THE BUDGET: Govt revenues set for $900m drop, tax relief measures introduced
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest revealed today that there will be a $900m drop in government revenues resulting in a national deficit of $1.3 billion by June next year, brought on by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Three weeks from oil drilling.. then COVID'
A Bahamas-based oil explorer yesterday revealed it was “within three weeks” of drilling its first well until COVID-19 intervened as it unveiled a revised timetable taking its operations into the 2021 first quarter. Simon Potter, Bahamas Petroleum Co
Bahamas targets January 1 launch for overflight fees
The Bahamas is aiming to levy fees on aircraft flying through Bahamian airspace by January 1, 2021, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday, adding: “We think we’re close to a solution.”
Major events planner in NIB payout fears
A major Bahamian events planner yesterday voiced concern about the “horrible situation” facing its staff and other workers due to delays in National Insurance Board (NIB) benefit payouts.
Govt plans civil service 'freeze'
The government is planning to freeze all civil service hirings, promotions and salary increases in a bid to limit the size of a potentially massive 2020-2021 fiscal deficit, it was revealed last night.Kimsley Ferguson, the Bahamas Public Service Unio
Budget must have private sector's back
The government is being urged to “drive confidence” by using today’s 2020-2021 budget to show the private sector it will do whatever it takes to “undergird the economy” and prevent its collapse. Jeffrey Beckles, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and E
BETHEL TO FIGHT COURT’S RULING: Citizenship move to be fought in ‘public’s interest’
THE Office of the Attorney General will appeal a groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling that children born in the country out of wedlock to Bahamian men and foreign women are citizens at birth and do not have to wait until 18 to apply for citizenship.
Jobless rate rise ‘to almost 50%’
THE Bahamas’ unemployment rate has soared to nearly 50 percent due to layoffs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, a government minister revealed yesterday.
Probe into yacht ‘stranded’ 100 days
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force is investigating a visiting yachting couple - Captain Brian and Karin Trautman - who have been ‘stranded’ on an uninhabited island in the Ragged Island chain for over 100 days.
Track and field athletes get All-America honours
While they didn’t get to compete in the NCAA indoor championships because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Bahamian track and field athletes got All-America honours for the 2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field season.
Stopping for a soda costs pool cleaner $500
A POOL cleaner who claimed he was outside during the country’s weekend lockdown because he stopped to buy a soda on the way to his employer’s house was fined $500 yesterday. Willo Desamue, 37, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes aft
Fined $1.5k for cutting off ankle monitoring bracelet
A 36-year-old man who cut off his ankle monitoring bracelet last year has been ordered to pay more than $1,000 in compensation to a security company. Sony Pierre appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday charged with one count
Canadian swim coach Tony ‘TK’ Kennedy dies
POPULAR Canadian swim coach Tony “TK’ Kennedy, who helped to establish the Barracuda Swim Club as one of the most competitive teams in the Bahamas Swimming Federation, passed away last week.
Charged with indecent assault
A MAN was yesterday charged with indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl. Sheldon Forbes appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes accused of attacking the child on May 22. He was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjou
Or, in other words
In the words of Robbie Burns. “The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft a-gley”
First, we should address our flaws
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but building the new.”- Socrates.
San Salvador sporting facilities ‘deplorable’
WHILE many persons are looking at ways of how they will operate once sports resume in the country, sports administrator and physical education teacher Rev Stephen Brown is trying to find ways to get the facilities improved on the island of San Salvador.
Agriculture eyes technology to reverse import increases
The Ministry of Agriculture is aiming to boost vegetable production through the use of hydroponic technology in a bid to reverse double-digit import increases, its top economist said yesterday. Brickell Pinder, addressing the Rethinking Food Securit
Cruise line pushes back Nassau, Freeport return
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line yesterday warned passengers its “onboard experience may look a little different” after it announced a further delay in resuming voyages to this nation. The Palm Beach-based operator said the Grand Celebration will restar
Minister: 50% jobless rate hit to work permits
A Cabinet minister yesterday warned some existing work permits are unlikely to be renewed as The Bahamas grapples with a 50 percent unemployment rate post-COVID-19. Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and industry and immigration
