Local News

Minnis backs govt's electricity bill assistance

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday he supports the government’s proposal to assist thousands of poor Bahamians who were unable to pay their electricity bills and were “taken off the grid.”

‘No chance’ for Butler-Turner and Sands leadership challenge

LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Senator Dr Duane Sands “don’t stand a chance” against Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest at the party’s upcoming national convention, former Cabinet Minister Tennyson Wells predicted yesterday.

Televisions donated to prison to help rehabilitate inmates

THE Parole and Re-entry Steering Committee (PRSC) yesterday donated three flat screen televisions to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services to assist in rehabilitating inmates and reducing offender recidivism.

Man guilty of manslaughter in Sunshine Park shooting

A MAN who stood trial in the Supreme Court concerning a fatal shooting in Sunshine Park was acquitted of murder but convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Three have charges dropped over murder plot allegations

THREE of four persons who were arraigned concerning allegations that they had a role in a murder plot had charges against them withdrawn.

Bishop calls referendum rejection a ‘fundamental mistake’

ANGLICAN Diocese Bishop Laish Boyd pointed yesterday to the high level of mistrust in the government and spitefulness of voters as factors that led Bahamians to make the “fundamental mistake” of rejecting the gender equality referendum.

Lecture series to focus on youth and women in co-operative entrepreneurship

THE second in a series of four distinguished lectures facilitated by the Department of Co-operative Development within the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources takes place next week with the emphasis on youth and women’s participation in co-operative entrepreneurship.

Marion Bethel to serve on U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

MARION Bethel, the noted Bahamian attorney and author, is among 11 experts elected to serve on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, replacing those whose four-year terms will expire at the end of 2016.

‘Absent’ Minnis blasted

CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant had strong words for Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ performance during the wrap up of the 2016/2017 budget debate, saying the Killarney MP showed “no interest” in the head-by-head exercise and seemed unprepared.

Conviction rate now 71%, says Attorney General

THE conviction rate for Supreme Court cases up to April of this year was 71 per cent, a dramatic improvement from the 31 per cent that was recorded by the end of 2012, Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson revealed yesterday during her contribution to the budget debate in the Senate. Up to April of this year, the acquittal rate was 29 per cent.

Minnis promises referendum on capital punishment if he becomes PM

OPPOSITION Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday if he is elected prime minister, he would hold a referendum on capital punishment “as soon as possible”.

Loan cancellation ‘will not affect’ college transition to university

THE College of the Bahamas’ cancellation of a $16.1m loan from the Caribbean Development Bank will not deter the institution’s transition into a university, officials said in a statement last night.

Baha Mar developer is ‘astounded’ at legal letters

BAHA Mar’s developer, BMD Holdings, said it is “astounding” that nearly one year after engaging with China Construction America and China Export Import Bank in “sabotaging” the resort’s Chapter 11 case in the United States, the Christie administration has suddenly paid two law firms to craft hypothetical justifications for the government’s “ready-fire-aim” actions concerning the $3.5bn resort.

Police shoot and wound suspected armed robbers after Superwash raid

POLICE shot and wounded two suspected armed robbers during a shootout near the intersection of Marathon and Robinson Roads on Thursday night.

Disabled man shot dead in Pioneer's Loop, Freeport

A DISABLED man was found shot dead in a shack in the Pioneer’s Loop Subdivision of Freeport, Grand Bahama, on Thursday evening.

The Tribune