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Volume: 122 No. 33, January 9, 2025
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
5% VAT CU T ON ALL FOOD ITEMS PM announces tax relief on products sold in foodstores By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has announced that the valueadded tax rate on all food sold in food stores would be reduced from ten percent to five percent. The surprising measure, he said, is designed to offer
immediate relief to families burdened by rising prices. “We know that high prices exert a terrible pressure on families,” he said during his New Year’s address at the University of The Bahamas. “Reducing VAT by 50 percent will make a difference for those with the SEE PAGE FIVE
SEARCH FOR NEXT UB PRESIDENT NARROWED TO THREE FINALISTS THE University of The Bahamas said the search for its next president has been narrowed to three finalists after an extensive recruitment search. The finalists are UB alumna Dr Maria Woodside-Oriakhi, Dr Robert Blaine III, and Dr Leroy Hamilton Jr. UB said in a statement that Dr Woodside-Oriakhi
brings over 25 years of academic experience, specialising in advancing quality initiatives, fostering global partnerships, and overseeing academic preparation for SACSCOC (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) accreditation. SEE PAGE 12
A PROCESSION to mark the opening of the legal year downtown yesterday. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Bar president criticises govt over MAYAGUANA TREASURE delays in full FOIA implementation HUNTING By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
BAR Association President Khalil Parker lambasted the government’s delay in fully implementing
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), calling it an “unreasonable” and “unconstitutional” interference with the public’s right to transparency. During his address at the opening of the 2025 legal
year, Mr Parker emphasised the public’s entitlement to integrity, transparency, and accountability from those responsible for the administration of justice and public SEE PAGE THREE
Knowles says ‘much more work to be done’ in voice note probe By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles suggested yesterday that the investigation into a high-profile controversy linked to voice notes is incomplete, even though it led to charges against three men on
Tuesday. “That investigation has been going on for a few months and we are pleased that we were able to get to a point where we were able to have them arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court,” she said. “There is much work to be done with SEE PAGE THREE
POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
‘deflection’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMAS-based underwater explorer is accusing its legal opponent of seeking to “harass” it through allegations it conducted treasure hunting off Mayaguana without obtaining the required government permits. Attorney for Allen Exploration Group (AEG) said that the innuendo-based claims by their opponent were nothing more than a “deflection” from the parties’ core dispute over the salvaging of an estimated $1.5bn in treasure from another wreck in Bahamian waters. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS