The Big Story

Lightbourne to make substantive address on in-person learning in HOA today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With school repairs more than 80 percent completed, Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne said yesterday some schools will not be ready for the return of face-to-face learning in a hybrid model come the second week of the New Year. One example is Sybil Strachan,...

Former St Anne’s MP says govt getting good deal out of Post Office lease Coleby-Davis says govt searching for new permanent home for Post Office NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Cabinet Minister Brent Symonette yesterday vigorously defended the Post Office Town Centre Mall lease, telling Eyewitness News: “I don’t see the problem here.” Amid criticism of the arrangement by Transport and...

Cartwright: Contracts were awarded to both PLP and FNM supporters MP claims many contracts had already been in process by time snap election was called NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority’s former executive chairman yesterday pushed back against accusations of “recklessness” and “electioneering” levied against him by Prime Minister Philip Davis.  Shanendon Cartwright, the St Barnabas...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country’s largest wholesale food distributor continues to face supply chain and logistics challenges brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, a senior executive said yesterday, adding: “I have never in all my years seen prices this high.” Tiffani Evans, director of merchandising, Sysco Bahamas Food Services, while addressing a webinar on the COVID-19 supply chain crisis...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Supply chain woes brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted local construction costs and thrown constructions schedules “out of whack”, according to Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) President Michael Pratt. Pratt, who was addressing a webinar on the COVID-19 supply chain crisis, noted that there has been a spike in home remodels and construction during...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The state of the technology industry in The Bahamas and how this nation can continue to build and improve it is set to be explored at the inaugural Nassau Technology Summit slated for Friday, December 10. According to Duran Humes, chief executive officer of Plato Alpha Design, there has not been a summit of this magnitude in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Sherry Benjamin said yesterday that as the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) seeks to enforce its mandatory vaccination policy on contract and temporary workers come January 1, the union will stand with those workers and send the company a “clear and strong message” of zero tolerance. “I want them to...

Darville: Demand for J&J vax declined once Pfizer became available in country Govt to introduce incentives and improve PR to encourage Bahamians to take the jab NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There is an excess of 20,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines that are set to expire by the end of the year due to low intake of the brand, according to Minister...

HOA ends in shouting match between new opposition leader and House speaker Deveaux: You are making a mockery of the chair NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Michael Pintard said yesterday he believes there is a need to lower the temperature in discussions in Parliament, as he sought to defend his reaction to the speaker chastising members on Wednesday night. His...

Bahamas could return to PCR test requirements for travel amid omicron fears Samples to be sent abroad for testing to determine whether new variant already in country NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is considering tightening up travel protocols amidst the detection of a new COVID-91 variant, said Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville yesterday.  The omicron variant has...

Palmdale branch to be consolidated Feb 25; Wulff Rd & Jerome Ave on Mar 11 East St & Solder Rd branch to “transition” to digital model on Jan 31 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Scotiabank has revealed that it plans to consolidate two of its New Providence branches into its main branch in the first quarter of 2022. According to a notice by...

New WSC board being officially appointed today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) board of directors is officially appointed today, the disconnection exercise of residents in arrears will be among the top discussions of priority, according to Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears. Following a civil aviation agreement signing between The Bahamas and Germany at...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commonwealth Bank has announced the appointment of Denise Turnquest as its first woman president effective today. This comes as long-time politician Glenys Hanna-Martin is currently serving as acting prime minister, which has sparked national discussion on women holding leadership positions in the country. Turnquest, who previously served as senior vice president and chief operating officer (COO), has...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Operators of the much-anticipated Christmas Carnival have started laying out equipment and materials for the reopening of the holiday amusement park although they have yet to receive final approvals for opening, Eyewitness News can confirm. Minister of Health & Wellness Dr Michael Darville. Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville told reporters outside Cabinet yesterday that while the...

Association warns irresponsible behavior over Christmas will erode COVID progress Increased travel and relaxed restrictions could result in higher infection rate NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Irresponsible behavior over the holidays could erode the progress made to keep coronavirus cases as low as possible, according to Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Sabriquet Pinder-Butler. She said an increase in cases would not...

Central Bank notes most fraud attempts were for small sums NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Domestic banks reported a fourfold increase in fraud attempts 2020, although there was a 64 percent decrease in actual fraud occurrences, the Central Bank has reported. In its recently released summary of its analysis of the AML Data Returns submitted by banks and trust companies, co-operative credit...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank said yesterday it is working with the money transmission sector to better refine risk classifications, noting that such entities have historically under-graded some of their customer risks. In a recently released summary of its analysis of the AML Data Returns submitted by banks and trust companies, co-operative credit unions and money transmission businesses, the...

Rahming says she has no power to fire anyone; suggests opposition leader just trying to advance his political career Social services minister confirms reversal of decision to “displace” 40 Urban Renewal employees NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of State with responsibility for Social Services and Urban Development Lisa Rahming yesterday denied claims that she has verbally abused and intimidated Urban Renewal...