ALICIA WALLACE: Four simple steps to really help us make this a better year
HERE we are, in a new calendar year. We always look forward to the fresh start a new year represents, but especially after going through a difficult one.
VAT reduction ‘has been implemented smoothly’
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis says the reduction in value added tax to ten percent has been implemented smoothly across the country.
Privy Council ruling ‘could open door for release applications’
A PRIVY Council ruling that could lead to a man being freed from Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre after being there for decades could open the door for other people to make applications to the courts for release, according to lawyers.
New govt ‘found no manuals or regulations in place’ relating to Public Procurement Act
MICHAEL Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs, said the Davis administration found in place no manuals or regulations relating to the Public Procurement Act when it came to power, suggesting this has affected the government’s ability to comply with the key legislation.
90 percent of Virtual Junkanoo production team had COVID-19
YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg revealed yesterday that 90 percent of the team contracted to produce a virtual Junkanoo show had COVID-19, which has affected the production.
‘Rescue’ peak tourism: Gov’ts last-ditch action
The Government last suspended the mandatory COVID PCR tests for all visitors due to take effect from January 7 after being urged to “rescue” the peak winter tourism season.
Thirteen alternatives to ‘act of humiliation’
The Grand Lucayan’s ex-chairman yesterday urged the Davis administration to pick up four “serious” purchase offers for the resort that he left behind as an alternative to “an act of humiliation”.
Worker shortage fears on Omicron explosion
Bahamian employers yesterday voiced fears that the rapid explosion in Omicron cases could result “in our whole system being challenged” by the absence of key workers.
Cruise port: ‘Omicron not slowed us down’
Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said vessel bookings have not been impacted by what he slammed as an “unfair analysis” by US health regulators of the industry’s COVID risk.
Gambler winnings tax ‘too complex’
The Minnis administration chose not to implement the tax on web shop patron winnings because it was “too complex” and could have driven gamblers back into the underground economy.
Grand Bahama set for local govt elections on January 27
SOME 70 council seats are up for grabs in this year’s local government election in Grand Bahama slated for January 27.
Two rescued after plane crash in Berry Islands
TWO people have been rescued after a plane crashed in the area of Chub Cay, the Berry Islands on Wednesday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority reported.
Coconut Grove shooting is first homicide of 2022
A MAN was found shot dead in the Coconut Grove area last night, becoming the first homicide victim for the year.
WILL WE HAVE STAFF TO COPE? 130 health workers off the frontline as cases continue rising
HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said about 130 healthcare professionals are out of the system because of COVID-19, including 100 in New Providence and 30 in Grand Bahama.
Betting shops new levy scrapped
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the government will do away with a patron tax on lottery winnings, although the levy was never implemented on gaming houses.
Passengers’ fear at mid air ‘near miss’
PASSENGERS were left terrified after being involved in a near mid-air collision on a Bahamasair flight out of Abaco.
Dire predictions of how bad it could be
A NEW study has projected that due to the Omicron variant in The Bahamas, daily case numbers could reach a high of 2,610 by February 13.
Small business agency refutes ‘demand letter’
The Government’s key small business support agency yesterday disputed assertions it sent a “demand letter” to one of its clients seeking repayment of a loan that had fallen into arrears.
Air Canada’s pause ‘certainly bad news’
A senior tourism official yesterday said he would have been more “worried” if Air Canada had suspended its weekly Exuma flight for commercial reasons rather than COVID-19.
Avoid ‘knee jerk’ Omicron response, business urges
Businesses yesterday urged the Government to avoid a “knee jerk” response to the rapid expansion of COVID-19 cases with 1,850 new infections reported over a five-day period.
