has accused the government of being hypocritical after “jaunting” off to see the IAAF track and field relays in Japan despite cancelling The Bahamas’ hosting of the event.
Man in hospital after shooting
POLICE on New Providence are investigating a shooting incident which left a man in hospital.
Grand Bahama armed robbery
GRAND Bahama police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a residence in Queen’s Cove on Sunday.
Haitian man to appeal after he’s jailed for groping co-worker
A 30-year-old Haitian man has been sentenced to one year in prison after a magistrate rejected his defence to claims he fondled his co-worker after promising to drop her home as “untruthful”.
The Peter Young column: A time to bow our heads, remember and give thanks
Keeping alive memories of significant events in its history is a mark of a civilised nation. An important aspect of this is public recognition and remembrance of those who lost their lives in war so that honouring their sacrifice should continue for years afterwards.
Grand Lucayan sale still on track - Kwasi
NEGOTIATIONS are on track and the government is continuing its due diligence for the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort, according to State Minister for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, who said last week that his government is “anxiously” awaiting a completion of the process.
Sands repeats his call for people to get vaccinations against measles
MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands has repeated his call for Bahamians to get up to date on vaccinations in the face of a worldwide measles outbreak.
EDITORIAL: Our greatness is shown by how we help those in need
IN the time of deepest despair, it appears we are leaving our friends, families and colleagues with no one to turn to. When The Tribune tried to contact the national suicide hotline yesterday, there was no help to be found. The number was out of service.
The financial cost of employee sickness
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.
Be part of the digital world
Bahamian retail businesses truly seem to want to remain in the backwater of the digital age. A Google search says that Visa does around 1,700 transactions per second on average (based on a calculation derived from the official claim of over 150 million transactions per day).
Changing leadership
Please be advised that contrary to Mr Abraham Moss’ assertion in today’s issue of The Tribune:
Foremost, Sir Cecil's parents were Bahamians by birth and at heart
Included with your newspaper on May 10, 2019 was a supplement written and produced by Rights Bahamas.
Bahamas earns 7-4 victory over Antigua and Barbuda
Team Bahamas got off to an impressive start with an opening day win at the 2019 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships.
Jones cans 19 points in 19 minutes in Sun’s rout of Liberty
JONQUEL Jones and the Connecticut Sun made their WNBA preseason debut and the fourth year forward looks primed to step into her role as a team leader this season.
Bahamians on track in NCAA Division I outdoors
THE NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field season moved into respective conference championships over the weekend and several Bahamian student-athletes highlighted competition with winning performances.
Life in bloom
Sharon Ferguson worked a 9-to-5 job for over 20 years. And while she loved her job, she felt a strong desire to be less restricted and more creative.
Mothering the next generation
Among the many roles a good mother plays are those of a nurturer, someone who encourages, a disciplinarian and a multi-tasker.
LIFE LINES: We will rock you!
I am unapologetically making the case for shining the spotlight on older women.
‘Work like hell’ after six-year GDP stall
The Bahamas must “work like hell” to achieve higher GDP growth rates after data released yesterday revealed the economy has finally exited a six-year stall.
Govt approves tax certificate reply to OECD
The government has approved the creation of tax residency certificates for permanent residents so they can prove compliance with other countries’ laws, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.
Minister admits credit costs and access obstacle
A Cabinet minister yesterday admitted credit costs and access must be eased for Bahamians as he defended the government’s work permit reforms against opposition criticisms.
Former BORCO terminal awaits latest purchaser
Ownership of the former Bahamas Oil Refining Company (BORCO) has changed hands for the third time in the past decade with Friday’s announcement of its parent’s acquisition.
Ex-minister: Caribbean IFCs in ‘serious trouble’
CARIBBEAN international financial centres (IFCs) are “all in very serious trouble”, a former financial services minister warned yesterday, expressing fears that many may not survive.
BISX unveils fee and rule change proposals
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) yesterday unveiled proposed rule and fee changes for market comment and feedback via a 30-day consultation.
Four industries drive renewed GDP growth
Four sectors were yesterday identified as key drivers of The Bahamas’ 1.6 percent real GDP growth in 2018 that was hailed as the first decent expansion for five years.
Monday, May 13
INSIGHT: Why are we so intent on being a latecomer to the legalisation and decriminalisation of marijuana?
WHILE the US and Canada are raking in billions in profits from the marijuana industry, the Bahamian government continues to drag its feet on the issue. Since the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana held a town meeting nearly a year and a half ago, there has been little to no movement on the matter.
Hanna Martin dismisses FNM govt as abysmal
DESPITE a wave of positive reviews from Cabinet ministers of the Minnis administration’s first two years in office, opposition member of Parliament Glenys Hanna Martin says this government’s performance has been “abysmal”.
BELIZE: The people have spoken, politicians should respect them
AS territorial claims go, Guatemala’s claim to all – every square inch – of Belize is, perhaps, the most outrageous.
Two years in and 58 bills passed
Parliament has passed 58 bills since the Free National Movement won the general election two years ago.
Bishop Simeon Hall calls for a moratorium on murders
BISHOP Simeon Hall has called for a moratorium on murders, urging Bahamians and residents to “pray and trouble God’s throne for divine intervention” to halt killings for a period of 30 days.
PLP to vote against Immigration Act amendments
THE Progressive Liberal Party will vote against amendments to the Immigration Act set to be debated in the Senate today. The opposition party said it is “fundamentally opposed” to the reforms that the PLP feels “will loosen the controls that we presently have to protect the integrity of our borders and our workforce.”
Albany closes in on South Ocean deal
Albany’s developers are getting closer to acquiring their 383-acre neighbour, Tribune Business can reveal, after all South Ocean staff were last week told to report to its human resources unit.
Water union hit with $25k costs
A Supreme Court judge has awarded the Water and Sewerage Corporation costs in a recently ended case with the Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union.
Potter’s Cay: Man held in connection with murders
POLICE have arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the double homicide that occurred at Potter’s Cay Dock last week.
FORCED OUT: Senior officers sue after being sidelined by enforced vacation
THE Minnis administration has been accused in an extraordinary lawsuit of exploiting vacation leave policies to unfairly sideline senior law enforcement officers.
Team Bahamas disqualified from men’s 4x200m, US retains 'golden baton'
It was a disappointing appearance for a shorthanded Team Bahamas at the 2019 IAAF World Relays.
Lourawls ‘Tum Tum’ Nairn Jr plays host to book signing
LOURAWLS “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr hopes to serve as an inspiration for a future generation of Bahamian athletes eager to tell the stories of their respective journeys to success.
GAIN AN EDGE: Achieving college dreams through summer learning
Thanks to StemForce Bahamas, a grant from Lyford Cay Foundations and support from other donors, Bahamian public-school students like Carmetta Barry have developed a passion for learning science while also carving a path to higher education.
POLICE ADVICE: To tackle crime we have to start by guiding our children
When a child is born, they are born into a world of sin. Despite their innocence, they immediately become prisoners of their environment and the many influences around them. For some kids, these influences can lead them to a life of progress and success; however, not all kids are blessed with this type of situation.
PAC must not be hindered in its investigations, insists Watson
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson says the House of Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee should not be hamstrung in its investigations.
Water Corp cuts debts by $7.4m
The Water & Sewerage Corporation’s debt to its main BISX-listed supplier was slashed by $7.4m in April 2019, financial filings have revealed, with the balance owing cut to $11.6m.
Lyford Cay wins high school soccer titles
THE Lyford Cay Dragons staked their claim as the most dominant soccer programme in the country with a pair of national titles to complete a season of milestones.
‘The Tank’ calls out Russian Povetkin
SHERMAN “The Tank” Williams continues to search for premier matchups atop the heavyweight division and recently called out one former Olympic gold medal winner and former world champion.
EDITORIAL: What's really going on over officer leave?
Not so long ago, this column raised concerns about the career prospects of law enforcement officers forced to take long-term leave. It appears matters could be so much worse than a career delayed being an opportunity denied.
Trade expert challenges FDI policies
The Bahamas’ near-exclusive focus on large-scale, multi-million dollar foreign direct investment (FDI) projects has come under fire from a trade expert.
Realtors: Use us more over tax crackdown
The government has been urged to “make more use” of Bahamian realtors to save time and money on the $7.2m project to make real property tax rolls “unassailable”.
Manufacturers not convinced of WTO merits
BAHAMIAN manufacturers yesterday said they are “not yet fully committed to the necessity of joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO)” based on the Oxford Economics study’s findings.
KYC fines ‘no laughing matter’, realtors warned
Bahamian realtors must apply Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence to real estate buyers or face fines that are “no laughing matter”, the industry has been warned.
