Wednesday, December 31
Abaco road repair ‘a priority’ for PM claims Bishop Cedric Bullard – ‘but no date given’
The Prime Minister will make repairing the roads in Abaco a priority, a member of the North Abaco Pastors Association (NAPA) claimed yesterday.
Mitchell: Govt ‘deeply concerned’ about marina tax impact
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the Davis administration is “deeply concerned” about the knock-on effects of the marina tax on the tourism sector, but cautioned that the issue is not as “simple as it appears”.
Police probe viral video of government vehicle crash
POLICE are investigating a viral video that appears to show a government-issued vehicle striking two cars and initially leaving the scene, prompting renewed warnings about the rules governing the use of state vehicles.
Junkanoo Grand Marshal fired following Boxing Day parade delays
THE National Junkanoo Committee has acknowledged shortcomings in the management of the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, saying failures in parade flow and enforcement led to significant gaps on Bay Street and discomfort for spectators, while confirming that longtime Grand Marshal Dwight Rolle was removed from the role as a result.
Former police corporal charged with libel against businessman
A FORMER police corporal has been charged with libel after prosecutors alleged he unlawfully swore an affidavit earlier this year with the intent to defame a prominent businessman.
IACHR urges Bahamas to implement rights reforms, improve detention conditions
THE Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has urged The Bahamas to fully implement recently passed human rights and accountability reforms, as it warns that poor detention conditions across the region remain a pressing concern.
Mystery as Bank exec quits
MYSTERY surrounds the sudden resignation of Taran Mackey as The Bahamas’ ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, after just eight months in the role, and from his high-flying position at the Bank of The Bahamas.
Man fined $1,500 over breaching bail
A MAN awaiting trial for manslaughter in the 2023 death of a three-month-old girl was fined $1,500 yesterday after admitting to breaching his bail conditions for nearly three months.
Accused denied bail after $2,500 theft
A MAN was accused yesterday of breaking into a woman’s home in Pinewood last week and stealing $2,500.
PM pays tribute to Walkine after a ‘life of service’
FORMER Acklins and Crooked Island MP and physician Dr Franklyn Walkine has died at 73.
Man held over $20k cocaine and loaded gun
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of possessing a loaded firearm and $20,000 worth of cocaine following a police chase in the Tywnam Heights area on Christmas Day.
Gunman poses as husband to trick way into woman’s home
A MASKED gunman who tricked his way into a home by pretending to be a resident’s husband fired a shot during a robbery on East Street South, police said, as officers investigate two separate armed robberies in the capital.
Tuesday, December 30
12302025 EDITION
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Man getas 30-month jail sentence after he was found with loaded Glock
A MAN was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting to having a loaded firearm on East Street on Boxing Day.
Father accused of locking up woman and three-week-old remanded to jail
A 20-year-old man was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of unlawfully detaining the mother of his infant child and their three-week-old son inside his Abaco home following a domestic dispute last week.
Man killed on Christmas Eve after buying gifts for kids
A 25-YEAR-OLD mechanic who had just finished buying Christmas gifts for his children was shot and killed on Christmas Eve, leaving his family, friends and co-workers in shock and pushing the country’s murder count to 83 for the year.
Family demands answers after father of four shot by police
A GRAND Bahama family is demanding answers after a father of four was shot by police in Eight Mile Rock on Sunday afternoon, insisting he was unarmed and posed no threat when officers opened fire.
‘I just want to stay around for my kids’
WHILE many families spent Christmas celebrating, 49-year-old Anastasia Johnson spent the holiday fighting to stay alive for her children, battling ovarian cancer while struggling to afford life-saving chemotherapy.
Father of seven dies while picking breadfruit
A MAN who was fatally electrocuted on Christmas Eve while trying to retrieve fruit from a tree on Wilton Street was a Haitian father of seven who had been worried about money ahead of Christmas.
Terminally ill Roker asks to return home
A FORMER Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer facing up to 20 years in prison for his role in a major cocaine trafficking conspiracy has asked a US judge to show leniency with sentencing and allow him to return to The Bahamas under supervised release, revealing he has advanced prostate cancer that has returned aggressively.
Crooked island electricity outage ends
AN ISLAND-WIDE power outage that left Crooked Island in darkness finally ended last night when electricity was restored shortly after 9pm.
Mitchell warns us entry rules becoming ‘unforgiving’
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell warned that entering the United States is becoming increasingly difficult for Bahamians, saying immigration rules are growing “stricter” and more “unforgiving” with each passing week.
Newborn baby saved from trunk of car
AN 18-year-old who thought he heard a baby crying as he stepped outside his home triggered the rescue of a five-day-old newborn found inside the locked trunk of a vehicle in Pinewood Gardens, a discovery that led to the arrest of the child’s parents on charges related to child cruelty.
24-year-old denied bail on car theft charges
A MAN accused of stealing several vehicles in May was remanded to prison yesterday.
Fifth suspect charged with theft of $60k from Leonard’s Air Conditioning
A FIFTH suspect has been charged in connection with the theft of $60,000 worth of electronics, appliances and tools from an air-conditioning business on Wulff Road earlier this month.
Candace Fields: Bahamian scientist returns home to lead shark research
CANDACE Fields, a Bahamian marine scientist who has just earned her PhD, will return home from the United States next month to lead shark research and conservation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, marking a major milestone for both her career and The Bahamas’ global role in shark protection.
Cornish and Fox chosen as PLP candidates for Abaco
THE Progressive Liberal Party has selected its candidates for the Abaco constituencies in the upcoming general election, with incumbent Kirk Cornish and newcomer Bradley Fox Jr set to carry the party’s banner.
Monday, December 29
Crooked Island residents without power after generator failure
MORE than 200 residents in Crooked Island have been without electricity since late Saturday night after a power generation unit malfunctioned, Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd (BPL) confirmed yesterday.
Commissioner says she is unaware of detention claim involving MP
DESPITE weeks of public scrutiny and repeated media coverage, Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles says she is unaware of allegations by an Andros man that he was detained for more than 24 hours without charge in a case linked to a sitting Member of Parliament.
One Family wins
ONE Family reclaimed Junkanoo’s top prize on Boxing Day, ending the Shell Saxons Superstars’ two-year grip on the major parade titles with a performance that electrified Bay Street and returned the group to the summit of Bahamian culture’s biggest stage.
Engineer falls to his death at Freeport Container Port
THE death of a young engineer technician who fell from a crane at the Freeport Container Port on Boxing Day has cast a harsh spotlight on workplace safety at the transshipment terminal, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the early-morning tragedy.
Tribute to Tanya: Thank you for letting us see the world as you saw it
TANYA Smith-Cartwright was a journalist who gave her all.
Police Commissioner: We have nothing to hide over man’s death while in custody
POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles has rejected suggestions of impropriety in the investigation into the death of Lasheiko Pratt, who died in police custody, insisting officers have “nothing to hide” as the victim’s family pushes for an independent autopsy.
Saturday, December 27
Woman in critical condition after Coral Harbour Road assault
A woman remains in critical condition after being assaulted in a parking lot off Coral Harbour Road on Friday night, police said.
Man dies in alleged drowning off West Bay Street
Police have launched an investigation into the death of a man following an alleged drowning incident off West Bay Street on Friday.
Four arrested as police recover firearms in NP, Bimini
POLICE arrested four men in separate firearm recovery operations in New Providence and Bimini on Friday.
Friday, December 26
Worker killed in early-morning crane fall at Freeport Container Port
GRAND Bahama police are investigating a fatal industrial accident at the Freeport Container Port that claimed the life of Anderson Adderley early Friday morning.
One Family, Colours win 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo
One Family Junkanoo & Community Organization has captured its first victory since 2022 with its theme, "1001 Arabian Nights: Tales of Mystery and Magic" at the 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.
Christmas Day chase ends with $20k cocaine, firearm seizure
A 50-year-old man was arrested on Christmas Day after police seized an illegal firearm and an estimated $20,000 worth of suspected cocaine during a brief chase in the Twynam Heights area.
Thursday, December 25
Police probe fatal Yellow Elder shooting
Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the Yellow Elder community on Christmas Eve that left one man dead and another hospitalised.
Wednesday, December 24
Sister calls for charges after hit-and-run death
THE sister of a 63-year-old retired customs officer killed in a hit-and-run earlier this month is calling for charges to be brought against the driver, saying her brother might still be alive had the motorist not fled and left the vehicle on top of him.
Aviation ambulances arrive for Family Islands
THE first six aviation-spec ambulances destined for the Family Islands have arrived in New Providence under a Heads of Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN).
Marinas warn 1,500 jobs ‘at risk’ as boat traffic slows
Bahamian marinas have warned the Prime Minister that up to 1,500 Bahamian jobs are “at risk” from the 40 percent decline in boating traffic amid signs of progress towards an acceptable compromise for both the Government and private sector over the Budget fee hikes.
Grand Lucayan workers receive overdue pay before Christmas
AFTER weeks of uncertainty and mounting frustration, workers at the government-owned Grand Lucayan Resort began receiving overdue pay this week, days before Christmas.
No licenced firearms allowed at Junkanoo
POLICE are tightening the security net around Friday’s Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, banning licensed firearm holders from bringing handguns downtown, ordering strict screening at entry points, and launching operations to find and remove any weapons hidden in advance.
Dr Charles Diggiss to step down as Doctors Hospital CEO in 2026
DOCTORS Hospital Health System has announced that Dr Charles Diggiss will step down as chief executive officer effective February 1, 2026, while continuing in his role as president, marking the end of a leadership chapter that has shaped the institution for decades.
PLP to re-nominate Petty for North Eleuthera seat
THE Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has decided to re-nominate North Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty as its candidate for the next general election, The Tribune can confirm.
Tuesday, December 23
Fiscal deficit cut 32% during first two months
The Government slashed its fiscal deficit by 32 percent, or almost one-third, for the first two months of the current 2025-2026 Budget year due to a more than $50m decline in the amount of ‘red ink’ incurred during August.
Doctors chief: Tax fast food eateries ‘to the hilt’
A doctor’s union president yesterday called for new taxation to be imposed on fast food restaurants to help cover the public healthcare system’s forecast $24m financing deficit while also slamming the fees being levied on National Health Insurance (NHI) providers.
Brittany Harris charged with libelling minister of energy
A WOMAN threatened with legal action by the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, Latrae Rahming, was charged yesterday with libelling Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby Davis and attorney Bjorn Ferguson on social media last year.
Munroe: Cameras captured detainees fatal altercation
CAMERAS inside the Fox Hill Police Station captured the moments leading up to the death of a 35-year-old detainee during a struggle with four police officers, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe revealed yesterday.
Family struggles with dad of three’s murder
A ROUTINE night of providing security ended in gunfire and grief early Monday when entrepreneur Mario “Ducky” Lockhart was gunned down outside a party, a killing his family believes followed an earlier confrontation over entry rules.
Gov’t boating fee review: ‘We start over yet again’
The Government yesterday pledged to “review” the “competitiveness” of the boating fee hikes and accompanying regulatory reforms following the Prime Minister’s intervention, with marina industry chiefs asserting the sector feels as if “every five years we start over again”.
