Opposition leader slams budget, demands accounting of funds
OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard yesterday demanded an accounting of how more than $200,000 in publicly funded gift certificates were allegedly distributed in Abaco during the general election, accusing the government of failing to address the controversy in its 2026/2027 Budget Communication.
New budget targets healthcare with clinic and hospital funding
THE Davis administration yesterday allocated $11.6m to build and upgrade Family Island clinics and committed an initial $20m to its proposed New Providence hospital, as it faces persistent scrutiny over poor conditions, manpower shortages and limited capacity in the public healthcare system.
Govt announces plan to buy 40 fire trucks in new budget
THE Davis administration yesterday announced plans to acquire 40 fire trucks, strengthen prison security and expand maritime defence infrastructure as it faces continuing pressure over emergency response capacity and public safety.
Govt promises teacher raises and upgrades in new budget
THE Davis administration has set out an ambitious agenda to for further education reform in the upcoming budget, promising salary increases for teachers, higher grants for special needs schools and major school upgrades.
Over $24k raised for Bimini boy shot in head by brother
MORE than $24,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign launched for eight-year-old Duran Saunders of Bimini, who is fighting for his life at a Florida hospital after he was accidentally shot in the head by his 12-year-old brother nearly a week ago.
PM silent on Gardiner crash amid ‘Politician-1’ protests
PRIME Minister Philip Davis and Aviation Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis ignored questions over the plane crash off the Florida coast involving Eric ‘Player’ Gardiner yesterday, while FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright led a protest outside the House of Assembly demanding answers about allegations of political links to drug trafficking.
STATESIDE: Of wars and history - where does Trump go from here?
THE IRAN War started 13 weeks ago. A decades long standoff between Iran and the US began with the Iranian revolution that overthrew the Shah’s royal regime in 1979.
FRONT PORCH: Which way now? FNM needs period of discernment and dialogue
FOLLOWING its second consecutive general election loss, the Free National Movement (FNM) needs a period of discernment and dialogue.
New cruise pier and school planned for GB
FINANCE Minister Michael Halkitis yesterday said Grand Bahama is poised to benefit from surging tourism arrivals, reduced electricity costs and new infrastructure investments, including a cruise ship pier complex, airport management services and a new high school.
Man faces attempted murder
A MAN accused of a near-fatal shooting near East Bay Street earlier this year was remanded to prison this week.
RBDF officer faces gun charge
A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force officer was granted bail yesterday after she was accused of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in a home.
Suspect in tenant rape granted $15k court bail
A MAN accused of raping his female tenant on Hospital Lane last month was granted bail yesterday.
Pension reform revival to cap $3bn unfunded Gov’t liabilties
The Government yesterday moved to revive long-awaited public sector pension reform in a bid to halt growth in unfunded liabilities that now stand at $3bn through the creation of a scheme where civil servants will help finance their own retirement.
Key tax arrears jump 27% to reach $1.8bn
Tax arrears owed to the Government under some of its most important revenue streams grew by $382m or 26.7 percent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year to hit $1.812bn at end-March 2026, Budget documents released yesterday revealed.
Taxpayer SOE subsidies surge by 19% to $655m
Taxpayer subsidies to loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are set to increase by more than $103m to $655m during the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year, driven largely by expanded healthcare spending, with other efforts focused on boosting transparency and efficiency for public-private partnerships (PPPs).
‘Cite the law’ used in $700m debt transfer
The Opposition’s leader yesterday urged the Government “to cite what law they are following” after it was revealed that $700m in net new borrowings, or debt, has been transferred to the National Investment Fund.
Finance minister hails ‘mould breaking’ growth
A Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that the Government is “clear eyed” about the challenges facing the Bahamian economy as he hailed this nation’s post-COVID rebound as “mould-breaking and outstanding”.
Bahamas’ import bill breaches $5bn mark
THE Bahamas imported around $5.1bn worth of goods in 2025, a 3 percent increase over the $4.9bn recorded in the prior year, while this nation’s total exports were relatively flat at $677.6m.
Sir Milo grandson’s legal ban: ‘Penalty doesn’t fit the crime’
A grandson of Sir Milo Butler, the first Bahamian governor general, yesterday disclosed he is “extremely crushed and disappointed” but still “holding my head high” after the prohibition on him practicing as an attorney for “misappropriating” $862,287 from AML Foods was upheld.
