Local News

Licences 'soon' for nation's second cellular provider, says PM

THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) will award licences to the country’s second cellular mobile services provider soon, Prime Minister Perry Christie said during his budget communication yesterday.

PM committed to NHI - but no word on cost or timetable

WHILE insisting that the government remains committed to implementing National Health Insurance (NHI), Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday failed to reveal a definite cost for the scheme or a concrete timeline for its roll out.

Bannister 'will not seek leadership post' at convention

FREE National Movement (FNM) candidate for Carmichael Desmond Bannister yesterday said he would not seek a leadership post in the party at its next convention.

Trio are cleared of human trafficking

TWO men and a woman were cleared of nearly a dozen human trafficking related charges in Magistrates Court this week.

Murder trial jury is excused for discussions

A JURY sworn to hear evidence in a murder trial has been excused for several days while prosecution and lawyers for the accused hold legal discussions with the presiding judge.

Pastor urges 'No' vote in Grand Bahama

WHILE in Grand Bahama yesterday, Pastor Cedric Moss spoke to a number of Bahamians about why they should vote No to three of the Constitutional Amendment Bills in the gender equality referendum on June 7.

Suspended radio host Russell accuses PLP of victimisation

ZNS Radio talk show host Phillippa “Lady” Russell has accused the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) of victimisation after her show was suspended by the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) last month.

Bannister: Public education campaign undermines referendum

FORMER Education Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday accused the government of undermining the success of the gender equality referendum through its myopic approach to public education.

Governor General welcomes new Chinese ambassador

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling yesterday heralded the appointment of a new Chinese ambassador to The Bahamas as a step towards strengthening “the friendship and relations between the Bahamas and China”.

Handful of protestors oppose talks with Chinese investors

POLICE yesterday blocked a small group of demonstrators from Rawson Square because it did not have permits to publicly oppose the government’s negotiations with Chinese investors over Baha Mar.

University Bill tabled in House

EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald tabled the long-awaited University of the Bahamas bill yesterday.

Spelling Bee champ misses out on final

DONOVAN Butler, the Bahamas National Spelling Bee champion, took to the stage yesterday afternoon in his bid to reach the finals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland.

EXIM, China State Construction enter 'framework agreement' to complete Baha Mar

PRIME Minister Perry Christie announced in the House of Assembly on Wednesday afternoon that the Export Import Bank of China (EXIM) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) have entered into a “framework agreement” to complete the stalled Baha Mar resort “as expeditiously as possible.”

Collie: No high-level talks on D.N.A. coalition

THERE has been no “executive level discussion” between the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) over the potential for a coalition, according to FNM Chairman Sidney Collie.

Minnis ‘failing’ to lead on vote

FORMER Senator Heather Hunt has suggested that Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has not shown effective leadership because he has failed to communicate his position on the four constitutional equality bills.

The Tribune