Sunday, March 31
DAY TWO: Bahamas builds lead in hunt for six straight
AT the midpoint of the 2024 CARIFTA Swim Championships, The Bahamas' 26-member team continues to build on its lead in the quest for a sixth straight title.

Renward Wells airlifted to Florida
Former Cabinet Minister Renward Wells has been airlifted to Florida after being taken ill last week.
UPDATED: Parent dies at CARIFTA swim event
A PARENT from Grenada died during the CARIFTA aquatics championships on Saturday.

CARIFTA: Team Bahamas picks up four medals in the morning field events
St George’s, Grenada: Team Bahamas continues to strive for excellence at the 51st CARIFTA Games adding four more medals to their count in the morning session of day two at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
Saturday, March 30
CARIFTA: Bahamas surges to lead in swimming standings UPDATED
WILLIAM Fountain secured the first medal for Team Bahamas, but Isabella Cuccurullo electrified the jam-packed Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex as she claimed the first gold at the XXXVII CARIFTA Swim Championships.

CARIFTA: Team Bahamas racks up five medals in evening session
St George’s, Grenada: It was an eventful evening session at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium where Team Bahamas racked up five medals to close out day one of the 51st CARIFTA Games.

CARIFTA: Team Bahamas claims two medals in morning session in Grenada
ST GEORGE'S, GRENADA: The 51st CARIFTA Games got underway at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium this morning in Grenada and less than two hours into the junior regional meet Team Bahamas won a silver and bronze medal in the field events.
Friday, March 29

Brother of murdered former MP to killers: Turn yourselves in
THE brother of murdered former FNM MP Don Saunders has called on his killers to turn themselves in "if they have a heart".

King Charles hopes to visit Bahamas next year
King Charles III has told Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis that he hopes to visit The Bahamas next year.
Thursday, March 28

POLICE: Drive responsibly over the holiday weekend
POLICE warned the public to drive safely and responsibly ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.
FNM Chairman expresses shock over Saunders' killing
FREE National Movement Chairman Duane Sands sent heartfelt condolences to the family of Don Saunders, who was shot and killed in an armed robbery in Gambier Village on Wednesday night.

All aboard: JoBeth rides the bus
MINISTER of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis has been getting firsthand experience of the public bus system as her ministry continues its review of the sector ahead of a bus fare hike.

Minister signals review of BPL tariffs
MINISTER of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis said she “believes” the government is looking at a full-tariff review after it was reported earlier this week that the power company bills Bahamians at double the global average.

Bimini Police investigate Porgy Bay homicide
Bimini Police are investigating a homicide that occurred early Thursday morning in North Bimini.

Former FTX chief Sam Bankman-Fried jailed for 25 years
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced on Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
‘Make the switch’: 2.6% growth below forecasts
THE Bahamas must “make the switch” to focus on medium to long-term economic goals after it was revealed yesterday that 2023’s 2.6 percent real GDP growth came in below expectations.

Former FNM MP Saunders shot dead
DON Saunders was looking forward to a week-end of catching up with his foster brothers and father — a ritual for him before marking Easter at St Christopher’s Anglican Church — when he was shot and killed in a yard on Margaret Road in Gambier Village last night.
Mistaken suspect tells of panic as he tried to drink sewer water in cell
A MAN who was arrested - but then released - after an armed robbery of Quality Supermarkets on Tuesday claimed officers humiliated him, and he felt forced to drink sewer water to stay hydrated after suffering a panic attack while in custody.

Treasure Cay gets ‘break we’ve waited 35 years for’
TREASURE Cay stands poised for “the break we’ve been waiting for for 35 years” after a Florida-based developer last night confirmed he has a “binding” deal to acquire the Abaco development.

Child killer says prison conditions too harsh
CONVICTED child killer Kohfe Goodman filed a constitutional motion in the Supreme Court about the deplorable conditions he faces in prison while serving a 55-year sentence.

Court rejects attempt to block AG’s Office representing Munroe in Murphy case
A SUPREME Court judge rejected an attempt to prevent the Office of the Attorney General from representing National Security Minister Wayne Munroe in a lawsuit concerning the removal of former prison commissioner Charles Murphy.
Wednesday, March 27

Friends killed in car tragedy
TWO men in Andros over the weekend were friends and co-workers driving to meet one another at a festival when their cars collided, killing them both.

Colombian accuses Miller of threatening him with a gun
A COLOMBIAN man alleged that former Police Staff Association chairman Sonny Miller, 46, threatened him with a gun after the US Coast Guard caught them with 181lb of cocaine in Acklins in 2022.
Bahamian man charged in US on three human smuggling incidents
A 33-YEAR-OLD Bahamian man was arrested and charged in the United States yesterday in connection with three maritime human smuggling incidents — including one that resulted in five deaths.
Teen charged with murder of Eleuthera man last week
A 15-YEAR-OLD youth was remanded in custody yesterday after being accused of stabbing a relative to death in Eleuthera last week.

Western Air denies emergency landing
WESTERN Air CEO and president Sherrexia “Rexy” Rolle denied that one of the airline’s flight from Abaco experienced an emergency landing in Grand Bahama yesterday.

AJ Storr declares for the NBA Draft
Less than a week removed from an early National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) D1 basketball tournament exit, Wisconsin Badgers guard AJ Storr now has his sights set on the 2024 NBA Draft.

Bahamians conflict on broker’s US client pull
Bahamian executives have given conflicting evidence over whether a local broker/ dealer used marketing deals with day trading schools to circumvent US laws against soliciting American clients.
Tuesday, March 26

PI resort proposal expands units 46%
The former Paradise Harbour Club’s proposed redevelopment is being expanded to a seven-storey hotel featuring a 46 percent increase in units compared to earlier plans.
Nassau/PI beating forecasts after ‘hair raising’ crime woe
NASSAU/Paradise Island resorts were yesterday said to “all” be beating expectations heading into the peak Easter weekend as the sector rebounds from the “hair-raising” crime alert fall-outs.
‘Big question mark’ on Boating Act insurance
CONCERNS were yesterday raised over whether there is sufficient local insurance capacity to meet the new Boat Registration Act requirements as one carrier deemed the sector “too risky” to cover.
Regulator pledges probe into BPL’s fuel charges
REGULATORS yesterday again pledged to investigate Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) fuel charge and how this is calculated to ensure consumers are protected after last year’s up to 163 percent hikes.

Justifiable homicide ruling in Kwondrick Lowe case
A CORONER’S Court jury returned a unanimous finding of justifiable homicide yesterday concerning the police-involved killing of 18-year-old Kwondrick Lowe near Kemp Road in 2023.

Legal win for Sandals on ex-butler sex claims
SANDALS Royal Bahamian and its parent have won two legal victories in just over a month against a US couple who generated massive global publicity in making claims of indecent assault against an ex-butler.

Ex-teacher accused of indecent assault
A FORMER teacher was granted $8,000 bail after he was accused of assaulting a 15-year-old girl last week.
Rape charges decision still to come in cruise passengers incident
THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is meeting with police investigators to decide whether to bring charges against men accused of rape by two American women in a case that got international attention last month.

FNM: WHERE IS SALE OF GRAND LUCAYAN? Pintard blasts Cooper over lack of progress on hotel and airport
MICHAEL Pintard blasted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper for not yet overseeing the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort and for not getting an airport in Grand Bahama.

Horse trainer Larry Demeritte makes history
From Governor’s Harbour in the Bahamas to Louisville, Kentucky, USA, here comes trainer Larry Demeritte.

NCAA tourney: ‘Coach Yo’ and Ole Miss Rebels eliminated
IT wasn’t the type of performance that Bahamian head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin expected from her Ole Miss Lady Rebels as they fell short of advancing to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.v
Sprinter Brianne Bethel excited to be back on track
SHE was one of the promising young sprinters to help the Bahamas regain its prominence in the women’s 4 x 100 metre relay.

Sandilands and Centreville Primary girls and boys volleyball champions
SANDILANDS Primary and Centreville Primary emerged as the girls and boys champions of the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association’s 2024 volleyball championships.

American woman dead in Exuma boat accident
A 55-year-old American woman from Colorado died in a boating incident in Exuma on Sunday.

Student Spotlight: Eureia Rolle
THIS week’s student spotlight was submitted by FOCUS, an out-of-school-time, tuition-free youth enrichment programme created by Lyford Cay Foundations.

Students learn how to farm
STUDENTS at Preston Albury High School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, have been showcasing their crops.

Leadership empowerment at Carlton Francis Primary School
STUDENTS at Carlton Francis Primary School have had a leadership empowerment talk.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to host annual honours day
THE Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Eta Psi Omega Chapter, will host its annual honours day programme from April 2-7.
Monday, March 25

WORLD VIEW: Thirsty future? Urgent action for Caribbean and Latin America
IN the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and water stress have emerged as critical issues that threaten the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people.

GAIN AN EDGE – Sophia Walker: BTVI helping to boost and enhance employment skills
IT has been over ten years since Sophia Walker began serving on Programme Advisory Committees (PAC) of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).
INSIGHT: How long until we feel govt’s spending?
THE pockets of the people have been hit with quite a toll in recent weeks. It would be nice if we could see government reining in spending to ease the pain.
Nassau Cruise Port joins with the dignified girl project to donate feminine products to four groups
IN celebration of International Women’s Month, the Nassau Cruise Port partnered with the Dignified Girl project to donate 300 bags filled with essential feminine products to four organisations on Friday.
Diamond depository deal would help ensure Botswana not ‘held hostage’ by global north
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis elaborated on his hopes of turning Grand Bahama into a depository for diamonds from Botswana during the closing press conference of his trip.

Bahamian aviation chief in $2m FTX settlement
A Bahamian aviation entrepreneur and his firm have secured a $2m settlement with the US Justice Department and FTX's US chief to resolve the fate of the crypto exchange's two aircraft.

50% 'grease the wheels' bribe findings accurate
The Bahamian Contractors Association's (BCA) president says findings that almost half of firms seeking construction permits are asked, or expect, to pay a bribe are "accurate" amid a "grease the wheels" culture.
IDB: Bahamas Internet costs, speed miss mark
Broadband Internet costs and speeds represent potential barriers to The Bahamas embracing the digital economy and improved competitiveness, a multilateral lender has warned.

Albany chief in 'devastating and self-inflicted humiliation'
Albany's principal investor has admitted that pleading guilty to securities fraud is "a devastating and self-inflicted humiliation I will have to live with for the rest of my days".

Bahamas makes climate submission to International Court of Justice
THE Bahamas has made a submission to the International Court of Justice, seeking to hold countries accountable for climate change.

Shock as tornado hits woman’s home
A TORNADO ripped through Deidre Miller’s South Ocean Boulevard home on Saturday, leaving behind a damaged roof, shattered glass and torn-down doors.

BOY ACCUSED OF KILLING RELATIVE: Mom at school play when told of deadly Eleuthera stabbing
THE mother of one of the country’s latest murder victims was at a school play on Friday when she learned Topaz Baillou, 25, had been stabbed to death - allegedly by a minor who is related to the victim.
Bethel and Charlton are leading the way
Grand Bahamian sprinter Brianne Bethel is back, just in time for a shot at her second appearance at the Olympic Games.
Bahamians advance in NCAA March Madness
BAHAMIAN collegiate basketball players and coaches experienced success in the men and women’s brackets of the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness basketball tournament over the weekend.
Best of the Best Basketball Classic: Who will be the last team standing?
THE CR Walker Knights swept aside the St John’s Giants in the all- New Providence senior girls’ best-of-three final of the Best of the Best Basketball Classic on Saturday night.
Tennis ace Sydney Clarke closes out Senior Day
AS she was honoured with three of her team-mates on Senior Day, Sydney Clarke felt it was only fitting to show her gratitude by securing a victory for the University of Arlington at Birmingham women’s tennis team.
AG blasts ‘utter foolishness’ of France’s Bahamas blacklisting
The Attorney General has slammed France’s decision to keep The Bahamas on its national tax blacklist as “complete and utter foolishness”.
Bahamasair industrial deal raises pilot retirement age
Bahamasair and its pilots have agreed to raise the latter’s retirement age to 65 to alleviate any fears of labour shortages as part of Friday’s $500,000 industrial agreement.

Court of Appeal denies govt appeal in matter of former officer in wrongful arrest case
THE Court of Appeal refused to grant the government leave to appeal to the Privy Council after the courts found that a former police officer was entitled to damages because he was wrongfully arrested and detained by his colleagues in 2016.
DPM’s alarm: ‘Shockingly low’ GB Carnival port participation
The deputy prime minster has warned Grand Bahama businesses not to be “passive observers” of the island’s economic revival after their initial participation in Carnival’s $600m port project was “shockingly low”.
What is real reason for Africa trips?
The press release concerning the joint press conference of Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on March 18, probably emailed to the local press by either a Bahamas Information Services (BIS) or Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) representative, was a tactical strategy.

