FNM promises unfulfilled
Looking at the commitments made during the Free National Movement's 2007 Speech from the Throne, The Guardian look at what has gotten done. So far, the government has failed to: create a legally-binding code of ethics for ministers, toughen laws that punish environmental offenders and start a public-awareness campaign to teach the public about the right of disabled persons.

GB brothers want govt to reconsider net fishing ban
GRAND BAHAMA, Bahamas – Hoping they can convince legislators to rethink their position on net-fishing in The Bahamas, two Grand Bahama brothers want the chance to prove their methods are safe and profitable. David and Paul Mellor want to make a presentation to Cabinet to show the benefits of net-fishing. David said there are a lot of misconceptions about their company. "The misconception from the public has been that we were going to bring this large boat in with this mile-long drag net that's going to drag the oceans for turtles and turbots and tuna and whatever else we could possibly drag. "That is so far from the truth. What we do with our company is we find a specific target of fish - tuna they travel in schools. We go ahead and find these schools well offshore, nowhere near the reef."

Four weekend stabbings
Four people were hospitalized after several encounters ended violently last Saturday. A man was stabbed in the neck at Comfort Zone on Wulff Road at about 3.50am. A 14 and 19-year-old were stabbed after a fight with a group of males at the Buy 4 Less parking lot on Baillou Hill Road south at 5.30pm Saturday. In the last attack, a man was stabbed after he refused to give up his bicycle in the Peardale area.

Kenyatta Gibson hits out at PLP chairman
Responding to claims that he is misusing his position as chairman of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC), Kenyatta Gibson said the accusations were a futile attempt at retaliation. PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts has asked why Gibson awarded an accounting contract to the most expensive bidder, a company owned by Gibson's former business partner.

Report: Nurse shortage could hamper nation's development
A report from the World Bank said health care in The Bahamas is suffering because nurses are leaving the country for higher-paying jobs in Canada, the UK and the US. Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said the United States has about 100 nurses for every 10,000 citizens compared to The Bahamas 26 per 10,000. "And they are short", said Minnis, referring to the US.

Union gives COB till April to sign contract
After a more than a year of negotiating, the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas said they will strike if the College of The Bahamas has not signed an agreement with them. UTEB President Isaacs-Dotson said the pace of negotiations has slowed as the talk turns to money; issues of health and life insurance. She said the lack of a signed agreement means there have been no promotions or salary increases in two years.