LocalMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 7:12 am Eyewitness News

Local

CRIME REPORT: Woman hitchhiker sexually assaulted at gunpoint

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A woman was sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a man who offered her a ride yesterday morning. According to police, the victim was walking in the area of Bacardi Road and accepted a ride from an unknown man who was driving a burgundy-colored vehicle sometime around 9am. “During this time, the male […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A woman was sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a man who offered her a ride yesterday morning.... read more »

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 7:12 am | Eyewitness News

BusinessMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:57 am Natario McKenzie

Business

FTX Bahamas subsidiary branded a ‘front’ for fraudulent transfers in court filings

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Lawyers for FTX have filed a complaint in a US bankruptcy court claiming that the company’s Bahamian subsidiary FTX Digital Markets is a legal and economic ‘nullity,’ which had been merely created as a ‘front’ to facilitate fraudulent transfers. In the complaint filed against FTX Digital Markets and its joint provisional liquidators […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Lawyers for FTX have filed a complaint in a US bankruptcy court claiming that the company’s Bahamian... read more »

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:57 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:57 am Natario McKenzie 1

Business

SUSPENDED: Vacation rental association to consult with gov’t on industry recommedations

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Parliament yesterday suspended debate on the Tourism Development Corporation Bill 2023 as an association representing vacation rental owners in the country is seeking to offer its recommendations to the legislation which it says lacked industry consultation. Parliamentarians were set to debate the legislation yesterday. Theofanis Cochinamogulos, Interim President of The Bahamas vacation […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Parliament yesterday suspended debate on the Tourism Development Corporation Bill 2023 as an association representing vacation rental... read more »

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:57 am | Natario McKenzie | 1

BusinessMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:55 am Natario McKenzie

Business

$550M Cave Cay luxury development to aid Exuma “renaissance”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following last week’s signing of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for a $25 million high-end, low-impact boutique resort on Sampson Cay in the Exuma chain, the government yesterday signed an HOA for a $550 million luxury development on Cave Cay in the Exumas. The HOA with Cave Cay Limited brings the total level […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following last week’s signing of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for a $25 million high-end, low-impact boutique resort... read more »

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 at 3:55 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalMarch 20, 2023March 20, 2023 at 3:59 am Ava Turnquest

Local

NO VIOLATION: PM Davis affirms confidence in Education minister over RCI comments

Opposition calls for Hanna-Martin to resign NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis last night defended Education minister Glenys Hanna-Martin’s recent comments about the pending deal with Royal Caribbean International (RCI) on Paradise Island as a reflection of her longstanding political advocacy and not a violation of the Ministerial Code.  Hanna-Martin told reporters last week […]

Opposition calls for Hanna-Martin to resign NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis last night defended Education minister Glenys Hanna-Martin’s... read more »

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023 at 3:59 am | Ava Turnquest

LocalMarch 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:50 am Natario McKenzie

Local

WEEKEND CRIME: Man found burnt beyond recognition, woman sexually assaulted in separate matters

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police found the body of a man burnt beyond recognition with gunshot wounds to the head, and lacerations about the body early Saturday morning.  The body was found on a dirt road in the Faith Avenue south area, police said. Police said they were alerted to the discovery on a dirt road […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police found the body of a man burnt beyond recognition with gunshot wounds to the head, and... read more »

March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:50 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:48 am Natario McKenzie

Business

First Caribbean Bank sees solid Q1 performance with net income of $28.6 million

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas) saw a $16.4 million increase in its first quarter results year-over-year. The bank’s managing director Jacqui Bend in a review of results for the three months ended January 31, of this year, noted that the BISX-listed lender had delivered solid results in its first quarter having reported […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas) saw a $16.4 million increase in its first quarter results year-over-year. The... read more »

March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:48 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:46 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Property and casualty insurer cites “especially challenging” negotiations for 2023 reinsurance contracts

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A BISX-listed property and casualty insurer says negotiations for its reinsurance contracts for 2023 proved “especially challenging” due to a combination of regional and global factors which will likely persist for the next 12 months if not longer. Patrick Ward, president, and CEO of The Bahamas First Holdings Group made the observation […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A BISX-listed property and casualty insurer says negotiations for its reinsurance contracts for 2023 proved “especially challenging”... read more »

March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:46 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:42 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Multi-billion potential to be tapped in fly fishing industry, says BFFIA president

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has lost billions in revenue having failed to properly capitalize on its flats fishing industry, according to Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA) president Prescott Smith, Smith argued that there should be a minimum of 1,600 professional guides in the country as he responded to a recent report by the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has lost billions in revenue having failed to properly capitalize on its flats fishing industry,... read more »

March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 at 3:42 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:57 am Natario McKenzie

Business

DPM: No more talk on Grand Lucayan sale until there is “money in the bank”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday that there will be no further public announcements on the sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort until “the money is in the bank.” Cooper, the Minister of Tourism, Aviation, and Investments said that three credible offers have been received from entities that have already undergone […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday that there will be no further public announcements on the... read more »