Juniors advance to next round of Fidelity Spring Classic Tourney
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) 2024 Fidelity Spring Classic Tournament is off to a rousing start for juniors at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).
Saturday, March 23

Two die in Andros traffic accident
Police are investigating a fatal crash on Andros that claimed the lives of two men early on Saturday.
Friday, March 22

Two crew members die after incident on vessel moored at Half Moon Cay
Police on Eleuthera are investigating after an incident that left two crew members of a cruise line dead on Friday.
Bahamasair and BALPA sign industrial agreement
BAHAMASAIR and the Bahamasair Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) on Friday signed a five-year industrial agreement valued at $500k, that increases the retirement age to 65 along with salary increases, navigation production pay, and other benefits.

Man fined for body armour without a permit
A MAN was fined in court after he admitted to having body armour without a permit.

Four year sentence for having assault rifle
A MAN was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday after he admitted to having a banned assault rifle near his home on Wilson Tract last week.

Man accused of breaking into home
A MAN was denied bail on Friday after he was accused of breaking into a Golden Gates home earlier this month.
C I Gibson Senior High School hosts 'Labour on the Campus' career fair
STUDENTS of C I Gibson Senior High School had the opportunity to speak with professionals from several industries ranging from medical, hospitality, security, and law enforcement as the school, in collaboration with the Department of Labour, hosted its 'Labour on the Campus' career fair.

DIANE PHILLIPS: The road to Olympics relays runs through The Bahamas
IN the days and weeks leading up to May 4-5, hundreds of athletes will descend upon The Bahamas for the World Athletics Relays Bahamas. As of this week, athletes from 54 countries had registered. One estimate projected the final number of competitors would exceed 1600. And that does not include coaches, trainers, medical staff, therapists, event support staff, family, friends and camp followers.

ERIC WIBERG – Palowna & Orestes, 1826 Spanish slavers wrecked in The Bahamas
MANY slave ships met their end in the Bahamas, but not many know of an awkward period between when Britain outlawed the trade in slaves in 1807, and slavery itself, in 1834.

Darville: Did Equinor pay penalties for oil spill?
AN environmentalist is asking whether Equinor has paid financial penalties associated with the environmental damage caused by an oil spill in 2019 and inadequate efforts to remedy the spill.
Fernander ‘very disappointed’ with union chief’s description of recent police search
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he is “very disappointed” with Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) president Kyle Wilson’s description of a recent police search of his properties.
Security summit aims to tackle regional issues
US Charge d’Affaires Usha Pitts said she hopes cooperation through the Northern Caribbean Security Summit can lead to more multi-national narcotic initiatives such as Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), which has significantly hindered the transit of drugs in Bahamian waters.

Kate, Princess of Wales, says she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy
LONDON (AP) — Kate, the Princess of Wales, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she said Friday in a stunning announcement that follows weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.
Freeport poised to be ‘fastest growing Caribbean economy’
FREEPORT needs Nassau-based investors to help build “critical mass” in a city “poised to be the fastest-growing economy in the Caribbean”, a Port Authority executive asserted yesterday.
Top KC sounds ‘dark side of Bahamianisation’ alarm
A PROMINENT KC yesterday sounded the alarm over the “dark side of Bahamianisation” for breeding mediocrity based on “a sense of entitlement”.
‘Specialist skills dearth’ hurts financial services
A “DEARTH of specialist skills” in the legal and other professions is undermining the Bahamian financial services industry’s competitiveness, a prominent KC warned yesterday.
NAECOB: Only 35 percent of public schools are registered
ONLY 35 per cent of public schools are registered with the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB), with officials hoping to register all public institutions by June, according to the Ministry of Education acting Director Dominique McCartney-Russell.

BPL rates ‘among the highest’ consumers pay in the region
Bahamians are paying “among the highest” electricity prices in the Caribbean even though the base rate is set “below cost” with tariff charges said to be double the global average.

Govt considers giving bench or jury trial choice
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said government might consider changing the status quo of the judicial system so people could choose between bench and jury trials.
Commissioner gives support to new ankle monitor company
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said when Migrafill Electronic Security takes over monitoring people on bail in “another week or so”, it will electronically monitor more than 600 people.

50% fear or pay bribes for building and import permits
Fifty percent of Bahamian companies seeking construction and import-related permits say they have either been asked, or expect, to pay a bribe to obtain the required approvals, it has been revealed.
Why is there a need for a Constitutional referendum?
If law is simply changed up to the accused decision why is there a need of a Constitutional referendum?
Travel for the PM is crucial
With the traditional Easter Season upon us, as a professed Christian nation, I will be as neutral as possible. Many have asked why it is the Prime Minister and assorted delegations have been travelling the globe to meet with other Heads of State and governmental leaders. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that public funds are being wasted on such trips. I beg to differ.
We should be better than this
Many years ago when I was a student, I remember being very annoyed by a novel by Evelyn Waugh called “Black Mischief”. I was annoyed because I was of the opinion that the author used a fictional country to illustrate how he thought blacks misgoverned their countries.
New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association volleyball playoffs begin today
THE stage is now set for the playoffs in the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association’s 2024 Volleyball Tournament.
Junior baseball team ‘didn’t play well enough’
FOR a team that wasn’t supposed to be in the Dominican Republic, Bahamas Baseball Association president Theodore Sweeting said they couldn’t be happier with the way Team Bahamas performed at the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Under-15 Baseball Pan American Tournament.

Man accused of unlawful entry into woman’s home granted $5,000 bail
A MAN was granted $5,000 bail yesterday after he was accused of invading a woman’s home at night last week.

Cooper defends Prime Minister’s travels, dismisses car controversy
DEFENDING Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis' travels yesterday, acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper said former Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield did not travel enough.

Court of Appeal dismisses application to prevent key witness testifying
THE Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed an application from Adrian Gibson and his co-defendants seeking to prevent a key witness from testifying in their criminal trial.

‘Kwondrick died from gunshot wounds to his head and body’
A PATHOLOGIST testified that 18-year-old Kwondrick Lowe died from gunshot injuries to his head and torso last year as the inquest into the police-involved killing continued yesterday.

Man gets three years jail for having unlicenced firearm and ammunition
A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to owning a loaded gun found in an abandoned car in Miller’s End last weekend.

Three men on bail after being charged with stealing $8,000 in construction equipment
THREE men were granted bail yesterday after they were accused of stealing over $8,000 worth of construction equipment in January.
Bahamian artists wanted for Downtown mural project
THE Downtown Nassau Mural Project wants Bahamian artists to submit art proposals to help transform the aesthetics of Nassau.

Strategies for resolving customer service failure
Dealing with customer service failure is an inevitable part of running a business. It is how you handle these situations that can make all the difference in maintaining customer satisfaction.
Thursday, March 21

STATESIDE – Southcom commander on Haiti intervention: ‘Not right now’
LAURA Richardson is only the second woman to hold 4-star rank in the US Army. And she is the first female commander of the US Southern Command.

FRONT PORCH – Collective responsibility: The Bahamas Prime Minister is not Chief Executive
WITHOUT appropriate language we cannot conceive, understand and communicate ideas and values. It is important that we get our language right. We often get our language and our thinking muddled and just plain wrong in constitutional matters.
EDITORIAL: BMW purchase bad optics as many struggle
A photograph of a receipt caused a stir on social media at the weekend – a receipt for a car for the Prime Minister.
‘Well being of The Bahamas does not permit us to accede to Amnesty International’s request’
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe rebuffed Amnesty International’s call for countries to suspend repatriations to Haiti and revealed that two Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels departed for Haiti with 263 Haitian nationals on Tuesday.
Auto dealer eyes 15% cut back on ‘taper off’
A BAHAMIAN auto dealer yesterday said he plans to “cut back” on summer orders by 15 percent amid fears consumer demand will “taper off” despite a strong start to 2024.
‘Crack down on real’ maritime tax evaders
THE Government was yesterday urged to “crack down on the real tax evaders” in the maritime industry as opposed to continually hiking fees on the same compliant businesses that always pay.

‘Ship has sailed’ over Bahamas 15% revisit
THE Bahamian financial services industry’s call to “revisit” the 15 percent minimum global corporate tax is too late because “that ship that has sailed”, a prominent local banker warned yesterday.

Central Bank in multiple exchange control eases
THE Central Bank last night unveiled multiple reforms to further relax The Bahamas’ exchange control regime that it believes will not create any “material” risks for the US dollar peg and wider economy.
Kwasi: Self-inflicted inflation from rushed boaters fees
THE “rushed” boaters fee increase has caused “homegrown self-inflicted inflation” created by the Davis administration, according to Opposition finance spokesman Kwasi Thompson yesterday.
Tighter inspection and tougher penalties under new boat rules
STRENGTHENING the safety and oversight of the boating industry was given as the reason for changes to the Boat Registration Bill 2024 and the Water Skiing and Motorboat Control Bill in Parliament yesterday.
Taxi fare increase gazetted - and ministry to meet drivers
THE fare increase for taxi drivers has been gazetted, Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis said yesterday.
BDSA president calls for a special building for people with Down Syndrome
THE Bahamas Down Syndrome Association (BDSA) president is advocating for a specially designated building for people with Down syndrome so they can have someplace to go and not be stuck at home.

More than 200 eviction notices issued in Eleuthera shanty towns
THE Ministry of Works has issued over 200 eviction notices in Eleuthera shanty towns and hopes to post more this week.
Act amendment mandates boat insurance
AMENDMENTS to the Boat Registration Act that passed the House of Assembly yesterday mandates that boat owners have a comprehensive insurance policy and outlines inspection requirements and registration fees.

Officer shed tears over video shown at inquest
A POLICE officer choked up and cried in court as she recalled when a fellow officer killed 18-year-old Kwondrick Lowe near Kemp Road last year as the Coroner’s Court inquest into the killing continued yesterday.
Irate Opposition rows over shortened House session
A LIVELY ending to yesterday morning’s House of Assembly sitting saw Free National Movement (FNM) members stand up and yell that democracy was being flouted.
Taxi fare rise gazetted, as bus drivers still wait
ENERGY and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby Davis said the long-promised ten per cent taxi fare increase for New Providence drivers has been gazetted, giving nearly 2,000 cab motorists the first increase in over six years.

Govt defends $192k new BMW for PM
THE Office of the Prime Minister defended government’s purchase of a $192,000 BMW for the prime minister after people debated the appropriateness of buying the luxury car when many struggle with the cost of living.

BTC sponsors World Relays
With the return of World Athletics’ prestigious World Relays to The Bahamas, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) resumed its rightful position as the major sponsor.
Best of the Best: Rattlers, Cougars off to Grand Bahama
THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association champions CI Gibson Rattlers and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools champions Charles W Saunders Cougars will headline the teams leaving town for Grand Bahama this weekend.

Boys take the court in NPPPSSA volleyball
WHILE the girls are now waiting for the play-off rounds on Friday, the boys began their preliminary rounds in the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association’s 2024 Volleyball Tournament.
BAISS: Inter-school soccer heats up
THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools continued its inter-school soccer competition at the Bahamas Football Association’s Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a few games on tap this week.

$5k bail for man accused of molesting an 8-year-old girl
A MAN is accused of molesting an eight-year-old girl last month.
Financial group chair to gain trailblazer award
A BAHAMIAN financial institution’s chairman is set to receive the Trailblazer Award at today’s Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Bahamas conference.

Two men in hospital, one in serious condition after being shot on Tuesday
TWO men are in hospital after a shooting in New Providence on Tuesday.

Two months jail for having drugs and lying to police
A MAN was sentenced to two months in prison yesterday after admitting to lying to an officer and having drugs last Monday.

Man who stole lawnmower ordered to drug counselling
A MAN was ordered to demonstrate good behaviour for a year after he admitted to stealing $715 worth of property last month.
Union chief a victim of intimidation
Never in the history of The Bahamas has a Prime Minister had a president of Government Union had his house searched for guns and drugs as a means and way to intimidating him, because the president of the BPL Union do not believe and trust the Prime Minister Philip Davis concerning the deal with foreigners at BPL that can cause hundreds of BPL government workers to be laid off.
Is two-state solution truly viable?
The United Nations, America, UK and various other nations and organisations are again purporting the ever scarce idea of the Two State Solution to Israel and the Palestinians’ problems, basically that one controls the landmass once owned historically by the other.

KEITH ROYE II: Blockchain emerges as security game changer
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one innovation has been making waves across industries, promising to transform the way we conduct business and secure our digital transactions. Blockchain, the groundbreaking technology behind crypto currencies such as Bitcoin, has emerged as a game changer with the potential to revolutionise business transactions and enhance cyber security.
Wednesday, March 20

Tourist dies in boating accident
A TOURIST has died after a boating accident on Wednesday afternoon near Eleuthera.

