The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Supreme Court has dismissed Cable Bahamas’ (CBL) application for judicial review of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) decision to prohibit the company from broadcasting certain advertisements on Philip Brave Davis, the now prime minister. Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles handed down her ruling on Monday. URCA, which is named as the respondent in the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Super Value’s owner has called for the abandonment of what he called a “useless” price control regime, arguing that the cost of living could be reduced were it not for such an “antiquated” system. Rupert Roberts, in an Eyewitness News interview, suggested that price control is creating more problems than it is solving and called on the government...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While up to this summer, men and women were being infected with COVID in The Bahamas at around the same rate, that has since changed, with women being more prone to infection and severe long-term impacts of the virus, according to local data and international reports. Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The annual Christmas Carnival is set to open on December 10 after receiving approval from the government, according to Joseph Alberts, manager and coordinator of Midways by McCafferty Enterprises. Operators have already started laying out equipment and materials and testing rides. Joseph Alberts, manager and coordinator of Midways by McCafferty Enterprises. In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness...

Supreme Court justice calls application “very distressing” and “heart-rending” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The body of four-year-old D’Onya “Bella” Walker, who was killed last month after sustaining blunt force trauma to the body resulting in multiple fractures, will be returned to her father this month, following a Supreme Court ruling yesterday awarding him custody of her body. The girl grew up...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man and two women, one of whom is a police reservist, were shot in separate incidents on Sunday, though just minutes apart. According to reports, officers called to a shooting on Polhemus Street, off Nassau Street, around 9am were informed that a man had shot another man in the face and fled on foot. The victim...

Long COVID a rising concern Nurse warns “we’re going to see a lot of people coming back” to the hospital if there is no follow-up care for COVID patients NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Accident and Emergency Nurse Adrianne Scott, who survived severe COVID-19 in September, yesterday recommended that more be done from a healthcare standpoint for patients suffering from long COVID,...

Grocery store chain impacted by supply chain challenges but has 3-month stock NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Super Value’s owner, Rupert Roberts, said yesterday that despite increased economic activity and more people returning to work, the grocery store chain’s sales this year were down “a little more than five percent”. Roberts noted that consumers were likely now cutting back on grocery purchases...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has increased pension payments for some 7,186 retired public servants, totaling a $6.4 million adjustment to its supplementary budget, advised Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis yesterday. During his contribution to debate in the Senate, Halkitis noted that the former administration’s 2021/2022 budget was reorganized and existing resources were reallocated across the new ministerial portfolios...

Minister continues defense of VAT on breadbasket items NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Davis administration is targeting real economic growth of at least three percent per year for the next five years, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis, who stressed that the administration’s value-added tax (VAT) rate cut will have a positive effect on consumer spending.  During his contribution...

Luxury resort and residences will be one of only five other Ritz-Carlton Reserves globally NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Cotton Bay Holdings yesterday announced that it has reached an agreement with Marriott International Inc to bring the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to The Bahamas. The resort and residential development on Eleuthera is planned as an open-air luxury resort and is expected to feature 90...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas could benefit from special loan opportunities for its digital economy and in areas of food security and development cooperation over the next two years. Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Dai Qingli said: "China sees The Bahamas as an important partner of cooperation not just bilaterally but also at the regional level through frameworks such as...

Wilson says he responded to allegations of impropriety but never received a formal response in return   NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said that being made to vacate his post under the Minnis administration over allegations of impropriety “was a shock”, noting that despite responding to the allegations, he to this date never received a formal response. Simon Wilson....

Registrar General’s Department and Freedom of Information unit to move into Bahamas Financial Center NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Ryan Pinder said yesterday that the government has retained a firm to develop an online platform for the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) that will be modeled after the Cayman Island’s RGD platform. Pinder, during his contribution to the supplementary budget debate...

Vaccine uptake in November drops to a third of October rate NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In an attempt to bolster COVID vaccine uptake before supplies expire, the government is exploring introducing a hybrid lotto and monetary incentive, among other benefits, to take the jab, Eyewitness News can confirm. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville said: “It’s something that we are...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was found hanging from a wooden beam on the front porch of his home in Hope Town, Abaco, on Saturday in what police are investigating as a suicide. The identity of the man was not released. According to authorities, the man, a Caucasian, was found around 1pm. Police said: “Upon the officer’s arrival, the initial...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man drowned after the vessel he was on with three other men sank in waters in the area of the "hole in the wall" off Sandy Point. The 65-foot tugboat was en route from New Providence to Coopers Town, Abaco, around 4am when it experienced mechanical problems. The captain made a distress call as the vessel...

Wilson: 30% of students have not had any formal education for more than 20 months Ministry of Education postpones report card day to Jan 2022 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said last night that the union supports the government’s decision to cancel end-of-term examinations and the assessment of students upon their return in January....