OWN Bahamas unveils third speaker seminar
The OWN Bahamas Foundation is preparing to host its third free speaker seminar to give Bahamian entrepreneurs insights into how to grow their own businesses.
Taxi union chief’s fear for hundreds of drivers
Hundreds of taxicab drivers could potentially be left jobless at month’s end, the Bahamas Taxicab Union’s (BTCU) president fears, with the 80 percent holding leased plates most at risk.
Bahamas aims to harness ‘power of Mexican market’
A Cabinet minister headed a combined private and public sector delegation that sought to harness “the power of the Mexican market” for Bahamian tourism’s benefit.
Making the connection on Family Island growth
A proper means of inter-island transportation and accessibility is imperative for the economic growth of the Family Islands.
Friday, May 10
London Terrace roadworks to start on Monday morning
THE Ministry of Public Works/Bahamix will be carrying out road preparatory and paving works on London Terrace starting Monday morning and continuing through Thursday from 9am to 2:30pm.
IACHR president: Detention not the answer to Bahamas' immigration challenges
DETENTION is not the answer to the country’s immigration challenges, according to IACHR president Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño.
Water and Sewerage industrial action 'appears certain'
INDUSTRIAL action appears certain, according to the Water and Sewerage Management Union, citing unwillingness by the water provider to resolve outstanding issues in good faith.
Citizenship gender inequality concerns highlighted at IACHR session
GENDER inequality regarding the transfer of citizenship could be remedied by taking the matter before an international court.
HMBS Flamingo marines remembered
POLITICIANS, family members and friends of the four Bahamian Marines killed in action 39 years ago during the sinking of HMBS Flamingo joined the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at Coral Harbour Base for a special Morning Colours ceremony yesterday.
Man acquitted of sergeant's murder, his brother's appeal dismissed
A man has been acquitted of murdering Sergeant 1475 Wayne Rolle during the course of an armed robbery five years ago - but his brother's appeal was dismissed.
Police investigate apparent suicide
POLICE are investigating an apparent suicide after a woman was discovered unresponsive inside a home with injuries to her body Friday morning.
Woman who appealed sentence given additional 15 years
A woman who appealed against her 20-year sentence for conspiring to have her friend murdered has instead been ordered to serve an additional 15 years in prison for the crime.
Jeff Lloyd: Parents have important role to play with students
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd yesterday called for parents to ensure students come to school prepared to learn and not engage in nefarious activities - and said campus security is under review.
Texas philanthropists partner with ministry to provide tablets
TEXAS Philanthropists Carl and Gigi Allen have partnered with the Ministry of Education to provide tablets for the public education sector in The Bahamas as government seeks to digitise all public schools in the country.
One person held over Hospital Lane shooting
ONE person is currently in police custody in connection with the Hospital Lane shooting that occurred on Saturday, May 4, Superintendent Shanta Knowles confirmed to The Tribune on Friday.
DNA criticises PLP and govt on marijuana issue
THE Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is accusing the Opposition party of being “late” and the Minnis Administration of being “slow” regarding the issue of marijuana decriminalisation.
Kwasi Thompson highlights Grand Bahama projects under FNM govt
STATE Minister for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson believes there has been significant progress made in Grand Bahama during the two years since the FNM government came to office on May 10.
Man pleads not guilty to unlawful sex
A banking executive is one step closer to standing trial to answer to allegations that he had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old boy earlier this year.
Two Bahamians face immigrant smuggling, illegal re-entry charges in Florida
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say two Bahamian men face charges related to immigrant smuggling and illegal re-entry in Florida.
Bahamian woman one of two murdered in Miami
A JAMAICAN man has been charged with murdering two women in Miami, including Bahamian Sophia Simpson.
A COMIC'S VIEW: My Aunt Kay would have put these drivers in their rightful place
MY late Aunt Kay, who was like my second mother and who also happened to be wheelchair bound in the latter portion of her life, was a source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to me throughout my life. In fact it has long been said that she’s where I get my “hard mouth” from.
Jamaican who claims she was raped by an immigration officer to have her day in court
THE government will now have to defend a case it had previously tried to prosecute when a Jamaican woman, who alleged she had been raped by an immigration officer, gets her day in a civil court, years after the criminal rape case was thrown out.
PLP support for marijuana is ‘political pandering’
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands says he finds it “surprising” the tongues of the Official Opposition are suddenly unfettered to advocate for the decriminalisation of recreational marijuana.
Police set up special squad to track targets
IN the wake of two separate double homicides occurring within less than 12 hours, Commissioner Anthony Ferguson yesterday announced a special team was assembled “to look closely at certain persons.”
Two victims with so much to live for
ABACO resident Meric Russell, 33, was making a quick trip to Nassau to attend his cousin’s funeral. He had only been in the capital for a few short hours before he was fatally shot in a double homicide at Potter’s Cay Dock on Wednesday night.
SO MUCH PAIN: Families’ agony as they grieve over four killed, Police set up special squad to track targets
POLICE are investigating a drive-by shooting that left two men dead and one man injured in hospital yesterday morning.
Churches: ‘Look at all we do’
THE Bahamas Christian Council has “never left the people,” according to its president, Bishop Delton Fernander, who yesterday noted the council’s work “behind the scenes” to comfort people affected by crime.
‘We’ve lost ground but no panic’
THE governing Free National Movement has “lost some ground” since the 2017 general election, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.
Top resort owner targets last Hotel Corp property
A leading Andros-based developer has emerged as the likely buyer of the last Hotel Corporation-owned resort, a Cabinet minister saying yesterday: “The quicker a deal happens the better.”
EDITORIAL: Time to take centre stage
NO one had to go looking for Bishop Delton Fernander to find out his opinions about Bahamas Carnival – he released a statement.
Yes to Me
The Ripple Effect
There are so many things we have shared about “saying yes to me”. We’ve covered how it gives you a different outlook, how it makes you recognise your own worth; as well as how it should make you very selective about those with whom you share yourself. In fact, this entire series has been about helping others find a better path, a new purpose, a more positive attitude or viewpoint.
Chamber director ‘tasked’ with national pension fund set-up
A Chamber of Commerce director yesterday revealed he has been “tasked” with developing a National Workers Pension Fund in a bid to tackle The Bahamas’ looming retirement crisis.
Housebreaker ordered to pay money back to victims
A 31-year-old man has been ordered to pay 11 people back the $16,615.28 worth of cash and merchandise he stole from them in separate incidents dating as far back as July last year.
Man arrested after drugs found
POLICE recovered a quantity of dangerous drugs in two separate incidents on Tuesday and have taken an adult male into custody.
New central location for budding entrepreneurs
A BRANCH of the Small Business Development Centre was opened on Baillou Hill Road on Wednesday, providing a central location for budding inner city entrepreneurs seeking to access the programme’s training and financing services.
'Carnival cruise lines owes us compensation as well as apology'
THE Coalition to Save Clifton said Carnival Corporation “owes” the country financial compensation in an addition to an apology for dumping treated sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters.
DIANE PHILLIPS: A Sunday conversation with a friend
Friends are easy, tough, strong and weak. They demand so much of us and we of them. We make friends almost as early as we say ‘Mama,’ ‘Dada,’ we link hands when we are just about old enough to reach out and touch someone other than our parents. Even when we are too young to know the word for friends, they are there for us.
Taxi drivers will take drastic action if issues ignored, warns union boss
KWASI Thompson, State Minister for Grand Bahama, said the government remains committed to working with the Grand Bahama Taxi Union, revealing that an increase in the taxi rate for cab drivers on the island has been approved and should take full effect next month.
Six bus shelters to be built on Long Island
LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson announced this week that he has signed off on the construction of six bus shelters for his constituency.
Fire department losing its relevance
For some time now I have been inking remarks about the state of the Bahamas Fire Brigade on New Providence Island.
Not the comfort we need
Whereas I am sure the president of the Senate, Mrs Forbes Smith, is legally allowed to practice her old profession in PR and communications strategy and I am equally sure the comments made by Mr Carl Bethell AG technically are correct, her defence that her position is rather mundane is not correct, Mrs Forbes Smith is a very important person and people listen to her in part because she is President of the Senate and her sphere of influence I would imagine is vast.
Lyford Cay Dragons boys, girls in the finals
The Lyford Cay International School Dragons were the story of match day two as both their girls and boys teams advanced to the championship final of their respective divisions in the 2019 Samuel P Haven National High School Soccer Championships.
Star-studded field all set for Battle 4 Atlantis
THE Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, presented by Complete Sports Management, is set to feature another star-studded field in 2020 with one former tournament champion and one of the most recognised names in NCAA Division I basketball.
Saunders invited to tryout at Bucs mini-camp
MAVIN Saunders will continue his journey to professional football with another opportunity to make his mark with an NFL franchise.
Bahamian amateur golfers in Caribbean Golf Classic
SEVERAL Bahamian golfers are in competition with top amateurs in the region at the 24th Caribbean Golf Classic, hosted at the Westin Puntacana Resort and Club in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic.
CBC Proud Beverage sponsor of 100-mile Eleuthera Charity cycling Challenge
FOR the fifth year, avid cyclists pedalled 100 miles across Eleuthera for the Tour de Lootra Charity Challenge, and the Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC) was back on board as a proud beverage sponsor.
Junior Baseball League of Nassau: Playoffs shift into high gear
PLAYOFF action got underway this week in a series of 3 vs 2 Elimination Games, according to Jeff Albury, commissioner of the Junior Baseball League of Nassau.
33rd Annual Rotary East Nassau & Scout Association Golf Tournament swings into fund-raising success
GOLF aficionados ascended onto the grounds of the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island Monday afternoon for the 33rd annual Charity Golf Tournament organised by The Rotary Club of East Nassau & The Scout Association of The Bahamas, where an excess of $160,000 was raised for local charities.
Encountering Jesus
In the post-resurrection stories, people meet Jesus in different circumstances but the response is always the same. There is surprise and joy, mixed with a little fear at first. They experience living proof that He is alive.
The responsibility of parents towards their criminal children
Sacred Scripture tells us that those who live by the sword, will die by it.
What if?
Have you ever thought for just one moment about God’s mercies? What if God wasn’t a kind God? What if God wasn’t a good God? What if He was a maniacal despotic God? What if God relished mankind’s ineptitude in achieving success because of sin and unrighteousness? What if God wasn’t a God of love?
Trusting in God in difficult times
Life has its various challenges, and everyone has a battle to face at some point in their life. For some the tough moments are almost insurmountable, and unceasing, but few have experienced adversity like that of Job, yet he was able to overcome. Job lost everything he had and his wife wanted him to curse God and die but he held on to his faith in God. We should also do likewise when the cares of this world beat us down, even if we are tempted to ask the all familiar question of “why?”
The ‘Singing Bishop’ to host feeding initiative for mothers in need
Bishop Lawrence Rolle, widely known as the “Singing Bishop”, has been hard at work heading up a hands-on ministry which often brings him into close contact with those who are hurting the community.
Gospel reality TV show winner returns with new music
Tomorrow, gospel artist Shanique Thurston will release her first piece of new music in six years.
Airlift model ‘debunked’ by 35% expansion rate
The 35 percent expansion in Nassau/Paradise Island airlift over the past 18 months has “debunked” a business model that “cost The Bahamas a fortune”, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.
‘We can’t blindly march into WTO’
A prominent businessman yesterday said the Oxford Economics study had reinforced his view “that the government must get its house in order before we blindly march into the WTO”.
Manufacturers not convinced of WTO merits
BAHAMIAN manufacturers yesterday said they are “not yet fully committed to the necessity of joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO)” based on the Oxford Economics study’s findings.
Productivity reforms gain strong backing
THE creation of a National Productivity Council and accompanying legislation is receiving strong backing from the private sector, the project’s primary consultant revealed yesterday.
Minister hails retail plaza’s expansion
A Cabinet minister yesterday hailed a Freeport retail plaza’s expansion as an example of Bahamians taking ownership of their own economy.
IAN FERGUSON: How companies can fight workplace discrimination
Discrimination has become a real issue in many corporate areas. We define business discrimination as prejudicial treatment in the workplace, which may affect hiring, firing, promotions, salary, job assignments, training, benefits and/or lay-offs based on a person’s age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origins or disabilities.
Thursday, May 9
THE MARIJUANA QUESTION: Cooper sparks debate, but public divided over how law could change
EXUMA and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper called last week for the legalisation of medical marijuana along with the decriminalisation of small amounts of its recreational use.
Teenager helping police over school bullying allegations
A TEENAGE boy from Grand Bahama is assisting police with an investigation into an incident of alleged school bullying that was captured on cell phone video.
STATESIDE: When our heroes speak out or are silent
The highest civilian award that an American president can bestow is the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Under its current format, the award was begun by President John F Kennedy.
Trio deny planning to sell marijuana worth over $1m
THREE Bahamian men between the ages of 35 and 50 yesterday denied being caught off South Andros last week with over $1m worth of marijuana they intended to supply to others.
Woman and teen charged with murdering father-of-five
A 32-year-old woman charged with murdering a 34-year-old father-of-five yesterday complained of inhumane and degrading treatment while in police custody awaiting her arraignment for the crime.
Task force to look into government house security
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames announced yesterday the appointment of a “review committee” tasked with investigating the security issues related to the shooting death of Petty Officer Percival Philip Perpall at Government House on April 28.
BTC is owner’s ‘most inefficient’ subsidiary
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was yesterday branded “our most inefficient business” by its owner despite mobile customer losses dropping to a record quarterly low.
‘Lawful killing’ in police shooting
THE shooting death of a 20-year-old at the hands of police officers in the Masons Addition area four years ago was justified in the circumstances, a jury found yesterday.
‘A half a million thank yous’
ONLY 100 of the more than 3,500 registrants of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) are from the Over-the-Hill community, SBDC chairman Geoffrey Andrews said yesterday.
Davis declares: Make weed legal – And PLP leader wants criminal records erased
OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis has confirmed his support for the decriminalisation of recreational marijuana as well as the immediate expunction of the records of those who have been convicted of possessing small amounts of the drug.
UPDATED: Two shot dead at Potter's Cay Dock, two more deaths hours later
Police are investigating after four men were killed in two separate shooting incidents, hours apart.
Anti-WTO activist: Study makes case for joining tougher
An anti-WTO activist yesterday said a Chamber of Commerce-commissioned study had made it harder for The Bahamas to join by highlighting the economy’s “anomalies and deficiencies”.
Speaker questions FNM's position on PAC
THE Minnis administration’s restrictive view of the powers of the House of Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee “seems odd” and may be unconstitutional, House Speaker Halston Moultrie said yesterday.
We are compliant, say web shops
THE Bahamas Gaming Operators Association has unequivocally denied Finance Minister Peter Turnquest’s recent comments on the state of tax compliance by web shops, insisting three of them are fully compliant, representing 70 percent of all taxes due to the government.
Significant number of pupils not vaccinated
AS they move throughout schools in New Providence, Ministry of Health officials are finding a “significant” number of children are missing some of their needed vaccinations.
Time to find paper trail
Developments continue and projects are ongoing in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, but why do we seem to be always regressing in our understanding of the procedures and approvals required from our government agencies.
Does the BCC speak for you?
When the Bahamas Christian Council speaks on an issue who exactly do they talk for?
The colours of confusion
Can we or should we contrive that the choice of a particular colour means anything in the global spectrum of politics?
Nearly there – Carnival just needs some polishing
Carnival the presence of visitors participating - before we hear all kinds of crazy statistics let MOT give us their basic evaluation as I have not seen any photograph-video in the media or on social media that indicates that there was as the groups are now promoting ’000’s of visitors.
Jones and Sun poised for big year
The Connecticut Sun are two weeks away from the WNBA season opener, Jonquel Jones is in training camp and Sun head coach Curt Miller expects a big year from his All-Star forward.
‘Tum Tum’ to officially launch ‘Purpose Driven’
LOURAWLS “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr is expected to return home to officially launch his first book, an autobiography entitled “Purpose Driven.”
Lashann Higgs to get a medical redshirt
LASHANN Higgs is expected to receive a medical redshirt to return to the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball programme and recently detailed her struggles with the long road to recovery from a season-ending knee injury.
FIBA AmeriCup launches social media campaign
FIBA Americas looks to galvanise support for its upcoming AmeriCup through social media and the Bahamas Basketball Federation is on board with the new initiative as one of the participating programmes.
THE PRESS BOX: My Lakers need a Walker
IN a nutshell, my Lakers have struck out in all attempts to pair a second star with James.
Nassau property tax crackdown eyes $21m
The government is targeting a minimum $21m in extra annual revenue through a “world class” real property tax system that captures every home and commercial building on New Providence.
Nassau/PI resort room revenue up 37% in Q1
All performance indicators for major Nassau/Paradise Island hotels increased by double digit amounts every month in the 2019 first quarter, with room revenues ending the period up 37 percent.
Super Value chief: ‘cut our own path’ outside the WTO
Super Value’s owner yesterday said he still believes The Bahamas should “cut its own path” despite trade experts finding it would be “moderately positive” to join the WTO.