ALICIA WALLACE: Focusing on the needs of women in poverty
THE 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is now in its second week in New York City.
EDITORIAL: Sustainable peace needed in Gaza conflict
A MESSAGE was sent to The Tribune’s managing editor recently, asking just one question – what is The Tribune’s position on Gaza?

Six Senses expecting final approvals by April with construction beginning as early as late summer
SIX Senses Grand Bahama could obtain its final approval from the Department of Environmental Protection and Planning (DEPP) by the end of April, according to the company. Matt Rienzo, chief of marketing and staff at Weller Development Partners, said renderings of the residences in the $10m to $20m price range were released last week.
Police chief Fernander announces RBPF technology expo event for April
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force will host a technology exhibition in April highlighting gadgets and resources used in its fight against crime.

Review delay over ‘Demon Slayer’ ban erased benefits, theatre claims
THE government's lengthy review of the Film Control Board's decision to ban an anime film has erased whatever benefits Fusion could have attained from overturning the decision, according to the theatre's chief lawyer.

Bahamas wants 2,000 more hotel rooms for ‘good footing’
THE Bahamas’ prospects for continued tourism growth depend on bringing 2,000 hotel rooms, or 15 percent of its total pre-COVID inventory, back on line swiftly with the industry at “maximum capacity”.

Opposition urges air fees ‘legal challenge’
THE Opposition’s leader last night argued that the fees imposed by the air freight terminal’s new private operator should be “challenged legally” as he questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue.

No ‘monopoly pricing’ through $25m air freight terminal deal
THE Government will not permit “monopoly pricing” by the private operator of Nassau’s air freight terminal, its top finance official asserted last night, as he pledged to make the deal a “win-win-win” for all.
URCA independence fear over director terminations
CABLE Bahamas is urging the Government to reform the law so as to preserve the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) independence and reduce its costs.
PM unveils vision for African financial links
THE Prime Minister yesterday unveiled his vision and road map for developing stronger financial ties with Africa via a plan that capitalises on The Bahamas’ long-standing strengths.
Second sky dive provider now seeks CAAB permits
THE company behind the Grand Bahama sky diving demonstration is different from a separate entity that has voiced repeated frustrations over its inability to obtain the necessary licences.
Pintard joins PM in call for reform of United Nations Security Council
ONE day after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called for the United Nations Security Council to be reformed, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the FNM believes more equity in decision-making at the United Nations is needed.

Supreme Court to review student assault accusation
A TEACHER'S alleged assault on a six-year-old child at Adelaide Primary School and the Ministry of Education's attempt to transfer the girl to a different school may be the subject of a Supreme Court examination after a judge granted the parent leave to apply for judicial review.

PM ‘explores’ GB diamond repository with Botswana
Grand Bahama’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said he was unsure what economic benefits will flow from the diamond repository proposal that the Prime Minister discussed with Botswana.

Defence lawyers oppose ending jury trials
DEFENCE lawyers oppose eliminating jury trials, saying the diverse backgrounds of jurors make the system preferable.

Retired police superintendent denies threat to search underwear of Gibson’s relative
A RETIRED police superintendent denied threatening to search the house and "go through" the underwear of Adrian Gibson's relative when the criminal trial of the Long Island MP and others continued in the Supreme Court yesterday.

UNION CHIEF IN POLICE SEARCH: Force denies swoop on BEWU president was intimidation
POLICE said they searched properties owned by Bahamas Electrical Workers Union president Kyle Wilson after receiving a stealing complaint –– not to intimidate Mr Wilson, who has publicly opposed the Davis administration's purported plan to reform Bahamas Power & Light by dividing up the company with the help of private partners.
PM is well suited for finance role
IT WAS written by the revered Chinese sage and philosopher, Confucius in 500 BC that “the ruler of a country of a thousand chariots must give diligent attention to business; he must be sincere; he must be economical; he must love his people; and he must provide employment for his people at the proper seasons”.

Two men charged with armed robbery of a man in his home
TWO men were remanded in custody after they were accused of stealing $500 from a man during an armed home invasion in Fox Hill earlier this month.

Boca Chica blues for the Bahamas
AFTER flying high on Monday with their first victory, The Bahamas got grounded with their third loss, this time against the host Dominican Republic yesterday on day four of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Under-15 Baseball Panam Tournament.
Newbold: God not done with me yet
DESPITE the injuries and some unrelated track issues that sidelined his glaring career, quarter-miler Stephen ‘Dirty’ Newbold admits that God is not finished with him yet.

Taureano: I’ll honour my late father’s wish - and hang up the gloves
ONE of the last words of advice professional boxer Taureano ‘Reno’ Johnson got from his father, Erwin Johnson, before he passed away yesterday was that “it’s time to hang up the gloves.”
Thoughts on law school’s legal lecture
WHAT cadre of legal minds assembled by the Eugene Dupuch’s Law School for its Distinguished Lecture Series yesterday with Justices in Dialogue, and for which it was very timely:

Video evidence in Kwondrick Lowe’s inquest shows he threw an object seconds before being shot by an officer
SURVEILLANCE footage showed that 18-year-old Kwondrick Lowe threw objects seconds before an officer killed him near Kemp Road in 2023.

Jamaican man accused of having large amount of hemp with intent to supply
A JAMAICAN man was sent to prison yesterday after he was accused of having $94,000 worth of marijuana in his home last Saturday.

Man accused of having a loaded firearm remanded
A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday accused of having a loaded firearm in New Providence earlier this month.
Genesis triumph at BSAA annual meet
THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association completed its annual track and field meet on Friday at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium with Genesis Academy emerging as this year’s champions.
Tuesday, March 19

FACE TO FACE: Vylma, an educator and a leader
VYLMA Thompson-Curling is an absolutely beautiful, quick-witted, and joyous woman with nine decades of wisdom to share. She has helped to shape her nation into a better place as an educator, administrator, and community leader.
Police host breakfast for female officers and staff
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force Grand Bahama and Northern Bahamas District hosted an International Women’s Day Breakfast on Monday for female officers and civilian staff.

Davis wants to see financial industry back to 30% of GDP
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he is fighting to see the financial services industry represent 30 percent of the country’s GDP as it was before scrutiny and regulatory pressure from other jurisdictions caused it to shrink.
Nassau Gas chief pledges to fully refund all investors
A Bahamian company that raised equity capital through the collapsed ArawakX platform has pledged to return all funds to investors once they are verified, its principal saying: "I want to get out of this mess."
Bahamas financial services: 'Revisit' 15% minimum tax
The Bahamian financial services industry is calling for the 15 percent minimum global corporate income tax to be "revisited" as it violates the sovereign right of nations to set their own tax systems and rates.
Over 100 Out Island firms aided by $30m BDB facility
The Bahamas Development Bank’s (BDBs) $30m loan facility is projected to benefit more than 100 Family Island businesses.

BTC union anger erupts on manager dismissals
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive yesterday said there will be times when the carrier and its two trade unions "vigorously disagree" amid demonstrations over staff terminations.

Murderers among those who will be eligible for parole
PEOPLE sentenced to prison for life, including murderers, will be eligible for parole under the newly released Conditional Release of Offenders Bill.

Property tax pace 20% up amid ‘over aggressive’ fear
Real property tax collections are pacing 20 percent ahead of the previous record year, the Government’s top finance official disclosed yesterday, as he predicted it will be “very close” to its full-year deficit target.

Man accused of three murders
A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday for allegedly killing three people in New Providence last year.

‘Dorian tore my home apart - now my new home has burned down’
A FIRE destroyed Melva McPhee’s Abaco home on her birthday, five years after Hurricane Dorian tore her previous house to shreds.

Soaring into Grand Bahama’s future
THE Bahamas appears set to have its first licensed skydiving operation after a Grand Bahama company conducted a successful demo dive under the watchful eyes of the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB) yesterday.

PM CALLS FOR UN REFORM OVER GAZA: Davis hits out at veto used to block calls for ceasefire
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be “revamped and reformed” after the United States used its veto power to kill multiple draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed.

The Bahamas stuns Panama in 6-5 win
AFTER losing their first two games, the Bahamas team stunned sixth ranked Panama in a dramatic come-from-behind victory on Monday at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Under-15 Championships in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.

Get set for the summer
THE International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Kids Fishing Camp programme will be held this summer.

Bringing joy to the people
AS HE prepares to come home for the World Athletics Relays, a flood of happy memories wash over 28-year-old Steven Gardiner.

The BTVI Story: A gateway to the future
AT THE centre of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) Grand Bahama campus life is the Student Government Association (SGA), the gateway to a world of championing causes, leadership enhancement and overall positive transformation.

Students battle it out at the Bee
Over twenty students battled for the top spot at the 27th Annual Bahamas National Spelling Bee competition last weekend.

Carifta games Kenny Moxey Jr opts for just the octathlon, leaves out pole vault
KENNY Moxey, Jr, is one of the few athletes who qualified for more than one event at the 51st CARIFTA Games that will be held in Georgetown, Grenada, over the Easter holiday weekend.

BTC no-show in PM death threat allegation case
THE lawyer for a 21-year-old man accused of threatening to kill Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis made a no-case submission yesterday after the prosecution closed its case.

Witness says salary was withheld and NIB stopped after he refused to report to Donaldson office
A FORMER senior employee of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) testified that his salary was withheld after he failed to follow instructions from Elwood Donaldson.
The facts about Haiti
Haiti - Status: Republic - Area: 27,750 sq km or (10,714 sq miles). Population: roughly 12,500,000 (est).
Gangs in Haiti
Members of gangs are loyal to their clan and organisation often seen as a family. They will do anything for their family, no matter how brutal, fiendish and horrifying it may be.

Jury selected for police shooting case
A FIVE-person jury was empanelled yesterday to examine the police-involved killing of 18-year-old Kwondrick Lowe on Kemp Road in 2023.

Man accused of molesting 14-year-old in New Providence
A 33-year-old man was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in New Providence last Friday.
Bahamas demands end to ‘blacklisting’
The Bahamas is demanding that ‘blacklisting’ countries in a bid to force them to reform their taxes and other laws be eliminated and replaced by a more co-operative approach overseen by the United Nations (UN).
New union aims to boost livery drivers’ standards
The newly-formed Bahamas Livery Drivers Union (BLDU) last night said it aims to raise standards across the industry.

Indoor Track Athlete of the Year honour for Denisha Cartwright
DENISHA Cartwright, in completing her final indoor season for Minnesota State University, was named the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Central Region women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Monday, March 18

INSIGHT: Walking the fine legal line between removing barriers and retaining protections
THE speed of justice in The Bahamas is anything but fast – this we know.
EDITORIAL: Be cautious not to take away rights
TWO different paths towards justice strike very different notes in today’s Tribune.

Straw Market vendors say credit card fees too high
STRAW Market vendors said trying to embrace credit card machines has had complicated results because of high bank fees and lack of free WiFi.

Bell: Rent-to-own will help thousands
HOUSING Minister Keith Bell said government's rent-to-own programme would help people who cannot get a mortgage because they have other debts or cannot pay the down payment needed to get a loan.
Reid hails benefits of Shock Treatment as nine graduate
NINE boys were highlighted yesterday for completing government's controversial Shock Treatment programme, which the Davis administration relaunched in 2021 to target youth with disciplinary issues.
Contractors ‘within 30 days’ of licensing legal challenge
BAHAMIAN contractors say they are “within 30 days” of launching Judicial Review proceedings over the Government’s failure to implement the Act and licensing regime designed to regulate the industry.
‘Bizarre’: France, Holland keep Bahamas blacklisted
FINANCIAL and legal executives yesterday slammed The Bahamas’ continued inclusion on national blacklists of European Union (EU) member states as “crazy” and “bizarre” given its recent delisting by that bloc.
‘Desperate need’ to update Securities law
REGULATORS have argued that the main law governing the Bahamian capital markets’ regulatory regime needs to be modernised to account for 13 years of change.

Man who claimed police abuse is ‘free to make a complaint’
A MAN calling for accountability after police allegedly beat him in custody is “free to make a complaint”, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday.

PI Crown Land battle splits Court of Appeal
The Bahamian entrepreneur seeking to restore Paradise Island’s lighthouse has split the Court of Appeal over his long-running Crown Land lease battle with the Government.

FTX prosecutors push for tougher sentence
US prosecutors are exploiting the $426m transfer of digital assets to the safekeeping of Bahamian regulators to press for a harsher prison sentence for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

Witness: Police threatened me over statements
WHEN the drug trial of former Police Staff Association chairman Sonny Miller continued on Friday, a witness claimed he was threatened not to discuss his statements to police in court.

AG plays down prospect of referendum on juries
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder downplayed the possibility of eliminating jury trials after prominent former and current judges emphasised the benefits of such a move.

