Senator: Focus on protecting young rather than insensitive comments
SENATOR Michela Barnett Ellis wants the Davis administration to place greater focus on how the country can offer better protection for underage children instead of making “insensitive” comments about victims of sex crimes.
Munroe regrets reaction - but doesn’t take back rape comments
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said that he “deeply” regrets that his comments about an unlawful sexual intercourse case involving a 14-year-old victim “have caused concern”.
Deputy PM: Age of consent should be raised to 18
DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the age of consent should be raised to 18 to “further protect minors.”
UPDATED: Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe releases statement
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe suggested yesterday that a 40-year-old man convicted of having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old girl received a sentence that was too severe, saying had he defended the case he would have argued it was not rape and that the girl consented.
Cannabis draft legislation to go to Cabinet this month
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder has said that draft legislation to govern a cannabis industry in The Bahamas is expected before Cabinet sometime this month.
‘Bread price rise shows need to remove VAT’
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright MP said a leading wholesaler’s recent announcement about the increase in the cost of locally produced bread further exacerbates the need for the government to remove VAT on breadbasket items.
New step in sanctions against Russian finance
THE Bahamas will suspend the automatic exchange of financial information with Russia on its citizens, according to Attorney General Ryan Pinder yesterday.
Concern over illegal land clearances
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller says his ministry is concerned about increased incidents of unlawful land clearing in the country, while vowing to clamp down on those engaging in the illegal practice.
Watson says govt has no record of food spend
A DAY after the head of the now disbanded National Food Distribution Task Force shared with the media a comprehensive database of its work to provide pandemic relief, press secretary Clint Watson insisted the government still has no record of how the task force’s money was spent.
Campbell: Russia review revealed firm with $1.6bn assets
STATE Legal Affairs Minister Jomo Campbell said following The Bahamas’ sanctioning of entities with Russian federation ties, one company was found to have an “overwhelming” value of $1.6bn in private company assets held in a Bahamian fiduciary structure.
$9m financing deal for renewable energy reform
THE government signed a $9m non-reimbursable financing agreement with the European Union and Inter-Development Bank yesterday to assist with renewable energy reform in the country.
Constituency MPs speak out over ‘senseless’ killings
TWO members of Parliament representing inner-city communities yesterday spoke out against violence that has resulted in numerous “senseless killings” in recent weeks.
Customs staff promotions ‘in pipeline’
STATE Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle confirmed yesterday that recommendations for the promotions of 203 Bahamas customs officers have been processed and more are in the pipeline.
‘A republic? That’s up to Bahamians’
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday said his administration will support discussions about The Bahamas’ future with the monarchy, adding the way forward is for Bahamians to decide.
Halkitis: Borrowing to be significantly less
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis anticipates that government borrowing will be “significantly less” for the upcoming fiscal year compared to last year due to increased revenue amid the country’s rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
