The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tech Beach (TBR LAB) has announced a partnership with Visa that will allow startups and fintech companies in The Bahamas, and other islands throughout the region, to benefit from easier access to the financial systems, scalability, reliability and security insights Visa has to offer. The Caribbean startup accelerator has announced that it is partnering with Visa to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man is dead after he allegedly charged at a police officer and attempted to disarm him in the early hours of the Majority Rule Holiday. According to police, officers from the Operations Unit were on routine patrols, when they were dispatched to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked on Dunmore Avenue, Chippingham shortly before 4am....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tributes poured in yesterday as loved ones, the country, and fans around the world mourned the passing of the legendary Sir Sidney Poitier. The trailblazing Oscar-winning actor, philanthropist, and presidential medal of freedom recipient died on Thursday night at his Los Angeles home. He was 94. In a broadcasted statement, Prime Minister Philip Davis advised that Bahamian...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) must disrupt gang activities throughout the nation to prevent retaliations and turf wars from getting “out of hand”. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Fernander said the organization will implement strategies that will see police officers go after gangs “with the full arm of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — One-hundred and eighteen Haitian nationals were spotted in waters northeast of Eleuthera and later apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, according to authorities. The 95 men, 21 women and two minors were turned over to the Department of Immigration. “The department’s records revealed that all of the migrants are without legal immigration status in The Bahamas,...

Dickson: There is a weekly review process given changing nature of pandemic NASSAU, BAHAMAS — British High Commissioner to The Bahamas Sarah Dickson said on Thursday that she does not anticipate the United Kingdom changing its travel rating for The Bahamas. This despite an ongoing surge of cases that has been attributed to the omicron variant and activities over the...

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday he was “surprised and saddened” by the death of beloved Bahamian actor Sir Sidney Poitier. The world reeled from news of Poitier’s death yesterday, with countless tributes pouring in from the many whose lives he touched personally or otherwise. The legendary film star died at...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Trailblazing Oscar-winning actor, philanthropist and presidential medal of freedom recipient Sir Sidney Poiter has died at the age of 94. Poitier became the first Bahamian, and African American, to win an Oscar for best actor for ‘Lilies of the Field’ in April 1964. President Barack Obama awards Bahamian American actor Sidney Poitier the 2009 Presidential Medal of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A "bitter impasse" over the ownership of the Old Fort Bay Club and Marina has ended with the community’s developer being confirmed as its owner. The ruling on January 5 by Justice Indra Charles has brought to an end an eight-year legal battle. Justice Charles rejected the bid of Old Fort Bay Property Owners Association (POA) to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — New coronavirus variants, some of which could be more contagious and deadlier, will continue to emerge until the global population is fully vaccinated, according to scientists. When contacted, Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes said: “When COVID is spreading anywhere out of control, the virus can mutate into a resistant strain....

Up to 400 COVID-19 tests expected to be performed daily Hundreds sign up within hours of registration launch  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As a part of the free COVID-19 testing pilot program on New Providence, rapid antigen tests will be offered for asymptomatic individuals while RT-PCR tests will be made available at South Beach Clinic for those exhibiting symptoms. RT-PCR testing...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Councilor for Grand Bahama Kendal Culmer yesterday attributed the spike in coronavirus cases on the island to the failure of residents to adhere to COVID-19 health protocols. He said businesses have taken a hit, with scores of employees either infected or in quarantine due to exposure, noting that work hours per week have been cut in...

"It’s a big win for the industry" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism stakeholders have lauded the government’s move to suspend the mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, telling Eyewitness News that it eliminated significant roadblocks to the winter season’s momentum. The mandatory RT-PCR testing was originally expected to take effect on January 7, 2022. Robert Sands. Robert Sands, the Bahamas...

Wilson: Changing VAT to 10% benefits small businesses NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government believes it is on track to exceed revenue targets for the next six months, according to Financial Secretary Simon Wilson. Speaking at the weekly Office of the Prime Minister press briefing yesterday, Wilson said: “We believe that, all things being equal, we will exceed the revenue targets...

“People feel disconnected from government because they are not getting real information” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said yesterday that some clauses in the public procurement legislation enacted last September are "impractical", noting that the legislation and e-procurement portal will be upgraded and modernized. Financial Secretary Simon Wilson delivers an address during the weekly press briefing at the...

Current education minister hits back; calls for "heroes, not hypocrites" Former govt maintained virtual schooling during most of the pandemic NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd urged the government yesterday to revisit the decision to suspend face-to-face school across the country and evaluate individual schools on individual islands to determine if they could operate. Lloyd’s comments came...

RBC and Commonwealth announce reduced hours and closures NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As COVID-19 cases on New Providence continue to rise significantly, some commercial banks have adjusted their hours of operation. Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has announced that effective January 4, “due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation”, it is temporarily changing the hours for all New Providence branches. The new...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men were rescued in waters off the Berry Islands yesterday after their plane crashed around 9am, according to authorities. The United States registered Cessna aircraft N145TT departed Opa Locka Executive Airport just before 8am and was en route to Chub Cay Airport before an engine malfunction occurred that resulted in the plane crashing. According to the...