The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The United States will export at least 10 percent of its stock of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries by July 4, according to Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, a senior advisor to President Joe Biden’s coronavirus response team. While it remains unclear which countries will be the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine from the US, Slavit said the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Executive Chairman Adam Stewart said yesterday he has “no doubt” that the Royal Bahamian resort on Cable Beach will be “fully booked out” when it reopens in early November following a $37 million renovation. Stewart, who gave insight into the renovations to be undertaken while touring the property yesterday, said 980 jobs will...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson yesterday urged education officials to shore up health and safety protocols in public schools as positive cases of COVID-19 continue to pop up among the student and staff population. According to the union, cases have been confirmed at Thelma Gibson Primary, Sadie Curtis Primary, Uriah McPhee Primary, Gambier Primary...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An aircraft that crashed in shallow waters off the runway of South Bimini International Airport, killing one man and injuring another, climbed to an altitude of around 40 feet and came down a few seconds later with a thud, according to an eyewitness account contained in the preliminary report prepared by the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA)....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amendments to the Securities legislation will address outstanding deficiencies in the protection of minority investors’ regime and other technical gaps in the legislation, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Minnis, who led debate in the House of Assembly on the Securities Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2021, noted that his administration remains resolute in strengthening the protection of...

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — Police arrested four men after officers found two bags of suspected cocaine in bushes in the area of Dover Sound, East Grand Bahama, yesterday. Superintendent Terecita Pinder said the total weight of the bags was 60lbs with an estimated street value of $600,000. "Shortly before 5pm, officers of the Flying Squad, acting on intelligence, proceeded to...

Three families, four businesses and a church impacted by most recent blaze NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A burnt and unrecognizable body was found in the ashes of a fire on Seventh Terrance and Fritz Lane yesterday morning, police said. According to reports, fire services responded to reports of a blaze around 3am and arrived to find the top portion of a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Government is ready to move ahead this week with the third phase of an operation to demolish structures in an Abaco shantytown, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister declaring: “Our people are mobilized and ready to do what they need to do.” “When we finish there, were are going to go in...

“If there are outages, they will be short and isolated, but we don’t anticipate widespread outages” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister yesterday revealed that Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) suspects it recently received a “contaminated” batch of fuel that has caused “challenges” with its engines. Speaking with reporters ahead of a Cabinet...

Minister Dames: It's a normal occurrence; don't read too deeply into it NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) yesterday advised its heads of departments to submit the names of marines expected to vote in the advanced polls in the upcoming general election. In a memo sent out on April 29, the law enforcement agency said the move...

Forbes says stricter protocols may have to be considered going forward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes suggested yesterday The Bahamas must take action or risk a further increase in coronavirus infections. Forbes’ comments come as the country tries to mitigate a third wave of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic first...

"If we expect in every incident that the government will make us whole, that is not realistic" Campbell suggests homeowners consider insurance options NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell yesterday assured that the families recently impacted by Sunday's fire on Jennie Street are being assisted by his ministry. On Sunday, a massive fire ripped through 10 structures on...

“Loss of use” damages to be retried in the Supreme Court NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal has refused to give leave to SkyBahamas to appeal to the Privy Council level over nearly $500,000 it was ordered to pay Southern Air Limited following an aircraft collision in 2009. Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, represented Southern Air. Marco Turnquest and Chizelle Cargill...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Family Guardian’s president said decline in medical claims due to a decrease in utilization because of COVID-19 restrictions, along with the strategic responses by management to control operating expenses, helped offset the pandemic’s impact on the company’s 2020 financial performance. The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX)-listed insurer recorded a 34 percent improvement in its net income. Its...

D’Aguilar: Travelers using fake vaccination cards are a concern NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday that while tourism arrival numbers are trending in a positive direction, they are still 30 to 40 percent below pre-pandemic levels. D’Aguilar, who was addressing reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, noted: “The good news is that the number of foreign...

"It would be impractical for us to go to a scene without water" Morris: The issue was water pressure from WSC NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police Fire Chief Superintendent Kenrick Morris yesterday defended the response of fire services to a massive fire on Jennie Street on Sunday, which left dozen of residents homeless and displaced. Morris said despite concerns expressed from...

“So far, only the stopover market has benefited from tourism restart” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total foreign arrivals fell by nearly 80 percent in March, extending the nearly 60 percent decline in the same period last year, the Central Bank has reported. According to the Central Bank’s Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report for March, total foreign arrivals fell by 79.2...

But he notes govt will have “significant” financing needs going forward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country’s foreign reserves to date stand at a “comfortable” $2.26 billion, the Central Bank revealed yesterday, noting that demand for foreign exchange, mainly for imports of goods and services, has dropped by 14 percent. According to Central Bank Governor John Rolle, foreign reserves contracted over...