The Big Story

Pintard: FNM does not object to separating hotel and port deals if it would result in successful sale Opposition leader wishes govt well in pursuing a resolution NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard yesterday said the deal the Minnis administration negotiated for the sale of the Grand Lucayan was expected to be a win-win with the...

D'Aguilar: I hold no ill will and I hope to hell govt finds a buyer Cooper: We do not plan to belabor this process NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Grand Bahama hotelier yesterday said the island’s tourism sector lost the only real driving force it had for 15 to 20 years after Sunwing’s exit post-Hurricane Matthew, while suggesting that what Royal...

Fields: We want more and more people to take advantage of the possibility  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The first 50 winners of the national vaccine lottery have been chosen as the three-week initiative gets underway. Officials hope the incentive will help achieve the government’s goal of 200,000 fully vaccinated people by the end of the year. Ed Fields. Speaking to Eyewitness...

Workers to receive payment no later than 12pm on Christmas Eve NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 400 to 450 Atlantis workers will be beneficiaries of a $500 stimulus payment as part of the government-funded unemployment assistance program. Atlantis Paradise Island. Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles LaRoda told reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday: “The...

Health minister: Govt intends to use every measure to get vaccines in arms NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The ongoing vaccination booster program will take health officials into the Department of Correctional Services and shantytown communities to accommodate inmates and irregular residents as the government seeks to bolster its vaccination rate. We are bringing on some individuals who may not be citizens,...

Darville says closed borders not on the table NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Adjustments could be rolled out in the coming days with respect to large social gatherings and tighter border control, according to Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville. He said while it remains a challenge to balance the economy and public health and safety, discussions have been geared toward adjusting...

Rave reviews pour in from Bahamians and visitors Cost of Christmas tree pegged at $50,000; additional costs for surrounding lights and Nativity scene NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Christmas decorations in Rawson Square and Parliament Square have garnered significant attention this year, with many Bahamians and tourists alike expressing their approval of the spectacular display of lights.  The tree itself was...

Director of culture hints at similar Junkanoo aspects for Family Islanders NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fourteen Junkanoo groups will showcase performances during a virtual event expected to be aired on Boxing Day, confirmed Acting Director of Culture Dereka Deleveaux-Grant. The annual Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades were canceled for a second consecutive year due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Supreme Court has allowed a baggage handler of Nassau Flight Services to apply for judicial review of the Airport Authority’s decision to withhold his work identification that allows him to continue his employment. The applicant, Betram Paul, had been arrested and later released without charge after authorities found four kilos of cocaine onboard a JetBlue flight...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority (BPPPBA) board of directors member Eric Carey said yesterday that the board did not meet for the period covered in the audit report released last week, despite requests to do so. He acknowledged the deficiency as a “red flag” but said he was therefore unable to speak to the cost...

Cooper says improving rating “good for business” but threat of omicron persists NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper yesterday warned that this nation ought not be “lulled to sleep” by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) decision to lower The Bahamas’ COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating from Level 3 to Level...

Dr Wilbur Chen says blood clots “a rare event” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said the government and its National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee are more than satisfied with the use and efficacy of its supplies of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed a preference for mRNA...

D’Aguilar suggests country’s time was wasted NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar today blamed the failed Grand Lucayan deal on the inability of the Freeport Harbour Company to "strike a deal" with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCL) and ITM Group. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. His comments come as Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation...

“Zess the Halls” event, which required vaccination or testing to enter, was eventually shut down NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Christmas party that was approved for 100 attendees was patronized by more than four times that number, according to Minister of Health Dr Darville, who said the matter was concerning amid the threat of the latest coronavirus variant, omicron. He said...

GBPA claims proposed adjustment would decrease bills for 42% of GBPC customers NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) President Ian Rolle yesterday stressed that the regulator has made no determination regarding the Grand Bahama Power Company's (GBPC) rate increase application, noting that the issue is a “balancing act”. Rolle, who was addressing a virtual town hall as part...

Arawak Port chief hopes upswing lasts NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Nassau Container Port’s (NCP) top executive said port volumes have returned to pre-COVID levels for the month of December, and he expressed optimism that the trend will be sustained into the new year with a rebound of the economy. Dion Bethell, the BISX-listed Arawak Port Development Company’s president and chief...

Man shot in head by girlfriend's son in a separate incident NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are investigating another homicide in New Providence after a man was found dead in the parking lot of an apartment in Millers Heights. According to police, the victim's body was found with gunshot wounds shortly before 10pm. "Police were called to a shooting incident that...

Vaccine consultative committee asking those impacted to be patient as it "diligently" works to correct the problem NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A required update of the vaccine registration platform is preventing more than 5,000 people who got vaccinated abroad from getting their booster shots in The Bahamas. However, it is hoped the system will be updated before the end of the...