The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While it remains to be seen when the Marijuana Bill will be finalized and tabled in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Bahamians will be able to “smoke in time”, though he could not provide a time frame. Responding to questions from Eyewitness News about when the Marijuana Bill could be tabled, Minnis said: “You want...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court judge has ruled that there is no legal basis to prevent reverse osmosis plant operator Aqua Design Bahamas from switching off its water supply over significant outstanding arrears, noting that its relationship with the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) appears “irreconcilable”. In a judgment dated August 6, Justice Indra Charles noted that attorneys representing...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) is seeking to bring about amendments to close “loopholes” in the law governing the country’s real estate sector, with its president Christine Wallace-Whitfield calling for criminal charges and fixed penalties to be levied against foreign sales agents. Wallace-Whitfield, who was elected to a record fifth term as BREA president along with...

Munroe questions who will be liable if something goes wrong after getting the jab NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite having been hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms, prominent attorney and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate for Free Town Wayne Munroe said yesterday that his anti-vaccine position has not changed and he still does not intend to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Munroe tested positive...

Central Bank reported rate of joblessness as 25.6% in May 2020 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Acting Director of the Bahamas National Statistical Institute Leona Wilson has confirmed that a Labour Force survey will not be performed this year, maintaining that the next likely survey on the rate of joblessness in The Bahamas will come next May. The survey, performed twice annually,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is expected to table a resolution in Parliament on Tuesday to extend the current COVID-19 Emergency Orders past the August 13 expiration date, amidst a significant spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. The House of Assembly issued a notice for the reconvening of Parliament yesterday, indicating that the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the...

"She ran in to try and save the two children but the room door was locked" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The charred remains of two children and a woman were removed from a one-story apartment on Coco Plum Avenue off East Street after a blaze that broke out around 5.50am destroyed the home. Family members told Eyewitness News that the bodies...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was shot and killed shortly after 8pm on Saturday, at a home on Odle Corner off East Street, according to police. The man has been identified by family members as 34-year-old Gerveaise Anderson Superintendent Synbrina Potter from the Criminal Investigations Department said officers received reports of gunshots in the area and, upon responding, found the...

Ruperts warns economy will suffer if COVID cases aren't brought under control “I’ve never seen so much death in my lifetime” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent businessman and retailer slammed what he called a “careless attitude” towards a surge in COVID-19 case in this country, which he says has contributed to the record number reported in recent days. Rupert Roberts,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors Hospital Chief Financial Officer Dennis Deveaux said yesterday the BISX-listed healthcare provider’s non-COVID-related business was up about 25 percent year-over-year, a reversal of the trend seen at the onset of the pandemic. Deveaux told Eyewitness News there has been resurgence in healthcare demand. “Our non-COVID business is up about 25 percent year-over-year. If you pull out...

“We hope the people of The Bahamas are as happy to see Carnival back as we are to be here” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Carnival Cruise Line executives said The Bahamas remains an important destination for the cruise line, with its proximity to the United States serving as a “real advantage” as it  marked its return to Caribbean waters. Carnival’s liquid...

“Over the past few years, we have been having these surges of especially increasing temperatures” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Meteorologists have warned residents to limit outdoor activity as temperatures in recent days neared record highs, significantly increasing the risk of heatstroke and severe dehydration. Earlier this week, temperatures as high as 93 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded. A record 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit...

“What happens if the next storm comes?” ABACO, BAHAMAS — With Abaco still rebuilding nearly two years after Hurricane Dorian leveled portions of the island, some residents are concerned about whether the island is prepared in the event of another storm. Abaco Chamber of Commerce Director Krista Albury has expressed grave concern about the level of preparedness, noting that Abaco...

Biden administration reportedly considering barring non-vaccinated international travelers from entering the USA “The state department and White House have not yet finalized the policy” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Sidney Collie said yesterday Bahamian officials are monitoring and awaiting a change in policy for the US to require proof of vaccination for international travelers. A Reuters...

Appointments available for first and second doses NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Appointments for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines will be open for the rest of the month, said Barry Rassin, a member of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee, yesterday. This follows weeks of limited availability due to low supplies. More than 33,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — One man is dead and another is missing after the fishing boat they were on sunk in waters off western New Providence shortly after 3pm yesterday. Initial information indicated three men were out fishing when the engines of their boat failed and the vessel began taking on water. The men reportedly attempted to swim to shore, but...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield confirmed yesterday that the government of The Bahamas has reached out to the government of Venezuela via diplomatic channels after learning Bahamian pilot Oran Munroe, who was reported missing over a week ago, was taken into custody for questioning by Venezuelan authorities. “We are making inquiries,” Henfield told Eyewitness News. Minister...

“Why do you have us locked out of the country? People can go to the US and we can’t get back home” Foreign Affairs minister says govt working on a solution NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian citizen and two other men, including a permanent resident of 16 years, said yesterday they feel abandoned by the government of The Bahamas after...