Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis is now speaking in the mid-year Budget debate, and he is speaking of driving a "more dynamic, more inclusive" society. He says as the government nears its halfway mark, its vision is "taking form".

Mid-year Budget debate: Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis says "when the time's get tough, when hard choices need to be made", Bahamians "need to know they have leaders in office who will put the people first".

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says on day one his government immediately got to work reopening the economy, getting children back to school and getting tourists back while repealing COVID-19 restrictions.

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: The PM says in the mid-year Budget debate that after recovery from COVID "our priorities shifted" to taking The Bahamas "to new heights". He says “simply returning to the status quo was never an option" and highlights the "decades-old" battle with crime.

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Prime Minister Philip Davis says our economy "continues to see GDP growth at a rate above 4%", contrasting that to other countries which are seeing a slowdown.

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says that "in just two years, we have seen historic progress on a number of fronts". He says spending has remained under control and "the government's fiscal situation continues to improve".

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says as of December 2023, revenues are up $72.9m compared to the same period in the previous Budget cycle. He says analysing the primary balance reveals interesting trends (which excludes interest payments).

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says the primary balance has gone from a deficit of $15m in December 2018 to a surplus of $42m in the current period.

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says "we have been able to reduce the debt to GDP ratio by nearly 20 percent... to 81.7 percent".

MID-YEAR BUDGET DEBATE: Mr Davis says the government expects to see increase revenues from improved collection efforts and business licence fees.

We had a fantastic day at the International Women's Day March + Expo! Shoutout to the participants, exhibitors, and facilitators who made it a beautiful space for care and connections. #IWD242 #IWD2024 #CommunityCare #GenderJustice

Officers from the Fire Services Department conducted an evacuation drill Poinciana House & Annex House.

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#BREAKING U.S. Coast Guard Robert Yered’s crew transferred 20 migrants to RBDF, Thurs., following 3 separate interdictions by CBP AMO crews within the past week. @HSTF_Southeast remains committed to preventing irregular, unlawful migration. #DontTakeToTheSea #OVS

LATEST: Air Traffic Control services at Lynden Pindling International Airport resumed at 1pm today following an interruption as a result of the fire on Coral Harbour Road. Travellers are advised to expect delays and contact airlines for updates. 📷 Dante Carrer

FIRE LATEST: This photograph shows the view looking towards Odyssey Aviation today with clouds of smoke from the fire in the Coral Harbour area in the background. 📷 Capt Sidney MacCartney

BPL has announced an emergency shutdown of several primary feeders in Western New Providence due to the bush fire affecting the area. BPL said the areas impacted include the airport, Coral Harbour North, Caves Village, Sandyport, Sea Beach and West Place #1. Updates to follow.

Fire services are still battling a massive bushfire in the wellfields near LPIA. In this photo, fire trucks can be seen at Odyssey Aviation. The Gambier Primary School was closed at 12:30 p.m. today due to the concentration of smoke in the area. 📸Dante Carrer

MICHAEL Pintard has retained the leadership of the FNM, resisting the challenge of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Story, pictures and video here: bit.ly/3Vok0iB

INGRAHAM 'RECOVERING WELL' AFTER BRAIN SURGERY TO REMOVE BLOOD CLOT Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is recovering well and in excellent spirits after undergoing a two-hour brain surgery to remove a blood clot this afternoon. bit.ly/3Xt1Qh8