The Big Story

Deal says multiple administrations have failed to adequately handle the issue “We often only think about electricity when it’s either off or the bill comes” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — This nation needs to “stop pretending” and get serious about addressing its energy concerns, a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce executive said yesterday, warning that it can no longer be a “bottom-o-the-barrel” issue....

“We continue to go down the wrong road in terms of protecting the environment” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A well-known environmentalist said yesterday that she was “saddened” that none of the political parties vying for governance have displayed any awareness of the need for environmental protections. According to Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, local environmentalists have continually gotten a “bad rap” as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it will restart its Carnival Pride cruise line from Baltimore, with seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and stops in Nassau, Freeport and Carnival’s private-island destination, Half Moon Cay.  Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “We’re thrilled to be back in Baltimore, providing our guests with the relaxing vacation they’ve...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis claimed yesterday that he has been “reliably informed” of his party’s victory at the advance polls. Minnis was speaking at the Free National Movement’s (FNM) drive-in rally ion Cat Island, and also made the claim later that day at another rally on San Salvador. “I’ve been reliably informed that in the advance...

Just over 19,000 persons registered for the advance polls, 194,524 people on overall voter's register NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Parliamentary Registration Department is expected to beef up its protocols and release a layout for voting in the General Election on September 16, after a myriad of challenges arose during Thursday's advance polls. Chaos erupted at several of the stations, there...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday greater adherence to health protocols, as opposed to strengthening them, is needed at this time. This notwithstanding the emergence of the coronavirus variant "mu" in the Caribbean and the delta strain being confirmed as the predominant variant in The Bahamas. The delta variant is the most virulent and has the...

“We again repeat the need for two election agents to protect the integrity of the voting process” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy National Coordinator of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Valentine Grimes yesterday issued a letter to Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson regarding alleged irregularities found in Thursday’s advance polling process.  In his letter, Grimes claimed “unintentional but serious errors” took...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Thousands of early voters gathered on New Providence and Grand Bahama yesterday cast their ballots, but were met with a myriad of procedural issues in sweltering heat that frustrated the process even well after the last polls closed at 6:30pm. Chaos erupted at several of the stations, reigniting concerns of the possibility of a spread in COVID-19...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Ingraham yesterday said that more could be done to ensure a better flow of voters at the polls amid ongoing concerns of COVID-19 in the country. After being initially turned away from casting their ballots at the Gambier Primary School polling stations, Ingraham and his wife returned around 4pm to cast their...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday accused the Free National Movement (FNM) of suppressing votes as the country heads into a general election, asserting that “a lot of Bahamians who want to vote aren’t going to be able to.” “Everywhere I go, and it doesn’t matter where — if I’m over-the-hill or in San...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A local entrepreneur said yesterday that his 10-year quest to secure Crown land for his beach club development and ongoing dispute with Royal Caribbean highlights why this nation’s ease of doing business ranking is so low. Speaking with Eyewitness News following a virtual public consultation on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Royal Caribbean's $110 million Royal...

Davis continues to claim fake docs are political attack NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorneys for Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis have written a letter to Commissioner of Police (COP) Paul Rolle requesting an urgent investigation into alleged fraudulent and “defamatory” documents being circulated about Davis. Several documents have been circulating on social media in recent days claiming that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Deputy Leader Chester Cooper last night asserted that the Free National Movement (FNM) has no ideas to grow the economy as the country’s debt continues to climb. Cooper, during a virtual rally last night, stated: “The Minnis administration has proven that it cannot properly manage the affairs of this nation. These have been...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — US low fare carrier Frontier Airlines has announced plans to add three additional routes from the US to The Bahamas starting this fall. International Sales Manager for Frontier Airlines Alfredo Gonzalez said yesterday that the airline will add the new routes beginning in November. The Denver-based ultra-low fare carrier started service to Nassau in June with service...

“We are treating everybody who comes to the polls as if they are COVID-positive” Cooper slams Wells’ response as “typical” of FNM NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells suggested the government could follow similar guidelines utilized by the United States during its November 2020 election in accommodating quarantined and COVID-positive voters at the polls, stating: "I think we're...

Non-COVID-positive patients requiring healthcare “at risk of not being able to access lifesaving care” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The more contagious and potentially deadly delta COVID-19 variant is the predominant variant in The Bahamas, according to returned laboratory results of samples sent abroad. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said it received the results from the FIOCRUZ Laboratory in Brazil...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie said yesterday that while he respects the health authorities and their views on the management of the coronavirus pandemic, the law has no provisions to deny registered voters the right to vote. “I don’t think any person should be disenfranchised who is willing and able to go and vote...

"We will do nothing to stop or prevent the people from exercising their right to vote beginning tomorrow and then next week" Party threatens legal action again, this time over symbol on ballots NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite unresolved concerns regarding the electoral process, Deputy Election Coordinator for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Valentine Grimes said yesterday that the party will...