The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The estate of a deceased Jamaican mother of four was awarded damages by Senior Justice Indra Charles after a nearly three-year-long civil case over her false imprisonment and sexual assault in 2014. In 2019, Claudia Bethel filed a civil suit against five defendants claiming that she was unlawfully detained by police and Immigration officers and raped by...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — After Health and Wellness Minister Michael Darville recently revealed that government is preparing legislation that will impose a tax for sugar and excess salt, the Opposition said yesterday that it rejects any discussion on any additional tax measures being contemplated by the Davis administration. "First, who are we to believe, didn’t the Prime Minister say no new...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Traffic accidents have become alarming to government officials as fatalities continue to rise, according to the Minister of Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting. Chara Major In response to the accident on January 28 that took the life of 27-year-old Chara Major, the South Eleuthera MP said that the incident was “very unfortunate” and extended his sympathy to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An unemployed father of fourteen yesterday questioned whether there is a reason to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary despite feeling ignored by the government. While there were residents in Bain Town who expressed similar views, Eyewitness News spoke to others within the community who reflected a more optimistic view of the July 10th observance. Spoiler, 44, of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Murders in the country increased by eight percent last year to 128, with 34 persons being killed while out on bail. Crime statistics shared by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Police Commission Clayton Fernander revealed updated crime statistics for 2022 during a press conference on Friday. He committed the organization to a "zero tolerance" approach to both...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A women’s rights advocate called on the government to address sexual violence as part of its overall crime-fighting agenda as recently released crime statistics revealed a 15 percent increase in reported incidents of rape in the country. During a recent press conference on 2022 crime statistics, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander revealed that there were 55 rapes reported...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The police probe into claims Transport and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis struck an officer with her vehicle during Carnival festivities last May has been closed due to insufficient evidence. Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander told the media the matter is now “closed” at a press conference on Friday. “Our legal team has viewed the file with respect to...

Immigration Minister confirms he approved work permit of Haitian migrant apprehended this week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell yesterday announced the implementation of stricter measures regarding the granting of work permits and permits to reside to Haitian citizens with immediate effect.  During a press conference yesterday Bell acknowledged the increased social unrest in the country, developments...

COP: 555 incidents reported in 2022 Two in custody over 'back to back' armed robberies at Baha Mar's golf course NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander yesterday confirmed that two persons are in custody in connection with recent ‘back to back’ armed robberies at Baha Mar’s golf course, as he revealed that reports of armed robberies in the country...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorneys for Sarkis Izmirlian are now seeking a trial date “as soon as possible” for the former Baha Mar developer’s fraud case against the mega resort’s Chinese contractor.  In a January 27th letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Andrew Borrok, attorneys for Izmirlian’s BML Properties vehicle requested that the judge set a trial date for the case. ...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There could be "some movement" at Coroner’s Court as early as next month, according to Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, who acknowledged a number of police-involved killings are awaiting an inquest. Fernander released the crime statistics for 2022 on Friday. He revealed that there were 170 complaints made by civilians against police officers, a noticeable decrease from...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A dispute has erupted between the government and the insurance industry over concerns that healthcare costs could see further increases due to a new VAT treatment set to take effect in April. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement last night again asserted that the practice of insurers claiming VAT paid on payouts as inputs are...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis has ordered the involuntary departure of all diplomatic personnel from Haiti after a team was stopped by Haitian police yesterday and stripped of their vehicle and weapons. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also reported that five Bahamians from Bahamasair were unable to leave the airport area as security conditions...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 100 Bahamian companies including a local bank, two Bahamian law firms, and several security firms are listed among the myriad of creditors wrapped up in the collapse of crypto exchange giant FTX, court documents filed in a US Bankruptcy court have revealed. The 115-page document outlining the list of creditors was filed late on Wednesday by lawyers...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Attorney General Ryan Pinder yesterday called into question the purpose of the European Union’s “blacklists”, suggesting that they have lacked objectivity and fairness and have at times devastated the economies of small developing states in this region. Pinder made the comments at the Central Bank’s 4th AML Research Conference at the  Margaritaville Resort. “What is the true...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Over 600 job hopefuls lined up as early as 5am this past Saturday to apply to fill one of 200 job vacancies at the country’s first IHOP restaurant, set to open before the end of February.  “We have second interviews beginning this week and a lot of those persons are expected to be hired by the end...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police and immigration officials are searching for migrants believed to have landed on a Haitian sloop that ran aground in the area of The Bluff, South Andros on Tuesday. In a statement, Chief Superintendent Chryslyn Skippings said 19 migrants were apprehended in a collaborative effort between members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Department of Immigration...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The conduct of two officers who were depicted in a viral video "aggressively" handling a suspect is under review by the Complaints & Corruption Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. A still from the viral video reportedly taken of two police officers engaging a robbery suspect on January 24. In the viral video, a man is...