The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Health Minister and Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands yesterday suggested that the government must reassess its tax structure and implement an income tax, as the country sees significant hits to its economic stability.  As he presented to the budget debate, Sands provided a grave overview of the country’s financial standing and its historic spending.  He pointed...

Rights Bahamas backs QCs Smith and Munroe calls for ministers to tone down rhetoric against judges NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) yesterday expressed dismay over the "sharp increase" in public criticism and attacks on Supreme Court rulings by members of the executive branch of government. It follows public statements from Attorney General Carl Bethel and Public Works minister...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest said yesterday that there is no reason for this nation to be alarmed over the G7’s landmark deal to battle tax avoidance, noting that this nation must adapt and develop strategies to get ahead of these developments. G7 finance ministers last weekend agreed to a landmark deal to battle tax avoidance having...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Commissioner of Police Anthony has been named as the first director of the National Crime Intelligence Agency. National Security Minister Marvin Dames announced the appointment in Parliament on Wednesday, nearly a year on since he signaled the government was considering Ferguson for a special post.  "We understand the importance of such an agency to any country's...

New COVID infections decline by 39 percent week-over-week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes said yesterday that slowing of new coronavirus cases in The Bahamas was a positive sign, but it was too early to determine if the country was turning the curve of the third wave. In an interview with Eyewitness News,...

52 people convicted and fined collectively $117,500 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There were approximately 1,940 violations of the COVID-19 Emergency Orders since the start of the state of emergency resulting in  $1,020,550 of fines, according to the National Security Minister Marvin Dames. As he outlined the work of his ministry during the 2021 budget, Dames indicated that while most Bahamians continue...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —  In preparation for the next General Election, the government has allocated $4,700,020 in the 2021/22 fiscal year for the Parliamentary Registration Department. Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, who has responsibility for elections, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2021/2022 budget debates, warning that the current staff complement of the department is woefully inadequate to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Major crimes were reigned in by 54 percent under the Minnis administration when compared to the previous Christie administration, according to Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, who compared three years of the current government's term to the former government's tenure in office. However, Dames noted that while overall crime for 2021 reflects an eight percent reduction...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Iram Lewis yesterday outlined his ministry’s plan to reintroduce the Bahamas Games with the hope of providing exposure for Family Island athletes. During his contribution to the 2021-22 fiscal budget communication in Parliament, Lewis said the plans for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games have already begun and that a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Upgrading and enhancing Freeport’s infrastructure to support a modern cosmopolitan city will require considerably more investment than current revenue streams, according to Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) Revitalization and Economic Expansion of Freeport (REEF) Committee. The committee has unveiled its five point ‘Action Plan’ to restore socio-economic growth to Freeport. “Since 1955, over $12 billion (in 2019...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — President of the Straw Business Persons Association Esther Thompson said yesterday that while the homeporting of several major cruiseliners in The Bahamas will benefit some sectors, it does not signal a return of activity for vendors of the Nassau Straw Market, which has been closed for over a year. Despite The Bahamas reopening most parts of the economy since...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As he delivered another scathing rebuke of the Minnis administration, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said yesterday that the government will not be able to convince the electorate that voting for the Free National Movement is about their future when the government “ignored us in the past while selling us dreams and schemes in the present”. He said...

New infections slowed by 15 percent week-over-week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas hit another milestone over the weekend as the nation’s coronavirus cases surpassed 12,000. Between Friday and Saturday, The Bahamas recorded just 32 cases: 15 on Friday and 17 on Saturday. Since the onset of the pandemic in mid-March 2020, The Bahamas has recorded 12,004 cases. The majority of the...

MP says drones flew over her under-construction home  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle said the Cabinet Office’s incorrect insinuation that her resignation as a Cabinet minister was linked to an audit at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture caused her hurt and harm, but she maintained that her record as a minister upheld the standards of the...

DPM Bannister says ruling "dangerous” for the country NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel advised yesterday that the government will appeal a Supreme Court ruling to extend its injunction preventing the government from destroying shantytown communities on the entirety of Abaco. On Monday, Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson handed down her ruling in the contentious matter, restricting the government’s actions...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Crystal Cruises gets set to launch its Bahamas cruises next month, the cruise line has scrapped plans to make Spanish Wells a port-of-call after fierce push back from residents. Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar confirmed yesterday that the cruise line will no longer have Spanish Wells on its itinerary. It is not the first time the seven-night...

Families of frontline healthcare workers lost during COVID-19 pandemic to receive $100,000 honorarium NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health care workers who were promised an honorarium for working on the frontlines throughout the coronavirus pandemic are expected to be paid by the end of July, Health Minister Renward Wells advised yesterday. Responding to questions from the media regarding the matter, Wells said...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle said yesterday that she had the overwhelming support from Seabreeze constituency executives and constituents for reelection in the next general election and the Free National Movement (FNM’s) decision to ratify another candidate in her stead was “sorely disappointing” and inconsistent with the way it handled other FNM incumbents, including Prime Minister Dr Hubert...