Stabbing victim dies of wounds
POLICE are investigating the country’s latest homicide after a man was reportedly found walking with visible stab wounds and later died of his injuries in hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
ART OF GRAPHIX: Software no substitute for photography skills
In today’s highly competitive marketplace, the role of digital photographs is critical to the marketing success of any business. Properly edited photographs and images convey a company’s message in the best possible manner, which is why photo editing an essential part of any marketing, communications or branding activity.
Sports Illustrated exposes Bahamas to 70m readers
The Bahamas will be showcased to more than 70m consumers by the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (SI) edition that was released yesterday.
BICA chief: Don’t fear competition under WTO
The Bahamas must not fear competition in a post-WTO environment, a top accountant argued yesterday, as it now has an “issues checklist” to help prepare itself.
Post Office relocation to complete next week
The General Post Office will open at its new Town Centre Mall location next week, Tribune Business was told yesterday, as staff complete the move from East Hill Street.
Wednesday, May 8
Vendors unhappy with hotels renting water sports equipment
SCORES of disgruntled watercraft operators flocked to Goodman’s Bay yesterday to protest against hotels renting vessels to their guests.
THE ALICIA WALLACE COLUMN: Don’t be blind to the power these men hold
Last week, on the heels of Bishop Simeon Hall’s call for the church to take a strong position against sexual violence and his distinction between rape and sex, the president of the Bahamas Christian Council contradicted it with reckless remarks meant to turn people against Carnival.
Time to get tough with drivers who kill, insists PLP
OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis is calling for the Minnis administration to “revamp the entire road traffic regime” — particularly reiterating calls for the government to add an amendment to the Road Traffic Act to increase penalties for those who kill in the course of dangerous driving.
Job figures expected to show better news, predicts Turnquest
AHEAD of the Department of Statistics’ Labour Force Survey, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said he expects unemployment figures to show some improvement.
Govt investment control ‘will not fly’ under WTO
The Bahamas may have to release the government’s stranglehold over the foreign investment approvals process in return for higher tariffs that protect domestic producers under WTO.
Pulpit for preaching not politics
OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis yesterday levied a litany of critiques against Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, including describing his recent speech in a church as “inappropriate” and dubbing Dr Minnis’ claims that the PLP “politicised the police force” as “ludicrous”.
Don't be frightened off WTO reform package
The Bahamas must not allow "vested interests and nationalism" to deter it from breaking out of decade-long "stagnation" via broad-based economic reform, a trade expert urged yesterday.
Baha Mar robbery: Three detained
THREE men are in custody in connection with the recent smash and grab robbery at John Bull’s Baha Mar store.
Web bosses told: Pay what you owe
FINANCE Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday urged web shop operators to pay their taxes out of an obligation to the government regardless of beliefs or legal arguments they intend to mount.
Mother who lost two sons to guns, warns: Too much killing. It has got to stop
THE pervasiveness of illegal firearms and the “kill or be killed culture” perpetuated by them are leading to the destruction of inner-city communities, a mother preparing to bury a second son in four months has said.
At best, it's all well-intentioned incompetence
Two years into Dr Minnis’ administration, it’s most ardent apologists increasingly find themselves shielding it with the excuse of well-intentioned incompetence.
Jury hear evidence that man had shot at police
THERE is evidence that a 20-year-old man fired a gun the night police officers said he shot at them, causing them to return fire and kill him in the Mason’s Addition area four years ago, a jury heard yesterday.
Atlantis dealers hit by '$150k theft'
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating allegations that nearly $150,000 was stolen from casino dealers at Atlantis.
Gomez firms awarded damages
FORMER Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez yesterday said he felt vindicated after his companies were awarded damages in the legal dispute that sparked his 2015 resignation from Cabinet.
Civic group says town meetings are 'ten years too late'
A local civic group believes that URCA’s need to finally hold town meetings this week in Grand Bahama has come 10 years too late, claiming that power rates on the island are at their lowest since 2009.
Party agrees July dates for its next convention
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s convention has been scheduled for the third week in July, PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed yesterday.
BUSINESS BITES: Taylor Industries R.I.P. Aged 74
I guess I bought my first light-bulb over 30 years ago in the friendly store facing Shirley Street’s busy traffic flow. Convenient, with easy parking and never crowded, it continued to meet my occasional electrical needs, a local retail icon I never thought about— and which never changed.
Breach goes unnoticed
There was a breach of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Assembly on Wednesday (May 1) that apparently went unnoticed by members. I draw attention to it because it should not be regarded as regular or as a precedent.
Hard to spot the enemy
It seems that for many social commentators a cruel twist of the saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” requires that we abandon our Venezuelan neighbours to the wills of a military dictatorship determined to rape that country and all its resources.
Aces, Timberwolves win on opening day
The Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves stunned the St Andrew’s Hurricanes in the under-18 girls’ game, while the Aquinas College Aces pounded the Government High Magic in the boys’ game yesterday.
‘Spring Classic’ basketball tournament a success
NOBLE Preparatory Academy continues its effort of fostering achievement both on and off the court and hosted its fourth annual “Spring Classic” basketball tournament.
Price to run for top spot in NPBA elections
WITH Eugene Horton opting not to seek another term as president, incumbent first vice president James Price said the time is right for him to step up and take over the helm of the New Providence Basketball Association.
Memorial and funeral services for ‘Chuckie’ Smith
A MEMORIAL service for the late softball/baseball player Charles ‘Chuckie’ Smith will be held at the Road Sign Department, Garage Section of the Ministry of Works at 10am on Thursday.
Minister gives 2nd annual Sam Haven Jr National High School Soccer Championships a thumbs up
MINISTER of Education, Science and Technology Jeffrey Lloyd liked what he saw from the organisation, to the facility to the participation of the teams in the second annual Sam Haven Jr National High School Soccer Championships.
Queen’s College victorious for the first time ever in Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League horse show
A STRONG Queen’s College team rode to victory for the first time ever in last Saturday’s Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League horse show, the final event of the BIEL competition season.
‘Manageable’: WTO revenue loss pegged at $110m-$130m
Revenue losses from WTO-related import tariff cuts are “manageable”, a Chamber of Commerce-commissioned study revealed yesterday, standing at between $110m-$130m per year.
Manufacturers’ 100% tariffs are WTO ‘non-starter’
The push by Bahamian manufacturers’ to raise protectionist tariffs to up to 100 percent before these rates become binding is a “non-starter” with the WTO, a trade expert warned yesterday.
‘Trade imbalances’ may require fixed exchange review
Widening “trade imbalances” may require The Bahamas to assess the merits of the fixed exchange rate that underpins the one:one US dollar peg post-WTO, a study suggested yesterday.
Car rental start-up’s $200k capital boost
An electric car rental start-up has attracted $200,000 in financial backing with help from the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre (SBDC).
EY summit focuses on financial crime battle
The EY Bahamas accounting firm last week hosted its inaugural seminar on strategies for combating financial crime.
Enact Contractors Act pre-WTO, expert urges
A trade expert yesterday backed local calls for the Construction Contractors Bill to be implemented in time for The Bahamas’ accession to full World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership.
WTO ‘no cure’ for structural woes
Full World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership is not a “silver bullet” to cure all the Bahamian economy’s structural problems, trade experts warned yesterday.
Tuesday, May 7
FACE TO FACE: Sam’s never stood still and always goes the distance for others
I recently met an unsung hero on First St, The Grove – a gem right among the people with a lifetime of giving and serving to share. Those of the generation before me may know his name. But all too often, wonderful people like Sam Williams get lost in the stories of today, when young people could benefit from learning of people like him and find their own way to make a similar or even greater impact.
Minister looking forward to the day when a woman runs Bahamas police force
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said yesterday he is “all about gender equality” adding he looks forward to the day a woman could one day “take the helm” of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. However, Mr Dames could not speak to whether a woman is currently in the running for the position of RBPF deputy commissioner.
Dames: We are in a much better place than we were two years ago
DESPITE recent high profile crimes, National Security Minister Marvin Dames was yesterday resolute in his view that the country is “in a much better place” when compared with two years ago.
PLP’s Mitchell fires back at corruption jibes
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis should “hang his head in shame” as he pushed back against allegations from Dr Minnis that the opposition party is corrupt.
FNM cancels another national convention
THE Free National Movement will forgo a national convention again this year despite its constitutional mandate to hold one every two years.
$500m WTO ‘shortfall’ pressure for US$ peg
The Bahamas’ one:one US dollar peg may face growing pressure from an annual $100m external reserves “shortfall” sparked by widening WTO-induced trade deficits, a study will warn today.
‘Two years in and no major errors’
AS the Minnis administration celebrates two years in office, a senior Cabinet minister insisted yesterday the term so far has been one free of fundamental errors.