Marinas fear $25m hit as yacht show is cancelled
Bahamian marinas fear they will lose $25m in direct revenue as a result of boating fee hikes and cumbersome regulatory processes, it was revealed yesterday, with the industry also blaming these woes for the cancellation of next month’s Bahamas Charter Yacht Show.
Customs receives over 90 items from looted barge
OVER ninety items believed to have been unlawfully removed from the grounded container barge Brooklyn Bridge have been recovered in Abaco and handed over to Bahamas Customs, as police investigations into the highly publicised looting continue.
Thousands camp overnight at stadium for $75 food vouchers
THOUSANDS of Bahamians streamed to the national stadium on foot and in long lines of vehicles for a chance at a $75 food voucher and a bowl of chicken souse yesterday, with some people arriving as early as 2pm the previous day and waiting overnight as the Fox Foundation pushed ahead with its annual Christmas giveaway.
Munroe promises zero tolerance following murder
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said his ministry is taking a zero-tolerance approach to crime while continuing to equip the Royal Bahamas Police Force with the tools needed to pursue criminals.
Plea deals and dropped cases dominate DPP court statistics
THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions completed 204 criminal cases this year, with the bulk ending in plea agreements or being discontinued, according to data that highlights how heavily the justice system relies on negotiated outcomes to move cases along.
Thieves slash tents and steal thousands at R M Bailey
CHRISTMAS trading at R M Bailey Park was shaken overnight when thieves slashed their way into three vendor tents, stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
$5m community centre and shelter for Pinewood
OVER $5m will be spent on building a new Pinewood Community Centre that is intended to double as a hurricane shelter, as residents continue to endure repeated flooding during heavy rains.
Smoke detectors for 50 families in Christmas fire safety drive
ON the heels of several house fires this year, the Urban Renewal Authority has partnered with the Bahamas Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) to distribute and install smoke detectors for 50 families across New Providence as part of a Christmas fire-prevention initiative.
Two Americans charged with rape on cruise ship
TWO American men were accused yesterday of raping a 25-year-old woman aboard a cruise ship.
Man remanded to jail on attempted rape charge
A MAN was yesterday accused of attempting to rape a woman in New Providence earlier this month.
Monday, December 22
Road carnage: 40% of Nassau hit by accidents
Some 40 percent of New Providence residents have revealed they or a close family member have been involved in a traffic accident within the past five years, leading an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report to brand Bahamian road safety as “a significant public policy issue”.
Print shop owner loses$266k insurance battle
A print shop owner’s bid to obtain $266,000 in damages against a Bahamian insurer for failing to pay-out and cover losses associated with Hurricane Irma’s passage in September 2017 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.
‘Meaningful reductions’ in property coverage unlikely
Insurers are warning Bahamian businesses and homeowners that there are unlikely “to be meaningful reductions” in property coverage costs in 2026 after the multi-billion dollar damages inflicted on Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa gave their key partners pause for though.
Another arrest made in barge looting probe
ANOTHER arrest has been made in the fallout from the mass looting of a container barge that ran aground off Abaco last month, as police continue to track goods believed to have been taken from the stranded vessel.
Rahming threatens legal action against cousin over ‘attacks’
THE Office of the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, Latrae Rahming, has threatened legal action following what he described as sustained personal attacks, prompting a public and highly charged response from his cousin, social media personality Britney Harris, who is known for heated social media feuds and political commentary.
‘Police brutality killed my son’
THE mother of Lasheiko Pratt is demanding an independent autopsy after her son died during a struggle with four police officers inside the Fox Hill Police Station, saying she does not accept official claims about what happened and believes police brutality may be responsible.
‘Nominal’ 50 cent sugary drinks tax can raise millions
Imposing just a “nominal” 50 cent tax on sugary drinks would raise “millions” towards closing The Bahamas’ public healthcare financing shortfall, a Cabinet minister disclosed yesterday, while asserting of the new National Health Strategy: “It’s not a pie in the sky wish list.”
WORLD VIEW: Suspension of US Visas: a moment that calls for clarity, calm, and (hopefully) cooperation
THE RECENT proclamation issued by the Government of the United States, announcing its intention to suspend the entry of nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica, effective at 12:01 am on 1 January 2026, has understandably caused concern among citizens of the two Caribbean countries.
INSIGHT: When the news headlines hit close to home
IT WAS a double murder that shocked the world. But for some families, including right here in The Bahamas, the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner had a more personal connection.
Friday, December 19
Man charged with kidnapping, assault granted $12K bail
A MAN awaiting trial for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon was granted Supreme Court bail on Friday.
Woman granted $25K bail in Market St fatal crash
A WOMAN accused in a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of a 59-year-old woman on Market Street in September was granted $25,000 bail on Friday.
Teen accused of having loaded firearm at home granted bail
A 19-year-old man was granted bail on Friday after being accused of having a loaded firearm at his home on Rupert Dean Lane last week.
FOAM Christmas giveaway aids struggling families
SINGLE mothers, government workers and married couples struggling to make ends meet amid rising living costs were among those assisted at Families of All Murder Victims’ (FOAM) annual Christmas giveaway.
Fort Fincastle, Water Tower renovations to wrap up in January
Renovations to Fort Fincastle and the nearly 100-year-old Water Tower are expected to be completed sometime in January 2026, though an exact reopening date has not yet been confirmed, officials said this week.
Murder accused jailed after 47-day bail breach
A MAN awaiting trial for a 2020 murder in the Carmichael area was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday after breaching his bail conditions for more than a month.
Court hears final prosecution evidence in principal assault trial
THE prosecution has closed its case against Kenneth Farrington, who is accused of brutally attacking McLean’s Town Primary School principal Simone Butler-Cornish with an iron pipe and leaving her for dead during a violent encounter on June 20.
Two men charged in GB shooting
TWO men were charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm when they appeared in the Freeport Magistrates Court on Friday.
Three Bahamians, Jamaican arrested after $18.4m drug bust near Cuba
THREE Bahamian men and a Jamaican man have been arrested after the United States Coast Guard intercepted a go-fast vessel near Cuba and uncovered an estimated $18.4m worth of suspected cocaine.
Suspect accused of robbing woman at gunpoint granted bail for $9,000
A MAN awaiting trial for a 2024 armed robbery was granted bail by the Supreme Court yesterday.
Bahamas formally recognizes Kosovo as sovereign state
The Bahamas formally recognised the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state today, marking the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Freeport lacking scale to ‘efficiently support’ Shipyard’s expansion
Freeport lacks the size and critical mass to “efficiently support” developments such as the $600m Grand Bahama Shipyard dry dock replacement, a prominent hotelier asserted yesterday, as he urged: “We need stopover tourists back.”
Prisoner dies in police custody
AN investigation has been launched after a 35-year-old prisoner died during an altercation with four police officers inside the Fox Hill Police Station.
‘I don’t know if I’m going make it’
THE mother of a 17-year-old boy murdered just weeks before Christmas says she is bracing for what she expects will be the darkest holiday season of her life, telling The Tribune: “I don’t even know if I’m going to make it.”
Healthcare on ‘unsustainable track’ with $24m deficit forecast by 2026
Financing for Bahamian public healthcare is “on an unsustainable track” with a $24m annual deficit predicted by the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year, it has been revealed, with this shortfall set to worsen due to an increasingly elderly population.
Man claims he was held over MP’s missing firearm at bar
AN Andros man says he spent more than 24 hours in a police cell while being quizzed about a missing firearm allegedly belonging to a sitting Member of Parliament which is said to have mysteriously vanished during a night out at a bar.
Miami conference spotlights Bahamas investment opportunities
A Miami-based investment conference earlier this month highlighted The Bahamas as a key destination for real estate, tourism and long-term development investment, organisers said.
Rousing welcome for Gibson after securing nomination
After returning to Grand Bahama earlier this week following her ratification by the Free National Movement, Frazette Gibson was greeted by a large crowd of party supporters at the airport on Tuesday.
Court revokes bail for mother and daughter in attempted murder case
THE Court of Appeal ruled that a mother and daughter convicted of attempting to murder two of their tenants on an unnamed Fox Hill road in 2021 should remain in prison until they are sentenced in January.
Officers help family who lost home days before Christmas
POLICE officers on Eleuthera stepped in with food and support this week, donating groceries to a family left homeless by a fire just days before Christmas.
Thursday, December 18
Human rights commission assesses detention centre amid abuse claims
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recently completed a two-day visit to The Bahamas to assess conditions at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre and strengthen cooperation with government and civil society on human rights standards.
PM to ask Cabinet to invest in the future of journalism
PRIME Minister Philip Davis said he will take to Cabinet proposals to invest in the future of journalism in The Bahamas, casting the survival of a strong, independent press as essential to democracy at a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts.
Man dies in police custody at Fox Hill police station
A 35-year-old detainee died yesterday morning at the Fox Hill Police Station after becoming unresponsive while being restrained by police.
Parents outraged as school announces abrupt closure
STUDENTS at Calvary Deliverance Christian Academy were left in limbo yesterday after administrators abruptly announced the school will close its doors next month.
Fish fry vendors warned of noise from $179m LNG plant
Arawak Cay ‘Fish Fry’ vendors, and other Nassau harbour tourism and maritime operators, have been warned they may be negatively impacted by both the construction and operation of the $179m power plant that will supply electricity to cruise ships docked nearby.
LPIA braces for holiday travel surge
Security patrols will be increased and unattended vehicles will be towed at Lynden Pindling International Airport as authorities prepare for a major surge in holiday travel over the next several days.
DPP rejects ‘complacency’ claim in Woodside case
THE collapse of a murder case tied to the killing of an eight-year-old sparked a rare and forceful public response from the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday, who said claims that prosecutors were complacent ignore years of procedural setbacks and distort what actually went wrong.
Munroe: Keep prison bus out of rush hour
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said he has told law-enforcement agencies he wants inmate transports kept out of rush-hour traffic where possible, but also pushed back against claims that prison buses disregard road rules.
STATESIDE: Trump an emperor? High Court may well decide
THERE ARE MANY topics of interest in the current political revolution underway in Washington DC.
FRONT PORCH: Day and Nouwen - hospitality is a revolutionary act
IN THE initial decades of the 1900s in New York City, a young bohemian, Dorothy Day, worked as a journalist, deeply committed to social activism.
‘Blindsided’ - Groundsman fired after 43 years on Paradise Island
A GROUNDSMAN who spent more than four decades maintaining Paradise Island has been terminated, prompting an online petition from those who say the decision threatens livelihoods and the island's character.
$250,000 donation helps turn Exuma clinic into modern medical centre
A $1.5M upgrade of St Luke’s Clinic in Staniel Cay that would expand emergency traumatic care treatment to potentially save lives got a major boost with a $250,000 donation from local residents – and it comes with a plea for other donors to step up.
Op-Ed: New chapter in cooperation on the launch of the island-wide independent customs operation of China’s Hainan free trade port
In May 2025, the Honourable Alfred Sears, Minister of Immigration and National Insurance, made a special trip to Hainan, China’s southernmost province, after attending the China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum.
Mexican man accused of murdering Paige Bell enters plea in court
A MEXICAN man pleaded not guilty yesterday to the murder of a 20-year-old South African woman aboard a superyacht in Eleuthera in July.
