The Big Story

“Women are doing very well” says Minnis NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As he defended the lack of women in leadership positions in the government, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday he looks forward to the day The Bahamas has its first female prime minister. Minnis was responding to questions regarding the resignation of the only woman in Cabinet, former Minister...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC) yesterday announced the appointment of André Foster as the company’s chief executive officer effective March 1, 2021. Foster is one of the youngest Bahamian CEOs in the company’s history, moving on from his most recent role as head of operations for BTC for the last nine months. He is enjoying a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Department of Inland Revenue’s acting controller yesterday acknowledged there were delays in the processing of business licenses, telling Eyewitness News the department should be back on track by March 1. Gaynell Rolle explained the delay had been in large part due to the fact that the department was also tasked with assisting with filings under the Commercial...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Caribbean Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have backed a $3.5 billion multi-year program to help Caribbean countries sustainably recover while making technological leaps that will bring about a transformational future. The Build Forward initiative includes a multi-donor facility to provide targeted grant and concessional financing for smart and resilient projects. The facility is expected...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian tech-enabled hydroponic containerized farming company is aiming to change the perception of what sustainable farming is and offer fresh organic produce year-round. Serial entrepreneur Lincoln Deal II said yesterday the idea to develop Eeden Farms was conceptualized eight years ago, starting as a research paper. Deal, while speaking at the official launch of the farm...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some Bahamians have been left in a bind by the National Insurance Board (NIB) as the economic pinch of COVID-19 has tightened across the country. Since March 2020, Bahamians received bi-weekly assistance from the government in the amount of $200. According to NIB’s website, the unemployment benefit was originally part of a 13-week program offered by the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid rumors of an early election, some residents said they are straying away from voting for a political party rather than a candidate, as they feel the running political parties are no different from each other. Otiska Tarpley. (FILE PHOTO) Otiska Tarpley, who recently moved to Nassau from Freeport, told Eyewitness News: “It’s the same party; they...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Officials and organizations in the country are calling the lack of female representation in Cabinet extremely disappointing and gravely concerning following the resignation of former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, who was the only woman in Cabinet. Rolle resigned from the position on Tuesday, though the reason remains unclear. Central Grand Bahama MP Iram...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Six former employees of the Children’s Emergency Hostel were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court today on charges of cruelty to children. The women appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. Eloise Canter, 53; Carmetta Woods, 47; Natasha Pratt, 46; Occonelle Gordon, 25; and Sabrina Smith, 61, were charged with 11 counts of cruelty to children. The prosecution alleged...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following a "slight increase" in coronavirus cases on Abaco, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis advised today that the island's curfew will be adjusted. Responding to questions from the media regarding the uptick in cases on the island, Minnis said: "We have survived this entire COVID pandemic because of the strict rules we have introduced on each given...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was found dead following a shooting incident behind a preschool on Marmalade Close early this morning. Responding officers arrived at the scene shortly after 9am. According to Police Press Liaison ASP Audley Peters, officers found the victim lying on the ground with gunshot wounds about his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two men were arrested shortly before 11pm on Wednesday for possession of unlicensed firearms. According to reports, officers conducting routine patrols on Augusta Street, Bain Town, noticed two men in a green Honda CRV, who aroused their suspicion. Police signaled the vehicle to stop, but the driver sped off and a chase ensued, ending when the vehicle...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was admitted to Doctor’s Hospital on Tuesday with the coronavirus, but is expected to make a full recovery, according to former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands, who was authorized to speak on Ingraham’s behalf. Ingraham, 73, has not needed a ventilator, though his age remains a factor with recovering from the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday he has to be advised by his team before he decides to “ring the bell” for the upcoming general election. As he jested with MPs across the House floor during his presentation of the mid-year budget, Minnis joked about the growing speculation that he intends to call an early election....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Assistant Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa indicated yesterday The Bahamas can make the “best decision” with distribution of its first tranche of AstraZeneca vaccines. His comments came as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX Facility advises countries on the timeframe in receiving their first, second and third allocations of vaccine doses. Minister of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Interrupting an exchange between Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis on the rules of Parliament, Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie announced yesterday the rules will be interpreted to end the practice of successive governments refusing to be answerable to the Bahamian people about the expenditure of their money. He...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Carnival cruise line executives said yesterday they are encouraged by the strong demand for cruises, while noting they are still not in a position to say when they will resume sailing. Carnival Vice President, Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relations Marie McKenzie said: “We have canceled all sailings through a certain date. That is an indication of...

PLP leader says the way former PM ran Cabinet isn’t how Minnis should run his NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the last Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration failed to hold their ministers accountable, PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that should he be elected as prime minister, he would hold his ministers and MPs accountable if they exhibit inappropriate conduct...