Sands sets nurses as top priority
MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands has pledged improved conditions for nurses will be a top priority item for the Ministry of Health’s upcoming budget, as the country fights to keep its nurses at home.
$10k fines for killer motorists
A MAN was fined $10,000 yesterday for hitting and killing a motorcyclist with his truck last month. Ricardo Butler received the fine from Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans after pleading guilty to killing Tito Ferguson on April 1.
TAKING CONTROL: McAlpine shouts ‘coup’ as party dissolves council
PINERIDGE MP Frederick McAlpine’s outspoken stance in the capital has proved damaging back home as the executive council of his constituency association is up for re-election.
Union chief: ‘Compromise failure’ hurts labour talks
A veteran trade union leader yesterday said the failure “to understand what compromise means in The Bahamas” had produced bitter industrial disputes that undermined the national interest.
Sly way to avoid adding to debt
So PM and Minister Bannister are talking about this new fangled investment instrument they want to promote.
Pieces of metal feared to be in chicken strips
Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has advised the public of a voluntary recall of chicken strips produced by Tyson Foods Inc that may be contaminated with pieces of metal.
AG hoping FOIA will be introduced next year
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel says it’s unlikely the Freedom of Information Act will be fully enacted this year. In fact he told radio hosts of the Morning Blend talk show yesterday the government was hoping for a timeline of early May 2020.
First cohort completes leadership programme
A ceremony was held yesterday at the University of the Bahamas in honour of the first cohort of police officers and correctional officers for the completion of the first phase of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Leadership Programme.
Team Bahamas off to IAAF World Relays
Team Bahamas is off to the fourth IAAF World Relays as it takes up its new residence in Yokohama, Japan. And while only two teams will be carrying the Bahamian flag, head coach Rupert Gardiner said they will be very competitive.
Pair deny drugs offences after ecstasy pills worth $110,000 are found in raid
TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after denying being caught during a raid last week with over $100,000 worth of ecstasy pills, over 5,000 anti-anxiety pills and other illegal drugs they intended to supply to others.
Residents fighting govt’s eradication policy
THE applicants leading the judicial review challenge of the government’s decision to eliminate shanty towns do not have a building permit and are in violation of the Building Regulations Act, according to the affidavit of Building Controls Officer in the Ministry of Public Works Craig Delancy.
The Peter Young column: We’ve got the space, all we need is the Big Idea
Having commented briefly in an earlier column about utilising the potential of the Family Islands, I found the recent exchanges in the House of Assembly about the Immigration Bill’s amendments concerning foreign business visitors especially interesting, not least because of the indication of an easing of immigration restrictions.
EDITORIAL: Equality is about more than just the right words
HOW soon will there be a woman leading the police force?
Blind loyalty to non-intervention makes no sense
I have read comments from the opposition in the House of Assembly and from some commentators in the newspapers who believe that the Government was wrong to agree with the majority of the member states of the OAS and of the European Union in recognizing Mr. Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.
Poisoned legacy of Hanna Martin
I saw Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin talking about misogyny the other day. What a hypocrite. She went along with the PLP in pushing the Bahamian people to vote against equality for women in a referendum called by the then FNM Government.
We don't want this concrete catastrophe
Every day driving into Nassau from the west when I get to Junkanoo Beach I am aghast at the height and darkness that the new Pointe Hotel - Condos that the eight-nine floors have brought down over this area.
High School Soccer Nationals all set
THE Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s National High School Soccer Championships is all set for the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Complex. The games pit the best of the BAISS, GSSSA and GBSSAA schools in three days of competition.
Jyles Etienne wins high jump title
Fresh off his victory at last weekend’s Penn Relays, Jyles Etienne ’17 soared to a season-best height of 7′ 0.25″ to win the high jump title at the Billy Hayes Invitational, hosted by Indiana University over the weekend.
Simms to join Warriors tennis programme next fall
ABIGAIL Simms is set to take her tennis career to the collegiate level and signed her national letter of intent to join the Indiana Tech Warriors programme next fall.
Slugger Symonette honoured on Senior Day
TEVIN Symonette was one of several Lipscomb University Bisons players honoured on Senior Day.
New Miss Teen advocates for self-acceptance in social media era
Fanaeya Nicholson, the newly crowned Miss Teen Bahamas International, never considered herself to be the type of girl to enter, much less win, a beauty pageant.
Spend Mother’s Day weekend with Dynamite Daisy
New show event to offer love, laughter and advice
MOTHERS will be treated to lots of laughter and love, and some prizes as well, as the audacious Dynamite Daisy returns to the stage for a special production this weekend.
Moms bond with their daughters at artsy pajama party
Spa La La for Girls kicked off this year’s Mother’s Day activities with a bang by hosting a Mother and Daughter Pajama Paint Party at the New Providence Community Centre.
YOU GO GIRL: Young airplane pilot flies the Florida skies
Captain Ernea Miller is a Bahamian private pilot, flying the skies in Florida and charting her own course. The 21-year-old pilot is a student at the Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, who took time out from her busy schedule to stop at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s booth during the recent Sun n' Fun International Fly In and Aviation Expo in Lakeland, Florida, the second largest aviation conference in the world.
LIFE LINES: Gratitude – It's an inside job
Gratitude. Do you spontaneously or consciously take time to feel grateful for the positive benefits or people impacting your life?
Impotence in young men: Is porn the cause?
Every man will face some form of erectile dysfunction is his lifetime, whether it takes the form of poor quality erections, difficulty maintaining an erection, or premature ejaculation. To attain and sustain an erection, a man requires an adequate penile blood supply and nerve supply and sufficient male hormone testosterone, amongst other physiological components but the psychological and emotion contribution can have a potentially profoundly negative affect on erectile function.
Connecting human and environmental health
Education is necessary not only to promote a healthy personal lifestyle, but also a healthy approach to the Bahamas’ world-famous environment.
Sometimes it’s all in your head!
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.
Learning how to utilise ‘farm to table’ practices for family meals
New ways to prepare meals using fresh ingredients that come straight from the field will be the highlight of the Ministry of Health’s new “Watcha Cookin” show airing this Thursday.
Bahamas First chief ‘very confident’ over VAT deal
Bahamas First’s top executive is “very confident” the government and general insurers will reach “a mutually beneficial resolution” to end the uncertainty over VAT recoveries on claims payouts.
Engineers eye ‘level playing’ field via WTO
The Bahamas Society of Engineers (BSE) president has voiced optimism that joining WTO will create a “level playing field” that protects local professionals and grows their “share of the pie”.
Carnival sees 40-60% foreign reveller growth
BAHAMAS Carnival band owners yesterday estimated there was a 40-60 per cent increase in foreign revellers at this year’s Road March parade, and said the event has become “one of the premier festivals in the region”.
Morton Salt staff: ‘We won’t throw towel in’
THE union representing Morton Salt line staff yesterday said workers were “weary but not ready to throw in the towel” over controversial industrial agreement negotiations.
Any crime ‘one too many’ for tourism
THE Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) yesterday said any criminal act impacting the industry and its guests is “one too many” following the weekend’s John Bull robbery.
Central Bank workers given BISX exposure
A senior Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) executive gave Central Bank employees an insight into its role and functions at their investment information session.
Monday, May 6
Hanna Martin will never lead her party, says FNM
THE Free National Movement attacked Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin for her recent criticism of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, with the party stating the former Cabinet minister has a reputation for being “indecisive” and will likely never be elected to lead her party.
INSIGHT: Voices in the wilderness increasingly out of touch
Carnival would not be Carnival if our selective Christian-ness did not emerge to the forefront of discussions in the week leading up to the event’s festivities. While event organisers, band members and other enthusiasts would have been finalising their preparations for the weekend, the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) released a statement mid-week that ripped the cast off the fractured opinions towards the event.
I have right to work for cruise line, says senate president
SENATE President Kay Forbes Smith yesterday defended her right to private practice as she confirmed her engagement with Carnival Cruise Line as a local consultant and advisor.
We want to improve, says Carnival after yet another dumping
IN the wake of yet another report on its illegal ocean activities, Carnival Corporation says its focus is on “full transparency and continuous improvement”.
Activists question Disney sustainability plans
SEVERAL local environmental groups have written to Walt Disney’s top senior sustainability officer, raising questions about the adequacy of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) now underway for Disney Cruise Line’s proposed Lighthouse Point project.
URCA reignites Freeport energy regulation battle
Freeport’s energy regulation battle is coming to the boil after Grand Bahama Power Company was told the Electricity Act “implicitly repealed” key parts of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Ecstatic Prince Harry says Meghan has healthy baby boy
WINDSOR, England (AP) — A beaming Prince Harry said his wife Meghan gave birth to a baby boy early Monday morning.
