The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes said yesterday that she expects local coronavirus measures to soon reflect the level of “flexibility” offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its first COVID-19 vaccine guidelines. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Forbes said the guidelines are very clear on what...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian digital payments provider yesterday acknowledged that more must be done to educate Bahamians on the use of digital wallets as this nation moves aggressively towards a cashless environment. Jeffrey Beckles, Island Pay’s managing director, while addressing a REV/Cable Bahamas Think Beyond Webinar Series on the benefits of digital transformation, noted: “I think digital wallets are...

Pineridge MP also cautions opposition leader against "counting your eggs before they hatch" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In a sweeping rebuke of the Minnis administration, the prime minister and the opposition, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said the electorate is “disgusted, disgruntled and discouraged” with party politics in The Bahamas and predicted that it is about to change “right before your very...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police have launched an investigation into allegations three young men were brutalized by a senior officer while in custody. The alleged incident was purportedly recorded by one of the victims, and in it, a man who refers to himself as Assistant Superintendent of Police Derrick Ferguson can be heard slapping and berating others. In an audio recording...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With less than a few days before the government expects to begin vaccinations, senior doctors remain on the fence over the ultimate decision to take the vaccine, said Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler yesterday. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced The Bahamas is expected to receive its first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the search continues for missing pilot Clifford Livingstone Dean and his passenger, Stephen Sawyer, relatives of the passenger yesterday urged residents, particularly those on Acklins, to join the search to find the men. The single-engine aircraft is believed to have crashed in waters off Salina Point, Acklins, last Friday. The men departed New Providence and were...

Minnis says lack of female representation "not good for our democracy"  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis admitted yesterday that a lack of female representation in Parliament and Cabinet is "not good" for the country's democracy, insisted that the Free National Movement (FNM) will be putting forth more women in the upcoming general election. Minnis made the comment...

Thompson blasts PLP’s economic plan as “self-serving populist politicking” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson yesterday blasted the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) pledge to reduce value-added tax (VAT) from 12 to 10 percent for 12 months as “irresponsible”, stating that such a move would lead to dramatic revenue falloff in excess of $100 million. Thompson said...

Pinder intends to be vaccinated NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau yesterday called coronavirus vaccination a “common good” that will protect individuals’ health, promote public health and save Bahamian lives. In a letter to members of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau, Archbishop Reverend Patrick C Pinder said: “I wish to take this opportunity to assure you...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Education (MOE) has seen an $11 million decrease in capital expenditure at the mid-point of the fiscal year due in large part to the discontinuation of on-campus/face-to-face instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd. Lloyd, who was making his contribution in Parliament to the mid-year debate yesterday, noted that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has been removed from the French list of non-cooperative states and territories in tax matters, the Ministry of Finance announced yesterday. The ministry noted that the list, which is updated annually by the French Ministry of Economics and Finance, was published in the Official Diary of the French Republic on March 4. It further noted...

Some express fear; others ask “why bother?” Consent form needed for residents of senior citizen homes for vaccinations NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With the government expected to begin coronavirus vaccinations of residents and staff of elder care homes in a matter of days, some of those have said they are not prepared to take the vaccine. Residents of the Good Samaritan...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Fidelity (RF) has been engaged as the financial advisor and placement agent to raise up to $150 million through bond offerings open to Bahamian investors to finance the renovation and expansion of various Family Island airports, the investment bank has announced. The funds raised will provide the financing to renovate and expand various Family Island airports...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said yesterday that people who have been fully vaccinated can begin to do some of the things they have been limited or prevented from doing since last year, including gathering with other vaccinated people without wearing a mask or social distancing. This is the CDC’s first set of public...

Education minister says now is the time for students to become entrepreneurs NASSAU BAHAMAS — Destiny Cooper, 18, a University of The Bahamas (UB) student, is just one of the many young Bahamian students struggling to find a job amidst the country’s unstable economic climate. Destiny Cooper, 18, a University of The Bahamas (UB) BioChem major. Cooper, a BioChem major,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas is expected to receive its first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines from the Indian government by Wednesday and its second tranche from the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) by the end of March, announced Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today. During a national address, Minnis advised that while 20,000 vaccines were expected to arrive...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) yesterday promised that if elected to govern, it would recommend the country’s minimum wage be increased to $250 per week and reduce value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent “across the board” for 12 months. Similar promises have been previously made by the current Minnis administration, which pledged to increase minimum wage and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Authorities continue to search for two Bahamian men whose plane crashed in waters off Salina Point, Acklins, on Saturday. According to initial reports, the men departed New Providence en route to Inagua around 5pm but never arrived. Air Accident and Investigation Department (AAID) Chief Investigator Delvin Major advised members of the media that the aircraft was spotted...