The Big Story

Moultrie predicts Parliament will be dissolved today Minnis: Only the prime minister decides when election will be held NASSAU, BAHAMAS — House Speaker Halson Moultrie charged yesterday that he believes the prime minister will seek to call a snap election amidst pressure from "external forces". He charged the move is necessary for the government to borrow the money needed under...

Govt considering using cruise lines to transport Bahamians to Florida to receive COVID vaccines NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that the country is currently in two pandemics: one for vaccinated individuals and another for the non-vaccinated. Minnis made the comments after new coronavirus cases climbed to the triple digits over the weekend and as hospitalizations...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Droves of eligible voters rushed to registration sites across New Providence yesterday amid heightened suggestions of an early election. Both the prime minister and leader of the opposition have called for Bahamians to register in the shortest possible time. There were long lines of a mixture of first-time voters and those seeking to transfer locations at the...

Vaccine committee says second-dose bookings for next week will “hopefully” open within a few days NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamian citizens and residents eligible to receive their second vaccine dose but who have yet to book their appointment to become fully vaccinated will be unable to do so until next week. According to National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields,...

Moultrie: Add four constituencies or redraw the boundaries PM mum on boundaries report submission NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While a report submitted by Constituencies Commission Chairman Halson Moultrie concluded that the majority of commission members recommended no change to the boundaries, dissenting opinions from Moultrie recommended 43 constituencies. On Friday, Eyewitness News revealed that the house speaker had presented the governor...

Komolafe asserts individuals being paid to create false impression of DNA “Have these persons stand down or the DNA will start to reveal names” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Arinthia Komolafe claimed yesterday that the two party members who alleged they were physically attacked during an internal party meeting earlier this month have misled the public to...

Outspoken MP says rejection by FNM leadership not a rejection from his constituents I was there for the people of Pineridge even when the government was missing in action” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine announced on Friday that he will run as an independent candidate in the next general election. During a press conference following the ratification of...

“Should the need arise, we would inform the public and make our decisions based on availability” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Chairperson Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis said today that the committee supports mixing COVID-19 vaccines, but it will only do so if the need arises. “The consultative committee has reviewed all the literature and is supportive of the...

COVID-19 hospitalizations nearly double Cases increase 23 percent week-over-week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As new coronavirus cases climbed to the triple digits on Saturday and hospitalizations continue to rapidly rise, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday the increase in infections ought to be taken seriously. He noted that the healthcare sector and its professionals cannot sustain the influx....

“This report has exceptional mitigating circumstances that make unanimity impossible” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Constituencies Commission Chairman and Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie yesterday defended his submission of the commission’s report, which he solely signed, to the governor general, insisting it was necessary in the interest of democracy. He was responding to a joint statement signed by commission...

Opposition leader says voters impacted by Dorian should be allowed to transfer registration by affidavit NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday encouraged all eligible citizens to register to vote today, asserting all signs point to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ringing the bell for the next general election this week. During a press conference...

WHO urges countries to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine access for people living with HIV NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Just over 23 percent of the people living with the autoimmune virus HIV and who were hospitalized with coronavirus died, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. The report underscores that HIV infection is a significant independent risk factor for both severe and...

PM suggests FNM will provide the “Bahamian dream” under his continued leadership NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said on Friday that should he decide to call the general election early, the Free National Movement (FNM) is "ready". Speaking during a Family Island tour on Eleuthera, he dodged questions from the media on whether he intends to dissolve...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for Garden Hill Boykin Smith said yesterday he has set his candidacy with the party aside for now following an alleged physical altercation involving him and a DNA candidate at a recent internal party meeting. “I am stepping aside and letting the constitution do its thing,” he told Eyewitness News. “I will...

Commissioners intend to write to the governor general to reject submitted report Moultrie says govt. representatives refused to sign the report recommending additional seats or shift in boundaries to ensure voter parity  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Constituencies Commission report has been completed and was presented to the governor-general for signature yesterday, according to House Speaker Halson Moultrie, who chairs the...

10 new COVID-19 deaths confirmed; seven reclassified deaths “Once we receive our vaccines, you can be assured that Bahamians will be reporting in droves to receive the jabs” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday assured that once vaccination numbers "reach a certain level", the state of emergency could be allowed to end. Asked whether the government intends...

Govt willing to halt deporting and detaining applicable individuals until Privy Council ruling  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — During a continued hearing of a historic citizenship court ruling on Wednesday, the Crown offered an undertaking not to deport or detain anyone who may claim they were born in The Bahamas and their father is Bahamian until the Privy Council rules on the...

“The Bahamian people can trust us” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday that if Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis “grabs the spear of destiny” and calls an early election, the Free National Movement (FNM) and its troops are prepared to “take flight”. He was responding to questions from the media after the FNM ratified its final...