Police investigate suspicious death after vehicle crash
A FATHER of one was found dead Tuesday night after his vehicle crashed into a wall along Pine Barren Road under circumstances police say are suspicious.
Munroe says no extradition request for officers named in US drug case
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the Bahamian government has received no extradition request in connection with a sweeping United States cocaine trafficking case that names several Bahamian law enforcement figures, leaving unanswered questions about whether US prosecutors intend to pursue them through the courts.
Junkanoo Festival split as ‘full calendar’ forces schedule change
The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) has announced that the Bahamas Junkanoo Festival will be split between December and late January, with the festival’s major evening events rescheduled to January 22–25.
Judge denies bail despite teen’s claim of prison attack
THE Supreme Court has refused to release a 19-year-old accused of attempted murder, ruling that the risks which kept him behind bars last year remain unchanged despite his claim that he was attacked while on remand.
Travel advisory issued for Cuba over mosquito viruses
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory for Bahamian nationals travelling to or residing in the Republic of Cuba, citing an ongoing outbreak of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue and chikungunya.
Man acquitted of being getaway driver
A MAN was found not guilty yesterday of being the getaway driver in a 2021 armed robbery at the Burger King on Prince Charles Drive, after claiming he became an unwitting participant by giving someone a ride.
Teen accused of murdering Javaughn Deveaux
A TEENAGE boy was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of the murder of Javaughn Deveaux, whose body was found with head injuries on a tract road off Gladstone Road earlier this month.
Carnival Cruise Line makes 17 donations to local community groups
CARNIVAL Cruise Line said it coordinated 17 donations to community organisations in New Providence and Grand Bahama over the past three weeks, as part of what it described as an ongoing partnership with Bahamian civic groups and nonprofits.
Man remanded after alleged shootout and car crash involving four officers
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of firing at four police officers during a high-speed chase.
Fourteen foreign nationals convicted and fined for immigration offences
FOURTEEN foreign nationals were convicted yesterday of immigration-related offences after appearing before Assistant Chief Magistrate Kara Deveaux in the Magistrate’s Court.
$100,000 donation is music to ears of Exuma Youth Band
The band that fans say brings every Exuma event to life with its vibrant sounds and pulsating rhythm got news this week that was music to its own ears – a local couple pledged $100,000 for new instruments, uniforms and expenses, catapulting the Exuma Youth Band into one of the best equipped and outfitted in the region.
Wednesday, December 17
TUC accuses labour of stalling registration for NHI providers
THE Trade Union Congress has accused the Department of Labour of stalling the registration of unions, after a new body formed to represent National Health Insurance care providers remained unregistered months after applying.
British woman hospitalised after trying to jump from PI balcony
A 30-year-old British woman was hospitalised on Monday after she allegedly tried to jump from a hotel balcony in what police suspect was an attempted suicide.
Pintard dismisses internal gripes as ‘sour grapes’
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard dismissed suggestions of internal discord yesterday, insisting the party is unified and better positioned than the governing Progressive Liberal Party as it continues ratifying candidates ahead of the next general election, expected in 2026.
AMMC says it is not liable for stolen vendor merchandise
STRAW vendors say they were left exposed after being moved to Fort Charlotte, where thieves ransacked stalls last week and stole thousands of dollars in merchandise — but the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation says it was never responsible for safeguarding their goods.
Morning errand turns to disaster as fire tears through GB man’s home
A MORNING errand turned into a disaster for Grand Bahama resident Dion Brown after fire tore through his Columbus Drive home on Tuesday, leaving the three-bedroom house heavily damaged and forcing him to seek temporary accommodation just days before Christmas.
Suicides reach highest total in at least six years
SUICIDES in The Bahamas have surged by 63 percent this year, with police recording 13 alleged cases so far in 2025 — the highest total in at least six years.
‘Everything blowed up before Christmas time’
A DAY after buying household items to prepare for Christmas, Danielle Delancy and her family were left with nothing but smoke and ash after fire tore through their Eleuthera home on Monday, destroying the house that had been in their family for more than three decades.
NHI providers claim financial stress over delayed payments
NATIONAL Health Insurance providers say the programme meant to guarantee access to care is placing undue financial stress on the doctors who deliver it, as months-long payment delays and shifting government policies leave practices cash-strapped and patients caught in the middle.
5 in hospital after prison bus crash
A 21-year-old man was rushed to the hospital yesterday after his car collided with a police bus carrying prisoners during rush hour at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge.
BTC hits back at union claims over unsafe working conditions
BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company has pushed back against union claims of unsafe working conditions, saying independent air-quality tests found its Poinciana Drive facility fit for use and that no substantiated health complaints have been brought to management.
ALICIA WALLACE: Tis the season . . . time to get your rest!
AS THE HOLIDAYS draw near, there is excitement as well as frustration in the air.
Man found not guilty of rape and burglary
A MAN was found not guilty yesterday of breaking into a woman’s house in Andros in 2022 and raping her.
Man awaiting trial for rape denied bail for robbery
A MAN awaiting trial for rape was denied bail yesterday in relation to an armed robbery on Carmichael Road earlier this year.
Charges dropped against man accused of killing cell mate
A MAN accused of murdering a prison inmate in 2021 had the charges against him dropped yesterday, days after the deceased’s mother tearfully testified about her son’s death.
$7,500 bail granted on firearm charge
A MAN was granted bail yesterday after being accused of having a loaded gun in his home on Moncur Alley last weekend.
Driver ‘freaked out’ after she discovers snake under hood
A ROUTINE drive became a frightening ordeal for Jade Bethell after she found a three-foot-long snake lodged in the engine of her Chevy Trax outside her office in the eastern area.
Tuesday, December 16
Mystery why $5m Disney hospital offer rejected
AS THE Princess Margaret Hospital continues to be dogged by a host of issues including leaking roofs, rodent infestations, chronic supply shortages, and repeated delays in opening its new accident and emergency department, the former Minnis administration has been accused of rejecting a $5 million investment offer to tranform the children’s wards from Disney’s Global Team of Heroes children’s hospital initiative.
Widespread power outage hits Abaco after pole snaps in Dundas Town
MANY parts of Abaco lost power yesterday after a single Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) pole snapped and fell across a Dundas Town road.
FNM ratify four more candidates
THE Free National Movement ratified four additional candidates last night, pushing its slate to 29 as the party accelerates preparations for the next general election.
Pintard challenges Davis to name all who missed disclosure deadline
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he is confident not all Progressive Liberal Party parliamentarians complied with the Public Disclosure Act this year and warned that the Davis administration has until Parliament resumes in the new year to account for the lapses or face public exposure.
BTC workers protest ‘inhumane treatment’
TWO unions representing employees of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) took their grievances public yesterday, staging a joint protest and calling for government intervention over what they say are unsafe working conditions, persistent breaches of industrial agreements and the dismissal of five employees without due process.
FACING REALITY: On selfishness and the erosion of community
THERE WAS a time when The Bahamas was known for generosity and kindness.
US Ambassador Walker makes first outreach visit to Fox Hill
US Ambassador Herschel Walker made his first official outreach appearance yesterday, addressing students from LW Young Junior High School at a Christmas party hosted by the Boys and Girls Empowerment Club at the Fox Hill Community Centre.
Monday, December 15
‘Absolutely strangled’: Marinas happy if business off only 50%
Bimini and Abaco marinas are warning that new and increased boating fees and regulations “are absolutely strangling” winter season business, with one operator revealing they will be satisfied “if we could settle in at 50 percent of what we did last year”.
INSIGHT: After all the talk, whose responsibility is it really?
IT HAS BEEN a strange couple of weeks in politics.
Coach Marvin Henfield: ‘I’m glad that we lost, and I can’t wait for us to get back in the ring again
THE Bahamas hosted the FIBA 3x3 Caribbean Development Camp and Cup this past weekend at the Bahamas Beach Soccer Stadium, bringing together teams and basketball officials from across the Caribbean for the four-day event.
Roadrunners Track and Field Club holds 25th annual awards presentation banquet
ATHLETES such as Denika Gittens and Ashley Demeritte were rewarded for their efforts at the Roadrunners Track and Field Club's 25th annual awards presentation banquet.
‘Take GB out of dark’ over unpaid Lucayan workers
The Opposition is demanding the Government “take Grand Bahama out of the dark” after it emerged that Grand Lucayan staff have not received their due pay for the second successive week amid assertions the resort’s water supply has also been cut-off over unpaid bills.
Royal Caribbean PI ‘benchmark’ employing over 500 Bahamians
Royal Caribbean’s long-awaited Paradise Island beach break destination has opened employing more than 500 Bahamians in management, hospitality, entertainment and food and beverage operations.
‘Don’t’ Blink’ at first-ever home run derby queen
THE eighth edition of the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise concluded over the weekend at the Montagu Beach shoreline, continuing an event that has grown steadily since its inception in 2018.
Pintard hails IMF ‘stronger governance’ for PPPs call
The Opposition’s leader yesterday renewed assertions that the Government is “hiding” several hundred million dollars in liabilities that will burden “future generations of Bahamians” after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called for “stronger governance” of public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Police continue searching for man who slipped his restraints while at hospital
POLICE were still searching last night for a man who slipped his restraints and escaped custody while under treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital, the latest in a string of breakouts that has kept law enforcement chasing fugitives.
NJC ‘deeply disappointed’ over court order to refer to group as Valley Boys
TENSIONS between the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) and the World Famous Valley Boys escalated over the weekend after a Supreme Court judge ordered the NJC to refer to the group as the Valley Boys, with the NJC calling the group’s legal action “deeply disappointing.”
IMF raises Bahamas’ growth, calls for income tax, 15% VAT
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has further boosted The Bahamas’ 2025 economic growth prospects to just shy of 3 percent while “regurgitating” its now-annual call for the country to introduce a “personal income tax” and 15 percent VAT rate.
26-year-old accused of murder after body found in Gambier
A MAN was remanded to prison on Friday after prosecutors accused him of murdering Kevin Poitier, whose body was found with multiple lacerations in Gambier Village earlier this month.
Country may hit lowest non-covid murder count in over a decade
THE Bahamas is on track for one of its lowest murder counts in over a decade.
Man fined over $40,000 for 28lbs of marijuana and gun
A MAN was ordered to pay more than $40,000 in fines and licensing fees after admitting to having 28lbs of marijuana, a shotgun and ammunition at his Dawson Street home.
US grandmother returns home after paying $8,000 gun fine
A US grandmother who pleaded guilty to firearms offences after being arrested in New Providence has returned home following the payment of an $8,000 fine, funded largely through an online campaign that raised more than $12,000.
Man charged with murder after east street attack
TWO men were remanded to prison on Friday after one was charged with murder and attempted murder in a triple shooting outside Twin Brothers on East Street, and the other was charged with helping the gunmen evade police.
Aliv unveils new $300k Marathon Mall flagship
Aliv has launched an in-store business centre at its new $300,000 Mall at Marathon location as part of its drive for further expansion in 2026.
Registrations for govt’s new Upskill Bahamas programme exceeds 8,000
DEMAND for the government’s Upskill Bahamas programme has exceeded expectations, with officials now seeking to expand capacity to meet the growing interest, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said on Friday.
