The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Security Marvin Dames yesterday warned individuals partaking in illegal activities that they will pay for their crimes when caught. Dames' strong deterrent was issued amidst a recent increase in police drug interdictions and arrests. On Monday, officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit recovered 161 lbs of suspected cocaine, valued at $1.6 million, during a...

Abaco shantytown demolitions will continue despite scolding from UN Bannister warns New Providence squatters are next NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister suggested yesterday that the government will move forward with the demolition of shantytowns on Abaco, insisting that he has a job to do in eradicating illegal dwellings. Bannister was responding to an...

ABACO, BAHAMAS — The re-emergence of shantytowns on Abaco is merely exacerbating the housing crisis on the hurricane-ravaged island, according to its Chamber of Commerce president. Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Eyewitness News: "I’m not taking sides on the issue, because that is not we do that, but we...

Thompson says ministers do not have to physically attend Cabinet meetings to participate NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Cabinet of The Bahamas has now transitioned to a digital platform designed to improve the processes and operating procedures in the Cabinet Office, according to State Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson. Thompson officially announced the launch of the Bahamas E-Cabinet Management Information System...

Over 5,000 applicants per day Some travelers report being stranded in the US as they seek to return home today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said today that the government has had to adjust its manpower and approvals process to handle an “absolute explosion” in health visa applications, noting “we’re up to over 5,000 applications a day”. Speaking...

PM: All islands except New Providence and Grand Bahama could have curfew removed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Free National Movement (FNM) marked its fourth-year anniversary since assuming office, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday the government had to shift its priorities and deviate from its agenda in order to address both the catastrophic needs of the country brought...

National vaccine committee looking to renew public interest in getting the jab NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields said while demand for the jab has been flattening, it is hoped that a greater push to educate the public will garner greater interest. Asked how many doses had been administered in the last week, Fields said:...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country’s high-end real estate market is ‘booming”, according to Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) President Christine Wallace Whitfield, who noted the segment appears to be outperforming pre-pandemic levels. Wallace-Whitfield, in an interview with Eyewitness News, noted: “It’s the high-end market that is doing very well. That market is booming. It’s crazy. The high-end market here in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields said yesterday The Bahamas is expected to receive the balance of its vaccine doses, approximately 66,000, from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX Facility “any day now”. He said the committee will continue to issue first doses to eligible individuals as well as second doses to vaccine recipients. Fields...

Inside source assures Royal Caribbean eager to meet with taxi union over concerns NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Taxi Cab Union President Wesley Ferguson yesterday voiced serious concerns that local taxi drivers will be left disadvantaged when the Royal Caribbean beach club destination on Paradise Island comes on stream. Bahamas Taxi Cab Union President Wesley Ferguson. Ferguson told Eyewitness News: “We...

BNCM: Medicinal marijuana approval consistent with our recommendations but decision is up to govt NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) Co-Chairman Quinn McCartney said yesterday that the government’s move to legalize medicinal marijuana in the country is consistent with the commission’s recommendations. On Friday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis advised that the government is expected to table...

"It is the job of the minister and his government to find the right balance" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Immigration and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday urged the government to find the "right balance" in managing unregulated shantytowns and following its international treaties. Mitchell's comments come days after United Nations human rights experts called on The Bahamas to halt...

Redeployments to be brought about within public sector NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A top Ministry of Finance official said yesterday as the government moves forward with its digitization strategy, it is looking internally to see how workers within the public service may be redeployed for greater productivity. Marlon Johnson, acting financial secretary, while speaking at a virtual press conference for the...

Fully vaccinated individuals not required to submit RT-PCR test when traveling within Bahamas  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he was elated to receive the second dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine yesterday afternoon, telling the media he was glad it was “all over”. “Of course, I didn’t feel anything, but just the sight of the...

Demolition of unregulated structures in The Farm expected to continue today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Immigration Elsworth Johnson said yesterday that the government’s decision to demolish the shantytown in The Farm, Abaco, is in the best interest of The Bahamas, notwithstanding appeals from the United Nations to forgoe the destruction of the homes in the community. “The work being...

More than 36,000 doses of the vaccine administered in-country NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nearly two months after the government began administering the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, it will begin to roll out the second dose of the vaccine to eligible recipients beginning tomorrow. According to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee, the administration of the second dose of the vaccine, which...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Baha Mar employee who received the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently collapsed and died was not as a result of the vaccination, according to the Ministry of Health. In a statement, the ministry said the medical history of the individual “does not support the COVID-19 vaccine or any other vaccination as being the cause of death”. According...

Prime minister specifies govt is only moving on medicinal marijuana and expungement of records at this time NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is expected to table a bill in Parliament in the next few weeks that would regulate medicinal marijuana in The Bahamas, said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Friday. "We are presently attempting to complete the medicinal marijuana...