UPDATED: Second brother dies in shooting
POLICE are investigating the country’s latest murder after a man was shot dead outside an abandoned building on Hospital Lane early on Saturday morning. The killing brought the country’s homicide count to 23 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.
Minnis - PLP are the party of corruption
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis painted the Progressive Liberal Party as a corrupt group that believes it “owns” this country, as he urged members of the Free National Movement not to take the public’s support for granted.
Smash and grab raid in Baha Mar: Robbers strike inside hotel and target John Bull
TWO men are wanted by police following a “brazen” smash and grab robbery at the John Bull store at Baha Mar yesterday afternoon.
Tourist victim of PI sex assault
POLICE are investigating the reported sexual assault of a female tourist at a Paradise Island beach on Saturday.
Foulkes defends shanty town strategy
THE reality that the majority of people impacted by the government’s crackdown on shanty towns have Haitian ethnicity is a matter of arithmetic, not discrimination, according to the affidavit of Labour Minister Dion Foulkes.
Double A: Chisholm and Fox connect on home runs
JAZZ Chisholm and Lucius Fox each homered in a productive weekend at the plate for the pair of 21-year-old shortstops in the Double A - Southern League.
WORLD VIEW: Caricom divide must be bridged
IT’S no secret that the countries of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) are divided over the response to the situation in Venezuela.
Triathlon rocks Jaws Beach
JASON Costelloe, Ralph Wood and Ellen Morgan were among the biggest winners in the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s 2019 National Championships.
Davis Cup: Baker and Philip clinch final two spots
BAKER Newman and Philip Major Jr clinched the final two spots over the weekend at the National Tennis Centre to make up the Bahamas team for the American Zone II Davis Cup tie.
Big win for Gaither in 100m
SPRINTER Tynia Gaither picked up a big win over the weekend at the Tom Tellez Invitational at the Tom Tellez Track.
New gymnastics programme ‘springing up’ on Eleuthera
THE sport of gymnastics is experiencing new growth here in the Bahamas with the development of a fairly new gymnastics programme springing up on the island of Eleuthera.
Fee rises targeted again to make up $40m PHA deficit
A Cabinet minister yesterday confirmed that the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) is still targeting fee increases to make up a $40m funding shortfall in time for the upcoming fiscal year.
Friends of convicted drug smuggler appeal for leniency
FAMILY and friends of convicted drug smuggler Austin Knowles are appealing for leniency in his sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a 2002 conspiracy and drug trafficking scheme.
One from 10 equals 0
In 1962 as the nascent Federation of the West Indies struggled to find relevance, Dr Eric Williams, then Premier of Trinidad and Tobago uttered five words that still reverberate around the Caribbean – one from ten equals zero.
Keep politicians in the pew
The politician’s place in a church is in the pew - time and time again, successive Prime Ministers-Governments accept invitations to speak at Church Conventions - wrong actually very wrong and politically stupid.
Family deserving of all our prayers
I met him at the South Beach pools. This is his story.
Insurer shakes-off ‘three-year hangover’ on 22% claims fall
A Bahamian insurer has begun to shake-off its “three-year hangover” from Hurricane Matthew after 2018 claims came in 22 percent below its own projections.
IXP plan signals Bahamas ‘serious technology player’
The Bahamas will send the signal that it is “a really serious technology player” if it develops its own Internet Exchange Point (IXP), the head of its technology hub committee believes.
Bahamas failing to ‘leverage internet into innovation’
The Bahamas is “failing to leverage the internet’s full potential to drive entrepreneurship and business innovation”, industry regulators are asserting.
‘Dramatic brain drain’ hampers health policy
The “dramatic brain drain” in nursing has meant Bahamian healthcare’s human resources have not kept pace with public policy creation, a Cabinet minister is arguing.
GB insight sought on Productivity Council
The Grand Bahama private sector’s input on the creation of a National Productivity Council will be sought at a May 16 luncheon meeting.
PMH earns just $200,000 from 60k emergency visits
THE Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) collects less than $200,000 a year from the 60,000 emergency room patients it treats, a Cabinet minister revealing: “We pay more in salaries for staff to collect that money”.
Small hotels ‘fusing’ with vacation rentals
Small Bahamian hotels will likely have to “fuse” vacation rental homes into their business model, a Bahamian realtor is arguing, with the latter sector poised to become the market leader.
Friday, May 3
Three arrested after $1.62m of marijuana found on boat
THREE Bahamian men were arrested after they were found on a boat with 43 bales of suspected marijuana with an estimated value of $1.62m.
Ragged Island set for renewable energy investment
CABINET has approved the investment in renewable energy for storm-ravaged Ragged Island, according to Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister, who said on Friday repairs are underway.
Jamaican man found guilty of multiple charges
A 19-year-old Jamaican was charged in the Freeport Magistrate's Court after he was found working illegally in the country.
Man shot by police 'died from wounds to torso and foot'
A FORENSIC pathologist has confirmed that the 20-year-old man fatally shot by police in 2015 died from gunshot wounds to his torso and foot.
Davis 'not consulted' on promotion of Paul Rolle
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis said he was never consulted on the promotion of former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle to Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, as mandated by law.
Fleet of new vehicles for Ministry of Public Works
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister spoke on the sidelines of the presentation of keys for a fleet of new vehicles - valued at $1.6m - to various departments at the Ministry of Public Works, including the family islands.
Glenys Hanna Martin hits back at PM
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin dubbed the nation’s leader a “dummy” on Friday, firing back at Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for his recent reference to her as “plenty talk and no action” at a recent town hall meeting.
Shanty town residents granted leave to amend judicial review application
SUPREME Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson has granted leave for shanty town residents to amend their judicial review application to include grounds that the government failed to consult them.
Union president, legal team 'will study the law' after judge's ruling
BAHAMAS Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union president Dwayne Woods yesterday told The Tribune he and his legal team would “study the law” after he was told by a Supreme Court judge that legal action over the suspension of his salary was not a union matter.
Families clash as Defence Force marine charged with superior's murder
THE arraignment of a Royal Bahamas Defence Force marine charged with the murder of his superior spiraled into an emotional and chaotic scene at the Magistrate’s Court complex.
A COMIC'S VIEW: Time we took our lead on marijuana from Hawaii
I’VE long said that Bahamian youth should no longer face travel bans, lingering police records, unemployment, etc, for being caught with minor amounts of marijuana.
Carnival is great fun for everyone, say organisers
Bahamas Christian Council’s stance on Bahamas Carnival came under attack yesterday, with one stakeholder criticising the religious body’s “alarming” and “erroneous” statement that women’s costumes would prompt rape and sexual violence.
Bridge officer offered to cover up Carnival’s prohibited dumping
A BRIDGE officer on Carnival Conquest offered to cover up the ship’s prohibited dumping of 66,000 gallons of ballast water into Bahamian waters in November 2018, according to one of the latest court-mandated reports of Carnival’s ocean activities.
$25m initiative to reverse 85% small firm credit rejection
A $25m Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan is aiming to reverse an 85 percent rejection rate on small business financing applications, it was revealed yesterday.
Taylor Industries insolvent by $1m
Taylor Industries is insolvent by $1m after racking up a combined $1.856m in losses during the four-and-a-half years prior to its January 8 closure, it has been revealed.
Marine due in court on officer’s murder
A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force marine is expected to be arraigned in Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the murder of Petty Officer Philip Perpall who was shot multiple times in his upper body at Government House earlier this week.
Teacher in beating video broke rules
THE investigation into a video of an Abaco physical education teacher beating six students has determined the teacher in question “did not act with proper authority”, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said yesterday.
Home raider dies swimming canal
A BRAZEN daylight robbery ended in tragedy yesterday morning after one of three alleged robbers drowned in an eastern New Providence canal.
Paul Rolle appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle the new Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Air is full of promises
General Douglas MacArthur said in his final speech, “old soldiers never die, they only fade away”. Well maybe I’m an old soldier, but I’ll not fade away easily. When I croak and they are taking me out toes up, I will probably sit up and ask, “where are we going or what if”.
Central Bank eyes ‘less interference’ on property deals
THE Central Bank’s governor yesterday said he is aiming to reduce “exchange control interference” with the approvals process for real estate deals involving foreign investors.
Trio arrested after drugs swoops
POLICE on New Providence have recovered a large quantity of dangerous drugs in two separate incidents and have taken two men and a woman into custody.
Body found on building site
POLICE are investigating after a man’s body was found Wednesday night in an unfinished building in Exuma.
Court of Appeal refuses to allow Nygard application
THE Court of Appeal struck down an appeal application yesterday in the contempt of court case for Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, ultimately instructing his attorneys to return to the Supreme Court to have their motion to delay sentencing and pursue an appeal.