NATION ON GUARD OVER HAITI SURGE: PM says RBDF is deploying to intercept migrants
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is deploying significant assets, including surface vessels, aircraft and 120 RBDF personnel, to combat illegal immigration amid Haiti’s deepening crisis and a surge in attempts by undocumented migrants to enter Bahamian waters.
Motivational Mondays
RICARDO Clarke, best known as a radio personality, gospel singer and motivational speaker - joined forces with Bahamasair in an initiative aimed at boosting staff morale and performance.

New ideas are needed
ActivTrades
The New York Stock Exchange’s recorded losses at an overall high level last Friday. Data from the US industry sectors was poorly received by investors.
Parents and children
I DO not claim to be a modern day sage, a living oracle, or an expert on anything, but if you are having problems with your child or children, then the problem is with you and not the child, because as a parent you have failed that child.

Gardiner wins season opener
IT was another good season opener for Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner.
Wins for the Elite Ballers, Sand Dollar Lady Flyers
THE New Providence Women’s Basketball Association hosted a pair of games on Saturday at the DW Davis Gymnasium with the Elite Ballers and the Sand Dollar Lady Flyers prevailing.

CI GIbson honours Rattlers coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson
AFTER serving as coach for the Rattlers senior boys’ team for more than 30 years, Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson received special recognition at CI Gibson Secondary High for his tremendous commitment and dedication in producing one of the most acclaimed and decorated sporting programmes in the country.

New pool is completed at the Betty Kelly Kenning swim Complex
IT cost about five million dollars, but six months after the work commenced in November, Bahamas Aquatics now have a brand-new pool at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex to host the 2024 CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

BAAA names 76-member team to compete at CARIFTA Games
AFTER watching more than 50 qualifying performances turned in during the final trials over the weekend, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has selected a 76-member team to compete at the 51st CARIFTA Games.
Call for immediate ceasefire
JOINING the voices of non-governmental organisations, feminist movements, and activists all over the world, Equality Bahamas calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestine by Israel.
PM leads delegation from Bahamas to visit Botswana
FIVE members of the executive branch of government are joining Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis as part of a delegation visiting Botswana from today until Friday.

Police seeking help in search for missing man
Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating Austin Frederick Adderley, a 46-year-old man from Gregory Town, North Eleuthera, who reportedly went missing in the vicinity of the Glass Window Bridge.
Saturday, March 16

Wyclef Jean returns to Jerk Jam
Following his successful performance at last year's Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, it was a no-brainer for organisers to invite superstar Wyclef Jean back for an encore appearance at the “Jerk Jam” event.
Friday, March 15

Clubs & Societies March 15th, 2024.
The Horticultural Society of The Bahamas (HSB) will hold its biennial plant show on Saturday, April 6, from 2pm to 6pm, at Doris Johnson Senior High School, Prince Charles Drive. Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $3 for children.
A.I.-driven solutions 'can improve our health care, reduce poverty, combat climate change, mitigate crime'
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) will be a tool the Bahamas Government plans to use in the future, according to Parliamentary Secretary of Economic Affairs Wayde Watson, who teased an app that is in development currently that utilises AI.

Road repairs completed in 14 areas of New Providence
WORKS Minister Clay Sweeting gave an update on the country’s road repairs with 65 miles of arterial and community roads to be completed across New Providence.

Police question man over alleged sexual assault of 13-year-old girl
POLICE in Bimini are questioning a 25-year-old man in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

DIANE PHILLIPS: Profile of courage –The chopper pilot who flew into Port-au-Prince to rescue ten shares his story
IT was the dark of night Tuesday, March 12, as US Congressman Cory Mills, his Special Forces security aide, and two South Florida pilots laid their lives on the line to rescue ten Americans hiding in a safe house in Haiti.

ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION – Discovering the Bahamian dream: Going back home
GROWING up in North Andros, I learned the beauty of isolation and the richness of a blank canvas waiting to be painted. For many Bahamians raised on the Family Islands, there is a magnetic pull to “move back home,” something we refer to as “The Bahamian Dream”. However, this dream envisions personal fulfillment and professional uncertainties.

Michael Pintard appealing for help to find missing Grand Bahama man
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard is appealing for help finding Philip “Big Mama” Stubbs, who has been missing for almost a week.
‘I practically raised him’, says sister of man murdered in Montell Heights area
A DRIVEN and ambitious go-getter – that's how Keisha Davis described her brother, Eric Davis, 45, the country's latest murder victim.

Commodore says repatriation of Haitian migrants by sea is ‘imminent’
ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said a contingency plan would see two vessels used to repatriate undocumented migrants to Haiti.

‘This year’s carnival will look less like Junkanoo’
COSTUMES for Bahamas Carnival 2024 will look less like the Junkanoo-themed costumes of years past, according to Bahamas Carnival Association (BCA) president Dario Tirelli.

Crackdown on illegal shanty electric supply
THE government is going after generator owners who illegally provide electricity to residents in shanty town communities for a charge, according to Works Minister Clay Sweeting.

$100m roadworks for Eleuthera revealed
ELEUTHERA is to have $100m spent on it in roadworks, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting announced yesterday.

‘Reimagined’ Bahama Grill to feature 102-room hotel
ERIC Gibson Jr, developer and owner of Bahama Grill on West Bay Street, is seeking approval from the Department of Physical Planning to construct a seven-storey, 102-room hotel complete with a “reimagined” Bahama Grill on the 1.39-acre plot.

Central Bank releases bank fees comparison
A COMPARISON of bank fees has been released by Central Bank - showing costs across financial institutions, principally for transactions related to deposit accounts and the maintenance of credit services.
BAMSI eyes strawberry market
THE Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has ventured into strawberry cultivation, eyeing not only a good market but also the opportunity to train Bahamians in harvesting and grading techniques of the berries, BAMSI Farm Manager Ayrett Lightbourne said.
Sand Dollar option for payroll at Kamalame Cay
PRIVATE island destination Kamalame Cay has turned to digital payments for part of its payroll.
Former golf pro says NIB missing a decade worth of his contributions
FORMER golf professional Bobby Rose said the National Insurance Board could not find records of his employment contributions from 1974 to 1984.

Man shot dead off Fire Trail Road
Police are investigating after a man in his early thirties was shot dead off Fire Trail Road on Thursday night.

Judge chastises Gibson’s lawyers for ‘time-wasting’
A COURT of Appeal judge chastised defence lawyers representing Adrian Gibson and others yesterday for bringing “a time-wasting" appeal.

Use of juries needs review, says Court of Appeal president
COURT of Appeal president Sir Michael Barnett said the judicial system should be reviewed to determine whether jury trials should be reduced or eliminated.

Pilot tells of daring Haiti rescue mission
A HELICOPTER pilot who flew to Haiti to airlift 10 Americans from the country has told Tribune columnist Diane Phillips of the night-time rescue – which included stops in Long Island and Nassau on the way home.

SAC celebrates with Devynne Charlton
IT was a momentous day double at St Augustine’s College yesterday as the Big Red Machine welcomed home alumni Devynne Charlton as the World Indoor Championships’ women’s 60m hurdles champion and world record holder.

Boxer Carl Hield improves to 6-0 in pro bouts
BAHAMIAN pro boxer Carl Hield has experienced great progress since transitioning from the amateur ranks to the pro level.

Champions are crowned at primary schools golf championships
CHAMPIONS of the 2024 Primary Schools Golf Championships powered by Capital Union Bank were crowned yesterday at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) Nine-Hole Facility.

Deyton Albury to enter the NCAA Men’s Division One Basketball Transfer Portal
AFTER producing an outstanding season for the Royals men’s basketball team at Queen’s University where he earned several individual awards, Bahamian guard Deyton Albury has decided to enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division One Basketball Transfer Portal.
Amendments to Local Govt Act are coming, says Sweeting
WORKS and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said his ministry had drafted amendments to the Local Government Act to strengthen the impact of local government on Family Island communities.

Man gets six-months prison for breaking into restaurant
A MAN was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday after he admitted to breaking into a restaurant and stealing more than $1,000 worth of property last Sunday.

Sonny Miller’s trial on drug related charges resumes with USCG video of Columbian boat
A CD containing US Coast Guard helicopter footage of 181lb of cocaine that was confiscated in Acklins in 2022 was entered into evidence yesterday during a trial against former Police Staff Association chairman Sonny Miller, 46.
A solution for the Haiti dilemma
Little Inagua is a small remote island in the Bahamas and it is the largest uninhabited island in the Caribbean. It is 50 square miles (as big as New Providence) and only 100 miles from Haiti. 370 miles from Nassau, 553 miles from Miami and 16 miles from Greater Inagua.

Man fined for possession of drugs with intent to supply
A MAN was fined in court yesterday after admitting to a drug charge.
Issues at BTC and Road Traffic
Paying bills … real life went to a cash payment service. Tried to pay BTC by debit card... service down... bill expiring today alternative to pay cheque or cash. You see the two reliable substitutes are always available when the new IT fails. Who authorised retailers to refuse Bahamian cash? Isn't that illegal?

Policeman accused of brandishing weapon outside bar charged and granted $8k bail
A FORMER police constable was granted $8,000 bail and charged with gun-related offences yesterday after he was accused of brandishing a loaded gun outside a bar earlier this week.
Thursday, March 14

STATESIDE: Biden’s bid for second term hinges on perception of his mental acuity
US president Joe Biden’s momentous State of the Union address last Thursday is stale news now in this age of the 24-hour news cycle and little if any popular memory of what happened even a week ago. Correct?

FRONT PORCH: Attitudes towards the disabled must change
WE live in a highly materialistic society in which many of us measure our self-worth by our possessions, ranging from the vehicles we drive to the brand name clothes which adorn our perfumed accents, bodies and privileges.
EDITORIAL: Questions on Sears amd NIB confusion
NATIONAL Insurance Board Minister Alfred Sears stood up in Parliament and announced a plan to save NIB that within hours his own Prime Minister’s office had disowned.

Pinder ‘appreciates the frustration’, but buy-in from ‘the collective’ is critical on Nationality Act
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said he understands the frustration some feel waiting for the government to address citizenship inequalities, but that buy-in from “the collective” is critical.
$30m facility to help pay for renewable energy
A NEW $30m facility managed by the Bahamas Development Bank will allow business owners to finance renewable energy systems to combat power generation problems, according to Guildan Gilber, vice president of Alternative Power Sources Bahamas.

$1m helping hand just the start for Andros
THE Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund has contributed about $1m to Andros businesses, according to Edison Sumner.
Digital banking ‘easing pain’ in Family Islands
DIGITAL banking providers are easing the “pains and pressures” faced by unbanked and underbanked Family Islands, according to Jevon Butler, chief sales officer at Kanoo, said yesterday.
Andros needs more airlift, warns former Chamber CEO
Andros needs improved airlift, banking and energy generation to sustain its growing tourism sector, according to Edison Sumner, a former director and CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC).
Skydive The Bahamas still waiting on govt approval for new venture in Grand Bahama
SKYDIVE The Bahamas, a new commercial venture in Grand Bahama, is still seeking the government’s approval to operate skydiving excursions in The Bahamas.

Ranfurly Home for Children asking for volunteers as their young residents prepare for adulthood
THE Ranfurly Homes for Children is appealing for volunteers as the orphanage prepares to transition some of its adolescent residents into adulthood.

AG: ‘Potential $900m per year in carbon credits’
THE potential revenue from carbon credits for The Bahamas could reach as much as $900m a year, according to Attorney General Ryan Pinder at yesterday’s RF Outlook 2024.

Officer who brandished gun in public interdicted
A POLICE officer who allegedly brandished a weapon in public was interdicted from the police force yesterday.

Reid says new monitor company’s ankle bracelet is ‘tamper-proof’
MINISTRY of National Security consultant Carlos Reid said people on bail would be outfitted with “tamper-free” devices when Migrafill Electronic Security takes over the service.

Govt forming contingency plan to repatriate Haitian migrants
ACTING Immigration Director William Pratt said officials are working on a contingency plan to repatriate Haitian migrants to Haiti now that many airlines, including Bahamasair, have halted flights there.

TROOPS TO HAITI PLAN ON HOLD AMID CHAOS: Munroe says deployment uncertain with absence of leadership in nation
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the future of the proposed multinational security mission to Haiti – which Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers have been preparing for months – is uncertain after Kenya halted its plans to lead the mission.

Man accused of injuring girlfriend gets $1,500 bail
A MAN who allegedly injured his girlfriend last week was charged and then granted $1,500 bail yesterday.

BBF names national team head coaches
Following a coach selection process which lasted nearly a year, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) has officially announced the national team head coaches for the junior men and women’s and senior women’s team to serve for the next three years.

Eva Hilton’s ‘clean sweep’ in golf
Shockers win team divisions for 4th year in a row
THE Eva Hilton Shockers brought out the broom at the 2024 Interschool Golf Championships yesterday to sweep all four team divisions at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) Nine-Hole Golf Facility for the fourth year in a row.