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:57 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:49 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Chamber of Commerce: Grand Bahama needs “things to happen and quickly”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Grand Bahama’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday that the island needs an overall vision, noting that while it remains poised for serious recovery and development, “we need things to happen and happen quickly.” While addressing the Grand Bahama Business Outlook, GB Chamber of Commerce President James Carey said he is “totally […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Grand Bahama’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday that the island needs an overall vision, noting that... read more »

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:49 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:46 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Carnival expects to welcome first passengers to GB cruise port in Q2 2025

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Carnival Cruise Lines executive said yesterday that the company is moving “full steam ahead” on the upland and marina component of its Grand Bahama cruise port development which is expected to welcome its first passengers in the second quarter of 2025.  Juan Fernandez vice-president of port operations for Carnival told the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Carnival Cruise Lines executive said yesterday that the company is moving “full steam ahead” on the... read more »

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:46 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:36 am Natario McKenzie

Business

$10 million boost for technologies to protect Bahamas against climate change

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Grand Bahama-based sustainability investment platform is working with international partners to raise $10 million to fund and support up to 35 cutting-edge science and technology startups working to mitigate climate change, increase ocean health, and build coastal resilience in vulnerable countries like The Bahamas. The Blue Action Accelerator supports blue and […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Grand Bahama-based sustainability investment platform is working with international partners to raise $10 million to fund... read more »

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023 at 3:36 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 2:56 pm Natario McKenzie 2

Business

Consortium for Grand Bahama International Airport’s $170M redevelopment announced

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —A Bahamian group called Aerodrome Limited will spearhead the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport in conjunction with two other partners, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. Cooper revealed that the first phase of the $170 million redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport will be completed no later than the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —A Bahamian group called Aerodrome Limited will spearhead the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport in conjunction... read more »

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 2:56 pm | Natario McKenzie | 2

BusinessMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:55 am Natario McKenzie

Business

‘EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY’: PM outlines changes to public procurement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nearly 1,500 vendors have registered on the government’s new procurement platform since its launch last November according to Prime Minister Philip Davis, with the government realizing nearly $3 million in savings from its use. During his contribution to the Public Finance Management and Public Procurement Bills debate, Davis said: “We will also […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nearly 1,500 vendors have registered on the government’s new procurement platform since its launch last November according... read more »

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:55 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:54 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Opposition calls public procurement and financial management changes a step backward

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Finance spokesman Kwasi Thompson yesterday expressed disappointment in the proposed changes to the Public Procurement Act, the Public Financial Management Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, arguing that many of the amendments were ‘regressive”. “We are extremely disappointed with the proposed changes to the Public Procurement Act, the Public Financial Management […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Finance spokesman Kwasi Thompson yesterday expressed disappointment in the proposed changes to the Public Procurement Act,... read more »

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:54 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:43 am Natario McKenzie 1

Business

Doctors Hospital begins construction on $20 million Freeport hospital

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors Hospital Health System (DHHS) has announced that it has started construction on its new $20 million medical facility in Freeport.   Doctors Hospital has reached an agreement to secure the use of the First Commercial Centre for the purpose of establishing a new 25-bed state-of-the-art hospital on the island. The building […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors Hospital Health System (DHHS) has announced that it has started construction on its new $20 million... read more »

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:43 am | Natario McKenzie | 1

LocalMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:41 am Eyewitness News

Local

Landmark human rights case handled by Bahamian advocate at the UN

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Bahamian UN CEDAW member, human rights expert and attorney, Marion Bethel, played a pivotal role in a landmark ruling for Filipina sexual slavery victims during the 84th session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Bethel served as one member of five of the […]

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Bahamian UN CEDAW member, human rights expert and attorney, Marion Bethel, played a pivotal role in a... read more »

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 at 3:41 am | Eyewitness News

LocalMarch 15, 2023March 15, 2023 at 1:08 pm Ava Turnquest

Local

Former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle charged with bribery, conspiracy to commit fraud

Rolle granted $150k bail NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle was charged with one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses related to contracts awarded by that ministry and the National Sports Authority. Rolle, her husband Vontenken Rolle, and three others, Alfred Milton […]

Rolle granted $150k bail NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle was charged with one count... read more »

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 at 1:08 pm | Ava Turnquest

BusinessMarch 15, 2023March 15, 2023 at 3:54 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Halkitis: ‘No’ to global minimum tax would mean revenue forgone

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said yesterday that while The Bahamas can say ‘no’ to  OECD’s global minimum tax, such a move would represent a foregone opportunity to boost government revenue. Halkitis was asked if the government could reject the move while speaking as part of a panel on the global minimum […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said yesterday that while The Bahamas can say ‘no’ to  OECD’s global... read more »

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 at 3:54 am | Natario McKenzie