Local News

Gardiner faces new charges: plane crash linked to ‘election-related’ activities for first time

THE US government has filed new and additional charges against convicted Bahamian drug trafficker Jonathan Eric Gardiner for his alleged involvement in a long running drug trafficking plot that has sent shockwaves through The Bahamas.

Officials' underestimated Power Outage Severity

ENERGY Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis admitted yesterday that officials underestimated the severity of outages hitting residents and businesses so far this summer.

Mitchell apologises ‘unreservedly’ to family of Claudia Edwards Bethel

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell apologised “unreservedly” yesterday to Claudia Edwards Bethel’s family and estate, but declined to say whether the former senior immigration officer who took custody of her under false pretences and raped her at his home while she was unlawfully detained was allowed to receive retirement benefits before leaving the public service.

Country about 300 teachers short but too many parents ‘disengaged’

EDUCATION Minister Chester Cooper yesterday rejected the long-running claim that Bahamian students are a “D average”, calling the label an “inaccurate and tragic mistake” while revealing that the country is about 300 teachers short across various disciplines.

Arson displaces forty residents

A FIRE believed to have erupted from a domestic dispute destroyed a seven-unit apartment building on Infant View Road on Monday, displacing about 40 people and leaving a 39-year-old woman in police custody.

Women United blasts lack of funds for violence commission

WOMEN United has accused the Davis administration of weakening its own anti-violence law, noting that the recently appointed Protection Against Violence Commission has been left without a dedicated allocation in the 2026/27 budget.

Hanna-Martin urges focus on local tourism spending

THE Bahamas welcomed nearly five million visitor arrivals in the first four months of this year, Tourism Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin revealed yesterday, as she urged a shift in how tourism success is measured.

Coleby-Davis dodges questions on plane with expired documents

AVIATION Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis walked away from reporters yesterday without saying whether the government would investigate how a plane carrying 11 Bahamians, including a man later indicted in a US drug conspiracy case, was able to fly despite expired documentation.

Moxey touts GB rebound but skips resort details

GRAND Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey gave Parliament an upbeat account of Grand Bahama’s economic rebound on Monday but offered no new details on two of the island’s most consequential unresolved projects: the Grand Lucayan resort and Grand Bahama International Airport.

Accuser denies fabricating rape claim over owed money

A woman who accused a man of rape told a Supreme Court jury yesterday that he threatened her with a firearm, choked her and sexually assaulted her after offering her a ride to work in March 2023.

Construction worker dies after fall from work site roof beam

A construction worker in his mid-20s has died after falling from a roof beam at a construction site just south of Prince Charles Drive, and the Ashley Furniture Store, police have confirmed.

Atlantis spectacular promises glitz and glamour for entire family

POMP, SNOW and CIRQUEumstance (PSC), is a new spectacular production that blends the wonder of cirque, the glitz of Broadway, and the magic of film into an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

Police chief reveals special team is probing US drugs plot claim

POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles has revealed a special team has been investigating the United States criminal complaint involving Jonathan Eric Gardiner for weeks, even before Opposition Leader Michael Pintard and other FNM MPs formally asked police last week to investigate the matter.

Sebas promises national development's overhaul

A Cabinet minister yesterday said the Government plans to overhaul how national development is managed by creating a permanent institution responsible for tracking progress, updating priorities and ensuring long-term goals remain set despite changes in political administrations.

Munroe: Compensation more important than saying sorry

ATTORNEY General Wayne Munroe said yesterday the government will pay damages to Claudia Edwards Bethel’s estate after the Privy Council upheld the state’s liability for her unlawful detention and rape by a senior immigration officer, saying “some things are more important than sorry” when asked about calls for an apology.

The Tribune