Bahamas fields 20-member team for World Cup qualifier
THE Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA) has fielded a 20-member 15-and-under (15U) team to represent the country at the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) 15U Pan American Championship in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, March 16-21.
BSAA Basketball Championship results
GENESIS Academy defeated Freedom Baptist Academy 2-0 in a best-of-three championship series to win the primary boys’ title.

Patrick Tomlinson earns six top 10 finishes
THREE Bahamian Optimist sailors competed at the 2024 Optimist Sunshine State Championship hosted by the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) in Jensen Beach, Florida, over the weekend.
Housing not in favour of Bahamians
ACCESS to adequate housing is a human right. When The Bahamas joined the United Nations (UN) in September 1973, it pledged to uphold that right.
PM lacking honesty on the issues
IT never ceases to amaze me how politicians so quickly change their media postures immediately after attaining the office they are shooting for, in this instance prime minister!
What role is played by Georges?
PRIME Minister Philip Brave Davis is the leader of the Progressive Liberal Party government and will undoubtedly make decisions which he believes are in the best interests of The Bahamas. One of those decisions, apparently, was the appointment of Haitian-Bahamian activist Louby Georges in the Ministry of Immigration.
Sewerage upgrades at Arawak Cay expected to be completed in four weeks
SEWERAGE upgrades at Arawak Cay should be completed within four weeks, according to the project’s operations manager.

Man on second accusation of having ammo denied bail
A MAN was denied bail yesterday after he was accused of having ammunition on Windsor Lane last week.

Two men remanded on charge of carjacking
TWO men were remanded in custody yesterday after they were accused of a carjacking last week.

Man fined $12,000 after admitting to having hemp
A MAN was fined $12,000 after admitting to having 6.5lb of marijuana in his Chippingham residence.

DEIDRE BASTIAN: Workplace Stress
Study after study and survey after survey tell the same story: workers feel stressed-out on the job, and the stress is taking a toll on their sleep, health, relationships, productivity and sense of well-being.
Wednesday, March 13

ALICIA WALLACE: True investment in women starts with the goverment
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day has come and gone, but we will see photos, videos, articles, and other forms of media related to it for the rest of the week as we all go through our camera rolls, receive footage, and think about the messaging that has been sent over the past few days.
EDITORIAL: Time to revisit plans for Haiti help
IF there was a plan to restore order to Haiti, then it is time to go back to the drawing board.

Environmentalist praises introduction of spot fines
NEWLY released regulations to introduce spot fines for environmental infractions drew praise from leading environmentalist Joseph Darville yesterday.
Defence Force intercepts 140 migrants off Turks and Caicos
DAYS after Defence Force Commodore Raymond King highlighted a dramatic drop in illegal migration, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) intercepted 140 Haitian migrants in waters off Turks and Caicos Islands, hours before officers apprehended 107 Haitian migrants near Matthew Town, Inagua.

‘Rent-free centre takes away cost of business’
THE Ministry of Tourism Investments and Aviation opened its first tourism incubation centre last night, with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis saying it will support growing Bahamian businesses by removing one of the greatest barriers – the cost of business.
Non-cash payments encouraged after crime warnings to tourists
THE Ministry of Tourism is using technology to combat warnings by cruise ships not to carry cash, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

‘Regular tourists not put off by negative publicity’
MANY tourists visiting The Bahamas regularly are not fazed by recent negative publicity after travel advisories, according to Rafique Symonette, chairman of the Tourism Development Cooperation (TDC).

Sold out - Jack’s Bay offering snapped up
A LUXURY development in Eleuthera has sold out its beachfront and ocean view properties.

Kwasi: Make sure $2bn investment felt by GB
KWASI Thompson, MP for East Grand Bahama and Shadow Minister for Grand Bahama, has urged the PLP government to ensure the $2bn investment touted by the government brings tangible benefits to Grand Bahamians.

Family and friends searching for missing Philip “Big Mama” Stubbs
Concerned family and friends are desperately searching for Philip “Big Mama” Stubbs, 80, who went missing after leaving his residence early this week.
Seventh heaven on port's record day
THE Nassau Cruise Port celebrated having seven ships in its harbour yesterday for the first time, with more than 20,000 visitors stopping in New Providence.

Police officer son of FNM Senator arrested
A POLICE constable was arrested yesterday after he was allegedly found with a firearm at a local business.

Judge upholds ruling in Azario inquest
A SUPREME Court judge has upheld the Coroner Court's homicide by manslaughter finding in the case of Azario Major, dismissing a constitutional motion from the lawyer of the officers who killed Major outside Woody’s Bar on Fire Trial Road on December 26, 2021.

FNM: SEARS ‘MUST RESIGN OR BE FIRED’ – Call for minister to step aside if he misled Parliament
FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard said National Insurance Board Minister Alfred Sears should resign or be fired if he misled Parliament about increases in NIB contribution rates.
Charlton looks ahead to outdoor season
World indoor record holder Devynne Charlton made a special appearance at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships over the weekend to spend a few days at home after achieving a gold-medal finish and world record at the World Indoor Championships on March 3.

Windsor school completes sweep in golf
WHILE the Windsor School completed a clean sweep of all four divisions on Monday, the primary schools jockeyed for a spot in Thursday’s finals yesterday at the Interschool Golf Championships.

‘Mighty Mouse’ wins three titles
ALTHOUGH he didn’t earn his professional card, Paul “Mighty Mouse” Wilson said he was glad to perform as well as he did as he made his return to the bodybuilding stage at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio.

Pro boxer Rashield Williams looking for financial support
BACK home for a brief visit as the new National Boxing Association welterweight champion, Rashield Williams, surrounded by some of his local supporters, indicated that his next goal is to capture the World Boxing Association title.
Edric ‘Drips’ Poitier gets four-year appointment
SINCE returning to the forefront as a collegiate head coach for women’s volleyball in the United States of America, Bahamian Edric ‘Drips’ Poitier continues to make waves on and off the court.
What is going on in Exuma Cays?
AS a small business owner born and raised in the Exuma Cays, I write to express my growing concern over the proposed developments in the Exuma Cays.
Why are there deposit limits on international bank cards here?
GREETINGS and oh boy every day it is something else challenged by, but you know it is all good. I just have a query for the probing minds and power that be.

Police allegedly find a gun and ammo in house of man waiting trial for murder of Corporal Fox
A MAN awaiting trial for allegedly trying to murder a police officer was denied bail yesterday after a gun and a large quantity of ammunition was allegedly found in his home.

Teen that stabbed another teen gets bail and curfew
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy admitted to stabbing another teenage boy on Williams Lane last week.

Teen accused of breaking into a woman’s house
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was granted bail yesterday after he was accused of breaking into a woman’s home last month.

Lights, Camera, Sprint: Meet Lieke Klaver
LIEKE Klaver is one of the world’s most popular athletes on Instagram, and her account (@liekeklaver) has attracted over 750,000 followers.
Tuesday, March 12

WORLD VIEW: The urgency of internal unity to reclaim Haiti
IN international diplomatic circles, Haiti is on everyone’s lips but not in actions that could urgently remedy the suffering of the Haitian people.

PETER YOUNG: Danger to Bahamas as Haiti on the brink
FOR some years, commentators have been saying that Haiti has reached rock bottom as a failed state.

FACE TO FACE: Devynne Charlton – chasing her dreams
EXTREMELY humble, highly motivated, and distinctively disciplined, Devynne Charlton has all of the right ingredients that make up a world champion. With a twinkle in her eye and a dimple in her smile, she is not only blazing a trail on the world stage in track and field, she has also warmed the hearts of everyone at home in The Bahamas.

Munroe says he will discuss police morale with commissioner
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said while he understands how police morale could take a hit from frequent homicide-by-manslaughter rulings in the Coroner’s Court, he is unaware of the problem and would discuss the matter with the commissioner of police.

ArawakX full wind-up sealed without a fight
THE Bahamas’ first-ever crowd funding platform’s fate was yesterday sealed without a fight after its former principals effectively consented to its liquidation amid claims of a near-$4m insolvency.
Resort to Gov’t: ‘Pursue’ horse riding venture like shanty towns
A MAJOR Harbour Island resort yesterday urged the Government to “aggressively pursue” a local horse riding entrepreneur’s “unauthorised construction” with the same vigour as its shanty town crackdown.
NIB back-pedal ‘no way to run country’
THE Government’s back-pedalling over the phased strategy to increase the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) all-in contribution rate to 26.3 percent is “not a way to run a country”, it was asserted yesterday.
Cable ‘takes exception’ with URCA over Freeport blame
CABLE Bahamas “takes exception” with its regulator blaming it for “an increase in bad debt” due to challenging its ability to licence and regulate the company’s Freeport operations.
Harborside staff see 11% industrial deal pay boost
SOME 92 workers at the Harbourside Resort at Atlantis will enjoy an 11 percent pay rise spread over the five-year term of a newly-signed industrial agreement, it was revealed yesterday.
RBC acts to reverse ‘double payments’
ROYAL Bank of Canada (RBC) last night pledged it is “working diligently” to reverse payments where customers were charged double for the same transaction.
Agri expo to connect farmers with markets
AN Agri-business Expo will be held next month to connect farmers and other entrepreneurs, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell has announced.

Footcare provider targets new investor capital raise
A BAHAMIAN footcare provider plans to tap its investors for further equity this summer as it pushes forward with further expansion following an initial roll-out that “surpassed expectations”.

Bahamian company launches StreetSmart – a travel guide app designed for visitors
A StreetSmart app will help tourists find where to go and what activities to do in The Bahamas, transforming the travel experience for them, officials said yesterday.

Woman found dead in cruise ship cabin
A 27-year-old Florida woman was found dead in her cabin on a cruise to Grand Bahama on Monday evening.
National Security Minister: ‘Very, very aggressive’ anti-gang bill to be reviewed by Cabinet first
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a draft anti-gang legislation is “very, very aggressive” and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis wants Cabinet ministers to review it before it is released for consultation.
Key witness says she never bribed Gibson nor transferred vehicle to his company
A KEY witness in the criminal trial of Adrian Gibson and others claimed yesterday she never bribed the Long Island MP to receive maintenance contracts for Elite Maintenance and never transferred three vehicles to his company in Long Island.

Photographer and artist Margaret Guillaume dies age 76.
PHOTOGRAPHER and artist Margaret Guillaume has died, aged 76.

Miller warns ships not to advise guests stay on board
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller said cruise lines that discourage guests from leaving their ships to venture into local communities and marketplaces will not be welcomed to The Bahamas and will be forced to seek “other ports”.

Sumner: Fees and firings likely over NIB hike
FORMER director and CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) Edison Sumner said when National Insurance Board contribution rates increase, businesses may offset costs by increasing prices, service fees and firing employees.

Mother accused of negligence in drowning death of her son
A YOUNG mother appeared distraught in court yesterday after she was accused of negligence in the drowning death of her four-year-old son last week.
Man shot dead in Montell Heights area
A MAN in his late 40s was shot dead last night outside a residence at Akel Close in Montell Heights.

GOVT DITCHES BAIL MONITOR COMPANY: Previous provider chosen to take over ankle bracelet service
THE government has cancelled its electronic monitoring contract with Metro Security Solutions and selected Migrafill Electronic Security, the previous provider of the service, to take over monitoring persons on bail.
’We should find funding for training camps in France’ prior to Olympics
MEMBER of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama Iram Lewis, highlighting the need to adequately fund our sporting programmes, said we need to be able to hold training camps ahead of major events so that athletes have a chance to “sharpen their skills and work together, gel.”

High school students ‘get a feel’ for the golf course
COMMITTEE chairperson Gina Gonzalez-Rolle said if yesterday’s participation in the Bahamas Junior Golf Association’s fourth annual National High School Golf Tournament was any indication, they should have an interesting week of competition at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range.
GBPA has not made GB better
IT IS disheartening and downright selfish for a foreign company that has been operating in the Bahamas from about 1955, and with nothing to show how it has improve the lives of Grand Bahamians, or its economy, to still want to stay hogging up all the profits, as its monopoly has become strained over decades, leaving many Bahamians to wonder about what percentages of its revenues were being exported to Europe, and now by the minute?
Who benefits from Ukraine proxy war
RECENT weeks have seen calls by the French President for “European troops” to directly join the conflict in Ukraine, a declaration by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin that a Russian victory will lead to a direct Russia/NATO war and revelations that German generals have been complicit in planning terrorist attacks inside Russia.

61-year-old man accused of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl
A 61-YEAR-OLD man was imprisoned yesterday after he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in New Providence last week.

Man remanded on charge of raping teen
A 28-YEAR-OLD man was sent to prison yesterday after he allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl last December.

Man gets six-months jail on drug charge
A MAN was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday after admitting to a drug charge.

Isaiah has ‘best showing’
The Windsor Rowing Club, which is fast becoming a household name to reckon with from the Bahamas on the international scene, took an eight-member team to compete in the 2024 OARS Youth Invitational in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend.

