Connect with us

Bahamas News

Destructive tornado confirmed in hurricane-weary Abaco

Published

on

#Marsh Harbour, Abaco – January 30, 2020 — An early morning tornado has ripped through Marsh Harbour, the hurricane-hit capital of Abaco island in The Bahamas and the shocking weather event was today confirmed by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

From Marsh Harbour, Tornado damage
Advertisement

It is explained that the tornado was likely the result of a weak frontal system rolling off the Florida peninsula, moving south and over Abaco with its embedded thunderstorms.

The tornado, which overturned and smashed an unoccupied mobile home on Don Mackay Boulevard in Marsh Harbour, was described by one resident this way: “‘it sounded like a freight train!”

Media broadcaster and pastor on the island, Silbert Mills, reported that there were no injuries as a result of the tornado and offered that the weather overnight was uncharacteristic of usual conditions in the Abacos at this time of year.

“There was a squall line; I was watching it on my smartphone around 4:30 a.m. This squall line was producing heavy thunderstorms and strong winds and this is not characteristic as my weather memory reflects during this time of year, so we are having some changing seasons and times,”  said Mills in a Facebook live video post around 7 a.m.

The tornado adds insult to injury as Abaco remains in recovery mode following its deadly and destructive brush with Hurricane Dorian on September 1, 2019.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Bahamas News

MOHW Develops Digital Platform to Properly Monitor Regenerative Therapy

Published

on

By Lindsay Thompson

Bahamas Information Services

 

 

NASSAU, The Bahamas -The system for the implementation of the Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act, 2024 was officially introduced locally and internationally on April 28, 2025.

The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville foreshadowed the move at the 2025 HEALinc Future Innovation Summit opening ceremony on Sunday, April 27, at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

Referred to as LAR-TA, it is an on-line portal and digital platform designed to ensure that all approved longevity and regenerative therapies acceptable to patients in The Bahamas are properly vetted for safety and scientific merit, and that these therapies are delivered within a closely monitored ethical framework.

“The LAR-TA system has been developed to ensure that patients are properly consented, that the studies and therapies are ethically approved, meaning they have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval that follow-up data from patients receiving cutting-edge therapies are properly tracked and regularly reviewed for safety and efficacy,” said Dr. Darville.

The new Act also establishes a Longevity and Regenerative Therapy Board that will encourage medical tourism, as well as the advancement of translational medicine locally and globally.

The board will develop the framework to attract top-tier bio-tech companies that will create jobs and other economic benefits and will ensure that stem cell therapies, gene therapies and other promising regenerative therapies accessible in The Bahamas are approved and properly monitored.

The 2025 HEALinc Global Summit ran April 27-29 under the theme: “New Opportunities in Healthy Longevity and Regenerative Medicine”.

The Summit opened with the “big picture” idea of embracing more connected perspectives on the restoration of “whole-person” health and life enhancement.

It featured more than 30 speakers who discussed topics such as precision medicine, gene therapy, and health longevity. It also explored the intersection of advanced longevity, regenerative medicine, and technology focusing on the mind-soul-spirit consciousness.

This unique convergence also highlighted the innovations and insights necessary to restore and sustain whole-person health, bridging science and spirituality to redefine the future of well-being.

The summit unites world leading scientists, innovators, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals with a mission to empower individuals in health management and future shaping.

HEALinc, challenges norms, fostering innovative methods and connecting patients with resources for enhanced quality of life. Its focus is on safe, efficient solutions for longevity and regeneration.

Dr. Darville thanked Bahamian Dr. Desirée Cox, CEO and Founder of  HEALinc and her team for organizing and bringing together industry leaders and scientists to the Fifth Annual HEALinc Global Summit in paradise.

“Your work embraces the spirit of collaboration and continues to reshape our understanding of ageing, wellness and recovery,” he said.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

National Energy Policy consultation tour closes this month

Published

on

By Shakara Trott
Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — The Ministry of Energy is actively engaging Bahamians in shaping the National Energy Policy (NEP) 2025–2030, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and public participation. The campaign encourages citizens to contribute to policy development, with public consultations closing at the end of the month.

The NEP aims to provide safe, reliable, and affordable sustainable energy, aligning with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in areas like affordable energy, sustainable cities, and global partnerships. Key themes in the policy include access, resilience, inclusion, and sustainability.

The transportation, telecommunications, and electricity sectors are the largest energy consumers and central to national development.

The Bahamas currently relies heavily on imported fossil fuels (mainly diesel and heavy fuel oil), exposing the country to volatile global oil prices and high energy costs. The main electricity providers are Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC).

During a recent national address on January 8, 2025, announcing the nationwide 5% VAT rate decrease, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis said that his Government had already started by creating the country’s first nationwide energy sector reforms.

He said: “The high cost of energy runs right throughout the economy.  Important parts of our outdated electricity grid date back to before Independence.  Some of them are so old that no one makes the parts to fix them anymore.  But we can’t build a successful economy – and Bahamians can’t build their own success stories – if we continue to be burdened by an old, outdated, system, dependent on heavy and diesel fuels.”

Prime Minister Davis added: “An unreliable system, and above all, an expensive system – you simply can’t build a 21st century economy with 20th century infrastructure.  So, we’re reforming, upgrading, modernizing.”

He noted that solar panels were going to go up, and prices were “going to come down”.

“We are partnering with Bahamian companies across our Family Islands, to meet the unique needs of each,” Prime Minister Davis pointed out.  “We are going to have New Providence’s first utility-scale solar field.  We’re integrating LNG.  We’re updating transmission lines and technology, for efficiency – which means cost-savings – for reliability, and increased resilience during storms.”