Inmate hospitalised after assault by other prisoners
A 30-year-old inmate was hospitalised early Thursday after he was allegedly assaulted by other inmates at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.
Royal Caribbean targets IPO for PI in early 2026
A senior Royal Caribbean executive says Bahamian investors will gain the opportunity to invest in its $200m Paradise Island destination during the 2026 first quarter.
KFC middle managers in five-year industrial deal
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) president is urging trade unions to adopt a less adversarial approach to industrial agreement negotiations as he hailed the signing of a five-year deal between Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Bahamian franchise and its middle managers.
‘Manufacturer’s error’ blamed for delay to Rand morgue
HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said long-delayed renovations to the Rand Memorial Hospital morgue are now expected to be completed within weeks, after what he described as a manufacturer’s error stalled the project.
KFC operators and union sign five-year industrial agreement
RESTAURANT Bahamas Limited, operator of KFC, and the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association on Friday signed a five-year industrial agreement, bringing months of negotiations to a close in a process both sides said was marked by cooperation rather than conflict.
Mother advised son to plead guilty to get help before he was killed while in prison
A MOTHER testified about how she urged her mentally challenged son to plead guilty to a crime in the hope he would receive treatment, only to learn weeks later that he had died alone in a prison cell after following her advice.
Officers injured and teen airlifted in weekend of violence
SEVERAL violent incidents across the country between Friday night and early Sunday left multiple people injured, including a juvenile who was seriously stabbed, a man shot during an apparent carjacking attempt, and two police officers hurt during a confrontation in Grand Bahama.
Emotional farewell for young marine seaman Demeris Armbrister killed in crash
A VIDEO played during the funeral service for Marine Seaman Demeris Armbrister Jr on Friday traced his life from childhood through adulthood, offering a final, intimate reflection on a young man whose death has shaken the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and his wider community.
Trade deficit near $1.2bn as exports decline by 19%
The Bahamas’ trade deficit came close to hitting the $1.2bn mark for the 2025 third quarter after this nation’s goods exports declined by 19 percent year-over-year to hit $128m.
‘Honouring the Spirit of The Bahamas: Every Athlete, Every Victory’
IT was a nostalgic moment last night as athletes, coaches, executives and parents relived the memories of some of the performances that produced another banner year for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations.
Mitchell warns Pintard ‘be careful what you do and say’
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell dismissed Opposition Leader Michael Pintard’s threat to publish the names of public officials who failed to meet the March 1 financial disclosure deadline, warning the FNM leader to “be careful what you do and what you say,” while accusing him of getting matters “almost always” wrong.
Abaco mourns ‘extraordinary’ teacher and nephew killed in highway crash
CRIES and wails filled Full Assemblies of God Church on Saturday as mourners gathered in Abaco to say goodbye to veteran educator Monique Williams and her 13-year-old nephew, Terrance “TJ” Williams.
Friday, December 12
Dawn 7th overall at IFBB Battle of the Bay Pro Show
SOMETIMES the advice you get doesn't always work out was how Dawn Charlton described her showing at the IFBB Battle of the Bay Pro Show over the weekend.
Spaying on the rise but cruelty cases escalate
THE Bahamas’ animal-welfare landscape showed contradictions this year: while more owners are sterilising their pets and surrendering fewer unaltered dogs, animal-rescue groups are confronting many cruelty, neglect and abuse cases.
Traffic death involving a Supreme Court Justice ruled accidental by jury
A Coroner’s Court jury found yesterday that a 2024 traffic accident involving a Supreme Court Justice’s SUV and a 17-year-old motorcyclist was an accidental death.
Pinder: FNM had ‘asylum bill’ ready to be tabled in 2021
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder accused the Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday of taking a hypocritical stance on the Smuggling of Migrants Bill, saying the party previously endorsed a comprehensive asylum framework for migrants and drafted legislation to advance it.
Rawson Square 97% sold with only one VIP ticket left
THE Junkanoo season has opened to surging demand, with several prime viewing areas for the Boxing Day Parade already sold out and thousands more seats close behind as officials race to meet interest that briefly overwhelmed the ALIV Events ticketing platform earlier this week.
300 families to benefit from $500k US hurricane grant
THREE hundred families in the Southern Bahamas whose homes were damaged when Huricane Melissa tore across the islands at the end of October will benefit from a $500,000 grant to the Bahamas Red Cross from the United States.
Inspector testifies to finding inmate unresponsive in cell
A BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services inspector testified yesterday that he found an inmate unresponsive in his cell in 2021, as the murder trial of Diallo Williamson continued before Justice Jeannine Weech-Gomez.
'Jaido World’ granted bail on attempted murder charges
WELL-known TikTok personality Elias Fritz has been granted bail by the Supreme Court on attempted murder and armed robbery charges.
Bahamian fugitive arrested in Florida
A BAHAMIAN fugitive who escaped from custody at the Carmichael Road Police Station was captured in Florida after a high-speed chase and will be handed over to Bahamian authorities once he has been dealt with by the United States justice system.
Bahamas in win column
A change in venue for the start of the Caribbean Basketball 3x3 Under-23 Cup yesterday seemed to have motivated the Bahamian ladies and men’s teams as they took advantage of their familiar territory.
More than 40 honoured for role in 40-year HIV fight
THE Bahamas’ decades-long fight against HIV and AIDS was celebrated yesterday as officials, health workers, advocates and community leaders gathered at Government House to honour more than 40 people whose work has shaped the country’s national response.
Grand Bahama man denied bail again due to extensive criminal record
A GRAND Bahama man has again been denied bail on attempted murder and firearms charges after the Supreme Court ruled he posed a threat to public safety because of his extensive criminal record.
$40m hybrid energy project launched for three Family Islands
AS the Davis administration advances its push to provide sustainable, clean, and reliable power to the Family Islands, Renugen Pro, a Bahamian company, is preparing to launch a more than $40m hybrid energy project on Cat Island, San Salvador, and Long Island.
Power fully restored across Abaco after two-day outage
BAHAMAS Power and Light says power has now been fully restored across Abaco after a prolonged outage that stretched into a second day and left residents and business owners counting thousands of dollars in losses.
‘Little Latches’ initiative donates 30 breast pumps to Rand Memorial
MOTHERS delivering at Rand Memorial Hospital will now have expanded access to breastfeeding support following the donation of 30 breast pumps from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter — an initiative hospital officials say will directly strengthen care for newborns and mothers struggling to breastfeed.
Munroe says 500 officers hired under current administration
AFTER 28 weeks of intensive training, the all-male Squad A of Class 59 formally passed out yesterday at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, marking the first step in what officials described as a demanding and consequential career in the correctional system.
Local quartet emerge as champions of Global Sun Celebrity Golf Tournament
THE local quartet of Richard Gibson Jr, Rashad Gibson, Taran Rogers and Randy Rogers out-duelled a group of international stars to emerge as the champions of the Global Sun Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Royal Blue Golf Course.
Thursday, December 11
Bahamians told: ‘You’ must drive anti-corruption reform
Governance reformers yesterday warned that Bahamian citizens must drive integrity and anti-corruption reforms given that successive administrations and politicians from all parties have been “fallible and inconsistent” in bringing “sustainable change” forward.
‘Don’t Blink’ Youth Clinic
THE Don’t Blink Youth Clinic took centre stage yesterday at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium, officially kicking off four days of events leading into the highly anticipated Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise slated for December 13.
Gymnast Kia-Lynn Bazard brings home four gold
KIA-Lynn Bazard had one of the most spectacular performances in leading Team Bahamas at the second CARIFTA Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago, over the weekend.
Gibson: Only two BTC technicians servicing entire Long Island
LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson has urged the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to deploy additional technicians to the island amid ongoing communications issues following Hurricane Melissa.
Sebas chaired-project eyes hotel amid noise concerns
Skyline Lakes residents have voiced concerns over noise pollution from the Brickell Square project proposed by a developer chaired by Sebas Bastian, the Island Luck co-founder and PLP’s Fort Charlotte election candidate, which is also targeting a second phase, 108-room hotel.
Super Value eyes 5-10% Christmas sales increase
Super Value is targeting a 5-10 percent year-over-year increase in Christmas and holiday season sales, its president has disclosed, following a similar Thanksgiving jump that saw it beat 2024 comparatives.
Top labour negotiator: BTC ‘in total violation’ on fraud-linked firings
A top government labour negotiator yesterday revealed he plans to submit a report asserting that the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is “in total violation” of both its industrial agreements over the recent controversial terminations of five employees.
Fire unit rescues Abaco from ‘worst outages since Dorian’
Marsh Harbour’s volunteer fire department was last night on the verge of rescuing Abaco from “a pretty dark Christmas” after it provided Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) with emergency equipment to restart the island’s generation plant following the “worst outages since Hurricane Dorian”.
Accused charged with cutlass assault at Sandilands Centre granted bail
A MAN was granted bail yesterday after being accused of assaulting a man with a cutlass and threatening to kill him at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre last month.
Long wait times and high costs top list of health concerns
LONG wait times, high costs and strained access to care remain the most pressing concerns for Bahamians across the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ new national health strategy for 2026 to 2030.
Pintard: If chairman does not share disclosures, I will
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard has warned he will publicly release the list of officials who filed their financial declarations if the chairman of the Public Disclosures Committee continues to withhold the information, nine months after the legal deadline passed.
Pinder defends record as he announces his intention to exit frontline politics
Member of Parliament for Central and South Abaco John Pinder has officially announced he will not seek re-election, saying he can contribute more “behind the front lines” and that it was never his intention to build a “political career.”
‘Our country is not for sale’ - COI protests outside House
THE Coalition of Independence (COI) protested outside the House of Assembly yesterday, warning they will “shut” the country down before allowing the Smuggling of Migrants Bill to pass the Senate, saying they believe it opens the door for illegal migrants to enter The Bahamas.
Outages costing Abaco thousands
ABACO businesses and homeowners are counting thousands of dollars in losses as prolonged power outages dragged into a second day yesterday, leaving entire communities without electricity and fuelling fears about the holiday season and the island’s economic stability.
Junior guard Rhema producing breakout performances
JUNIOR guard Rhema Collins has been turning heads this season with her breakout performances at Florida International University for the Panthers.
FRONT PORCH: Do our leaders truly grasp the magnitude?
IN A recent interview with Sir Keir Starmer, The Economist concluded that the British Prime Minister understood “the moment” facing his country.
Jury convicts dad over son’s death in car window accident
DENARGIO Thurston was found guilty yesterday of negligently causing the death of his two-year-old son after the child became trapped in his car’s power window while he was driving along Old Trail Road in August 2023.
Man fined $600 after admitting to having ammo
A MAN was fined yesterday after admitting to having six shotgun rounds on Mackey Street.
Governor General praises staff resilience during holiday visit
GOVERNOR General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt visited Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) yesterday as part of her annual holiday tour of public health facilities, following an earlier visit to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.
Manhunt subject admits escape but denies Step Street stabbing
A MAN who admitted escaping police custody in Fox Hill last weekend denied stabbing a man in the same area three days earlier.
Judge cites gang links as man denied bail in nightclub shooting
A MAN arrested in Canada last year for alleged gang activity was denied bail yesterday on an attempted murder charge relating to a nightclub shooting in New Providence.
KEITH ROYE II: How The Bahamas can take quantum leap into digital era
In today’s digital age, securing sensitive information is no longer just a technical concern — it is a business imperative.
China targets climate-smart agriculture for The Bahamas
The Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is anticipating receiving Chinese donations before year-end that will be used to finance and implement a climate smart agriculture project in The Bahamas, it was revealed yesterday.
‘Not about cashing in’ - FNM open to Fox joining party
FREE NATIONAL Movement leader Michael Pintard suggested his party has been in discussions with former NBA player Rick Fox, who recently announced his intention to run in the next general election.
FNM leader says administration ‘consistently’ ignores questions
FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard yesterday criticised the Davis administration for “consistently” failing to answer questions from the opposition after several queries went unanswered during question time in the House of Assembly.
Wednesday, December 10
Bahamas First’s $5.8m swing into profitability
Bahamas First enjoyed a positive $5.8m swing into profitability for the first nine months of 2025 driven by flat net claims and a 19.6 percent improvement in insurance revenue.
DPM pledges continued Bahamian beach access
The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday reaffirmed “the Government's acknowledgement and support of the right of beach access for Bahamians” after it was challenged over whether a Mosko Group development on New Providence’s north coast will create a barrier.
‘Windfall’ hopes over Shell’s $248m Bahamas tax liability
Hopes were voiced last night that The Bahamas will benefit from a revenue “windfall” after Shell’s locally-domiciled subsidiary revealed it has a $248m corporate income tax liability “accrued” on its books - likely due to this nation’s Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax implementation.
Gov’t set to launch pothole repair app
The Government is planning to imminently launch an app that will allow Bahamians to report potholes and other road-related issues, plus track the progress of repairs in New Providence, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday.
Cheque printers: ‘They’re just nicking us to death’
Bahamian cheque suppliers yesterday warned they will be forced out of business if the Central Bank and its licensees succeed in “significantly reducing” or eliminating use of this payment mechanism, with one asserting: “They’re trying to kill us one nick at a time.”
‘A year of curve balls’: Realtor head warns on attorney fee hike
The Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) president yesterday warned the imminent hike in legal fees for property transactions will make home purchases increasingly unaffordable for persons already “struggling” to buy, and added: “This has been a year of curve balls.”
‘I woke up with him on top of me,’ woman testifies during rape trial
A WOMAN testified yesterday that she woke up to a man on top of her as the trial into her alleged rape in Andros in 2022 continued.
Eight held as RBDF disrupts suspected human smuggling plot
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force said officers disrupted a suspected human smuggling operation on Wednesday following coordinated surveillance and patrol activity over a two-day period.
ALICIA WALLACE: The rights of every human, everywhere
TODAY, December 10, is Human Rights Day. And the theme this year is “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials.”
Woman accused of knife assault at restaurant denied bail
A WOMAN was denied bail on Monday after she was accused of assaulting another woman with a knife at a restaurant last month.
Beach access fears raised as land swap resolution passes
A RESOLUTION authorising a land exchange on West Bay Street passed the House of Assembly yesterday, sparking a forceful debate over public access to beaches amid warnings that Bahamians are increasingly being crowded out of shoreline spaces by commercial tourism interests.
Pintard vows to repeal new smuggling bill if FNM elected
FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard says an FNM administration would immediately repeal the newly passed Smuggling of Migrants Bill, calling it a “far cry” from any real immigration crackdown.
‘Step in the right direction’ - mother welcomes acquittal appeal in son’s killing
A GRIEVING mother yesterday welcomed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution’s decision to appeal a direct acquittal and a judge’s refusal to hear an anonymous witness application in the trial of two men once accused of killing her eight-year-old son.
Vendors’ heartache as stalls ransacked
A REGULAR morning turned into dismay for straw vendors at Fort Charlotte yesterday when they opened their tent stalls to find them ransacked and stripped of merchandise worth thousands of dollars just weeks before Christmas.
Bail violation charge withdrawn after conditions amended
A MAN awaiting trial for allegedly possessing an unlicensed firearm had a bail violation charge withdrawn after proving his bail conditions had been amended.
Sir Baltron honoured with Caribbean award
The senior policy advisor to former prime minister Perry Christie has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx).
Walker officially assumes post as US Ambassador
THE United States Embassy in Nassau announced yesterday that Herschel Walker has officially assumed his post as the fourteenth US Ambassador to The Bahamas after presenting his credentials to Governor General Dame Cynthia Pratt at Government House.
Seide celebrated as a man ‘worthy of honour’ for service to youth
GRAND Bahama community and youth leader Dudley Seide was celebrated as a man “worthy of honour” during a special recognition event over the weekend.
Two men charged with having sex with 14-year-old girls
A GRAND Bahama father of two accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl was charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Man charged with murder in GB nightclub stabbing
A 24-year-old Grand Bahama man accused of a fatal stabbing at a nightclub was charged with murder in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Over 100 Club Med staff to return to work this weekend
MORE than 100 Club Med employees in San Salvador are expected to return to work this weekend, nearly two months after Hurricane Melissa damaged the resort and disrupted operations, according to the head of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union.
Pickleball Champions: Justyn Thompson and Brezile Hamilton win title at Riverland Pro
THE Bahamian duo of Justyn Thompson and Brezile Hamilton prevailed as champions of the Riverland Pro Pickleball Invitational held over the weekend in Port St Lucie, Florida.
Katerina leads FEI Jumping World Challenge
JUNIOR show jumping star Katerina Coello made history for Bahamas equestrian sport this weekend as the first equestrian athlete to compete in the FEI Jumping World Challenge.
Glenn Pratt: Rolle-Harris is more than qualified for her new position
BAHAMAS Professional Golfers Federation president Glenn Pratt said Baha Mar found the perfect match in Georgette Rolle-Harris as the new director of golf for the Royal Blue Golf Club.
MSC eyes expansion of 178 Nassau cruise calls
A Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) cruise vessel has made its first-ever calls on Nassau and Ocean Cay in what the maritime giant said is a signal of its commitment to The Bahamas.
Home Run Derby in Paradise Youth Baseball & Softball camp today
THE Home Run Derby in Paradise 2025 Youth Baseball & Softball Camp takes place today at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, bringing young athletes from across the island together for an afternoon focused on fundamentals and to gain excitement leading into this week’s slate of events.
As year draws to a close still no clear indication of public disclosure compliance
UNCERTAINTY continues to linger nine months after the deadline for public officials to file their mandatory financial disclosures passed, with no clear indication of who has complied and who has not.
New Senator pledges to fight for missing persons and mental health
NEWLY appointed Senator D’Asante Small yesterday pledged to use her platform in the Senate to push for stronger protections for vulnerable Bahamians, including missing persons, victims of gender-based violence and those facing mental health challenges.
Tuesday, December 9
‘Happy medium’: Maximum cheque value limits unveiled
Proposals to impose maximum limits on the transaction value and over-the-counter cashing of cheques, which would take effect by year-end 2026 at latest, were yesterday described as part of a “happy medium” approach to eliminating this payment mechanism in The Bahamas.
Double-digit New Year hikes over minimum legal charges
Bahamian citizens and companies must brace for double-digit percentage hikes in the minimum fees charged for virtually all commercial and civil legal services with effect from New Year’s Day 2026 - a move sparking mixed opinions and divided reactions among attorneys themselves.
Vendors put out of business on market demolition delay
At least two vendors at the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market have been forced out of work due to the 18-month delay in demolishing the site with a new date still to be announced.
Crowding intensifies at Sandilands as COVID limits affect bed space
CROWDING in the emergency wards at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre has intensified as bed shortages and lingering COVID-era spacing restrictions continue limiting how quickly patients can be admitted, Sandilands Chief of Staff Dr Srinivas Bodha said yesterday.
Mom: Man broke in twice and raped my daughter
A MOTHER testified yesterday that a man broke into her house in Andros twice in 2022 and raped her daughter during the second intrusion.
ALIV blames ‘unprecedented surge’ as ticket app crashes again
JUNKANOO fans were left frustrated yesterday after the ALIV Events app crashed just minutes into ticket sales, with officials attributing the disruption to an unprecedented surge of online traffic.
Suicidal feelings rising among younger people, says doctor
SUICIDAL behaviour among young Bahamians has continued to increase this year, with Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre seeing most cases among people in their late teens through their mid-thirties, according to Chief of Staff Dr Srinivas Bodha.
Govt drops migrant immunity clause
THE Progressive Liberal Party has removed a controversial clause from the Smuggling of Migrants Bill that would have protected smuggled migrants from certain types of prosecution.
'Sterling silver' history
THE championship game of the Caribbean Baseball Cup took place at the Andre Rodgers Stadium last night as the tournament continues to serve as the regional qualifier.
Police investigate suspected homicide after body found with injuries to head
A MAN in his early 20s was found dead on a dirt road off Gladstone Road yesterday morning, his head bearing visible injuries as police probe what they suspect is a homicide.
Bell says Clear-Hold-Build initiative ‘accelerating’ as new scheme advances
HOUSING Minister Keith Bell said the government is pushing ahead with its Clear-Hold-Build initiative, with the first homes under the programme nearing the construction phase.
‘It hit me like a ton of bricks’ - GG recalls husband’s dimentia
GOVERNOR General Dame Cynthia “Mother” Pratt and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville spoke candidly yesterday about the emotional toll of caring for loved ones with dementia, as they joined staff and patients for the annual Governor General’s Visit to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.
Union protests at OPM over plan to keep outgoing BTVI president
MEMBERS of the Bahamas Union of Auxiliary Professionals in Education (BUAPE) protested outside the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday after learning that outgoing Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) president Dr Linda Davis is expected to remain with the institution in a different capacity next year.
UB takes ‘major step’ toward full international accreditation
THE University of The Bahamas has been approved as a candidate for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), marking what it calls a major step in its pursuit of full international academic recognition.
Georgette Rolle-Harris takes over at Royal Blue
GEORGETTE Rolle-Harris, who came up the ranks as a player, coach and administrator, is now the first Bahamian to serve as the director of golf at Baha Mar's Royal Blue Golf Club.
Fly fishing chief renewing call for conservation fund
The Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association’s (BFFIA) president yesterday asserted that a conservation fund established by law was never truly implemented as he slammed the Government’s “lip service” in protecting and preserving the sector for Bahamians.
Water corp tankering supplies amid central Eleuthera cut-off
The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) yesterday said it will provide tanker water to Central Eleuthera customers whose supply has been cut-off amid repairs to a damaged line at the Naval Base reverse osmosis plant.
Youth Flag Football League celebrates a major milestone as it marks its 10th season
THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League celebrated a major milestone on Saturday as it officially marked its 10th season at the flag football field opposite the entrance to the original Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The tournament featured 13 games across three age divisions - 6-9, 10-13, and 14-17.
Monday, December 8
Over half of Nassau’s roads threatened by flood damage
More than half of New Providence’s roads are threatened by flood damage, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report is warning, with The Bahamas facing an up to $425m financing shortfall on investment in nationwide road infrastructure.
Cable ‘not aware’ of BTC merger proposal
Cable Bahamas’ top executive says he is “unaware” of any proposal for a merger with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and there have been no talks or discussions on such a plan.
