The Big Story

Bahamian health officials have to 'weigh the benefits and risks' NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — Local health officials will have to consider the latest recommendations from a United Kingdom advisory board against the use of AstraZeneca for healthy individuals under 30. On Wednesday, the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that 18- to 29-years-old should have the option of...

Atlantis and Baha Mar resort to serve as vaccination sites Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers still a concern as “more non-healthcare workers are being vaccinated” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is aiming to have 80 percent of Bahamians and residents vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan. As she gave an update on the...

“The pandemic has certainly made things more challenging for ministries like ours” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Great Commission Ministries President Bishop Walter Hanchell said yesterday that demand for housing and food assistance continues to increase, underscoring the severity of the pandemic’s impact. Bishop Walter Hanchell. Hanchell told Eyewitness News: “The demand for assistance has increased a bit, particularly as it relates...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Bank of Canada has announced it is adjusting its business footprint to ensure it remains profitable and sustainable, as it moves to consolidate two branches within the next two months. LaSonya Missick, RBC managing director and head of personal banking, told Eyewitness News that the bank has decided to consolidate its Mackey Street branch with its...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) President Robert “Sandy” Sands yesterday noted that while the uptick in tourism arrivals was “encouraging”, the industry’s tourism sector’s revival was “no slam dunk”. Sands told Eyewitness News: “I think the results to date are very encouraging. There is no question that momentum and interest in travel is increasing, certainly to...

Programme extended to end of the month; to be re-evaluated monthly NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has to date spent over $150 million on its unemployment assistance programme, which has been extended to the end of this month, according to Minister of the Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle. Minister of the Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle....

“We have in hand the solution for what ails us” Health minister notes govt seeking to procure more vaccines, including from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Just over 10,000 people have been vaccinated in The Bahamas to date, according to Minister of Health Renward Wells. The country received  33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the World...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 45-year-old woman was arraigned in the Magistrate's Court yesterday for possessing and uttering a forged coronavirus test. Margo Elaine Dean, 45, of Sassoon Drive, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on the charges and pleaded not guilty. According to court documents, Dean presented a forged Doctor's Hospital System negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test at Lynden Pindling International...

Munroe: Inmates innocent until proven guilty “but nobody is in the prison registering people to vote” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, has suggested that individuals on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) should be given an opportunity to register to vote. In a recent interview with Eyewitness News, Munroe sought to explain that individuals on...

Wells: We need to remember we are still fighting a war NASSAU, BAHAMAS — After a weekend of Easter gatherings at churches, restaurants, beaches and hotels across the country, there is mounting concern that another dangerous surge of COVID-19 cases may be looming. Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday: "There is lots of concern among the health officials as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As political parties continue to launch their campaigns in the lead-up to the upcoming election, Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday that those events should be done responsibly and following all COVID-19 protocols. Supporters and candidates of major political parties have been hitting the pavement, campaigning in various communities in large numbers despite recent criticism and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) President Darrin Woods said yesterday that with an estimated 70 to 75 percent of his members still out of work, the union would have to “wait and see” if the uptick in the country’s tourism numbers translates into more hotel workers returning to their jobs. “We have not seen...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court today in connection with a $3.1 million drug bust that occurred on March 29 on Eleuthera. Brandon Miller, 29, and Johnnie Emil, 46, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes. Miller was charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent supply, importation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs...

“If we're retarded in one area, then it's retarded in all of the areas” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government should fairly consider its restrictions on certain public events, given that political parties are allowed to canvas communities, suggested Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Bishop Delton Fernander. With the upcoming elections quickly approaching, supporters and candidates of major political parties have...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is prepared to put forth additional candidates should the Constituencies Commission make changes to the existing boundaries, said PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday. Last week, House Speaker Halson Moultrie, who chairs the commission, advised it is considering recommending additional constituencies to ensure voter parity. Davis insisted that, based on the views...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its second phase of technical guidance under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO), bringing cruise lines one step closer to sailing in United States territorial waters. The technical instructions will allow cruise lines to prepare their ships for simulation voyages, which will include trial voyages that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Shaunae Miller-Uibo turned in a world-leading time in the women’s 200 meters (m) in 22.03 seconds at the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in Clermont, Florida. Miller-Uibo, in her fastest-ever wind-legal outdoor opener, eclipsed the previous world lead of 22.17 seconds set by Gabrielle Thomas on March 27. Quanera Haynes finished second at the Pure Spring Invitational in 22.68...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday the government was “racing against the clock” to curtail the spread of COVID- 19 to Family Islands as travel and other activities pick up for the Easter holiday weekend. In an interview with Eyewitness News, the prime minister explained that the stricter travel protocols were imposed because the nation must...