The Big Story

Schools to return with hybrid model in second week of January NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government will launch an assessment and placement program for public schools to determine the impact of the loss of education during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin yesterday. During a press conference announcing the resumption of hybrid learning nationwide in the second...

Police have neither confirmed nor denied speculation of the nature of Bella’s assault “We need better ways to prevent, detect and punish crimes against children” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While still urging full implementation of the Marco’s Alert system intended to assist children in danger, Rise Bahamas yesterday called for the government to go further by establishing a separate sexual offenses...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An opposition senator yesterday urged the government to commit to “less talk and more work” on the controversial Prospect Ridge development initiated under the former administration. Viana Gardiner, former chief operations officer in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit who chaired the Committee for the Development of Communities for Young Professionals, while delivering a speech in the Senate...

Relative says girl was loving and affectionate Residents regret not becoming involved sooner as there were “red flags” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A four-year-old girl was assaulted and died in hospital on Friday, just weeks after sources said she walked to a neighbor's house from her Major Subdivision home and asked not to be sent back. According to reports, doctors at...

BCPOU union says it will not allow company to remove right to choose NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Telecommunication Company (BTC) has given its employees a deadline of January 1, 2022, to vaccinate against the coronavirus in compliance with the company-wide policy. Eyewitness News understands the company’s leadership team is set to meet with the government today. This comes as...

PM returns from COP26 after dozens of meetings with world leaders NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government had several high-level meetings with multiple world leaders during the United Nations COP26 climate change conference last week, in order to pursue financial support with the management of the country’s debt and economic growth. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and his delegation returned from...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As public furor swept the nation after news broke of a four-year-old girl dying in hospital following an assault, Minister of Transport and Aviation JoBeth Coleby-Davis called for justice and said she will do what she can to ensure more is done in the fight against abuse. According to authorities, the girl, who has been identified as Bella,...

“You are either for or you are not; you can’t have it both ways. You can’t be slightly pregnant here” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Environmentalists yesterday urged the Davis administration to definitively “shut the door” on oil drilling in this nation, telling Eyewitness News: “We don’t need to go down that road.” Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s executive director, told Eyewitness News: “The reality...

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Bahamian middle class to secure a home” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Shortages on building materials and supplies brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic will likely impact aspiring homeowners the most, according to a former Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) president. Stephen Wrinkle argued that the government must look at policy changes to ensure that Bahamians can...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the trend of new coronavirus cases continues to slow, 25 new infections were confirmed on Friday and Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health. The ministry reported nine new infections on Friday, all of which were on New Providence. Another 16 cases were reported on Saturday. Of these, 15 were on New Providence, and one case...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 50-foot vessel was found in waters off Crystal Cay with its engine running after midnight on Friday, according to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. The RBDF said it received reports of a possible human smuggling operation and went to western New Providence to investigate, but found the vessel, a Cabin Cruiser named ‘My Weakness’, abandoned. After...

Oil drilling in The Bahamas discussed during bilateral meetings at COP26 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday indicated his position on oil drilling has shifted following talks with experts, and world leaders at the UN climate conference, telling reporters he is not minded to allow oil drilling or exploitation at this time. Davis spoke to the press after...

“Everyone is responsible for crime in their communities; everyone is a police officer” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) does not anticipate an uptick in crime after the public state of emergency and emergency orders end on November 13, according to Police Press Liaison Officer ASP Audley Peters.  “We do not anticipate the increase of crime, but...

“I really, really enjoyed the fact that I could marry art instruction, engineering, architecture and all of the arts into one and create an illustration that evokes a feeling" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Lowree Tynes is the architect of her own success. The Bahamian interior designer and artist has created renderings and conceptualized aesthetics for some of the most recognizable and swoon-worthy...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than $70,000 in taxpayer money was dished out for a contract to monitor individuals in quarantine with 100 tracking devices and accompanying software that never left the Ministry of National Security, according to Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. “The past administration was spending public funds for a product that was designed to track people and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis revealed yesterday that the government would have to pay for Town Centre Mall to return to its original state when the General Post Office lease ends. Upon coming to office, the Davis administration pledged to review the lease, which became a contentious issue under the Minnis administration due to allegations...

Munroe: Removal of curfew won’t have "big burden” on crime front NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A “radical expansion” of the closed-circuit television program could see real-time cameras placed in areas that ShotSpotter technology has identified as high-crime zones, according to Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. He said he intends to discuss the expansion with technocrats on the Royal Bahamas Police...

Coleby-Davis says initiative will likely involve salary deductions NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Davis administration is exploring a “rent-to-own” initiative that will allow Bahamians who are unable to get a transitional mortgage to access homeownership opportunities, according to Housing and transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis. Davis said, during her contribution to debate in Parliament yesterday: “We all know that many Bahamians are...