‘Frustration’ escalates over construction self-regulation
The Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president says he believes successive administrations do not want to “professionalise” the industry because it would create an obstacle to directing “millions of dollars” in construction contacts to their political supporters.
Doctors targets 20% ‘ramp up’ in revenue
Doctors Hospital is aiming to “ramp up” revenues by 20 percent, and expand profit margins “to at least 10 percent” of top-line income, as its chief executive unveiled plans to relinquish this post early in the New Year.
Rosewood Exuma’s developer ‘never opposed’ legal challenge
The $200m Rosewood Exuma developer says it never opposed the legal challenge to the project’s environmental approvals as it pledged to “vigorously refute” the continued attacks and allegations by its opponents.
Sands: Merging hotel college with UB ‘worst decision I ever made’
COMBINING the former Bahamas Hotel Training College with what is now the University of The Bahamas was “the worst decision I ever made in my tourism career,” according to immediate past Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Robert Sands.
Mom kisses son ‘goodbye’ in funeral service for slain officer
THE mother of trainee correctional officer Ashantio “Clevorn” Johnson kissed her son’s face in his casket as he was laid to rest during an emotional funeral service on Friday.
Widow mourns drowing victim - ‘I keep expecting him to walk through the door’
A GRIEVING wife says she keeps expecting her husband to walk through their front door, days after he was found submerged in waters in Eleuthera in what police believe was a drowning after he slipped and fell while collecting salt water.
Migrant who alleged severe beating by Immigration officers has been deported
A HAITIAN detainee who was allegedly severely beaten by immigration officers has been deported, his lawyer Martin Lundy said yesterday.
Ex-chief supt faces NY court in shackles
A former chief superintendent with the Royal Bahamas Police Force appeared in court in New York on Friday wearing leg shackles and handcuffs as he faced charges in a drug trafficking plot that has sent shockwaves through the political establishment and law enforcement sectors in The Bahamas.
‘Flashy King’ wins
CARL “Flashy King” Hield, a man on a mission, exploded for a second round victory to successfully defend his pair of titles on Saturday night at the Coliseo Menor de Villa Olimpica en Santa Marta, Colombia.
Laroda: More families need to try to assist as leased shelter rooms hits limit
THE government’s leased shelter rooms are at full capacity as officials struggle to balance residents seeking extensions with new people requesting emergency accommodation, according to Social Services Minister Myles Laroda.
Family launches GoFundMe for funeral of hit-and-run victim
THE family of 29-year-old hit-and-run victim Devon Butler has launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise $7,000 for his funeral, saying they are still fighting for answers about his death.
‘Blue’ Johnson to run as independent candidate for Freetown
ANDREW “Blue” Johnson says he will run as an independent candidate in Freetown in the next general election, months after the Free National Movement declined to nominate him.
Arawak Cay vendors working from cars as they await approvals
SOME Arawak Cay vendors are working out of their vehicles as they await rebuilding approvals after a fire tore through six stalls last month, according to Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable and Food Vendors Association president Rodney Russell.
Man sentenced to three months for assaulting mother of his child
A CHARLES Vincent Street man was sentenced on Friday to three months in prison for assaulting the mother of his child during a disagreement at his home in September.
Police continue hunt for escapee after two men flee custody on Saturday
TWO men escaped police custody in separate incidents on Saturday, with one still at large and the other later surrendering, police said.
Four charged with murder of teen near Sutton Street
FOUR men were denied bail on Friday after being brought before a magistrate on allegations that they murdered 18-year-old Tanaj Adderley near Sutton Street late last month.
Seven migrants from five different countries fined as twenty deported
SEVEN foreign nationals from five different countries were convicted of immigration offences in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with fines ranging up to $3,000.
Tribune’s Santa Claus brings joy and gifts to children of MICAL
The Tribune’s annual Santa Claus events began over the weekend as we partnered with local businesses for Christmas tree lighting parties and bringing toys to children in the MICAL islands of Inagua, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Acklins.
Music Makers to lead both parades
JUNKANOO enthusiasts and scores of residents gathered at Montagu Beach on Saturday for the annual number picking ceremony, a high-energy tradition that officially shifts the Junkanoo season into top gear.
Rhema scores 40 for her 4th double-double of season
RHEMA Collins posted her biggest performance, scoring 40 points in her fourth double-double of the season to lead the Florida International University Lady Panthers in a 103-92 win over Georgia State Lady Panthers on Friday evening.
National debt rises $300m as new mortgages off 39%
The Bahamas’ national debt soared by almost $300m to hit $12.385bn at end-September 2025 in a signal that the Government likely incurred a significant deficit during the first quarter of its current fiscal year.
Bank profits jump $40m on fee/commission surge
Bahamian commercial banks enjoyed a near-$40m year-over-year increase in collective profits during the 2025 second quarter aided by commission and foreign exchange fees “more than doubling” against 2024 comparatives.
Insurer recommits to Bahamas with profits expected to triple
A Caribbean insurer has recommitted itself to the Bahamian market and is planning to expand its presence, with profits projected to near-triple this year, in a reversal of plans to exit this nation as recently as 2022.
Air Canada launches direct Bahamas flights
Air Canada on Friday launched new non-stop flights from Ottawa and Halifax to Nassau as part of that nation’s surge in travel demand and airlift to The Bahamas.
Friday, December 5
Girl Guides rally against rising gender-based violence
The Grand Bahama District of the Bahamas Girl Guides Association hosted its annual protest rally against gender-based violence on Friday, aiming to raise awareness and empower young girls to speak out.
Minnis: Entice Bahamians, not China, to fund $268m hospital
An ex-prime minister yesterday argued the Government should have exploited $3bn-plus in surplus banking system assets to entice Bahamian investors to finance New Providence’s new hospital rather than the Chinese state, asserting: “The time has come to encourage our own”.
Bahamians ‘being driven out of financial services’
The Attorney General yesterday agreed that The Bahamas must find a “fair balance” between skilled expatriate labour and locals after Bahamian attendees at a Securities Commission seminar complained they “are being driven out of the financial services industry”.
‘Don’t permit the big boys with mega bucks to rob us’
Two Opposition MPs yesterday challenged the $1.6m purchase price for a land parcel that is vital to “unlock” Baha Mar’s $350m expansion, with one asserting: “Don’t let the boys with the mega bucks rob us.”
‘Treat Bahamians like expats to entice them to Out Islands’
A senior Baha Mar executive yesterday warned that attracting skilled workers to the Family Islands may require treating Bahamian employees like expatriates, offering benefits and incentives traditionally reserved for foreign staff to lure them to high-demand tourism roles.
Baha Mar: Ex-PM to ‘hold feet to fire’ on residents’ fears
A former prime minister yesterday pledged he and nearby residents will hold Baha Mar and the Government’s “feet to the fire” over noise and health fears stemming from the mega resort’s likely use of two-plus acres that will “unlock” its $350m expansion project.
British High Commissioner urges Bahamas to join global child-care charter during hostel visit
British High Commissioner Smita Rossetti has encouraged The Bahamas to consider signing the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform, saying the country’s commitment to vulnerable children would be strengthened by joining the international framework.
Mitchell welcomes new US Ambassador Herschel Walker
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday welcomed newly appointed US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker during a courtesy meeting ahead of the diplomat’s formal credential presentations.
Op-Ed: One Eleuthera's five-step formula for success
LAST WEEK, I spent a few days in Nassau with key members of One Eleuthera Foundation’s (OEF’s) leadership team, including my colleague Keyron Smith, OEF’s President and CEO.
Bail for man accused of beating mother of his child
A MAN was granted bail yesterday after being accused of beating the mother of his child and breaking her ankle earlier this year.
Traveller loses $38,000 after failing to declare money at LPIA
A HAITIAN man was fined $1,000 yesterday after admitting he failed to declare that he was travelling to Haiti with more than $40,000.
Mitchell urges Baha Mar to review firing of casino dealer over leave
A FORMER Baha Mar casino dealer who was fired after a dispute over compassionate leave says her termination was excessive, and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell is urging the resort to reconsider its decision.
Local charities share $150,000 raised by ‘Comedy for a Cause
SEVERAL local charities received a combined $150,443 yesterday from Heather and David Kosoy at a ceremony at Hurricane Hole, with recipient organisations outlining plans to expand food security, youth development, and residential care programmes.
Nurses Union chief says new facility won’t solve overcrowding at PMH
BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourne said the $201m loan secured for constructing a new specialty hospital should instead be directed to urgent gaps across the existing healthcare network, insisting the country cannot adequately staff or manage its current facilities and that the planned hospital will not relieve system-wide overcrowding.
Pinder: Looting of barge will not reduce environmental fines
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder has rejected the notion that losses suffered by the Brooklyn Bridge barge through theft should reduce the owners’ obligation to pay environmental fines, saying looting is “private action by private individuals” and entirely “unrelated” to regulatory enforcement over reef damage.
Pinder: Smuggling Bill does not give migrants new rights
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder yesterday defended the Smuggling of Migrants Bill 2025 as a measure designed to target criminal networks, rejecting claims that the Bill grants migrants new rights to remain or receive legal status in The Bahamas.
Officer testifies dad failed to restrain son in fatal incident
THE prosecution yesterday closed its case in the manslaughter by negligence trial of Denargio Thurston, who is accused of causing the death of his two-year-old son after the child became trapped in his car’s power window while being driven along Old Trail Road in August 2023.
‘Why did he do this?’ - family shock after man found dead
RELATIVES have spoken of their shock after finding a 61-year-old man dead with a cord around his neck in what police believe is a suicide.
It’s ‘like watchin him die again’
A GRIEVING mother says she was blindsided by the collapse of her eight-year-old son’s murder trial, describing the shock of learning through social media that the accused had been acquitted as a blow so painful it “feel like the day I watched my child bleed out.”
AI adoption is only way for Bahamas to compete
Adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is the only way The Bahamas will be able to compete globally, a technology specialist argued yesterday.
Public promised smoother process with 3,000 extra Junkanoo tickets
MORE than 3,000 additional Junkanoo tickets will be available to the public this year as the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) and ALIV announced an expansion of seating and significant upgrades to the ALIV Events app following intermittent public frustration with the ticket-buying process in recent years.
‘Passports are hard to get, not easy,’ says Foreign Affairs Minister
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the government is bolstering passport security as it advances plans for a new passport office, rejecting opposition assertions that safeguards around passport issuance are lax.
American woman fined $8,000 for loaded gun on cruise ship
AN American woman was fined $8,000 yesterday after admitting she had a loaded gun in her purse on a cruise ship docked in New Providence on Tuesday.
DIANE PHILLIPS: Finding "the giver" inside of us this holiday season
EVERY circle of friends, every office, every school, civic club or church has them – the folks who show up and do what is expected of them,
‘Raw’ wins by second-round second-round decision in decision in Dubai fight
RASHIELD “Raw” Williams, the lone Bahamian competing at the IBA Men's World Boxing Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, won his first bout with a convincing second round decision yesterday.
IAN FERGUSON: How Bahamian companies overcome labour shortages
As The Bahamas continues to experience a persistent shortage of skilled labour, local businesses are being pushed to rethink how they recruit, retain and manage talent.
Bahamas’ perfect anti-financial crime score can ‘all be undone very quickly'
A Cabinet minister yesterday warned that The Bahamas’ perfect compliance with the 40 recommendations set by the world’s anti-money laundering standard setter can “all be undone very quickly” as this nation prepares for its fifth round of assessments.
New construction permits exceed $1bn value mark
The Bahamas last year breached the $1bn mark in the value of new construction permits issued, it was revealed yesterday, as their collective value increased by $305m compared to 2023.
Realtor teams with developer on Lyford Hills second phase
A Bahamian realtor has teamed with Lyford Hills to officially launch the second phase of the western New Providence community’s development with a mixture of single family and multi-family lots.
Family Island hotel chief urges sweeping cost cuts
The Bahama Out Island Promotion Board’s president yesterday called for a co-ordinated national strategy to lower costs and improve efficiency so that the tourism industry remains competitive as he warned the sector cannot remain viable without sweeping expense reductions.
The New Legend, Lonesome Dove, Sassie Sue and Miss Agnes take early leads in Best-of-the-Best Regatta
THE New Legend, Lonesome Dove, Sassie Sue and Miss Agnes took the early leads in their respective classes of the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources/Regatta Desk’s 2025 Best-of-the-Best Regatta.
Thursday, December 4
Insurers: Make sure NHIhas ‘necessary resources’
Bahamian health insurers yesterday urged the Government to ensure the National Health Insurance (NHI) overseer has the “necessary resources” to properly implement its newly-legislated mandate, adding: “As long as they’re ready, we’ll be ready.”
Gov’t paying $39m to buy Harbourside from Doctors
The Government is paying $39m over a ten-year period to acquire the recently-completed Harbourside in-patient facility on East Bay Street from Doctors Hospital, it was revealed yesterday.
Rosewood Exuma opponent in legal challenge go-ahead
Opponents of the $200m Rosewood Exuma resort yesterday hailed the Supreme Court go-ahead for their bid to overturn the project’s environmental approvals on the basis that they were obtained via a “shifting series of plans”.
Grand Lucayan buyer awaiting building go-ahead in early 2026
The Grand Lucayan’s purchaser is expected to receive the necessary permits and approvals to proceed with construction activities during the 2026 first quarter, it was revealed yesterday.
Vacation rental crackdown set for launch in early 2026
The Department of Inland Revenue will launch a crackdown on non-compliant vacation rental properties early in 2026 as registration remains below its expectations, it was revealed yesterday.
Rolle showcases aviation carbon tech in Barcelona
QUINCY Rolle, Chief Executive Officer of Tribune Digital Labs, speaks at the S&P Global Commodity Carbon Markets Conference in Barcelona, Spain.
RICK FOX: Let Love Rule
I have been in public life long enough to understand politics, personalities, and pressure.
Family mourns ‘kind-hearted’ artist found stabbed on Fernander Road
A 30-YEAR-OLD Gambier Village resident was found dead early Wednesday morning with multiple stab wounds, prompting grief and shock among loved ones and community members who gathered at the scene.
US Ambassador Herschel Walker arrives in Nassau
FOURTEEN years after the United States last had a permanent ambassador in The Bahamas, US Ambassador-Designate Herschel Walker arrived yesterday for an official welcome at Jet Nassau, marking the end of a diplomatic gap that had spanned three presidential administrations.
Darville says new hospital will not worsen flooding on Perpall Tract
A CIVIL engineering report has concluded that the multi-million-dollar specialty hospital planned for the Perpall Tract area will not worsen flooding in nearby communities and is expected to help protect them, according to Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville.
‘I forgive her, but I won’t forget’
BLINDED for life in a 2020 acid attack, Stephanie Ann Braynen says she is relieved, but not satisfied, that the Court of Appeal has upheld the seven-year sentence of the woman who disfigured her, insisting her attacker deserved far more prison time.
Pickstock sworn in as Golden Isles MP with vow to ‘work harder’
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s Darron Pickstock vowed yesterday to listen, be present and work harder than “anyone has ever worked” as he was officially sworn in as the new member of Parliament for Golden Isles.
Davis: ‘We can no longer tolerate outdated healthcare’
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis warned that The Bahamas can no longer “accept” or “tolerate” outdated healthcare systems as he urged Parliament to approve a US $201m loan to build a new hospital on New Providence, declaring that it is “past time to change the status quo on healthcare” in the country.
Woman alleges she was orally raped by trusted family friend
A WOMAN testified yesterday that a once trusted family friend forced his genitals into her mouth while she was blindfolded and practising for an eating competition.
Don't get locked in studying for a degree
Are degrees still relevant for business employment?
Airport hotel bids are due at end-February
Final bids to develop an airport hotel on six acres at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) are due by the deadline of February 27, 2026, it was revealed yesterday.
Junkanoo Authority Bill amid ongoing dispute
THE Davis administration tabled the controversial National Junkanoo Authority Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, a move officials hailed as ushering in the next phase in the life of Junkanoo.
Man who ‘forgot’ cash in bag loses over $46,000 to crown
AN American tourist had $46,748 forfeited to the Crown yesterday after admitting he made a false declaration to a US officer at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday.
Man charged with attempted rape of female roommate
A MAN was remanded to custody yesterday after he was accused of attempting to rape his female roommate on East Street last weekend.
HIV-positive murder accused denied bail by Court of Appeal
THE Court of Appeal has dismissed a bail application from an HIV-positive man accused of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, upholding a Supreme Court ruling that his release would pose a serious risk to public safety.
‘Tumultuous’ year for Family Islands as airline issues bite
TOURISM officials say shifting airline capacity, rising competition and uneven demand made 2025 a difficult year for the Family Islands, as Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board executive director Kerry Fountain outlined the pressures shaping what he described as a “tumultuous” period for the sector.
AI takes centre stage at tourism AGM as new tool unveiled
ARTIFICIAL intelligence dominated the conversation at the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association’s 73rd Annual General Meeting, emerging as the through-line in presentations ranging from visitor engagement to workforce training — and placing the Ministry of Tourism’s new AI-powered trip-planning tool at the centre of the industry’s next phase.
Pastors help residents return looted barge items
NORTH Abaco pastors are helping residents voluntarily return items taken from the Brooklyn Bridge barge that ran aground last month, as pressure mounts over repeated ship groundings in Abaco and what critics call inadequate penalties for reef damage.
Bahamas Bahamas defeats defeats USVI 3-2
THE 2025 Caribbean Baseball Cup continued yesterday at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium, where The Bahamas faced the United States Virgin Islands in a seven-inning game.
Hotel chief: Our air arrivals ‘lifeline somewhat slipped’
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president yesterday conceded that air arrivals to New Providence “have somewhat slipped” while cruise passenger visitors continue to expand.
Tourism market diversity key in challenging 2025
THE United Kingdom is “one of our most promising and steadily growing international markets this year”, the Nassau and Paradise Island Promotion Board’s chief executive said yesterday.
Just 157 firms collecting half gov’ts vat revenue
The Prime Minister yesterday said that just 157 companies were responsible for collecting more than half of the Government’s VAT revenues during the first eight months of 2025.
Tax chief: Power of sale is ‘absolute last resort’
The Department of Inland Revenue's top executive yesterday asserted it is using its ‘power of sale’ as an “absolute last resort” against real property tax deadbeats who have gone decades without paying taxes.
Downtown Nassau hotel names general manager
The Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau has named Shyam Lalu as its new general manager.
Top airline activates its tie-up with Bahamasair
Bahamasair yesterday confirmed that a premier global airline has activated its interline partnership with the national flag carrier so that its passengers can enjoy improved connectivity to this country.
FRONT PORCH: Major parties in close contest ahead of election
WITH MONTHS to go before the 2026 general election, the major parties are in a close contest for the support and seats required to form the next government that will lead the country into the next decade.
Wednesday, December 3
Tourism ‘pacing ahead’ despite ‘reduced weeks’ for November
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president yesterday affirmed the 2026 winter season is “pacing ahead” of this year’s performance even as the industry’s line staff union disclosed that some employees were still working “reduced weeks” in November.
US court approves Sarkis’ CCA deal
Sarkis Izmirlian’s personal involvement helped secure the settlement of his decade-long legal battle with Baha Mar’s main contractor that was yesterday approved by a US judge.
Rosewood developer blasts ‘baseless’ work permit claim
The $200m Rosewood Exuma developer yesterday blasted as “baseless assertions” the claims a rival resort has made over the number of work permits it is seeking as it pledged to create 500 “well-paying jobs” during the project’s construction and operational phases.
$3m Queen’s Staircase, water tower upgrade near handover
The Fort Fincastle water tower and Queen’s Staircase are set to be formally handed back to the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC) this week to mark the near-completion of a $3m restoration project.
Bahamas’ boating loss is ‘USVI’s $100m gain’
The Bahamas’ loss is threatening to become a $100m gain for the US Virgin Islands (USVI), the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president asserted yesterday, as the latest boat tracking data shows “a 40 percent decline in vessels” visiting this nation.
Bad weather costs Nassau 16,000 cruise ship tourists
Nassau lost an estimated 16,000 visitors and four vessel calls on Saturday after strong winds prevented all but one ship from docking at the city’s $300m cruise port, it was confirmed last night.
Sands: ‘No taxpayer value’ in $1.7m AC repairs deal
The Opposition’s chairman yesterday blasted that “there’s no value for taxpayer money” in a $1.7m contract for air conditioning repairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre offices as he challenged why any public funds were spent.
Two arrested at LPIA in seizure of nearly $90K
TWO men were arrested at Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday after officers seized nearly $90,000 in undeclared cash in two separate incidents.
BTVI board defends president in unions dispute over benefits
THE Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s Board of Directors pushed back yesterday against claims that President Dr Linda Davis withheld benefits from staff, insisting that decisions on increments, allowances and other entitlements do not fall under her authority.
Faulty body trailer replaced at Rand amid morgue delay questions
A MALFUNCTIONING refrigerated trailer used to store bodies at the Rand Memorial Hospital has been replaced, according to Public Hospitals Authority officials, amid questions over overdue delays in the construction of a new morgue facility on Grand Bahama.
Brooklyn Bridge barge owners face $20k reef damage penalty
THE owners of the Brooklyn Bridge barge which was looted after running aground off Abaco will be fined $20,000 for damaging a coral reef, officials confirmed yesterday, after an environmental assessment found extensive harm to coral reefs.
Haitian mother’s ‘refuge’ lost as fire destroys home
THREE years after fleeing Haiti in search of safety and stability, Louise Joseph is again fighting to regain her footing — this time after a fire destroyed everything she owned over the weekend.
Mom dies in crash before seeing daughter graduate
SHAQUELL Roberts was looking forward to seeing her eldest daughter graduate next year — a milestone her own mother never lived to witness — before her life was cut short in a violent car crash on Monday.
‘Detainee had to be revived twice’
THE lawyer for a 31-year-old Haitian man held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre says his client had to be revived twice by hospital staff after being brutally punched, slapped and beaten about the face and body by immigrations officers both at the facility and on the bus on the way there.
Couple awarded $131,000 after police acted as ‘debt collectors’
A SUPREME Court Registrar has rebuked police officers who arrested and detained a married couple for more than 31 hours over what he found was nothing more than a civil rental dispute.
