The Big Story

Oran Munroe has been missing since July 24 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bolivarian authorities found a semi-destroyed aircraft in Rosario de Perija, Zulia, Venezuela, with the passport of missing Bahamian pilot Oran Theron Munroe inside, according to a Venezuelan publication. This undated photo purportedly shows a semi-destroyed aircraft found by Bolivarian authorities in Rosario De Perija, Zulia, Venezuela, which reportedly had the...

Dames warns of consequences for not adhering to COVID emergency orders NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Security Marvin Dames assured yesterday that law enforcement will remain vigilant amidst reintroduced travel restrictions, ensuring it will identify fake COVID-19 tests and monitor quarantine restrictions. On Monday, the Office of the Prime Minister announced a rollback in travel restrictions that would now...

Campaign finance system and public procurements process leave vulnerabilities to corruption, according to US Investment Climate Report Resignations of 3 Cabinet ministers “under allegations of corruption” cited NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Vulnerability to corruption remains a major challenge for the Bahamian government, the latest US Investment Climate Report has noted, adding that the government has laws to combat corruption among public...

Rolle: Economy is experiencing moderately higher inflation “Recovery is projected to continue, with much stronger growth in 2022 than in 2021” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank has projected that the Bahamian economy will not achieve pre-pandemic levels of activity before 2023. According to Central Bank Governor John Rolle, the Bahamian economy began a slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic...

“We would be better off seeing those funds spent on rebuilding” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank is estimating at least $200 million in Hurricane Dorian-related insurance payouts has still not been used to date. Central Bank Governor John Rolle, while addressing the regulator’s Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report for June yesterday, expressed the desire to see those insurance...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Central Bank Governor John Rolle said yesterday that The Bahamas reaching critical mass in its vaccination efforts will help in terms of perceived and actual risk regarding the virus. Rolle, while speaking during a press conference for the Central Bank’s Monthly Economic and Financial Developments Report for June, noted this nation must do its part to keep...

TOKYO, JAPAN — After finishing eighth in the women’s 200m final in 24 seconds at the Olympics today, Bahamian Olympian Shaunae Miller-Uibo said minor injuries got the best of her. Miller-Uibo noted, however, that once she’s deemed “healthy”, she will be ready to take on the 400m. Shaunae Miller-Uibo runs in the semifinals of the women’s 200-meter race at the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fully vaccinated individuals and children ages two through 11 traveling to The Bahamas must now obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid test within five days of arriving, according to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). This new policy will take effect on August 6, walking back the travel regime implemented in May that saw fully...

334 cases recorded on the weekend “More is needed to be done to stop the spread” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas reached another bleak milestone over the weekend as it surpassed 15,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. Between Friday and Saturday, the nation recorded 334 cases: 162 on Friday, 81 on Saturday and 91 on Sunday. Health officials also reported five additional COVID-19...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A final report into a fatal plane crash in Treasure Cay, Abaco, last month determined the pilots’ “unfamiliarity with the aircraft systems and their failure to configure the aircraft for the proper takeoff” contributed to the aircraft’s failure to perform. The Westwind aircraft crashed and burst into flames on July 5, killing the two Bahamian pilots onboard....

“This ain’t no time to ease up; this is a time to double down on our efforts” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands has recommended that the government find ways to incentivize unvaccinated individuals in The Bahamas to become vaccinated, including monetary benefits. His suggestion comes amid a surge of coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm...

Maura: It is very important that thousands of Bahamians are given the opportunity to invest in the Nassau Cruise Port NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamians will get an opportunity to own an equity stake in the Nassau Cruise Port when an initial public offering (IPO) for small investors is launched in October, according to cruise port CEO Mike Maura Jr. In...

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar and Works Minister Desmond Bannister to be among speakers ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — The ninth Eleuthera Business Outlook (ELBO) is set to take place on August 12 under the theme “Facing Unprecedented Times: Recover. Adapt. Advance.” The virtual forum is being offered free to all registrants and features two Cabinet ministers — Minister of Tourism and Aviation...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has found it necessary that communications providers Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Cable Bahamas offer a wider range of bandwidth to other licensed operators (OLO). URCA made the determination in its review of draft wholesale broadband internet offers from both the providers. In September 2020, URCA issued a final determination...

LaRoda: Poaching has also reduced dramatically thanks to RBDF efforts NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance President Adrian LaRoda said yesterday that he anticipates a strong yield for the industry this crawfish season, noting that the pandemic has fortunately not adversely impacted demand as much as originally anticipated. The crawfish season opened yesterday. “I am expecting this season to...

“I think each candidate needs to be accountable to the electorate for their position” Bethel-Sears: Bahamas’ human rights record has a lot to be improved upon NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Ahead of the country’s third National Election Debate Series (NEDS), to be held under the theme “Constitutional Reform and Human Rights”, Bahamian human rights activist and United Nations affiliate Marion Bethel-Sears...

“Our reality is that there will be people that test positive” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nassau Cruise Port Chief Executive Officer Mike Maura Jr said yesterday that occasional reports of COVID-19 cases onboard cruise ships would likely not be detrimental to the industry’s rebound. Speaking to Eyewitness News, Maura noted that with the industry having been among the hardest hit by...

“These bugs can devastate the forest; they are infamous for what they do” BNT exec: We really hope none of them escaped FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Local environmentalists expressed dismay and concern after a vessel reportedly carrying wood infected with tree-killing beetles was allowed to offload on Grand Bahama. Joe Darville, chairman of Save The Bays and Waterkeeper Bahamas, told...