Reckley back in court as prosecutors argue magistrate got it wrong
PROSECUTORS appearing in the Court of Appeal in the case of former Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley and four of her co-accused yesterday argued that a magistrate “erred in law” in his decision to vacate all of the money laundering charges levied against the group.
Jamaican guilty of threatening behaviour
A JAMAICAN teenager has been found guilty of using obscene language, making threats of harm and resisting arrest.
DIANE PHILLIPS: If only road traffic deaths were a little sexier
Car accidents aren’t sexy news. They don’t compete for headline space with juicy scandal or murder for hire.
EDITORIAL: Has the government backtracked on police leave?
IT feels like we are not being told the full story when it comes to police officers being put on leave.
Kudos to the Carnival organisers – and let's all have some fun
I fully endorse and support the privatisation of carnival…Kudos to the people involved, but, oh yes there is a but…don’t get too far and disrespect the Laws.
Chamber chief: Politics retarding GDP growth
POLITICAL “polarisation” has contributed to the stagnation of Bahamian economic growth, the Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive yesterday saying: “Look where it’s gotten us.”
Atkins ‘Coach of the Year’
In his first season on the coaching staff of Western Carolina Track and Field, Derrick Atkins has been recognised at the Catamounts’ inter programme end of year awards.
Bahamians make their presence felt in the London Marathon
FOUR Bahamians, representing the Bahamas Roadmasters, made their presence felt on Sunday as they participated in the 39th edition of the Virgin Money London Marathon.
Body building elections all set for May 11
AS a result of all the turmoil from the unsanctioned Caribbean Grand Prix Pro Qualifier in December, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation will go back to the membership to decide on the executive team to continue to operate the affairs for the sport in the country.
Centrobasket Under-17 in Puerto Rico
TEAM Bahamas learned its matchups for the upcoming Centrobasket Under-17 Championships, hosted in Puerto Rico.
Pro boxer Williams has fists set on fight
AFTER losing his first professional bout, Rashield Williams is hoping to bounce back on track in his third match on Friday, May 17 at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida.
New Providence Modified Pitch Softball League action heats up
THE New Providence Modified Pitch Softball League continued its action over the weekend at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
Darling Jr to join Pro Holmes Sports Academy Basketball in the fall
BLAIZE Darling Jr continues the progression of his prep basketball career and committed to an elite post-graduate programme.
Honouring an indefatigable leader
SHE has been giving her all to Christian ministry for the past 62 years, but Minister Dr Barbara Brennen Williams is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Christ in us
This is a topic that is often misunderstood, but it is important and worthy of deeper discussion and consideration. Christ lives in us to the extent that we allow the Holy Spirit to reside in us, and we live as our Saviour lived. We are all sinners and scripture (the Apostle Paul) makes this point clearly in Romans 3:23 (KJV): “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Like most things in life, God gives us a choice, and we must be willing to yield to the presence of the Holy Spirit and enable Christ to face and handle our challenges and burdens.
Beware of life in the fast lane
True biblical Christianity at it’s finest is the real deal, and offers what no other worldview offers: an empty tomb. Mohammed is dead! So much for Islam. Siddhartha Gautama is dead! So much for Buddhism. Confucius is dead! So much for the adherents of Confucius. But Jesus is alive!
Remnant Tabernacle of Praise celebrates 20the anniversary
The members of the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise are marking the church’s anniversary under the theme, “Celebrating 20 years of God’s grace.”
Gospel singer aims to show young men a better path
As his mentorship initiative continues to grow, Bahamian gospel singer and motivational speaker Ricardo Clarke last week hosted an event to show young Bahamian men a better path in life.
Governor calls for ‘more aggression’ over loan arrears
The Central Bank is pushing the banking sector to “speed up” resolving its remaining $742m loan arrears so that it can better fuel economic growth, its governor said yesterday.
URCA releases Internet Exchange oversight regime
Regulators yesterday moved to create the supervisory framework for Bahamas-based Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in a bid to lower local access costs.
Governor: ‘Little joy’ in growth forecasts
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday said there was “not much joy” in The Bahamas’ medium-term growth projections, and called for more focus on “improving” the country’s GDP potential.
NAD and Lucayan deals drop reserves to $1.4bn
The Bahamas’ foreign currency reserves fell to $1.4bn at end-March 2019 due, in part, to the Grand Lucayan purchase and Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) refinancing.
IAN FERGUSON: How to improve staff literacy and numeracy
When we speak of workplace literacy, we are referring to the mix of skills employees need to complete everyday tasks at work. Employees need these skills to communicate with customers, understand health and safety information, keep accurate records, follow production schedules and many other vital tasks and assignments.
BTC touts doubling of internet speeds
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) says it has doubled Internet speeds for all customers on its newly-extended Fibre to the Home (FTTH) residential network infrastructure.
Thursday, May 2
50 Years On . . . The Legacy of Donald Bruce McKinney CBE
On April 27, 1969 the loss at sea of Donald Bruce McKinney CBE was a tragic event for our family, and for our nation.
The night quick-thinking Donald avoided bloodshed
The Bahamas today suffers the fall-out from, but has no resemblance to, The Bahamas of the days in which Donald McKinney lived. His father, Herbert, owned the oldest retail store in The Bahamas - John S George - and had a large family, the youngest son’s body having been lost somewhere on the beaches of Normandy during that historic landing.
Man drowns after alleged robbery
Police are investigating after an alleged robber drowned in a canal in eastern New Providence on Thursday.
STATESIDE: Biden his time - will it be Joe’s final glory?
How many of the 20 Democrats currently running for president of the US can you name? If you can identify more than half of them, maybe you should consider throwing your hat in the ring as the latest challenger to James Holzhauer, the incumbent champion on TV’s 55-year-old quiz show Jeopardy.
YOUR SAY: Time to grow up, Bahamas
It’s time The Bahamas grew up. If we want to be a big player like Singapore on the world stage and if we want to be in the First World category, then we need to embrace immigration for investment and development purposes. For far too long, the amazing potential of the Bahamas has been choked by oppressive, repressive, discriminatory and abusive immigration policies.
Family of killed businessman claim pleas were ignored
FAMILY and friends of slain Cuban-American and Bimini resident Alain Perez, 47, have maintained they volunteered to fly the victim off the island to a Florida hospital after he was shot — pleas they claim were “ignored” by Bahamian officials.
Disney executives tour PMH pediatric services
Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands led executives from Walt Disney Company and Disney Cruise Lines on a tour of Princess Margaret Hospital’s pediatric services yesterday.
'It's time to relax the rules on cannabis'
EXUMA and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper yesterday called on the government to immediately expunge the records of people convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Mid-May launch for $100m tax offensive
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday said its Revenue Enhancement Unit (REU) could reclaim up to $100m per annum from tax dodgers once it begins operations in mid-May.
Churches blast ‘vulgar’ Carnival
THE Bahamas Christian Council yesterday trashed Carnival’s Road Fever event as revellers gear up for this year’s weekend of festivities.
TALKING TOUGH: Carnival warned criminal actions will be paid for
TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said yesterday the Attorney General’s Office is assessing the extent of criminality attached to sewage and food waste discharged from Carnival’s vessels in Bahamian waters.
Officer drew gun on drunk marine
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has launched an internal investigation into reports a marine was forced to draw his gun on another officer in an altercation at Prince George Dock yesterday.
Evasion loopholes hitting VAT target, fears ex-minister
A former finance minister yesterday urged the government to examine whether the VAT shortfall had resulted from the introduction of exemptions opening up fraud and tax evasion loopholes.
Protest against joining World Trade Organisation
DOZENS of protestors gathered in Rawson Square yesterday to show they rejected the country’s accession to the World Trade Organisation.
Tough new laws on way to make water sports safer
PARLIAMENT yesterday began debate on amendments aiming to better regulate the water sports industry, among them a fine of up to $5,000 and/or one year suspension of a certificate for inadequate safety provisions.
New crown land policy on the way
A NEW crown land policy that will be laid out in the upcoming budget exercise will give Bahamians unprecedented access to crown land, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis suggested yesterday.
MP Foulkes delivers damning minority report
MINORITY government members of the Public Accounts Committee yesterday decimated the opposition’s argument that the Minnis administration has handicapped its ability to carry out its constitutional objective.
Police hunt two men involved in separate armed robberies
POLICE on the Island of New Providence are seeking assistance in identifying and locating two men responsible for two armed robberies which occurred on Tuesday, April 30.
20-year-old shot dead by police as he chased another man
A 20-year-old man was shot and killed by police in 2015 reportedly while they were in pursuit of a man he had threaten to kill, a Coroner’s Court jury heard yesterday.
