The Big Story

Doan Cleare named acting commissioner, Bernadette Murray returns to BDOCS NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Department of Corrections Services Commissioner Charles Murphy has been placed on administrative leave, pending “a full investigation into several issues”, according to Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. In a statement, Munroe said there were three areas of concern, including a briefing produced for him which...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Immigration Keith Bell said yesterday that the Haitian government has expressed it is having “serious technical issues with the airport” in Port-de-Paix, preventing The Bahamas from beginning the repatriation of migrants being held in the southern Bahamas. Over 400 migrants were expected to be repatriated yesterday morning. More than 1,000 migrants have been apprehended since...

"The hurricanes are no concern to us at this time" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With parts of The Bahamas experiencing significant flooding due to excessive rain over the past few days,  Department of Meteorology Senior Deputy Director Jeffrey Simmons said residents can expect even more rain in the coming days. The Sixty 2 Sixty art gallery owner attempts to mop up...

Labour minister says govt will be “guided by the advice of the attorney general” on the matter NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration and Labour Minister Keith Bell said yesterday that the government has gotten Atlantis and other private sector employers to “hold off” on implementing a policy that would require unvaccinated employees to cover the cost of weekly COVID-19 tests. Bell said...

“No one thought twice about it because construction generally doesn’t happen outside of Monday to Saturday” Former BCA pres: The issue isn’t when to work, it’s having something to do The Churchill Building on Bay Street is demolished on Thursday, September 30, 2021. (ROYSTON JONES JR) NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s decision to allow construction to take place during the...

“It’s really good they made the arrest; that boat has been cited and reported a number of times” Minister encourages fishermen and law enforcement to maintain cooperation in keeping poachers out of Bahamian waters NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) has lauded the recent arrest of five Dominican poachers while stressing that poaching remains a serious concern...

DPM expected to make statement on the deal next week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday said that even after meeting with the board of Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, he heard nothing to change his view that the Grand Lucayan purchase was an “egregiously bad deal”. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. (BIS/LETISHA HENDERSON) Cooper, the minister...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — Atlantis will require all employees who are not vaccinated to pay for their own weekly rapid antigen test as of tomorrow. Atlantis President and Managing Director Audrey Oswell advised in a statement to employees that those weekly tests will be at a cost of $16.50. The company had announced the move earlier this year as other companies were...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Continuing a trend observed earlier this year, murders for the third quarter of 2021 have sharply risen compared to the same period in 2020, an Eyewitness News analysis of data provided by the police force on murders for both periods has revealed. There were 68 murders up to September 30, 2019, compared to 48 recorded during the...

BNU chief says there is a bigger picture; deaths impacted by comorbidities NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nearly 1,000 healthcare workers in The Bahamas contracted the coronavirus during the ongoing pandemic, with 13 of them being claimed by the deadly respiratory virus, according to a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) executive summary. The summary published on Monday shows that 955 healthcare workers...

PAHO: Deaths have been increasing in region for months Forbes: Too early to mark a definitive downward trend NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While daily coronavirus infections have continued to decline in The Bahamas in the last several weeks, COVID deaths have trended upward during the same period as the country races to increase its vaccination scope while stemming the ongoing surge....

Banks says AD Hanna note one of the most secure to date NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank of The Bahamas has announced that it will release its new $100 banknote bearing the image of the late Arthur Dion Hanna on October 6. The regulator said yesterday that the release will complete the phased-in approach of the CRISP Evolution family of...

Banks cites no demand for $20 bills but some clients cry “no fair!” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is receiving backlash over its decision to discontinue the issuance of $20 bills at its ATMs, with many customers taking to social media to express their outrage and disapproval over the move.  The bank stated in a notice...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald has reportedly been tapped to be the senior policy advisor and head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (PMDU).  The appointment was “haphazardly” announced on the PMDU’s social media page around 3pm on Tuesday but was later deleted. Viana Gardiner previously headed the PMDU under former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. A...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Director of Labour Robert Farquharson has been appointed by the Davis-led administration to resume the position he held between 2013 and 2018. The move comes less than a month after the Minnis administration announced that unionist and educator Quentin Laroda would serve as acting director of labour. Eyewitness News understands Laroda will now assume executive responsibility...

Nearly 100 recruits join the RBPF NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) welcomed 98 new recruits into its training program to become officers, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle yesterday called on the men and women to be “honest always speak the truth”. He said the Bahamian people “demand of us a police force with credible officers”. “One...

“Cost of inaction is simply too high” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Noting that the region has been “paying the price” for importing its medical products in the coronavirus response, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has selected two projects that will see technology transferred to two vaccine manufacturers in the region. The move paves the way for expanded direct purchase of...

Five murders in five days NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was shot dead around 8.30pm last night on Windsor Lane, just inches away from where another man was killed the night before.  Police Press Liaison Audley Peters said officers responded to reports of gunshots and discovered the body of a man lying in bushes on the northern side of the...