Local News

‘RBDF not offered complimentary Starlink service in SpaceX deal’

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe says the government pays more than $1m annually for Starlink satellite internet services used across law enforcement and security agencies, contradicting a recent international news report suggesting the services may have been provided free of charge as part of an agreement to allow SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosters to land in the country.

Decomposing body of man found in car near a residence on Wilton Street

A MAN’S body was found in an advanced state of decomposition inside a vehicle near a residence on Wilton Street yesterday afternoon.

Bills tabled ‘put public health at the centre of our national policy’

A SWEEPING package of health-related bills aimed at strengthening the nation’s healthcare system, expanding access, and modernising service delivery was debated in Parliament yesterday, drawing praise and criticism.

‘Much stricter environment when schools reopen with ID cards and campus controls’

PUBLIC schools across the country will enter a “much stricter environment” this September, with new rules requiring student ID cards, security escorts for visitors, and tighter campus controls, part of changes announced by Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin.

Immigration commission report ‘not handed to me yet,’ says Davis

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday he has not yet received the long-anticipated report from the Immigration Commission –– despite the government previously saying it was completed and ready for his review.

Privilege committee recommends White and Cartwright apologise over behaviour in the House of Assembly

THE House of Assembly’s Committee on Privilege has recommended that Opposition MPs Shanendon Cartwright and Adrian White apologise for misleading or inappropriate conduct during this year’s budget debate, warning that future acts of deception or disorder in Parliament should be met with formal condemnation.

‘If there was evidence would I have not been charged?’

A MAN accused of attacking a fellow American at Atlantis’ nightclub has denied claims he severed the alleged victim’s foot during a violent altercation, calling the injuries a “freak accident”.

Sands: COI leader’s rejected court appeal ‘speaks to his character’

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands says the Bahamian public must weigh Lincoln Bain’s “character” after the Privy Council rejected his final appeal in a civil case, cementing a judgment that he owes $64,000 to an investor.

OPM demands news agency retract story on SpaceX deal

THE Office of the Prime Minister has called on Reuters, a leading international news agency, to retract a story that claimed SpaceX offered free Starlink internet terminals to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) as part of an agreement to land Falcon 9 rocket boosters in Bahamian waters.

Munroe says about ten to 15 percent of officers on extended sick leave

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe says the Royal Bahamas Police Force needs 2,000 more officers due to hundreds of inactive officers on indefinite sick leave, limited training capacity, and too few qualified applicants.

Kids ‘abused’ at Rangers camp

POLICE are investigating allegations that children in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rangers programme were abused during a summer camp in Eleuthera, claims that include beatings, being forced to drink toilet water, and sexually inappropriate behaviour by an officer.

Pampering puppies for a day at the Humane Society

A pet supply store teamed up with the Bahamas Humane Society to give pets in need of a home a free pamper this week.

Rahming defends against criticism that govt is hiring journalists to weaken media

FACING criticism that the Davis administration has weakened the media industry by hiring many reporters, director of communications Latrae Rahming is defending the practice, saying many of those recruited were already at the height of their journalism careers and looking for a change.

Contractors association head: most work permits for unskilled workers, not for technical trades

THE head of the Bahamas Contractors Association has pushed back against Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’s claim that foreign workers are needed to fill skilled labour gaps, arguing that most work permits go to unskilled positions while proposing a freeze on renewals for roles that recent school leavers could fill.

Wife of man in suspected suicide testifies family searched for him for two days

THE wife of Evan Fox told a Coroner’s Court yesterday that his family searched for the man for two days before his body was discovered, as the inquest into the 33-year-old’s suspected suicide began.

The Tribune