Author: Ava Turnquest

EditorialsOctober 20, 2021October 20, 2021 at 3:46 am Ava Turnquest

Editorials

THE READ: GB CORAL FARM PUTS COUNTRY BACK IN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE SPOTLIGHT — WHAT WILL WE DO WITH IT?

Grand Bahama-based coral restoration farm lands inaugural £1 million Earthshot Prize FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Transmuting the country from victim to actor at the forefront of the global climate race, the principals of Coral Vita – the world’s first land-based commercial coral reef restoration farm – have won the UK’s inaugural £1 million Earthshot Prize. […]

Grand Bahama-based coral restoration farm lands inaugural £1 million Earthshot Prize FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Transmuting the country from victim... read more »

October 20, 2021October 20, 2021 at 3:46 am | Ava Turnquest

EditorialsOctober 13, 2021October 13, 2021 at 8:22 am Ava Turnquest

Editorials

THE READ: ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, CATALYST OR JUST MORE CHAOS?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In Christianity, the archangel Michael is depicted as a great captain and warrior protecting the children of Israel from the forces of evil. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads angels in a victorious struggle over the devil, who is cast out of heaven. Shervandaze Smith took a sledgehammer to the Christopher […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In Christianity, the archangel Michael is depicted as a great captain and warrior protecting the children of... read more »

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021 at 8:22 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalOctober 8, 2021October 8, 2021 at 3:59 am Ava Turnquest

Local

INVALID: Landmark Supreme Court case could nullify scores of VBIs

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court ruling yesterday could have far-reaching implications after it was determined a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) signed by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions David Bakibinga was invalid. Justice Deborah Fraser considered the legitimacy of Bakibinga’s signature on a particular VBI given that he has not been called to the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court ruling yesterday could have far-reaching implications after it was determined a voluntary bill of... read more »

October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 at 3:59 am | Ava Turnquest

Breaking NewsOctober 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 12:14 pm Ava Turnquest

Breaking News

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE: Governor-General Sir Cornelius A Smith outlines the Government’s “Blue Print for Change”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Governor-General Sir Cornelius A Smith today presented the Government’s “Blue Print for Change” as he read the Speech from The Throne marking the opening of a new session of Parliament. Sir Cornelius revealed planned policies and initiatives aimed at bolstering capacity across health, economic, investment, social, cultural and environmental sectors, adding it […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Governor-General Sir Cornelius A Smith today presented the Government’s “Blue Print for Change” as he read the... read more »

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 12:14 pm | Ava Turnquest

Breaking NewsOctober 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 9:04 am Ava Turnquest

Breaking News

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS: Opposition claims Baha Mar Parliament venue unconstitutional

UPDATE: Bahamas Information Services has released a photo of a new proclamation signed by Governor-General Sir Cornelius A Smith, effectively allowing for the next session of Parliament to be held on Baha Mar premises. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has accused the incoming Davis administration of conducting an “unconstitutional excursion” to Baha […]

UPDATE: Bahamas Information Services has released a photo of a new proclamation signed by Governor-General Sir Cornelius A Smith, effectively... read more »

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 9:04 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalOctober 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 3:59 am Ava Turnquest

Local

Father killed, teen injured after family gunned down in car

National Security minister calls on the village to “raise people who will make their jobs easier” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — SCREAMS rang out through a side street off Kemp Road as police began investigations into a shooting attack on a family parked in a car that saw a father killed and his teen daughter seriously injured […]

National Security minister calls on the village to “raise people who will make their jobs easier” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — SCREAMS... read more »

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 3:59 am | Ava Turnquest

EditorialsOctober 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 3:55 am Ava Turnquest

Editorials

THE READ: NO HONEYMOON, PRESSURE TALL

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For all its worth and as gun violence in the capital continues to escalate, the September 16 General Election was a shotgun wedding. The Bahamian people were forced to the polls by former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis under the gun of not only the emergency powers and the authoritarian, opaque regime […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For all its worth and as gun violence in the capital continues to escalate, the September 16... read more »

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021 at 3:55 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalOctober 5, 2021October 5, 2021 at 3:54 am Ava Turnquest 1

Local

‘Prophet Punch’ founder and publisher Ivan Johnson dies

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Punch founder and editor Ivan Johnson died in hospital yesterday. Johnson, a veteran journalist, reportedly had a heart attack. He was 68. The publisher formerly wrote for The Tribune as the newspaper’s chief reporter up to the 1977 general election. He founded the tabloid format Punch newspaper in 1990. He received […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Punch founder and editor Ivan Johnson died in hospital yesterday. Johnson, a veteran journalist, reportedly had... read more »

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021 at 3:54 am | Ava Turnquest | 1

LocalOctober 5, 2021October 5, 2021 at 3:53 am Ava Turnquest

Local

PM Davis: Financial Secretary Simon Wilson is “back to work” after four years of paid leave

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday confirmed the return of Financial Secretary Simon Wilson after spending the last term getting paid by the government “for doing nothing”. Davis was responding to questions from media on the sidelines of the official launch ceremony of FTX Digital Markets – the world’s third-largest crypto exchange. The […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday confirmed the return of Financial Secretary Simon Wilson after spending the last... read more »

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021 at 3:53 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalOctober 1, 2021October 3, 2021 at 7:17 am Ava Turnquest 7

Local

HOLD ON: UN asks countries to halt rapid mass repatriations of Haitian migrants

UN agencies say international law prohibits mass deportation, conditions in Haiti not conducive to forced return GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Four United Nations agencies released a joint statement calling on the member states to halt rapid deportations of Haitian migrants without proper assessment of their individual protection needs. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN […]

