The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As healthcare professionals feverishly battle the onslaught of daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Accident and Emergency (A&E) Consultant Physician Dr Raquel Davis-Hall said yesterday Princess Margaret Hospital is on the brink of collapse, delaying transfers of confirmed and suspected cases from the Family Islands, and shifting those on New Providence to makeshift isolation rooms. “We’re past the...

“We urge people to take advantage of the supply and make an appointment” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields said with the “strong interest” from the public with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, appointments for the general public rollout tomorrow and the following day have already been fully booked. Pfizer will be rolled out to the...

BUT president urges members to prepare to take action should school repairs not be completed in time NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd once again assured yesterday that school repairs will be complete and ready for when schools reopen on August 30.  Lloyd’s comments came after Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson put out a clarion...

Rolle says 16K Bahamians receiving unemployment benefit, half the number that was originally receiving NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Public Service and National Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle said yesterday no decision has been made on whether the government will extend the unemployment benefit supporting 16,000 people past September. Brensil Rolle. Rolle, speaking with reporters on the matter ahead of a Cabinet meeting,...

Virtual complainant no longer in The Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The trial of two men accused of bringing a Venezuelan woman into The Bahamas for prostitution was yesterday adjourned to Friday. Prosecutors allege that Paul O’Brian Pawar, 30, of Sapphire Ridge, and Theo Johnson, 33, of Milky Way Drive, conspired to bring in the 34-year-old woman for the purpose of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Water & Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) main supplier said yesterday that so far it has received nearly $15 million towards the corporation’s outstanding debt, which was just over $21 million at the end of its second quarter. David Sasnett, chief financial officer of the BISX-listed, Cayman-headquartered water solutions provider, said during a conference call with investors yesterday...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — One of three men arraigned yesterday for possession of a firearm changed his guilty plea in the Magistrate’s Court, after the prosecution advised the court that witness accounts of the arrest over the weekend identified “another defendant” as having concealed the weapon under his shirt when officers stopped them. Trevor Laramore, 20, and Adrian Cleare, 30, both...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Challenger Energy, formerly the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), said it is has “reinvigorated” the process to find a suitable farm-in partner for its next phase of oil exploration activity in the country. Eytan Uliel, Challenger Energy’s CEO, noted: "As I have commented previously, it is often the case in our industry that several exploration wells are required...

Foreign affairs minister: We are not yet sure what we will do but we are working with CARICOM and discussing in Cabinet NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield said yesterday that the government is in discussions on how it would be able to provide assistance to Haiti, which was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake over the weekend....

Action tips off on Nov 22, 2021 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nineteen NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) men’s and women’s teams will participate in the newly announced Baha Mar Hoops event, November 22-27, at the Baha Mar Convention Center. The week-long slate of games is headlined on the men’s side by the University of Louisville and the University of Maryland. On...

Cabinet to review those who were recommended to be paid but did not receive funds NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells confirmed yesterday that his driver and personal assistant, who received just over $1,100 as an honorarium payment for working during the coronavirus pandemic, returned the funds to the government at his request. He said contrary to social...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson told members last night to be prepared for industrial action if schools have not been adequately prepared for COVID-19 or if promised increments are not paid this month. In a voice note, Wilson said she has not received any formal details about the Ministry of Education's reopening plan despite...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For a fifth consecutive day, healthcare services around the country were interrupted as workers called in sick and walked off the job amidst ongoing frustration over being left out of COVID-19 honorarium payments. The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) advised in a statement that Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC)...

US Embassy working with govt to introduce vaccine incentives PLP leader: If you are vaccinated, that is the reward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that anything the government does to increase voluntary vaccination of the Bahamian populous, including monetary incentives or a vaccine lotto, would be welcomed by the opposition. “I think any initiative to...

TS Fred lashing Florida with strong winds and heavy rainfall NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has advised that swells in the northwestern Bahamas can be expected over the upcoming weekend as Tropical Storm Henri makes its way toward Bermuda. But the archipelago is not expected to be impacted by the system, which strengthened in the Atlantic yesterday...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) yesterday dismissed as “absolutely false” statements circulating on social media that suggested life insurance will not cover a person if they are vaccinated or die from complications related to the vaccine. The BIA said in a statement: “The BIA has noted an erroneous statement circulating on social media, advising that life insurance...

28 defense force officers quarantined on Abaco after two test positive Cases appear to be unvaccinated, says commodore NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Marines aboard three Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) vessels and another 28 marines stationed on Abaco have had to quarantine after exposures to the coronavirus were confirmed among several officers, RBDF Commodore Dr Raymond King said yesterday. “The way...

School supplies retailers hoping for business bump as Lloyd announces school restart date NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A local retailer said yesterday his business was seeing just 35 percent of pre-COVID-19 sales, noting that uncertainty regarding how schools will reopen this fall has kept many consumers at bay. James Wallace, owner and operator of the popular uniform supplier Janae's Uniform Centre,...