The Big Story

Bostwick-Dean: It would be a tragedy if Olympian Shaunae could not pass on her citizenship if she has a child “I encourage us as a nation to again take that bull by the horns, to again put the question to the people” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Senator Lisa Bostwick-Dean yesterday suggested that the government hold another constitutional referendum to allow Bahamian...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — United States Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Usha Pitts said the US is in early negotiations with the government of The Bahamas to contribute personnel to the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. This comes as the nation enters an unprecedented phase of the pandemic with record cases and hospitalizations. “The US has, throughout this pandemic, we’ve been focused on...

D’Aguilar: Visitors staying longer and spending more “If you were thinking of The Bahamas as an aircraft, first class is clearly filling up before economy class” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For the first six months of 2021, The Bahamas welcomed just over 400,000 stopover visitors, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. D’Aguilar, who was addressing the 9th annual Eleuthera Business Outlook, noted...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A top Disney executive yesterday affirmed the company’s commitment to Eleuthera, describing its Lighthouse Point project as a great complement to Castaway Cay in the Abacos. Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences, while speaking at the virtual Eleuthera Business Outlook, noted: “It has truly been a hard year for everyone. The impact of this pandemic has...

“I am happy to confirm and inform the public that it is matter that can be addressed forthwith by way of regulation” Bethel: Auditor general was given company names but chose not to list them NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday that in short order, the law will be amended to allow the Ministry of Finance to...

“We are doing it because we care“ NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Insurance and the Public Service Brensil Rolle said that every public service worker who is entitled to an increment will receive it this month. Minister of National Insurance and the Public Service Brensil Rolle. Rolle, who was making an address in the House of Assembly on Wednesday...

ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — The government is set to embark on the “most ambitious bridge-building project imaginable in The Bahamas” with the construction of a new Glass Window Bridge, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Desmond Bannister. Bannister, who was addressing the Eleuthera Business Outlook yesterday, said the undertaking will begin early next year at a cost of...

128,700 Pfizer doses to arrive in country today  Pfizer vaccine available to 12 to 17-year-olds with consent of a parent or guardian NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced yesterday that The Bahamas will receive 397,0000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the United States government. Minnis made the announcement as he opened debate in Parliament on a resolution...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Along with a resolution to extend the current emergency orders "for the last time", the government on Tuesday also tabled a new bill that would put in place a statutory framework to mitigate public health emergencies. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis laid the documents in Parliament during a briefing sitting, and members returned yesterday to debate and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday accused the government of going to lengths to "hide deals" using the ongoing emergency powers, adding that the Bahamian people should be increasingly suspicious of the same. The emergency powers give the competent authority wide-sweeping powers concerning civil liberties and ordinary processes, including government contracts. “It is relevant, I think, to...

Political opponents demand govt to reveal details on pandemic contracts NASSAU, BAHAMAS — State Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson said yesterday the provisions of the Public Procurement Act provide for the government’s ability to publish the names of beneficial owners for recipients of government contracts. Thompson was responding to Eyewitness News inquiries after an auditor general’s report into a $US250...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Meteorologists project Tropical Storm Fred could weaken to a tropical depression before strengthening again on Tuesday as it eyes Florida. Due to the projected weakening, the Department of Meteorology has maintained its tropical storm watch for the southeast Bahamas, according to Department of Meteorology Senior Deputy Director Jeffrey Simmons. “That is not really expected to survive much from...

CBOB reveals plans to honor Bahamian founding father predate Minnis administration Opposition accuses govt of trying to take credit for the initiative  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian $100 banknote bearing the image of Arthur D Hanna has been in development for five years, according to The Central Bank of The Bahamas, which said it will release the note next month....

Health minister claims overcrowding not a result of COVID-19 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government will take legal action to remove bodies being stored at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) morgue if they are not collected by their relatives, said Minister of Health Reward Wells yesterday. The warning comes as officials continue to make appeals to residents to make arrangements directly or...

Planning committee notes increased public interest in debates; says it will seek future opportunities to further democracy NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National Election Debate Series (NEDS) Planning Committee has decided to cancel its third debate and postpone its debate series indefinitely due to the unprecedented rise in COVID-19 infections and the late exit of two political parties. From left, co-moderators...

COVID-19 positivity rate at 21 percent NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells advised yesterday that The Bahamas has increased its bed capacity to 131 amidst growing cases of COVID-19 in the country. As he seconded a resolution in Parliament to extend the state of emergency and emergency orders to November 13, Wells noted that all COVID-19 indicators are...

Bannister calls claims unparliamentary NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday accused Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of wasting time on smear campaigns against him instead of focusing on the pandemic. “How many hours have been spent creating deranged and deceitful advertisements against me by the competent authority?” Davis asked during debate on a resolution to extend the...

Procurement process for all departments, agencies, ministries and state-owned enterprises will be governed by new Public Procurement Act as of Sept 1 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Over 2,200 businesses are registered on the government’s e-Procurement system to date, according to Ministry of Finance officials, who noted that each government agency will have to produce an annual procurement plan. The Ministry of...