The Big Story

Only “marginal” economic growth projected for 2021 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total private sector arrears rose by just over $12 million in January amid the ongoing adverse impact of the pandemic, according to the Central Bank, with mortgage delinquencies increasing by $4.3 million. The financial services regulator, in its monthly economic and financial developments report for January 2021, noted that banks’...

Hospital provides over 150,000 COVID-19 tests over the past 12 months, more than 90,000 of which were rapid antigen tests NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctor’s Hospital’s chief financial officer said yesterday the BISX-listed healthcare provider has seen a full recovery of its top line and earnings driven by its “pivot” towards COVID-19 support. Dennis Deveaux told Eyewitness News: “Fiscally, we have...

Popular entertainer speaks on activism, focus on mental health and being a “regular guy” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Jasper Thomas, a 20-year-old Bahamian DJ more famously known as “DJ Ovadose”, has cultivated a massive following through his love for music and youth empowerment. But in an interview with Eyewitness News, Thomas shared a different side of himself that revealed his desire...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas must seriously address the country’s debt problem and be restored to a path of sustainable economic growth, Exumas and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper urged yesterday. Cooper, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) deputy leader, while contributing to debate on the mid-year budget report, stated: “First, we need to clearly understand the situation. Next, we need...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle yesterday defended her integrity and public record as she remained tight-lipped on whether she was seeking another party nomination. Rolle told reporters at Parliament that she was “being patient” and “trusting the process” in her first public comments to media since her shocking resignation from Cabinet last week. The former minister of youth,...

Laroda tapped for PLP nomination NASSAU, BAHAMAS — George Carey has been appointed the new chairman of the Public Disclosure Commission, replacing Myles LaRoda, who has held the position since 2015. LaRoda tendered his resignation on February 18, according to a statement from the Cabinet Office. The resignation came after he was tapped by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, which will be administered as a single dose. The EUA (emergency use authorization) was issued on Saturday and allows the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the United States for use in individuals 18 years or older. It is the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police have issued an appeal for any information that can help them identify the body of a man found with multiple gunshot wounds on Bernard Road last night. The body was declared lifeless by Emergency Medical Services, according to Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters, who described the victim as dark-skinned, 5’7” with “plait-up” hair in his mid to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today announced that through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, the government will soon be unveiling a 150 lot subdivision in western New Providence geared strictly towards young Bahamians. Minnis told Parliament a key element of both the government’s near-term economic recovery and long-term inclusive economic growth will be the provision of affordable...

"At the end of the day, you could only take so much" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Mangrove Cay and South and Central Andros MP Picewell Forbes said he decided to "walk away" from politics after he failed to receive the proper support from the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Forbes announced in Parliament today that he will not be...

Rosewood and SLS to allow room bookings beginning March 4 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 100 Baha Mar employees will be disengaged beginning today as the resort continues to experience low occupancy and an overall decline in revenue, according to Eyewitness News sources. The terminations come as the resort prepares for the reopening of the Rosewood and SLS this month,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus and admitted to Doctor’s Hospital last week, has been transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and could be discharged within a matter of days. When contacted, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands, who has been authorized to speak on behalf of the former...

“We are negotiating the best possible deal for the Bahamian people” Still no timeline for rate reduction bond NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) is “working hard to close” on its agreement with Shell North America, according to the company’s chairman, Dr Donovan Moxey. Moxey noted that apart from that arrangement, there are no further plans for liquefied...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday draftspersons are in possession of marijuana legislation from around the region that could guide The Bahamas’ legislative framework on regulated growing and use of medicinal cannabis. Responding to questions from Eyewitness News on the status of the legislation, Bethel said: “It is not ready. I have obtained some precedents from other...

“Increased taxes without first implementing significant public sector reform will only further hamper the country” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Any comprehensive tax review or reform should not come before significant public sector reform, a governance reformer warned yesterday. Robert Myers, the Organization for Responsible Governance's (ORG) principal, told Eyewitness News: “ORG agrees that while comprehensive tax review and reform may be...

EXUMA, BAHAMAS — A grandfather became Exuma’s latest traffic fatality last week when he lost his life in a car crash. Reports revealed that police were called to an accident in the settlement of Hermitage shortly before 10pm, where they met a badly damaged aquamarine Toyota Passo. In the vehicle was Gilbert Honore, who was pronounced dead on the scene...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police on Exuma are investigating the circumstances surrounding a traffic accident that left a man dead last week Sunday. Family members of the victim reached out to Eyewitness News this week, advising they had not received any police report on the incident. Police included the report in their daily press release on Friday. Police advised that shortly...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A special Bahamas Charter Yacht Show was held on February 25 at the Rybovich Superyacht Marina in West Palm Beach, Florida, with Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) heads touting the event as a resounding success for The Bahamas. Originally scheduled to take place in Nassau, Bahamas, in February 2021, the show was moved to the Rybovich superyacht...