Dior-Rae climbing up the ladder
SHE’S only in the eleventh grade, but Dior-Rae Scott has been throwing the javelin to unprecedented distances for just an under-18 competitor.
Monday, March 11

THE KDK REPORT: Slow motion
Time is rather peculiar. We all live within a vortex of irreversibly sequential events and yet, there are many days when hours feel like seconds.
Fostering a shared future and a better world for all women
THREE years ago today, on International Women’s Day 2021, a new chapter began for me as I left Beijing to serve as the first woman ambassador of China to The Bahamas.

Commonwealth membership is not just a reliable association and support, it’s family
BRITISH Foreign Secretary, and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Recognising the best
THE country’s top academic achievers were awarded yesterday at the National Examinations Awards ceremony.

Ridgeland honours outstanding students
RIDGELAND Primary School honoured outstanding students in their annual Honour Roll Awards Ceremony.

Sustainable Me hosts kids at Women’s Expo
SUSTAINABLE Me had a booth at last weekend’s International Women’s Day Expo and hosted excited activities for children including creating plantable seed paper picket signs.
INSIGHT: A sign of incompetent governance or is it just outright cowardice?
THE announcement of the increase in National Insurance Board contribution rates last week should have been an example of good planning and well-coordinated execution – instead it was a sign of governance by ineptitude at best, cowardice at worst.
EDITORIAL: More action needed in fight for equality
ON Friday, The Bahamas joined the world in celebrating International Women’s Day.
Homicide-by-manslaughter rulings affecting officer’s morale says police’s lawyer
POLICE morale is taking a hit from frequent homicide-by-manslaughter rulings in the Coroner’s Court, according to a lawyer who has represented officers in most inquests over the last year.
Island administrator severs his arm in car accident in Abaco
THE senior island administrator for Central Abaco and Hope Town severed his arm during a traffic accident on Abaco over the weekend.

Restaurant chain to double staff as revenues rise 15%
A BAHAMIAN restaurant chain is aiming to double its workforce by July through the creation of 48 new jobs with revenues for the year-to-date some 15 percent ahead of 2023.

‘Iconic’ Briland horses battle Gov’t and resort
AN “iconic” Harbour Island horse riding business popular with visitors is locked in a furious legal battle with the Government and Pink Sands resort over the land where its facilities are located.
Deltec’s terminations ‘to realign workforce’
DELTEC Bank & Trust last night confirmed it has moved “to realign its workforce” via a right-sizing which is said to have resulted in around 11 staff being terminated last week.
Campaign opposes $100m Goodman's Bay penthouses
OPPONENTS of a proposed $100m, 14-storey Goodman's Bay penthouse complex have launched the ‘Say No to Wynn’ campaign in a bid to rally public support against approving the project.
Regulators standing firm over tougher consumer protection
REGULATORS have held firm over plans to slash the time for communications industry operators to resolve customer complaints, wrongful disconnections and new serve installation despite industry push back.
‘Coming home’ to boost critical mass in Freeport
A CABINET minister has unveiled the ‘Coming Home’ initiative designed to attract Grand Bahamians to return home and exploit the island’s touted $2bn investment project pipeline.
DPM: ‘We won’t tolerate’ cruise lines deterring their passengers
THE Deputy Prime Minister has warned the cruise lines that advising their passengers not to disembark in The Bahamas is “not something we tolerate”.
Gov’s wants ‘happy medium’ on petroleum retail demands
THE Prime Minister’s spokesperson has reaffirmed the Government is still trying to reach a “happy medium” with petroleum retailers that does not involve raising gas prices for Bahamians.
National School Breakfast pilot programme to be expanded to reach additional 2300 students
THE Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday it would expand the National School Breakfast Pilot Programme to reach an additional 2,300 students, “offering them a healthy start to their day with a free warm breakfast”.

'Remarkable uncertainty' over NIB back-pedalling
The Government's political opponents yesterday accused it of creating "a remarkable amount of uncertainty" for businesses and workers by back-pedalling over plans to progressively increase NIB contributions.
RBDF sent to Haiti will be safe, says Munroe
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe told Defence Force officers yesterday that the government will not make hasty decisions regarding their potential deployment to Haiti and will ensure that any “terms of engagement” are reasonable and safe.

Fireman in Abaco dies after fall from fire truck en route to boat fire
A VOLUNTEER firefighter in Abaco died after falling off a truck that was rushing to a fire scene, leaving his community in shock.
‘Why should we believe you?’, key witness asked by lawyer
A DEFENCE attorney asked a key witness in the criminal trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson and others why jurors should believe her testimony after she admitted to lying to police during her record of interview.

‘JUSTIFIED’ RULING IN TRIPLE KILLING: Jury says shootings by police in Blair case appropriate
A CORONER’S Court jury ruled on Friday that law enforcement officers were justified in killing three men at a Blair Estates mansion in 2019, one of the deadliest single instances of a police-involved killing in the country’s history.
Sprinter Terrence Jones has double dose of victory
IT was a double dose of victory for Texas Tech junior Terrence Jones in a match-up against fellow Bahamian Wanya McCoy from Florida at the NCAA Division One Indoor Track and Field Championships over the weekend.

CARIFTA swimming team named
AFTER the completion of its final trials over the weekend at the King’s College School’s 25-metre pool, Bahamas Aquatics has selected a quality 36-member team on their quest to win a sixth straight CARIFTA swimming championship title.
Devynne Charlton returns home
WORLD indoor record holder Devynne Charlton received a warm welcome home by her family members, supporters and students of her alma mater St. Augustine’s College at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships on Friday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
‘Coach Yo’ and Ole Miss Rebels fall to LSU in SEC semifinals
COACH Yolett “Coach Yo” McPhee-McCuin and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels stepped onto the hardwood at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena riding a seven-game win streak which was snapped by the Louisiana State University Tigers 75-67 on Saturday.
Forbes second female president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation
CRYSTAL Forbes is now sitting in the chair as the second female to serve as president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation.
76ers are planning to work out with NBA free agent Kai Jones
GRAND Bahama native Chavano “Buddy” Hield and NBA free agent Kai Jones could potentially join forces in the future as the Philadelphia 76ers want to meet and work out with the 2021 first rounder, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Crime is not out of control
HERE in our wonderful nation a lot of people are up in arms, pardon the pun, over crime and the fear of crime. Basically, despite the perception, crime is NOT out of control. Yes, there are challenges but nothing insurmountable, in my considered view.
SAC wins fourth straight BAISS track and field title
The competitiveness of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships peaked on the final day as the Big Red Machine hauled away their fourth straight title at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
A year later, how is egg programme?
TOWARDS the end of last year l asked the question: What is happening with the big time expensive PR promised/ plenty talk and fanfare openings of the $15m Golden Yolk Programme throughout our Family of Islands?
Friday, March 8

American visitor seriously injured in traffic accident
A 34-year-old American man visiting from Boston, Massachusetts is in hospital after a traffic collision in the vicinity of the toll booth on the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge.

Man fined $800 after admitting drug possession
A man was fined $800 on Friday after admitting to having an estimated $130 worth of marijuana on his person last week.

Man charged with grievous harm
A MAN was granted $7,000 bail after he was accused of seriously injuring another man in a fight earlier this month.

$2,500 fine for breaching curfew five times
A MAN on bail for manslaughter was fined $2,500 on Friday after he admitted to breaching his curfew five times to reportedly drop family members to work last month.
Mammogram Access Programme launches 'BeProActive Campaign'
THE Mammogram Access Programme (MAP) has launched a BeProActive Campaign to assist women in the public system to get breast cancer screening.

Clubs & Societies March 8, 2024.
EduKarting Bahamas held karting sprints and slalom racing at the BHRA Motorsports Park off Sport Centre Road on March 2-3.

The wreck of the HMS Lowstoffe
GREAT Inagua and Little Inagua boast some of the oldest and most enigmatic shipwrecks in The Bahamas, as they sit across the entrance to the Windward Passage.

BAIC acquires $400,000 feed mill in first phase of Golden Yolk Project
BAHAMAS Agricultural Industrial Corporation executive chairman Leroy Major said the government acquired a $400,000 animal feed mill for the first phase of its Golden Yolk Project and the development of the Bahamian egg industry.
EDITORIAL: Remembering a hero and guardian angel
PAUL Thompson was a guardian angel.
Nearly 300k applications not digitised at the Immigration Department causing excessive delays
THOUSANDS are still waiting to be processed by the Department of Immigration because their applications were not transferred to the department’s digital system, Immigration Minister Alfred Sears revealed in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Ministry of Housing looking to redevelop abandoned homes into affordable housing
HOUSING Minister Keith Bell said his ministry wants to introduce a pilot programme to redevelop abandoned properties and transform them into affordable housing areas.

Cable urges industry unity on URCA ‘budget travesty’
CABLE Bahamas is urging its rivals to join the battle against “this travesty in budget increases” for the sector’s regulator whose downtown Nassau headquarters it branded an “albatross”.

Bran blasts ‘disrespectful’ Gov’t on $250k damages
AN ex-Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader yesterday blasted it is “so disrespectful” for the Government to ignore repeated requests to settle his $250,000 Village Road roadworks damages claim.

Gov’t’s $2.5m elevator cost ‘quite exceptional’
THE Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president says spending $2.5m to replace an elevator at the Government’s Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre is “quite exceptional”, and asked: “Is it made of gold?”

Sears unveils plan for NIB rate increase
ALFRED Sears, Minister of Immigration and National Insurance announced that NIB rates will increase by 1.5 percent effective July 1.

Police investigate alleged suicide
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide of a 22-year-old woman on Friday.

‘RBDF set to guard mass migration from Haiti‘
DEFENCE Force Commodore Raymond King said the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has established a blockade in the south-eastern Bahamas to guard the country’s borders against possible mass migration from Haiti.
‘Rightfully outraged’ over cruise line video
TOURISM Minister Chester Cooper said Bahamians are “rightfully outraged” at a viral video of purported Carnival cruise line guests saying tourists are scared to leave the ship and have been warned by cruise lines that they could be robbed, drugged and raped in The Bahamas.

‘Homicide by manslaughter’ ruled in police shooting case
TWO officers were stunned after a jury returned a homicide by manslaughter finding yesterday at the end of an inquest into the death of two men killed by police near Cowpen Road on January 23, 2018.
Sears confirms 1.5% increase in rate on July 1
NATIONAL Insurance contribution rates will increase by 1.5 per cent on July 1 and rise by that amount every two years for the next 20 years, Immigration and National Insurance Board Minister Alfred Sears said yesterday. However, last night, the Office of the Prime Minister said only the rise for July 1 this year was confirmed - with no decision yet taken on future years.

GOVT SEEKS TO EASE FEARS OF 26.3% NIB: PM’s Office responds to concerns contributions ‘like income tax’ by 2044
The Prime Minister’s Office last night sought to quell fears that the total National Insurance Board (NIB) contribution rate will hit 26.3 percent in 2044 and become “equivalent to an income tax”.

Man granted $9,500 bail for possession of unlicenced gun
A 51-year-old man was granted $9,500 bail after allegedly being found with an unlicensed gun in his home last Sunday.

Man ordered to 250 hours of community service for stealing $1800 from Starbucks
A 20-year-old man was ordered to serve 250 hours of community service after admitting to stealing $1,833.75 from Starbucks at Cable Cottage over a period of three months.
Queen’s College Comets take the lead on day two
BAISS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The intensity levels rose on day two of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAiSS) Track and Field Championships as the Queen’s College Comets gained some ground in the team standings to take the lead yesterday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

American tourist fined $800 for having drugs
AN American tourist was fined $800 yesterday after admitting to having marijuana and amphetamines at the airport earlier this week.
Bell: GB food assistance budget nearly exhausted due to high demand
GRAND Bahama's food assistance budget for this fiscal year has nearly been exhausted amid high demand, Social Services Minister Myles Laroda told the House of Assembly.
Immigration detains 92 during shanty town demolitions
NINETY-TWO people were detained in New Providence and Abaco as authorities looked to demolish shanty towns, Immigration Minister Alfred Sears said yesterday.
Haiti a failed state since start
EVER since, if not before, it successfully declared its independence in 1804 following her defeat of a contingent of the Napoleonic army, Haiti has been and remains to this very day, the classical case of a ‘failed state’.
Obeah not a cultural norm here
Junkanoo in Paradise: Having seen the subject musical, I would surmise that the naming convention of this Bahamian production is not quite appropriate.

Shyrone Kemp is Athlete of the Year
MINNESOTA State University Moorhead (MSU) Dragons’ senior Shyrone Kemp heads into the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II track and field championships this weekend as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Male Field Indoor Athlete of the Year.
Paul Thompson will be remembered for his contribution to cricket
BAHAMAS Cricket Association president Gregory Taylor Sr said they will always remember the late Paul Thompson for his contribution to the sport over the years.

