The Big Story

PM decries “expensive borrowing” with “nothing to show for it” “This administration will address its financial obligations in an orderly and timely manner” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis yesterday slammed the former administration for what he called a “reckless” approach to the country’s debt and fiscal management as he questioned: “Where did all the billions of dollars...

Forbes urges continued adherence to health protocols “until we find out more” about how contagious or lethal new omicron variant may be NASSAU, BAHAMAS — HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Program Director Dr Nikkiah Forbes said while the omicron COVID variant is very concerning, research is ongoing around the world to determine whether the strain is more contagious or deadly and...

PM alleges former authority chairman has “a lot of explaining to do”; explains budget decreases in other areas NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis alleged yesterday that an 86 percent increase in the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority's approved budget “coincided with electioneering”. He noted that new contracts issued between July and September resulted in a whopping $22...

“As this is being studied, we’re finding out, yes, there are long-term symptoms of COVID-19” Hospitalized cases and women more likely to experience long COVID NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Up to 30 percent of patients who contract the coronavirus can experience a range of long-term health ailments well after recovering from the virus, a condition that has come to be known...

“HIV patients can get COVID, but they are not more at risk to get COVID, so they should follow the same precautions and guidelines and get vaccinated, same as everyone else” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — HIV-positive patients accounted for less than one percent of all coronavirus infections and deaths in The Bahamas, according to data provided by Director of the National...

Air arrivals up to 80.1% of 2019 figures NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The vacation rental market continues to perform strongly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with recent data from the Central Bank revealing that total room nights sold more than doubled during the month of October. The Central Bank of The Bahamas. The regulator, in its monthly economic and financial developments report...

Former PM maintains RCCL deal best in the ‘global picture’ Minnis: Royal Caribbean investment would benefit scores of Bahamians rather than ‘one or two’ NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday defended his administration’s Paradise Island Crown land deal with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL), stating that the benefits of the arrangement outweigh what was granted in the...

Davis: There was simply no way increasing VAT to 15% just to keep a few exemptions and pay VAT for wealthy foreign companies was a good idea NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday categorically denied that raising the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 12 percent to 15 percent had been on his administration’s agenda. Minnis was...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise will be swinging in a new direction this year, moving its base from Montagu Shores to Atlantis Paradise Island. Co-founders of the Home Run Derby — Bahamian professional baseball players Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox Jr — announced the 2021 derby will hit off on Saturday, December 18,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has strengthened its COVID-19 booster shot recommendation to include all adults as the new omicron variant continues to spread. The CDC noted that individuals over 18-years or older who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna should receive a booster shot at least six months after the initial vaccination. Those individuals who...

Ingraham, Tommy T, endorsed Pintard, but where did Minns go? NASSAU, BAHAMAS — MARCO City MP Micheal Pintard was elected as the Free National Movement’s new leader, securing the leadership competition with 297 votes.  Pintard defeated East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis.  The party held a one-day leadership convention at the holy Trinity Activities...

Bahamian citizens and residents allowed to return but must quarantine at their own expense Sands: We ought to expect a fourth wave NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Health has advised that new travel restrictions have been placed on eight southern African countries amidst the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant called omicron.  Those countries include Botswana; Eswatini (formerly Swaziland);...

“You must introduce all the policies as possible to try to minimize the impact or the introduction of the virus” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With a newly discovered COVID-19 variant being confirmed across more than a dozen countries worldwide, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis warned the government to deal with the threat “appropriately”.  Minnis made the comments after he completed...

DPM: We are looking for more and more events like Baha Mar Hoops NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The promotion of marquee sporting events will be a critical part of this nation’s tourism product moving forward, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. He noted that the recent Baha Mar Hoops tournament generated more than 5,000 room nights. Chester Cooper. (TOURISM TODAY) The...

Duncombe claims former govt “doled out” Crown land to foreigners to foreigners “like their personal candy stash” “The Davis administration needs to show that they understand the impacts of the sellout of our land and sea” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A well-known environmentalist has urged the Davis administration to “shut down” what she described as a “one-sided” Crown land deal for...

Elsworth Johnson: I only fear God, who can destroy both man and soul by sending them to hell Duane Sands: I'd like a majority, a plurality or whatever it takes NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With the Free National Movement's (FNM) leadership convention under wrap and its February convention on the horizon, at least two former Cabinet ministers have announced their bid...

“All indicators point to a rebound in spending” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Mobile competitors BTC and Aliv saw strong sales during their respective Black Friday promotions, with the latter claiming its “strongest Black Friday on record”.  Patrice Thompson, Aliv’s general manager of sales, told Eyewitness News: “Aliv experienced the strongest black Friday on record, acquiring highest number new customers in one...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health minister Dr Michael Darville yesterday urged Bahamians to prepare for a new COVID variant that could threaten the country's progress with a surge in cases. The World Health Organization has identified a new Variant of Concern, labelled the Omicron variant. Darville noted over the last few weeks there has been a significant and sustained increase in...