Henfield: Curious that Cooper not sure of Fox’s nationality as ambassadors are required to be Bahamian citizens
SENATOR Darren Henfield says he finds it ‘curious’ that Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper claimed not to know Rick Fox was Bahamian when that is one of the requisites for being an Ambassador-at-Large for the Bahamas.
Murder accused gets bail on gun charge
A MAN awaiting a murder trial was granted bail yesterday after being accused of having a banned assault rifle near his home in January.
Man sent for psych evaluation in attempted murder abetment case
A MAN was remanded for psychological evaluation after being accused of abetting two attempted murders last month.
ALICIA WALLACE: Now is the time for disability-inclusivity action
TODAY is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) and the theme set by the United Nations is “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
Cadet Corps gives Thanksgiving gift to CR Walker High School
THANKSGIVING DAY 2025 will forever be etched in the annals of the history of the CR Walker Senior High School. On Thursday, November 27, the school was presented with 20 state-of-the-art computers, which replaced the ones which were taken when the computer lab was broken into some time earlier.
BACSWN unveils emissions platform with 16 pending patents
THE Bahamas strengthened its presence on the global climate stage this week as representatives from the Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network returned for a second year to the Global Carbon Markets Conference, unveiling major advancements in aviation emissions technology and weather intelligence infrastructure.
Modest inflation increase in July
Prices paid by Bahamian consumers remained relatively stable in July with inflation increasing by just 0.6 percent compared to the prior month and by 1.3 percent year-over-year.
Nursing home owner denies suicide claim, says resident cut himself shaving
THE proprietor of a Soldier Road nursing home is disputing a police report that an 80-year-old resident attempted suicide, insisting the man simply cut himself while shaving — something she said he routinely does on his own.
Bahamas vs USVI in feature game tonight
AFTER losing out on the title last year in the championship to Curacao, the US Virgin Islands men’s baseball team is here to go all the way and win the 2025 Caribbean Baseball Cup Championships.
Tuesday, December 2
Fugitive ex-judge’s ‘iconic’ status challenges receiver
The “iconic” status of a fugitive ex-Supreme Court judge among Bahamian attorneys created an “enormous challenge” for the receiver charged with seizing his local assets when it came to securing legal representation.
Businesses being ‘taxed to the point of stagnation’
The Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president yesterday voiced fears that businesses are “being taxed to the place where they stay stagnant” after it was revealed there is no escape from having to pay VAT on construction-related expansion projects.
Rosewood Exuma opponents issue Bahamian jobs challenge
Opponents of the $200m Rosewood Exuma project yesterday challenged its assertions over the number of Bahamians it will employ - both in the building phase and full-time operations - alleging it has obtained government approval for up to 100 construction work permits.
AG: New bill ‘backbone’ for the digital economy
The Attorney General yesterday said the Data Protection Bill is the “backbone” of The Bahamas’ technology-related legislation.
‘I always thought he was Canadian’ - Cooper questions Rick Fox’s nationality
ACTING Prime Minister Chester Cooper claims he has never been sure if Ambassador-at-Large Rick Fox is even Bahamian.
Family upset over Gibson post linking body to missing relative
THE family of a missing Long Island woman are criticising local officials for linking the discovery of human remains to their loved one, saying that as yet there is no evidence and are demanding answers for closure.
Graycliff unveils sixth factory experience with Batik launch
Graycliff yesterday further expanded its operations by launching its new Batik Factory in the nearby Mountbatten House.
'Tractors on site' as govt finalises heads of agreement and loan for new hospital
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville says the government expects to finalise the heads of agreement and loan documents for New Providence’s new specialty hospital by Friday, edging forward a flagship project dogged by public scepticism.
PMH emergency unit finally shifts to new space after series of missed deadlines
GOVERNMENT officials say the long-promised Accident & Emergency upgrade at Princess Margaret Hospital is finally shifting into its operational phase — a late-year transition for a project that has repeatedly stumbled past earlier deadlines.
From The Grove to Mount Fitzwilliam - ‘Mother’ Pratt opens doors to her life story
THE longtime family home of Governor General Dame Cynthia “Mother” Pratt has opened its doors as a museum.
Pinder assures unions new bill offers ‘most sophisticated’ safeguards for healthcare staff
ATTORNEY General and Senator Ryan Pinder said the new Data Protection Bill will guarantee “maximum protection” for biometric data, assuring unions that the government intends to implement the most robust data-protection framework the country has ever had as the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) prepares to replace its paper security cards with biometric access.
Travellers face mandatory facial scans entering and leaving US from December 26
BAHAMIANS and other non-United States citizens will soon be required to be photographed when entering and leaving the United States, as the Trump administration strengthens measures to combat visa overstays and passport fraud.
Defence Force officer dies after crashing into tree on Tonique Williams Darling Highway
A DEFENCE force officer believed to be in his late 20s died after crashing into a tree off the Tonique Williams Darling Highway early yesterday morning.
Abaco residents fume as demolished shanty town becomes ‘regular dump site’
FRUSTRATION is mounting among Abaco residents who say their repeated calls for the government to clear debris from a demolished shanty town have gone unanswered, even as the area has become a dumping ground and fire hazard.
Abandoned baby inspires Pi Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s $10,000 donation to PMH Children’s Ward
INSPIRED by a baby found abandoned in bushes last October, the Pi Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity donated $10,000 to the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Children’s Ward during a presentation at the facility yesterday.
Outgoing president of BTVI accused by faculty of funding ‘lavish’ party while staff go unpaid
FACULTY at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute launched industrial action yesterday, accusing outgoing President Dr Linda Davis of misconduct and mismanagement — allegations the institution has not publicly addressed.
Jury directed to enter ‘not guilty’ verdict in procuration trial
A JURY was directed to enter a not guilty verdict in the case of a 41-year-old man accused of asking a teen boy to ejaculate at a gas station on Baillou Hill Road in exchange for money last year.
Man held on charge of having sex with teen boy
A MAN was remanded to custody yesterday, accused of twice having sex with a 14-year-old boy.
Fifth suspect in gang rape of teen girl remanded
A FIFTH suspect was remanded to custody yesterday, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in a bathroom on Kemp Road in August.
Lifeboat washes ashore as crew seem to abandon ‘mystery’ ship off Albany
FOR months, a foreign vessel has sat idle in Bahamian waters, a mystery that drew public attention only after its bright orange lifeboat washed ashore last week near Albany.
Wilson hits back at PM's ‘gift’ comment saying pay rises came from taxpayers
BAHAMAS Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson says teachers are preparing to decide how they will escalate industrial action as anger intensifies over the government’s salary adjustments, warning: “it ain’t long now.”
Air arrivals drop in eight of ‘25’s first nine months
Air arrivals to The Bahamas fell against 2024 comparatives in eight of the first nine months this year, Central Bank of The Bahamas data released yesterday reveals, although total numbers are up due to the continued growth and expansion of cruise tourism.
Entrepreneur enjoys 15% Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales rise
A Bahamian entrepreneur yesterday said he enjoyed a 15 percent jump in sales due to offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals - an increase he aims to maintain once his storefront is completed.
Water Corp outages ‘really tough' for Eleuthera to take
Eleuthera residents and businesses were yesterday told that the Naval Base reverse osmosis plant is fully operational and producing water again following repeated supply loss and reduced pressure last week.
Atlantis reveals projects to create 350 permanent jobs
Atlantis yesterday announced that the planned upgrades to its Cove property, as well as the addition of fresh retail, restaurant and amenity offerings, will create 350 full-time jobs when all these projects are completed.
Bahamas has one goal: Qualify for CAC games
MEMBERS of the Bahamas Baseball Association men's national team say their only goal this week at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium is to qualify for the 2026 Central America and Caribbean Games.
Monday, December 1
Man jailed after fleeing police custody in handcuffs
A MAN was sentenced to three months in prison on Friday after admitting he escaped from the Nassau Street Police Station in November.
China-Bahamas second annual kite festival deemed a success
Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yan Jiarong highlighted growing cultural exchanges between the two countries are helping to strengthen diplomatic ties as she praised the success of the second annual China-Bahamas Kite Festival this weekend.
Man shot five times dies after ambulance crashes
A TEENAGER shot five times on Saturday was alive and responsive before the ambulance carrying him to hospital collided with another vehicle at the traffic light at Shirley Street and Hawkins Hill, The Tribune understands.
Thompson dismisses ‘outdated’ registry claims
Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson has pushed back against former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s claim that the voter registry needs to be “cleaned up,” insisting the database is up to date and that ongoing efforts are aimed squarely at maintaining its accuracy.
Teachers vote for industrial action
TEACHERS have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, a show of unrest a few days after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis expressed disappointment with unions’ fierce reaction to the government’s latest salary increases.
Immigration investigates abuse claim after detainee went ‘missing’ for days
THE Department of Immigration has launched an investigation into claims of physical abuse by a man of Haitian descent whose wherebouts remained unknown for several days following his detention for alleged immigration violations – causing tensions to flare in the local Haitian community.
COI ‘encouraged’ by by-election loss as it looks forward to 2026 election
COALITION of Independents chairman Charlotte Green says the party remains encouraged after its Golden Isles showing and plans to fold lessons from the by-election into its push for the 2026 general election — even as last week’s results again exposed the movement’s limits at the ballot box.
Foreign Affairs extends condolences on passing of reggae icon Jimmy Cliff
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday extended condolences to the Government and people of Jamaica following the death of internationally celebrated reggae legend James Chambers, known globally as Jimmy Cliff.
‘Our one Christmas wish’: Families pray for return of missing loved ones
FOR families praying for the call that their missing loved ones have been found, their one Christmas wish this year is for them to return home.
17-year-old accused of fatal stabbing in Grand Bahama granted $15k bail
A 17-year-old boy was granted $15,000 bail after he was accused of a fatal stabbing in Grand Bahama earlier this year.
Teen charged with murder of Kevin Cooper
A 17-year-old boy on Friday pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kevin Cooper near the Fleming Street Clinic in March.
Pair plead not guilty to shooting attack
TWO men have pleaded not guilty to charges connected to an attempted murder last September.
Teen charged with stealing while working at Burger King
A 16-year-old boy was granted bail after he was accused of stealing from the Burger King on Bernard Road while employed there earlier this year.
WORLD VIEW: The cost of less than a cup of coffee could end world hunger in five years
In my article last week, “Hunger and War: The Oldest Crime the World Still Permits,” I argued that global hunger is not caused by a lack of food, but by political decisions that produce war, destroy livelihoods, and block humanitarian access.
Mitchell says restored Washington Chancery marks ‘renewal’ of Bahamas’ diplomatic presence
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the newly restored and named Bahamian Chancery in Washington, DC, represents a renewal of the country’s diplomatic presence and a chance to reflect on the relationships that shaped its foreign service.
Bahamas secures re-election to IMO Council after beating 26 candidates
The Bahamas has secured re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, Category C, during the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly in London last week, beating out 26 other candidates for one of the coveted seats.
Govt to sign direct contracts with Cuban health workers to satisfy US demands early this month
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said on Friday the government expects to finalise new contracts with Cuban healthcare workers early this month, after flying to Havana for meetings in response to conditions set by the United States.