Michael Major Jr had a busy week for Howard
FRESHMAN Michael Major Jr and the Howard University Bison had a tough week in men’s tennis.
Thursday, March 7

STATESIDE: A tale of several Trudeaus and one Donald Trump
THIS is a tale of several Trudeaus of different generations and Donald Trump.

FRONT PORCH: Our beautiful beaches are scarred by plastic pollution - what will we do about it?
A FRIEND, who some-times retreats to Elbow Cay, the capital of which is Hope Town, woke up early one morning to walk the wide and long beach near a peninsula on the cay. It was another brilliant day of exceptional beauty in The Bahamas.
EDITORIAL: Still in the dark on new BPL deal
IF Bahamians were hopeful of more details being revealed about the proposed deal involving the future of Bahamas Power and Light when they tuned into the mid-year Budget debate yesterday, they were soon disappointed.
‘It is in our national security interest to have peace in Haiti’
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said Haiti’s deterioration, including the escape of thousands of criminals, shows why helping to stabilise that country is in the security interest of The Bahamas.
Bus and taxi drivers to see fare increase within weeks
TRANSPORT and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said bus and taxi drivers can expect to increase their fares in the coming weeks.

No BPL ‘rush job’ trap on billion-dollar needs
THE Government must not allow Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) “dire” billion-dollar needs to trap it into an energy reform “rush job”, a former Chamber of Commerce head urged yesterday.
PM: ‘Fundamentals’ of BPL deal now agreed
THE Prime Minister last night said “the fundamentals of the deal” to outsource Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) management are agreed amid pledges the deal will take the utility to a “gold standard”.

PM’s ‘line in the sand’ on wealthy tax evaders
THE Prime Minister yesterday doubled down on his pledge of no “new taxes that will directly impact Bahamian families” while asserting that the Government has “drawn a line in the sand” on tax evaders.
Taxi and bus fare increases coming - but first quarter target ‘missed’
INCREASES in fares for taxis and buses will be included in the “coming weeks”, according to Minister of Energy and Transportation JoBeth Coleby-Davis.
PM: No secret deal over BPL
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis maintained there is no “secret deal” involving Bahamas Power and Light and that the government is in the middle of negotiations and cannot disclose details at this time.
Glover-Rolle says majority of labour agreements registered
MORE than half of the industrial agreements negotiated under the Davis administration have been registered, according to Minister of Labour and the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Thompson dies age 96
Former Royal Bahamas Police Force Assistant Commissioner Paul Thompson has died, aged 96.
Authorities will be able to issue environmental ‘spot fines’ when new regulations pass
AUTHORITIES will be able to issue spot fines ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for a variety of environmental infractions when legislators pass newly released environmental regulations.
Pintard: Deficit ‘will be $400m or higher’
The Opposition’s leader yesterday predicted the Government’s full-year fiscal deficit will be “around $400m or higher” as the Prime Minister stuck to an original forecast that is less than one-third that amount.
‘Top-Up Tax won’t directly affect Bahamians’
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the corporate income tax his administration will introduce would not directly affect Bahamian-owned ventures, but would generate $140m per year in government revenue.

Bowleg: We’ll change policy after Charlton unable to get reward
THE Bahamas’ current sports policy does not let the government properly award Devynne Charlton, the hurdler who won gold and set a world record during last week’s World Indoor Championships, according to Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg.

Four-year-old boy found dead after left ‘unattended’ in bath
A four-year-old toddler was left unattended in a bathtub and later found dead by his guardians at an apartment complex on McKinney Avenue on Tuesday.
‘THERE WILL BE NO BPL LAYOFFS’ – Coleby-Davis: No plan to bust unions or harm employees
ENERGY and Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis said the Davis administration’s ambitious plan to reform BPL would not bust unions or harm employees.
Sailors show out at KPMG Winter Youth Sailing Championship
THE KPMG Winter Youth Sailing Championship was a rousing success over the weekend at the Nassau Yacht Club.
Pro boxer Carl Hield in pursuit of sixth pro win
BAHAMIAN pro boxer Carl Hield is set to get back in the ring next week Tuesday against Colombia’s Fabian Marimon in pursuit of his sixth straight pro win.
Big Red Machine holds a slim lead over the Comets
One of the most long-standing rivalries in Bahamian sporting history was reignited on day one of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
Pledge must be more than words
JUST a little while ago, I came across a lil video clip which took a deeper look at the Pledge of Allegiance in the USA. It was a rather unorthodox look at those patriotic words, and it spurred on thoughts of look-ing at our national ideals in an out-of-the-box way. It makes a world of a difference when words have meaning.
Nation building begins with our children
I WOULD like to share my experience with you and the public about a conversation I had with one of the top inspectors at Physical Planning.
Physical Planning not helpful
I WOULD like to share my experience with you and the public about a conversation I had with one of the top inspectors at Physical Planning.

Pathologist testifies Stubbs and Forest died due to gunshot wounds to torso and head
AS the inquest into a police-involved killing on Cowpen Road in 2018 continued yesterday, a pathologist testified that Roy Stubbs suffered six gunshot wounds to his chest and Ernest Forest was shot in his head.
Wednesday, March 6

THE BTVI STORY: Raising a toast to BTVI
IT WAS a Wednesday evening and Aaryn McKenzie, who is on break from the College of St Benedict made a second visit to the Toastmasters Club at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). She felt compelled to return.

Boys step it up at rally
MALE students in the 12th grade from both private and public schools throughout New Providence attended the Step Up! Rally and Expo yesterday.

Junior achievers battle it out in speech contest
JUNIOR Achievers participated in their annual speech competition.
It’s take off for Dearje’s education
DEARJE McKinney, the recipient of this year’s Captain Sean Smith scholarship developed a passion for aviation from the tender age of three.

ALICIA WALLACE: Inclusion is not enough; All women must have access to all rights
International Women’s Day is on March 8 every year, early in Women’s History Month.

Low-cost, reliable energy ‘must be 150% the focus’
PRIVATE sector executives yesterday urged the Government to drive for “cost competitive, stable” electricity and not be held hostage by Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) trade unions over energy reform.

‘Impeccable’ Heroic timing: $7.1m plant ‘well worth it’
A GRAND Bahama concrete plant’s $7.1m investment is “well worth it” despite exceeding budget given the “impeccable” timing of yesterday’s ready-mix production launch.
Village Road roadworks: ‘Cold’ but fight not over
VILLAGE Road businesses yesterday said that while their battle for roadworks relief and compensation from the Government has gone “cold” they have not gone away or given up the struggle.

$20m condo project in fresh approval bid
A WESTERN New Providence condo project, which is aiming to create up to 150 construction jobs via an up to $20m investment, is altering its plans and aims to reapply following the original blueprint’s rejection.

International certification for GBPA department
THE Building and Development Services at the Grand Bahama Port Authority received ISO 9001 certification, a globally recognised standard for quality management.
‘Catching hell’: Air traffic controllers face challenge
BAHAMIAN air traffic controllers have been “catching hell” over system upgrades that were implemented during the weekend, their union president has asserted.
EDITORIAL: Haiti on the brink of being a failed state
THE telephone at The Tribune has been buzzing this week with readers wanting to discuss one topic more than any other – Haiti.

Pintard vows to reform Crown land grants if elected
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he would pursue comprehensive land reform “to stimulate economic growth and development” if the FNM wins the next election.

Supreme Court takes over PharmaChem’s liquidation
The liquidation of PharmaChem Technologies has been placed under the Supreme Court’s supervision due to the company’s massive insolvency, Tribune Business can reveal.

Man charged over death of officer hit by car
A 41-year-old man was charged yesterday with causing the death of Inspector Tomas McIntosh, a police officer whose organs were donated after he was declared brain dead following a car accident.

Rating of ‘banned’ film under review
THE Film Control Board’s controversial decision to ban an anime movie could be reversed pending a review by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Office of the Attorney General.

Miller tells PM ‘hold ya head’ on union uproar over BPL proposal
LESLIE Miller has several words for Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis amid union pushback to potential Bahamas Power and Light reform: “Hold Ya Head.”
GIBSON’S COUSIN TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM: Charges dropped against relative of MP in ongoing trial
THE list of witnesses planning to testify against Long Island MP Adrian Gibson and four others grew yesterday after prosecutors dropped charges against the MP’s cousin, Rashae Gibson.
Corporal punishment is not abuse
I must respond to the letter entitled "Physical Punishment is no Answer".

Hungry for a medal
THE 30-year-old South African sprinter Akani Simbine is hungry for several things.

Man testifies he heard police shout ‘stay down’ before shots fired
A MAN said he heard police officers shout “stay down” before gunshots rang out in his Cowpen Road neighbourhood in 2018.

Woman and two teen girls charged with assault using a baseball bat
A 38-year-old woman and two teenage girls were granted bail yesterday after they were accused of assaulting a girl with a bat at Government High School in January.
Bahamas must turn and repent
This is a somewhat different version from the usual and laden with a series of promises by the Almighty God for the citizenry of The Bahamas, if they fail to repent and be returned to Father God, a message that I have no choice in delivering.
Critique of Laroda clarified
IN A government that boasts of progress and proactive governance, Myles Laroda’s tenure as Minister stands out, but for all the wrong reasons.

Man charged with rape of a woman in December remanded
A 32-year-old man was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to rape a woman in December.

Denisha Cartwright is Athlete of the Year
For the fourth season in a row, Bahamian collegiate standout Denisha Cartwright has emerged as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Women’s Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
Deyton Albury awarded the ASUN Newcomer of the Year
SINCE joining the Queen’s University of Charlotte men’s basketball programme last year, guard Deyton Albury has shone brightly for the Royals.
World Juniors: Team Bahamas boys in win column, girls suffer loss
WHILE the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association junior boys’ national team was successful, the girls suffered a loss as they competed in the World Juniors Championships in El Salvador yesterday.

McPhee-McCuin proud to be named ESPN’s Coach of the Week
GRAND Bahama native Yolett “Coach Yo” McPhee-McCuin has undoubtedly moved the needle for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels women’s basketball programme.

Miller seeking support for pro boxer Rashield
WHEN Rashield Williams returns home on Thursday as the new National Boxing Association welterweight champion, Wellington Miller said he hopes the Bahamian professional boxer can go back to his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with some help from the Bahamas Government.

Amateur boxers win in St Maarten
TWO Sir Jack Hayward Senior High School amateur boxers from Grand Bahama were successful in their international debut in a one-day amateur boxing tournament that was held in St Maarten on March 1.

BVF elections set for noon on Saturday
WHILE Bishop Joseph “Joe Mo” Smith has decided not to seek another term in office because of his church obligations, either the second female or the first referee will be elected to take over as president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation.
Tuesday, March 5

PETER YOUNG: Unabated extremist attitudes a growing concern in the UK
TO follow up last week’s column about anti-semitism, I revert today to the issue of extremism. In the last few days, there have been two important developments in Britain in relation to this that need to be aired in order to appreciate the seriousness of what is going on there.

FACE TO FACE: Weathering the hurricane of divorce
THERE is a stigma attached to being divorced that is often unspoken. But it is felt by all who have undergone its sting.

Sweeting says draft amendments aim to strengthen local government
WORKS and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said his ministry had drafted amendments to the Local Government Act to strengthen the effect of local government on Family Island communities.

Top KCs hired amid bid to avoid $200m GBPA battle
TWO top attorneys have been hired by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to defend an anticipated $200m demand from the Government amid last-ditch efforts to avoid a legal confrontation.

Gas dealers: ‘Silence too great’ on margin increase
GAS station operators yesterday said “we cannot wait longer than a week” for the Prime Minister to respond to cries to address their plight, with one asserting: “The silence is too great.”

URCA rejects Cable’s Starlink ‘level playing field’ push back
REGULATORS yesterday rejected Cable Bahamas’ renewed concerns that it is competing on an “unlevel playing field” against Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet service.
Hotel workers gain ‘tens of millions’ via new deal
HOTEL workers will receive “tens of millions of dollars” in extra financial benefits following yesterday’s signing of the industry’s first industrial agreement for more than a decade.

Carnival Cruise Lines announces competition to name Artisan Village at new Celebration Key destination
CARNIVAL Cruise Lines, with support from the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, is announcing a local community competition to name the Artisan Village at the new Celebration Key cruise destination.
Lindsay Shriver trial delayed until July
THE trial of an American woman accused of plotting to kill her husband was postponed yesterday to July.

Chinese eatery to pay worker burnt on job over $85,000
THE Supreme Court ordered Canton House Chinese Restaurant to pay $85,697.38 plus interest to a man who suffered severe burns on the job.

Hotel Union signs ‘historic’ agreement with Atlantis
THE Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) signed a five-year industrial agreement with the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association (BHREA) yesterday valued at some “tens of millions” that will affect about 10,000 employees.

