The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Eleuthera police arrested 36 Haitian migrants for illegal landing after a sloop ran aground in the area of Windemere Island yesterday. The police were tipped off to a vessel traveling in the area shortly before 2pm on Monday, according to Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters. "A team of officers on the island launched a search. On...

Omicron variant cited as reason for flight cancelation  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Just weeks after resuming its service into Exuma, Air Canada will suspend that service at the end of this month due to the impact of the global worldwide increase in COVID-19 cases. Visitors embark the Air Canada flight to Exuma on Sunday, December 19, 2021. (BIS/KEMUEL STUBBS) Minister of...

Positivity rate hits 40 percent NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas once again saw a record number of COVID-19 cases in a single day with health officials confirming 520 new infections on Thursday.  Of the new cases confirmed, 474 were confirmed on New Providence, 27 on Grand Bahama, four on Abaco, one on Exuma, and one on Crooked Island. There are...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard yesterday called on Prime Minister Philip Davis to explain why two recent board appointments that seem to have a “conflict of interest”.  “There are at least two board appointments that have raised eyebrows,” Pintard said in an Eyewitness News. “Ministers ought to be very careful to avoid the appearance of...

Minnis: I could have done that myself  Pintard concerned about allegations: “Both of them cannot be correct”. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday denied allegations that he suggested to a member of the prime minister’s team that he was concerned over contracts at The Bahamas Beaches and Parks Authority and suggested an investigation was needed.  In...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A girl was shot in her arm during a drive-by shooting outside a mini-mart in Redland Acres last night. According to police, the child was leaving the mini-mart, when occupants of a small Japanese vehicle drove past and opened fire in the direction of a group of men standing outside the store. The child is reportedly in...

Curfews and lockdowns off the table, says Davis PM suggests outdoor events "may be" safer than indoor bars/nightclubs NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis yesterday defended the government’s decision to allow hotels to continue to host gatherings amidst a recent spike in new COVID-19 infections, but asked Bahamians to avoid those hotels. During his final address of the...

The coroner's court has not had an inquest in more than a year  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There were 21 police-involved shooting incidents that occurred in 2021, 13 of which were fatal, according to Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle.  Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle at a press conference on Thursday, December 30, 2021. (BIS/ERIC ROSE) Rolle made the revelation during a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle will stay on as the top brass of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) in the new year.  Both Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and Rolle sought to put an end to circulating speculation surrounding the issue, as the police force sees a restructuring of its senior members since the Davis administration...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard said yesterday that while the opposition understands the government’s argument for taxation across the board as part of its reduction of value-added tax (VAT) slated for next month, it ought to reconsider exempting certain items based on the potential impact on Bahamian families. VAT will be reduced from the current...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man who suffers from “intense schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder” is seeking damages from the government for false imprisonment for seven years and four months, according to a writ filed in the Supreme Court. Alfairs Agregory Higgs, a resident of Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, was unlawfully imprisoned on January 2014 and released on or around...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Rapid antigen test results normally delivered in 1 hour now taking up to 3 days NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamians intending to travel for the holidays should expect delays in obtaining COVID test results, flight cancelations and unexpected costs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioned yesterday. A statement containing the warning noted: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The prime minister has instructed the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority to further inquire into the findings of an audit report into the internal controls and operations of the authority. The audit, which was conducted by K Christie & Co after the government came into office and released by Press Secretary Clint Watson earlier this...

FNM Chairman Carl Culmer will step aside to allow someone new to assume the role NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Free National Movement (FNM) will forge ahead with a three-day convention in February with all positions open for contest with the exception of the top post, according to FNM Leader Michael Pintard. The FNM held a leadership convention in late November following...

Consultant warns more lockdowns would be “death by a thousand cuts” for businesses  PM: Bahamas likely in for “very difficult one or two months ahead” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Returning to lockdowns would be “death by a thousand cuts for small businesses”, a local consultant said yesterday, expressing relief after Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis announced that border shutdowns and nationwide...

Education minister: We will not rest until we can get children back in classrooms safely NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid the nation’s fourth wave of the coronavirus and concerns about large clusters of cases, the Ministry of Education has decided to postpone the reopening of schools by two weeks as a precaution and to review the rate of infections during that...

“The reality is the fourth wave is here” — Dr Philip Swann NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Younger people are being impacted by the ongoing surge believed to be the fourth wave of the coronavirus in The Bahamas, according to officials yesterday. Data compiled by the Ministry of Health and Wellness indicate the majority of cases since the uptick in infections have...

Lotto still running until Dec 31 for first-dose recipients Grand prize drawing of $25,000 yet to be announced One of the many winners. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Scores of Bahamians who participated in the government’s coronavirus vaccine lottery have walked away with some protection against the deadly virus and a bonus cheque to boot. Dozens of winners have been notified and...