Local News

Attempted murder accused held in prison over libel charge

A MAN already on bail for attempted murder was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of posting sexually explicit and defamatory images and videos targeting a woman on Facebook and TikTok.

Man accused of exposing himself outside primary school

A MAN was accused of repeatedly exposing himself to two female students outside Carlton E Francis Primary School on consecutive days last week.

Joint law enforcement operation leads to 22 arrests in Abaco

TWENTY-two people suspected of being in the country illegally were arrested in Abaco on Wednesday during a joint law enforcement operation.

Amputee denies gun assault and death threat charges

A LEG amputee was accused of hitting a man in the head with a handgun and threatening to kill him outside his Sequoia Street residence last week.

Parole bill heading for fresh public consultation after years of delays

ATTORNEY General Wayne Munroe said the long-delayed parole bill will soon be released online for another round of public consultation, as Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare urged the government to pass legislation he said has been 11 years in the making.

LPIA travellers to get new VIP lounge options next month

TRAVELLERS will soon have access to new upscale lounges at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), with the facilities set to officially open to the public on October 1.

Opposition voices $311m‘off books’ spend concern

THE OPPOSITION yesterday challenged if the $311m spent from the National Investment Fund represents “off-the-books capital expenditure” structured so as not to blow the Government’s Budget surplus in the election run-up as a Cabinet minister asserted it had followed the law.

Finance Minister: Cost of royal visit is still being worked out

THE government still does not know how much taxpayers will spend on King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to The Bahamas next month, with Finance Minister Michael Halkitis saying agencies are still working out the costs.

Pintard demands answers over more than $400m

OPPOSITION leader Michael Pintard yesterday demanded an accounting of more than $400m of roughly $700m the government said it transferred to the National Investment Fund, saying Finance Minister Michael Halkitis explained only about $310.9m in spending when he addressed Parliament.

Baha Mar offers 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave

BAHA Mar will give eligible full-time employees 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child, a benefit that far exceeds both existing Bahamian law and the two weeks of paid paternity leave currently proposed as part of the government’s national labour reforms.

Halkitis: Govt broke no laws

THE Davis administration broke no law when it began spending hundreds of millions of dollars through the National Investment Fund before its board ever convened, Finance Minister Michael Halkitis insisted yesterday, even as he acknowledged that key governance arrangements for the fund remain unfinished.

Court orders psyc-eval for man accused of damaging kiosk

A MAN accused of damaging an Island Luck kiosk last month was remanded to prison for a psychological evaluation after displaying erratic behaviour and incoherent speech in court.

Corrections considers electronic watches to monitor parolees

THE Bahamas Department of Corrections is considering watch-style electronic monitors for inmates released under the proposed parole system, with Commissioner Doan Cleare saying the devices would be less conspicuous than ankle bracelets and allow parolees to return to workplaces without being visibly identified.

FNM explores legal action over National Investment Fund

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he has sought legal advice on whether the government’s handling of the National Investment Fund breached criminal, statutory or constitutional law and what action could be taken to force disclosure of how hundreds of millions of dollars moved through the fund.

New bill puts legal duties on families caring for elderly

RELATIVES responsible for older people could be legally required to provide them with food, safe housing and healthcare — and in some cases collect them from hospital after discharge — under sweeping proposed legislation that would impose new duties on families, caregivers and professionals.

The Tribune