Shanty town residents with children given extra time
SOME people with children in Abaco shanty towns were given extra time to find a place to live because they were not prepared to move when bulldozers showed up last week, Works Minister Clay Sweeting said yesterday.

BPL ‘requires over $500m’ as Bannister blasts ‘insult’
An ex-deputy prime minister yesterday branded the Government’s handling of Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) reforms “an insult to the Bahamian people” as it emerged the utility’s “financing needs” exceed $500m.

FLIGHTS ARE HALTED AMID HAITI CHAOS: State of emergency declared in nation after prison breakout
ALTHOUGH Bahamasair has suspended flights to Haiti, Immigration Acting Director William Pratt said repatriation flights to Haiti will continue even though that country declared a state of emergency after thousands of inmates escaped prison.
Aviation chief hails sector’s positive ‘industrial climate’
THE Government’s aviation director yesterday hailed the positive “industrial climate” with trade unions in the sector.
Biden has been bad for Bahamas
A COLLEAGUE of mine told me that his aunt, who has been residing in New York since the early 1980s, complained bitterly to him about the soaring costs of food in her area.
Laroda so far is ineffective
IN A government that boasts of progress and proactive governance, Myles Laroda’s tenure as Minister stands out, but for all the wrong reasons.

Man with prior charge of arson of a church now charged with setting fire to a car
A MAN previously charged with the arson of a church was remanded in custody yesterday for allegedly setting a car on fire.

Jury selected for inquest into 2018 police-involved killing of two men on Cowpen Road
A FIVE-PERSON jury was empanelled yesterday as the inquest into the 2018 police-involved killings of Roy Stubbs and Ernst Forest on Cowpen Road began.

Exuma man accused of molesting ten-year-old girl on two occasions
A 20-year-old man was sent to prison yesterday after being accused of twice molesting a ten-year-old girl in Exuma last week.

25-year-old Man charged with rape
A 25-year-old man was jailed yesterday after he was accused of raping a 27-year-old woman last week.

Armed robbery accused admits to escaping custody at Southern police station last week
A MAN accused of robbing a web shop admitted yesterday to escaping the Southern Police Station last week.
Aviation dedicated to address FAA concern
THE Government’s aviation director yesterday said the industry is “totally committed” to addressing deficiencies that may arise from an inspection by US regulators as they await the final findings.

Mullings: ‘I was happy with my performance’
Ken Mullings will probably not forget his golden opportunity to get on the podium at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday.

Minister Bowleg congratulates Devynne Charlton
MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg congratulated Devynne Charlton on her second record breaking performance and gold medal feat at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday.

Gavin McKinney completes sail from Exuma to Nassau
GAVIN McKinney was hoping for much better conditions, but he still managed to complete his daring fundraising sail from Exuma to Nassau in a 14-foot Laser boat in just over eight hours yesterday.

Kacy Lyn Smith ‘powers up’ in the junior jumping ranks
KACY Lyn Smith continues to power up through the junior jumping ranks on her way to her ultimate goal - a return to the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships, representing The Bahamas.

BLTA fields two more teams for international competition
ON the heels of the junior Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association has fielded two more teams for international competition.
Monday, March 4
INSIGHT: The geographic and economic roots of our crime problem
ALL people are created equal in the sight of our maker; equal in dignity and value. This is an unquestioned value espoused by most of western society and often enshrined in the constitution.

INSIGHT: Promise of Haiti election good - if it can happen
IS Haiti finally seeing some progress? The news that Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to hold general elections is either a positive sign – or a concession to pressure at both home and abroad.
EDITORIAL: More details needed for proposed PPP with BPL
IT did not take long for the word BaTelCo to come up after word began to spread of a shake-up of Bahamas Power and Light.

Ministry of Works investigates new shanty buildings on Gladstone Road
THE Ministry of Works is investigating a developing shanty town in Gladstone Road, according to building control officer Craig Delancy.

BPL workers: We feel betrayed
BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) president Kyle Wilson said employees at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) have given “an outright NO” to the impending private public partnership (PPP) agreements for the utility company.
Pintard on BPL: ‘How in the hell did we get to this point?
OPPOSITION leader Michael Pintard said the government’s potential granting of private public partnerships (PPPs) for the generation and transmission and distribution at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) “appears to be privatisation”.
Condo development denied by Department of Physical Planning
PLANS for the Neveah Group Enterprises’ Palazzo Vista Del Mar project - to be located on a 21,000 square foot site south of Da Plantation Bar and Grill off West Bay Street - were shot down by physical planning officials who considered the project to be an “over-development” of the site.
Bank signs agreement to back equality project
THE Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) signed an agreement aimed at advancing the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund’s Building Back Equal project.
PM says there is ‘some misinterpretation of allocation of funds’ for $100k travel expenses
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said criticism of how his administration used $100,000 in travel expenses before last year’s by-election was the result of “some misinterpretation of allocation of funds”.

FEARS OF BPL PRIVATISATION: Unions and FNM raise concerns at possible PPP deals
CONFLICT looms over the future of Bahamas Power and Light as Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis vows reforms and the head of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) pledges resistance.
Davis: Cabinet still considering amendments to Nationality Act
AS many mark March as Women’s Month, it remains unclear when the Davis administration will amend the law to equalise citizenship access for men and women, although Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday that Cabinet is reviewing amendments from the Office of the Attorney General.
After unprecedented murder numbers in January, rate slows in February
AFTER an unprecedented start to the year, the murder rate dropped significantly last month, though the country still recorded 29 per cent more killings than it did in February 2023.
A $200k helping hand from Atlantis
ATLANTIS and its partners donated over $200,000 to five non-profit organisations yesterday as the resort continued to celebrate last year’s 25th anniversary of its opening.

Devynne Charlton breaks her own world record in the 60 metre hurdles
WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
DEVYNNE Charlton lowered her co-women's 60 metres hurdles world record with a gold medal on Sunday to lead the six-member Bahamian team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Shannon Hanna ends up 5th at the Pan-Am Olympic qualifier
ONE week after earning The Bahamas’ first international medal for wrestling at the Pan American Wrestling Championships, Shannon Hanna II came up short of an Olympic qualification in the semifinals of the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifiers in Acapulco, Mexico.

Rashield Williams wins the National Boxing Association Welterweight Title
RASHIELD “Raw” Williams moved into another realm of his young professional boxing career, winning the National Boxing Association welterweight title on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida.

Bahamas Junior Davis Cup team wins first title
THE Junior Davis Cup team of Jerald Carroll, Jackson Mactaggart and William McCartney made history over the weekend by winning The Bahamas’ first Junior Davis Cup Championship at the Junior Billie Jean King Cup/ Junior Davis Cup North, Central American and the Caribbean Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

DEREK SMITH: The intersection of infosec and compliance
The saying “Trust is good, but control is better” is ever more pertinent as the digital frontier expands at an unprecedented rate, especially for financial institutions in developing countries. Yet, in the pursuit of compliance, we often overlook a critical point: compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic asset that fosters innovation, trust, and growth.
History not subject to our feelings
Each February is Black History Month in the United States. This is the month Americans reflect on the significant contributions of African Americans and the struggle for equality, from the Civil War era to the civil rights movement in the twentieth century.
Young man, you are amazing
Hey little brother do you remember me? We met at this same bus stop several years ago while you were on your way to school.

CR Walker Knights celebrate another GSSSA track and field win
THE CR Walker Knights celebrated their seventh straight Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) Track and Field win in the senior division on Friday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

Glenn ‘Nassau’ Pratt to be inducted into Hall of Fame
GLENN “Nassau” Pratt, one of the youngest Bahamians to turn professional at the age of 20, will become the latest Bahamian to be inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.
Friday, March 1

CARICOM MEETING: PM focusses on food security, climate finance, stability in Haiti
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis focussed on food security, climate finance, and stability in Haiti at the Regular Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM this week in Guyana.

Minister: Plans underway for removal of derelict boats from Potter's Cay Dock
AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell says plans are underway for the removal of derelict boats from Potter’s Cay Dock, stressing that the boats are a safety hazard.

DIANE PHILLIPS: Stop the insanity of boaters flushing effluent in our waters
SOMETHING sickening is happening before our eyes, endangering marine resources and water quality and we are acting like it is no big deal.

ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION – Creating Lifelong Learners
It is a common thought to see all learning as equal. We can see the differences in how teachers, instructors, and professors approach learning based on the age of the learners.
EDITORIAL: Public funds for party travel rightly queried
PUBLIC use of funds has come under the spotlight recently – and the Office of the Prime Minister did itself no favours yesterday with a statement that sounded petulant at best.

BCC president urges parents: Steer children from crime
BAHAMAS Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander is urging parents to intervene when they see their children going down a criminal path.

Haitian prime minister in Kenya to try to salvage African country’s deployment of police to Haiti
Haiti’s prime minister arrived Thursday in Kenya to try to salvage a plan to have the African country deploy 1,000 police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation to help combat gang violence.

Pintard criticises impending launch of cargo and facility management deal with JDL
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard criticised the impending launch of JDL Cargo Management, which will provide cargo and facility management services.

National debt up as spending rises faster than revenue growth
The Central Bank revealed yesterday that the national debt grew by $206m over the last quarter.

Pintard hits out at JDL as operations to begin
In a widely circulated memorandum yesterday, the chief operations officer of JDL Cargo Management said that effective February 19 the company was to commence operations within the Lyndon Pindling International Airport (LPIA).
Court upholds order to pay former NIB director benefits
An Appeal Court Justice yesterday upheld an order for the National Insurance Board (NIB) to pay a former director pension benefits after losing a legal battle over her due retirement entitlement.

Inland revenue ‘confident’ of hitting property tax goal
Shunda Strachan, the Department of Inland Revenue’s acting director, said the agency has collected $95m in real property tax as at February and is confident that they will reach the $195m target.

‘Investigate $100k travel expense at by-election’
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the Davis administration misused public funds when $100,000 was spent to cover travel for Family Island trips that included events encouraging people to vote for the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate in the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election.

Family to pay $15k after man on bail disappears
TWO relatives of a man who fled the day after his murder trial began were ordered yesterday to pay his $15,000 bail bond, the latest instance of sureties being held accountable for the failure of accused people to follow their bail conditions.
‘I don’t know how I got in this mess’
A WOMAN who accepted a plea deal in the criminal trial of Adrian Gibson and others said she was surprised when police charged her with fraud-related offences because she did not know how she “got in this mess”.

Govt says amnesty is over for delinquent real property tax
PAYMENT plans and amnesty periods for people who owe substantial amounts of real property taxes are over, acting director of the Department of Inland Revenue Shunda Strachan said yesterday as her department prepares to execute its power of sale against scores of delinquent accounts.

‘POLICE WHO BEAT ME MUST BE INVESTIGATED’: Man calls for officers to be held to account after trial thrown out
A MAN whose armed robbery trial was thrown out after a judge refused to accept the prosecution’s evidence of his confession, wants the officers who allegedly tortured him to be investigated and held accountable, saying it is not enough that the charges against him were dropped.
Physical punishment is no answer
The crime concerns have caught the attention of many, both at home and abroad. There is enough blame, and everyone has become an expert in crime-solving problems. But if we look in the mirror, converse with ourselves, and be honest, we may find the solutions.

Man gets bail after threatening woman with knife at Coco Cay
A MAN was granted bail after he allegedly threatened a woman with a knife on Coco Cay last month.

Man accused of two counts of attempted murder denied bail
A MAN was denied bail yesterday while awaiting trial for two charges of attempted murder.

Three years for shopbreaking
A MAN was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday after admitting to breaking into a bar and stealing $1,888 worth of property last December.

IAN FERGUSON: How you can procure improved cost savings
Every business providing goods and services must pay close attention to the sourcing of materials needed in the business process.

Tynia Gaither retires
One of the hardest things for any athlete to do is to retire. But it’s so easy to do when you know that you have given it your all and there isn’t anything left in the tank.

CH Reeves Raptors dominate to win 4th straight GSSSA Track & Field Title
THE 30th Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) Track and Field Championships victory was signed, sealed and delivered to the CH Reeves Raptors yesterday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

‘All eyes’ on high jumper Donald Thomas at the World Athletics Indoor Championship
AS the world gears up for the highly anticipated World Athletics Indoor Championship in Glasgow, Scotland, March 1-3, all eyes will be on Donald Thomas - the Bahamian high jump sensation who has consistently dazzled audiences with his remarkable talent and unwavering determination.

Junior Davis Cup team advances to the finals
THE Bahamas’ Junior Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams performed brilliantly at the Billie Jean King Cup/Junior Davis Cup North, Central American and the Caribbean Pre- Qualifying Tournament in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, yesterday.

DR KENT BAZARD: Principles of excellence in basketball sports performance training
GREETINGS, seekers of athletic mastery and enthusiasts of the courtly ballet! Dr. Kent Bazard here, your guide through the labyrinth of sports science.