The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid public speculation about the Royal Bahamas Defense Force‘s (RBDF) showing of two armored vehicles on New Providence yesterday, the organization said the simulated use of its infantry equipment was an “incursion response drill” and not in response to “any particular actor”. The armored vehicles were a donation from China in 2017. The sighting of the camouflaged...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has announced that over the next four years, thousands of Caribbean nationals stand to benefit from increased employment and regional training opportunities as it ramps up its Team Member Exchange Programme (TMEXP) and seeks to grow its regional team from 15,000 to 20,000 team members. This follows the leading hotel chain’s recent announcement...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said he does not see political colors nor does he take instructions from politicians. He was responding to questions surrounding the detainment of Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Arinthia Komolafe and at least eight other DNA members, including DNA Chairman Omar Smith, over a March 3 demonstration in front of Parliament. “The...

D’Aguilar: “We’re at the cusp of getting this done” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean International’s president and chief executive yesterday assured that its purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort through its joint venture with the ITM Group is moving “full speed ahead”, with an announcement on the deal said to be coming soon. Michael Bayley, while on a video conference...

At current pace, it could take just over four months for herd immunity NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar said while he does not believe the timing of The Bahamas’ vaccination program rollout will make a material difference on visitors returning to the nation, the uptake of residents receiving the jab when more supplies arrive could. Numerous eastern...

Global Ports Holding “extremely excited” as cruise industry set to relaunch in The Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Crystal Cruises recorded its biggest single-day of bookings in its 30-year history in response to its Bahamas cruise set to launch July 3. According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism, the cruise line saw an extraordinary response in the first 24...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean’s chief executive yesterday expressed optimism that its homeporting arrangement to commence in June could be the beginning of something “new and exciting” for the long term, depending on customer response. Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International’s president and chief executive, said during a video conference yesterday that the company believes there is pent-up demand for its...

NASSAU BAHAMAS — The residents of Pat’s Senior Citizen Home were recently treated to a luncheon courtesy of the family of the late Gerlene Gibson, mother of former Minister of Labour Shane Gibson. Family members of Gerlene said they hosted the luncheon to honor their loved one and celebrate her philosophy of kindness. Ann Hutchinson. Ann Hutchinson, Gibson’s daughter, said...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas recorded 14 confirmed coronavirus cases yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health. The cases consisted of five on New Providence, eight on Grand Bahama and one on Eleuthera. There were two imported cases, including one on New Providence and one on Eleuthera. Total cases now stand at 8,923, with 947 active cases. A total of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was killed in his home on Wilson Track off Wulff Road shortly after 5am this morning, police said. ASP Audley Peters, police press liaison, said officers received reports of a shooting and arrived at the home to find a man, believed to be in his early 50s, in his doorway. Peters said initial investigations revealed...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Scores of Democratic National Alliance (DNA) supporters gathered outside of the Central Police Station downtown for hours today after DNA Leader Arinthia Komolafe, and 10 other members, including party officials, were detained this morning. The DNA held a demonstration in front of Parliament three weeks ago, on March 3. According to DNA Vice Chairman Derek Smith, party...

Events and smaller gatherings may be cause of spike NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There has been an uptick in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations on Grand Bahama over the weekend, which may be due to the increase in attendance at events and smaller gatherings, according to the Ministry of Health. The island confirmed 57 new COVID-19 cases over the past week,...

Rolle says The Bahamas has an increase in infections of late NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said planned Spring Break events and other Easter celebrations that have not been approved by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) will be shut down. “The police have seen a number of these activities in recent weeks and have taken action...

1,500 people received first jab to date  Govt to start publishing vaccination dashboard on Wednesday NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Registration for coronavirus vaccinations are starting to spike, with more than 1,500 people receiving their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to date, according to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee. Ed Fields. (BIS PHOTO/ULRIC WOODSIDE) Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields told...

“The order book for new cruise lines is very strong despite the pandemic” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive said yesterday that Royal Caribbean’s return to The Bahamas this June is a “big deal” from an economic standpoint, noting that “every consideration” is being given to the passenger experience as the cruise port looks to facilitate homeporting while...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Saturday said he is in discussions with health officials to determine whether or not restaurant patrons may dine indoors two weeks after receiving their first vaccination shot. Minnis made the announcement during a walkabout in the Garden Hills constituency on Saturday with Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Stephen Greenslade. He once...

Ferguson: The upcoming election is the “most consequential election since January 10, 1967 for workers and trade unions in The Bahamas” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The trade union movement in the country is “under siege”, according to a prominent union leader, who asserted that there appears to be a plan to undermine trade unions and their leadership. According to Trade Union...