UN agencies say international law prohibits mass deportation, conditions in Haiti not conducive to forced return GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Four... read more »

October 1, 2021October 3, 2021 at 7:17 am | Ava Turnquest | 7

LocalOctober 1, 2021October 3, 2021 at 7:05 am Ava Turnquest

Local

CRIME REPORT: Man found with $87k at GB airport, American arrested in Bimini for stolen vessel

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Police arrested a man after a search of his belongings on board a private plane uncovered more than $87,000 in US cash yesterday. In a crime report, police said a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit acted on intelligence when they conducted the search at the Grand Bahama International […]

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Police arrested a man after a search of his belongings on board a private plane uncovered... read more »

October 1, 2021October 3, 2021 at 7:05 am | Ava Turnquest

Op-edSeptember 29, 2021September 29, 2021 at 3:52 am Ava Turnquest

Op-ed

THE READ: CABINET FREE FOR ALL OR PLP TRAINING DAY?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fresh off the heels of a landslide win that all but reversed the FNM’s 2017 sweep, newly minted Prime Minister Philip Davis has also seemingly turned back the clock to the era of large, over-stuffed administrations. Davis doled out a whopping 22 appointments last week, inclusive of himself and his deputy, with […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fresh off the heels of a landslide win that all but reversed the FNM’s 2017 sweep, newly... read more »

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 at 3:52 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalSeptember 25, 2021 at 3:29 pm Ava Turnquest 3

Local

PM TO UN ON COVID VACCINES: “You will only be safe when we are all safe!”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Prime Minister Philip Davis called on world leaders to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines as he underscored the need for global cooperation to face modern crises at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today. In his first international speech just ten days after taking office, Davis […]

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Prime Minister Philip Davis called on world leaders to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines... read more »

September 25, 2021 at 3:29 pm | Ava Turnquest | 3

LocalSeptember 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 7:41 am Ava Turnquest

Local

Police find four suitcases filled with cash in Inagua airport bust

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men were arrested at the Inagua International Airport after a search revealed four suitcases filled with an undetermined amount of cash yesterday. In a joint operation with OPBAT, officers from the Drug Enforcement and Marine Support Unit observed two men who disembarked an aircraft acting in a suspicious manner shortly after […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men were arrested at the Inagua International Airport after a search revealed four suitcases filled with... read more »

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 7:41 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalSeptember 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 7:02 am Ava Turnquest

Local

Motorcyclist dies in Andros collision

MANGROVE CAY, ANDROS — A motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the local clinic after he collided with another biker on Queens Highway last night. According to police, the injured men were found lying on the ground with their motorcycles “extensively damaged” shortly before 11pm. “Initial investigations revealed that the cyclists were traveling in opposite […]

MANGROVE CAY, ANDROS — A motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the local clinic after he collided with another biker... read more »

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 7:02 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalSeptember 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 3:46 am Ava Turnquest

Local

SUSPECTED SUICIDE: Abaco man found with gunshot wound to head

MARSH HARBOUR, ABACO — Police are investigating a suspected suicide after a man was found unresponsive at home in Abaco. According to reports, the man was found lying on his back with an apparent gunshot injury to his head. Police were alerted to the discovery at the man’s home on Don McKay Blvd shortly after […]

MARSH HARBOUR, ABACO — Police are investigating a suspected suicide after a man was found unresponsive at home in Abaco.... read more »

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 at 3:46 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalSeptember 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 5:35 pm Ava Turnquest

Local

BE CAREFUL: Former PM Christie says low voter turnout marks new type of demonstration

Christie: Davis’ survival rests on understanding historic voting trends NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Perry Christie warned that historically low voter levels mark a “very, very major new development” and signal a new type of demonstration in the country. Official results from the 2021 General Election have not yet been released by the Parliamentary […]

Christie: Davis’ survival rests on understanding historic voting trends NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Perry Christie warned that historically... read more »

September 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 5:35 pm | Ava Turnquest

LocalSeptember 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 4:50 pm Ava Turnquest 1

Local

NO RHYME OR REASON: PM Davis explains decision to reduce curfew

Davis: Moody’s downgrade not surprising NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis said he opted to keep the curfew at 11.59pm because there did not appear to be a “rhyme or reason” to change it back after it was adjusted on the night of the general elections. Davis signed amendments to the emergency orders yesterday, […]

Davis: Moody’s downgrade not surprising NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis said he opted to keep the curfew at... read more »

September 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 4:50 pm | Ava Turnquest | 1

BusinessSeptember 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 3:59 am Ava Turnquest 1

Business

FURTHER INTO ‘JUNK’: Moody’s downgrades The Bahamas’ ratings to Ba3, negative outlook

Moody’s projects return to pre-COVID tourism levels “only by 2024 at the earliest” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fresh on the heels of Thursday’s general elections, global credit rating agency Moody’s slashed this nation’s creditworthiness yesterday. The country’s sovereign ratings have been downgraded to ‘Ba3’ from ‘Ba2’, highlighting the daunting economic and fiscal realities facing the nation […]

Moody’s projects return to pre-COVID tourism levels “only by 2024 at the earliest” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fresh on the heels... read more »

September 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 3:59 am | Ava Turnquest | 1

LocalSeptember 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 3:55 am Ava Turnquest

Local

Man dies in Intl. Bazaar shooting

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — A man is dead following a fight at a bar in the International Bazaar that left two other men seriously injured last night. The Police Control Room received a report of a shooting incident at a bar situated in the International Bazaar shortly after 11pm, according to a statement. “Officers’ responded […]

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — A man is dead following a fight at a bar in the International Bazaar that left... read more »

September 18, 2021September 18, 2021 at 3:55 am | Ava Turnquest