The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador-designate Dai Qingli has expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of The Bahamas and China, the ongoing pandemic will soon be “defeated” and the momentum of economic and social recovery will be restored. “There is a lot the two sides can work together on, from fighting COVID-19, promoting economic recovery to mitigating the...

Cable Bahamas seeking URCA approval to restructure its packages accordingly NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Cable Bahamas has told its regulator that an increasing number of its subscribers prefer to stream television services to watch content instead of watching the traditional TV services it offers, contributing to a reduction in subscriptions and viewing hours. Cable Bahamas is seeking approval from the Utilities...

Supreme Court grants bail to one following application  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt denied the bail of two men accused of negligently causing the deaths of three people in a boating accident on Sunday in waters off Eleuthera, telling the defense attorneys that the deceased were “detained in a freezer”. Marvin Minnis Jr, 30, and Renaldo Grant, 33,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday maintained the decision not to end the curfew is not political but science-based. Minnis spoke with reporters during a press trip to open a passport office in Long Island. "The scientists, the medical professionals, they are monitoring the situation and they will advise us on the way forward," he said. "It’s...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court judge has granted leave to issue a writ of habeas corpus for several asylum seekers currently being detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Center to be heard on April 7. During a hearing yesterday, Justice Bernard Turner also issued an injunction prohibiting the defendants from expelling or deporting any of them from The Bahamas until...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Doctor’s Hospital joins the vaccination rollout effort, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Sealy noted that healthcare workers can register for appointments and receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine at its main location on Shirley Street. “The government of The Bahamas has taken the responsibility to identify what vaccines it will render to the Bahamian public,” he...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Making another push for Bahamians to be prepared to take the COVID-19 vaccine when the time comes, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that refusal to be inoculated from COVID-19 could result in a resurgence of the virus in The Bahamas and ultimately lead to fewer visitors traveling to the nation. “I urge all of you...

Miller: No one officer has come forward to say “listen, we’re going to take this vaccine” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While insisting the Police Staff Association (PSA) will not influence officers either way when it comes to vaccination against COVID-19 as it is a “personal choice”, PSA Executive Chairman Sonny Miller said the majority of its members seem reluctant to receive...

National census slated for September 2021 Department of Statistics to gather data via online, telephone and personal interviews NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For the first time in census history, the Department of Statistics (DOS) will introduce online options for the completion of a census questionnaire. Following unavoidable delays due to Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19, pre-census activities are finally getting underway for...

Henfield predicts Cabinet post in next term; says he will be "minister of local government and people empowerment" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Senator Jobeth Coleby-Davis yesterday expressed disappointment and defended Free National Movement (FNM) senators who were "passed over" for seat nominations in the upcoming General Election. In a tongue-in-cheek tone at the beginning of her contribution to the mid-year budget...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The manufacturing industry in The Bahamas today is still “quite small”, accounting for just two percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson. Johnson, who brought opening remarks at a webinar yesterday to raise awareness of existing concessions and incentives available to local manufacturers,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian alternative energy solutions firm is proposing a technology solution that it says could reduce power generation costs by more than 50 percent. Attorney Craig Butler and his Alternative Energy Solutions firm says they can provide 150 megawatts of alternative energy supply to The Bahamas through patented technology developed by UK-based Jen Energy. Jen Energy has...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) continues to emphasize the importance of ensuring The Bahamas is able to maintain a safe, healthy environment for both visitors and locals; one that allows people to enjoy their environment while adhering to reasonable, effective preventative measures. Since the onset of the pandemic, the BHTA has been an active participant...

EMA to continue safety review into blood conditions related to the vaccine NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has allayed fears over concerns over the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine causing blood clots in recipients, finding in its review that the vaccine was “not associated” with the occurrence of blood clots in fewer than 40 people. Cases of thrombosis and...

“You know what it is to be told you can't get what you've deserved?” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Hundreds of prison officers demonstrated for nearly four hours yesterday outside the Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDOCS) and the Ministry of National Security, demanding long-awaited confirmations and promotions. The group, the majority of whom were dressed in uniform, started their demonstration at the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway, medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), was vaccinated at the hospital yesterday morning, along with several other executives and those eligible to be inoculated, as the government rolled out its vaccination program to nurses in the public sector, residents and staff of elder care home and uniformed services. After she received...

Nurses, senior physicians and lab staff have expressed hesitancy NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Forty percent of healthcare workers who participated in an internal survey several months ago expressed a desire to take the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway, medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). Burnett-Garraway and several senior executives of the hospital and Public Hospitals Authority...

“There are no indications as to AstraZeneca vaccine issues in our region” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While there is an ongoing investigation into the use of two batches of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in Europe, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has insisted on the continued use of the vaccine in the Americas. Several European Union (EU) countries have suspended use of...