The Big Story

“I think the church has to participate in and respect all of the restrictions that the rest of society is being asked to observe” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bishop of the Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands Reverend Laish Boyd yesterday suggested that further restrictions were perhaps necessary for New Providence amid a surge of new cases...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The vast majority of respondents surveyed in Seabreeze and Saint Barnabas believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction, according to a new report produced by Bahamian consulting, communications and public engagement firm Open Current. However, those constituents have yet to make up their minds on which political party they will vote for at the polls....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Health announced yesterday that all frontline and non-frontline workers who assisted with the national response to COVID-19 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Bahamas will be paid a long-promised honorarium by cheque on or before the second week of August 2021. Minister of Health Renward Wells. (BIS/PATRICK HANNA) The Bahamas...

Dames assures voter registration dept’s security protocols thwart fraud attempts “It is time for a change? Absolutely, and this government moving toward automation” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Parliamentary Registration Department does not use white-out for any purpose, according to Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, who said the presence of the correcting fluid on any voter's cards is not the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man believed to be in his 50s was found dead in a warehouse behind a liquor store off First Street, Coconut Grove, late Monday night. Details remained sketchy up to press time, but police officials said the discovery was made around 11pm. The victim’s identity has not been officially released, but he is believed to be...

“The government can’t be trying to control this thing by themselves” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent trade union leader said yesterday that government has been too “autocratic and dictatorial” in its COVID-19 mitigation efforts, suggesting there would be greater public buy-in through serious engagement with various sector leaders. Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson told Eyewitness News yesterday that...

Customs Dept says customers charged $3.35 fee incorrectly will be refunded Ministry of Finance dispels rumors of charge being linked to digital payments company Kanoo NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government yesterday “temporarily suspended” the introduction of a customs processing fee to allow for additional training and customer education, noting that the $3.35 fee does not apply to individuals using their...

Ferguson: Homeporting was a big boost but the delta COVID variant is a great concern Wesley Ferguson. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the taxicab industry continues to benefit from improved visitor arrivals, President of the Bahamas Taxicab Union Wesley Ferguson yesterday urged cab drivers to get vaccinated as they are often among the first to encounter visitors to this country. Ferguson...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men charged in a Magistrate’s Court today were released on bail after pleading not guilty to charges of human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution. Paul O’Brian Pawar, 30, of Sapphire Ridge, and Theo Johnson, 33, of Milky Way Drive, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. The pair was charged with one count each of conspiracy...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has yet to make a determination on whether it will allow the existing public state of emergency and accompanying emergency orders to expire next month, according to Minister of Health Renward Wells. The emergency orders come to an end on August 13 but a resolution tabled in Parliament, which has been adjourned to September 22,...

Frustration mounts amid long wait times and limited appointments Vaccines received last week could be depleted by end of this week, says Symonette NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 700 hopeful vaxxers who were unable to make vaccination appointments waited at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road for hours yesterday to receive their first jab. While appointments were limited, the vaccination site...

PMH administrator calls hospital situation “grim” “The physicians are at their breaking point; the nurses are at their breaking point” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler yesterday called on the government to immediately move to shore up the healthcare sector with able nurses and doctors, noting that existing staff are fatigued and overwhelmed as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The withdrawal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) emergency use authorization (EUA) of its real-time RT-PCR COVID-19 tests by the end of this year will present a “logistical switch” for The Bahamas, according to former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. However, the surgeon suggested the change...

Mitchell: The law is not reasonably justifiable in a democratic society and should be challenged in court “We do not support the fact that the prime minister is looking to take away people’s right to choose” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Three political parties, including the official opposition, yesterday slammed requirements for campaign teams to be vaccinated as “oppressive” and called for...

Small businesses waiting to see what will happen when emergency orders end August 13 Turnquest: We want the country to balance economic and health mindsets but “we do not advocate for severe curfews and shutdowns” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A well-known small business consultant said yesterday there is “no reason” spas should be required to close under the latest amendments to...

More than $557K in pennies redeemed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Just over half a million pennies were redeemed during the Central Bank’s penny redemption exercise, the regulator has revealed of the now-concluded programme. The Central Bank announced in January 2021 that it would decommission the one-cent coin on December 31, 2020, and that the coin would be redeemable until June 30...

 Lisgaris: Pandemic driving shorter booking windows “People are really starting to get nervous over this surge and the restrictions” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Local water-based excursion operators say they have seen an uptick in business, although the pandemic appears to have caused customers to significantly shorten their booking windows. Adoni Lisgaris, president of the Bahamas Excursion Operators Association (BEOA), told Eyewitness...

NASSAU,BAHAMAS- Joanna Evans concluded team Bahamas' time in the pool at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics today, finishing 18th overall in the opening heats of the women's 200 meter (m) freestyle in 1:58.40. She was seventh in heat three in with an overall time of 57:30. On Sunday, Evans finished second in her heat of the women's 400m freestyle in...