He noted that it was a huge undertaking, and it was going to make a “huge difference”.

“But the changes will take time – so while that work is happening, we’re offering relief on high monthly electricity bills with an equity rate adjustment – a tariff reduction that has already added up to significant savings for thousands of Bahamian households and businesses,” Prime Minister Davis stated.

“In the coming months and years, imagine how many more Bahamian businesses will grow and thrive, once they are not held back by high electricity costs.”

The NEP is part of a broader legal and regulatory framework, supported by:

  • The Electricity Act 2024 (regulating generation, transmission, and supply),
  • The Natural Gas Act 2024 (regulating importation, transport, and retail of natural gas),
  • The URCA Act, empowering URCA to regulate and issue licenses.

Importantly, the NEP is a policy document, not legislation, but it guides and complements existing laws.

The energy revolution is underway in The Bahamas, with the Prime Minister emphasizing that the country will no longer be held back by long-standing energy challenges. The government is committed to ensuring no island is left behind in this transformation.

As part of ongoing public engagement, the energy team are updating residents of George Town, Exuma, and Matthew Town, Inagua — with the final stop of the consultation tour being at Inagua All-Age School Hall on Friday, May 16, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Bahamas and CARICOM Leaders Engage U.S. on Security, Economy, and Regional Stability

Published

on

Deandrea Hamilton  (Editor)

The Bahamas, May 9, 2025 – Prime Minister Philip Davis returned from Washington, D.C. this week following high-level meetings with U.S. officials, where security, economic cooperation, and regional development topped the agenda. Accompanied by fellow CARICOM leaders, Davis met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss shared priorities and forge stronger bilateral and regional ties.

At the forefront of the discussions with Secretary Rubio was a call for enhanced security collaboration. Prime Minister Davis emphasized that The Bahamas continues to suffer from the impact of illegal firearms, most of which originate outside the country. He called for greater U.S. action to curb weapons trafficking, underlining the toll such violence is taking on Bahamian communities. In response, the U.S. pledged deeper intelligence-sharing, expanded regional cooperation, and support for programs such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT).

Illegal migration and drug trafficking were also addressed as regional threats requiring urgent attention. Davis welcomed the shared commitment to tackle these challenges through coordinated enforcement and better regulation of cross-border movement.

The Prime Minister also brought attention to the economic vulnerabilities of small island states, specifically in relation to rising food costs, workforce shortages, and global trade dynamics. In healthcare, he raised concerns over the exodus of Bahamian nurses to higher-paying jobs abroad, straining the country’s healthcare system. Davis called for coordinated efforts between the U.S. and The Bahamas to address this brain drain, a concern that U.S. officials acknowledged, expressing openness to further dialogue and solutions.

Another pressing issue was the controversial use of Cuban medical missions. The U.S. raised concerns about forced labor, while Prime Minister Davis assured that his administration is reviewing existing agreements and remains committed to labor rights and lawful standards.

With hurricane season approaching, Secretary Rubio announced the reactivation of two disaster preparedness programs to improve early warning systems and emergency response throughout the region—initiatives welcomed by the Prime Minister as essential for climate resilience.

In his separate meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Prime Minister Davis pivoted to economic policy and financial services. He reiterated The Bahamas’ commitment to robust financial sector reforms, having passed key legislation and strengthened regulatory oversight. Davis argued that despite The Bahamas’ compliance with international standards, it still faces the negative effects of global blacklisting and de-risking—practices that disproportionately harm small nations with limited global influence.

He urged U.S. authorities to use their position to push for fairer applications of global financial rules, emphasizing that The Bahamas and the U.S. share the same goals of stopping illicit finance and promoting integrity. Secretary Bessent signaled a willingness to explore balanced solutions to mitigate de-risking, and recognized The Bahamas’ efforts as a credible financial partner.

The conversation also touched on digital assets, where The Bahamas has emerged as a leader in regulatory innovation. Davis noted opportunities for cross-border collaboration on supervisory technologies and digital governance. Additionally, he advocated for continued U.S. support in global financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and IDB, securing reaffirmation of U.S. partnership.

The longstanding U.S. naval facility AUTEC in Andros also came under discussion. While Davis acknowledged its strategic importance, he pushed for more equitable economic participation for Bahamian workers and contractors in operations related to the base. The U.S. expressed openness to advancing those conversations.

Regional stability, especially the crisis in Haiti, was another key point of concern. Davis welcomed U.S. sanctions on Haitian gang leaders but stressed that security measures alone are not enough. He called for a multi-pronged solution addressing governance and economic development. The U.S. acknowledged the urgency of the situation and indicated interest in coordinated regional action.

In reflecting on the visit, Prime Minister Davis underscored the importance of small nations like The Bahamas actively participating in international policymaking. He said it is vital for global leaders to understand the local impact of their decisions and for countries like The Bahamas to contribute to shaping fair and effective international policies.

The U.S. State Department’s official readout echoed many of the Prime Minister’s statements, reaffirming commitments to regional security, responsible infrastructure development, disaster preparedness, and holding actors accountable for labor abuses. Secretary Rubio also emphasized the importance of transparent procurement in infrastructure projects, cautioning against reliance on partners who may pose privacy and security threats, particularly referencing the Chinese Communist Party.

In summary, Prime Minister Davis’ visit to Washington marked a strategic effort to elevate The Bahamas’ voice on critical issues. With open channels for cooperation and a shared vision for regional security and economic fairness, the meetings set a foundation for deeper collaboration between The Bahamas, CARICOM, and the United States.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING