The Big Story

Ferguson: MoU signed with PLP had been open to the FNM too NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent trade union leader yesterday expressed hope for improved relations between the government and the trade union movement, telling Eyewitness News: “It’s not about politics.” Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson, in an interview with Eyewitness News, defended a controversial memorandum of understanding...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Fiscal Responsibility Council (FRC) has found that the Fiscal Strategy Report (FSR) 2020, while “broadly compliant” with the content framework prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), raises issues regarding the quality and availability of national data. The council, in its report on the 2020 fiscal strategy report, noted: “The FSR 2020 is broadly compliant with...

“We had hoped for ‘instant gratification’ with Perseverance #1, which was not the case” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Challenger Energy executives said the company’s share price has declined markedly after it was revealed that its exploratory well in The Bahamas did not result in a commercial discovery. The company, formerly known as the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), noted that it would...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Bahamas Customs Department Comptroller John Rolle died this morning, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis has confirmed. In a statement expressing his condolences to Rolle’s family, Davis said: “Mr Rolle was a career public servant who served The Bahamas government and our country with distinction. “He rose through the ranks at the Bahamas Customs Department, achieving the...

PLP suspects pre-election hires/promotions would act as “poison pill” for new admin “You can’t assume that everyone promoted under the last regime was an FNM” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell yesterday confirmed that out of “an abundance of caution” the Davis administration has put “on hold” hires and promotions carried out under...

Delegation traveled to Inagua over the weekend to ensure there was not a "humanitarian incident" Haiti's PM calls for respectful treatment of refugees  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said over the weekend that in the long term, the government hopes to implement a holding facility on Inagua to temporarily house migrants who enter The Bahamas illegally in...

Health visa requirements likely to remain in place for visitors NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The existing health travel visa, which began under the former administration, will undergo a regime change on October 1, according to Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis. The newly elected prime minister advised that the intention is for Bahamians to travel freely without cost while a fee for...

"It’s everyone’s responsibility as we tackle this issue of violent crime, particularly with the use of firearms” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The employee of a car cleaning business on Faith Avenue South was shot dead yesterday, according to police. Officers responding to reports of gunshots shortly after 2pm found the man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the...

Composition of competent authority will change come Oct 1, Davis announces NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis indicated yesterday that his administration will review the contracts issued during the public state of emergency, which came into existence in March 2020. He noted that the government is concerned about the matter. “With respect to the spending that will be...

“A mistake was made by the last admin by agreeing that everybody has to go to court…before they can be deported” Another 400+ undocumented migrants apprehended late last night NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell said yesterday that the government has requested the attorney general to review the law related to the repatriation...

Foreign affairs minister cites “critical issue between supply and demand” for vaccines NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said yesterday that “fruitful” discussions were held in New York with United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield to expedite the delivery of another tranche of Pfizer vaccines to The Bahamas. Minister of Foreign Affairs and the...

PM officially sworn in as minister of finance  Salary increases for MPs not on agenda NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said on Friday that his first order of business as finance minister is to stabilize the country’s finances and identify how a debt management strategy can be implemented as soon as possible. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis...

"We intend to live up to our obligations and where we are unable to, we intend to seek to renegotiate” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that his administration is assessing this country’s debt arrangement to determine the best approach and to avoid any default on its debt obligations. Davis, who returned to the capital yesterday...

Grand Lucayan and airport among the key areas to be looked at, says Moxey FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said the Davis administration has a master plan for the island’s redevelopment and revitalization, noting: “We’re going to hit the ground running.” Pineridge MP Ginger Moxey (left) is sworn in as minister of Grand Bahama. In...

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Prime Minister Philip Davis called on world leaders to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines as he underscored the need for global cooperation to face modern crises at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today. In his first international speech just ten days after taking office, Davis underscored the need for equitable...

MATTHEW TOWN, INAGUA — More than 300 Haitian migrants were apprehended within the past 48-hours and are being detained at the police station in Inagua, according to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF). The increase in apprehensions comes amidst large-scale migration from Haiti after compounded challenges across the country, including political unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic and consecutive natural disasters. The...

Negative COVID tests still required; visa still in place for travel into Bahamas Testing on day 5 of travel now only required for those entering the country NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Newly-appointed Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville yesterday announced several amendments to the Bahamas travel health visa, notably that it is no longer required for inter-island travel and...

Mitchell: The practice is that those with political-level appointments resign when new govt comes in NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — Amidst reports of firings across government sectors as the new Davis-led administration takes office, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Fred Mitchell sought to explain that it is a usual "practice" after governments change that political appointments come to an end....