Police renew bid to reduce traffic fatalities
THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force is hoping to decrease the amount of traffic fatalities and traffic accident on the streets of New Providence, Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs said yesterday.
PLP criticises govt stance on Venezuela
AMID the ongoing political and civil crisis in Venezuela, the Bahamas government has reiterated its concern for the “deteriorating situation” in the South American country as well as its calls for the protection of the Venezuelan people.
EDITORIAL: A legacy to live up to
TOO often in this column, we lift our pen to criticise – with justification – many of those who fill our political landscape today.
Beware a different dumping of sewage
Recently, the government and many in our nation have expressed outrage upon learning that Carnival Corporation cruise ships dumped almost 500,000 gallons of sewage in Bahamian waters in 2017, and rightly so.
Copying America not the way to go
Just why can’t this Hubert A Minnis government ever get a public relations occasion right?
Rolle signs with Orioles
James Rolle became the latest Bahamian to reach an agreement with a Major League Baseball franchise when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night.
Sammy Hunter takes home MVP award
SAMMY Hunter continues to have an impact on the Canadian prep basketball circuit as he brings his high school career to a close.
Pro boxer Amron Sands aims to extend undefeated streak
IN approximately two weeks, Amron Sands will re-enter the ring, looking to extend his undefeated streak in the professional ranks.
Bahamas Bowl players are selected in the NFL Draft
TWO student athletes who participated in last year’s Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl joined three other alumni from previous years as they were selected during the 2019 NFL Draft, held April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Charity Golf Tourney set for May 6
THE Rotary Club of East Nassau is set for the signature events on its calendar and a major fund raiser focused on community outreach.
Davis Cup trial for the last two spots all set for this weekend
WHILE the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association is sticking to its decision to award the two spots on the Davis Cup to the winner and runner-up of the Giorgio Baldacci Open Invitational in December, a trial will take place for the final two spots this weekend.
THE PRESS BOX: It’s time to look at my Lakers and ‘their consistent dysfunction’
NOW that the NFL Draft is over, and August is still a ways off, it’s time to look at my Lakers, and their consistent dysfunction.
Bahamas First: No ‘abrupt change’ as profits drop 41%
Bahamas First’s top executive yesterday said there was “no reason to change” investment strategy after profits fell 41 percent in 2018 due to a negative $6.7m swing in portfolio values.
Govt missing ‘forest for trees’ on fiscal policy
The government is in danger of “missing the forest for the trees” through its obsession with fiscal numbers and targets, a former finance minister warned yesterday.
Communications sector below $400m revenues - a first in five years
Communications sector revenues dipped below $400m for the first time in five years during 2018, with both fixed-line voice and pay TV subscribers falling year-over-year.
Ex-minister takes deputy chair role with developer
A former Cabinet minister has been named deputy chairman of Eleuthera Properties Ltd, the developer behind the Jack’s Bay Club project.
Enforcement critical to new watersports laws
AN Exuma watersports operator yesterday urged the government to ensure tighter regulations on the sector are properly enforced with business “rebounding” after last year’s fatal tragedy.
Crawfish season close ‘one of best in 20 years’
BAHAMIAN fishermen yesterday described the recent crawfish season as “one of the best in a long time”, attributing this to the Defence Force stepping up its fight against poachers.
Bahamas mixes well with ‘islands’ taste’
Bahamian food and drink proved extremely popular at the recent Taste of The Islands Experience in downtown Fort Lauderdale, with long lines attracted to this nation’s booth.
Wednesday, May 1
Lion fish infesting The Bahamas linked to Taiwan
RESEARCHERS have found genetic links between invasive lion fish terrorising Bahamian waters and the species native to waters around Taiwan.
THE ALICIA WALLACE COLUMN: Welcome words but we need action too
Bishop Simeon Hall recently called on the church to take a stance against sexual violence, specifically including acts within families and marriage. He made a distinction between the desire for sex and the attempt to gain power which leads to sexual violence. Hall also correctly made the connection between the dehumanisation of women and failure to see us as valuable people, noting society must value women in order for sexual violence rates to go down.
Rights Bahamas to focus on conditions at detention centre
CONDITIONS at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre and the impact of government policy on migrants and their descendants will be the focal point of activists’ petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) next week.
Unions told they have the right to strike - but say they don’t want to use it
LABOUR Minister Dion Foulkes confirmed yesterday that he has signed the strike certificate for the Water and Sewerage Management Union — and therefore both Water and Sewerage Corporation unions are now in possession of strike certificates.
PM leads prayers for murdered marine as colleagues grieve
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has extended condolences to the family of murdered Royal Bahamas Defence Force Petty Officer Philip Perpall, calling the incident a terrible tragedy.
Insurers ‘very close’ to VAT dispute settlement
Bahamian insurers were yesterday said to be “very close” to resolving their value-added tax (VAT) dispute with the government that has been “hanging over” the sector for the past year.
Cooper in clash on revenue stats
EXUMA & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper bashed the government’s fiscal policies yesterday, saying its latest fiscal report proves the failure of the Minnis administration’s strategies.
‘Fears for my men as shots rang out’
TESTIMONY in the Coroner’s Court inquest into the police shooting death of 20-year-old Deangelo Bodie Wallace continued yesterday, with a jury being told responding officers were greeted at the scene by a “bareback man” running for his life.
Sands defends care for Bimini victim
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday defended the efforts made to save Alain Perez’s life after he was shot in Bimini over the weekend amid allegations by a friend of the victim that “inaction” by Bahamian officials and an “under-equipped” clinic contributed to his death.
Lucayan managers agree settlement
GRAND Lucayan managers have agreed to voluntarily separate from the resort with a total payout of $4.4m, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar announced yesterday, signalling the end of an at times contentious battle between stakeholders.
300 BAMSI payment records go missing: Lost paperwork hindering audit
THE completion of the audit into the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute has been prolonged as the auditors hunt for information concerning hundreds of disbursements, BAMSI chairman Tennyson Wells said yesterday.
2nd annual National Triathlon Championships on Sunday
THE Bahamas Triathlon Association’s second annual National Triathlon Championships is all set for Sunday morning at Jaws Beach.
GSSSA softball, baseball season gets underway
After a delay on Monday’s opening day because of the inclement weather, the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s softball and baseball season got underway yesterday with some lopsided decisions.
BICA chief: Govt faces 20% revenue shortfall
The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) president yesterday warned the government could miss its full-year revenue target by “as much as 20 percent” based on current data.
Agreed, our customs duties are too high
The pugnacious Pierre Dupuch strayed off the metaphorical reservation. Again.
Boxing: Silver Glove Saturday
CHAMPION Boxing Club, headed by Ray Minus Jr, is scheduled to hold its Sunny Boy Rahming Silver Glove Championship.
Pan-African award for Mother Pratt
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt will receive an international humanitarian award from the New Pan-African Movement (NPAN) for her commitment to community building throughout the years.
EDITORIAL: Time to stop the rot at BAMSI
THE long wait for answers over what has been going on at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI) goes on.
Keep up the good work
I thought that your readers might be interested in this article by a young Turks Islander after a visit to The Bahamas.
Frank Rutherford finances GHS basketball team’s trip to Houston
FRANK Rutherford continues his commitment to the youth of the Bahamas through his Rutherford Foundation, and brand Megamalt.
Jr High School Soccer Nationals on May 7
THE Bahamas Football Association and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology have announced that the games are all set for Match Day 1 of the Samuel P Haven Jr High School Soccer Nationals.
Lyford Cay International School students inspiring excellence
LYFORD Cay International School’s (LCIS) mission is Inspiring Excellence and every day its students embody that.
Lucayan managers ‘unanimously’ agree $4.4m payout deal
Grand Lucayan managers were yesterday said to have “unanimously” accepted the government’s improved $4.4m payout deal, with a trade union leader expressing delight at the outcome.
Govt cut national debt by $26.4m during fiscal Q3
The government lowered its direct contribution to the national debt by $26.4m during the 2018-2019 fiscal year’s third quarter, its just-released “fiscal snapshot” reveals.
Bahamas Waste chief hails ‘best year in 30-year history’
Bahamas Waste’s chairman has hailed the company’s “best year in its 30-year history” after 2018 profits soared 18 percent year-over-year to $1.348m.
Water Corp chair denies minister’s consult reveal
The Water & Sewerage Corporation’s executive chairman yesterday denied a Cabinet minister’s suggestion he had been consulted on the strike certificates issued for both its trade unions.
DPM and Opposition renew fiscal quarrel
The deputy prime minister and his Opposition counterpart yesterday renewed their verbal battle over whether the Government will hit its 2018-2019 fiscal objectives.
