The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell has suggested the prime minister is using the coronavirus emergency orders to impede political campaigns as we get closer to the upcoming general election. Mitchell pointed to reports that a recent political motorcade was reportedly granted permission to take place in South Andros. “The PLP is not allowed a similar...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The fate of hundreds of school leavers in a sluggish economy still being impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic is a “major concern”, Labour Director John Pinder acknowledged yesterday. Pinder noted: “It is a major concern. We know we have an unemployment rate high due to Dorian and pandemic. Director of Labour John Pinder. “There are students...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Association of The Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president said yesterday it was “disconcerting” that the industry’s own online portal for collecting boating fees has apparently been pushed aside for one newly launched by the Customs Department. Customs yesterday announced its own electronic submission portal for cruising permit applications. Peter Maury told Eyewitness News: “At this point, we’re not...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While acknowledging the high level of frustration among the Bahamian people, Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson said they have not laid the blame at the feet of the Minnis administration. “I think we’re looking very good,” Johnson said before heading into the weekly Cabinet meeting today. “Obviously, the frustration index is...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister expressed confidence today that the electorate recognizes the leadership it has with the Minnis administration and Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Speaking to the media outside of the Churchill Building, Bannister opined the Bahamian people will judge the Free National Movement (FNM) on “what we have done”. He underscored the challenges...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Department of Immigration advised today that 64 Haitian migrants — 57 men and seven women — were repatriated to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shortly before noon. “The group of migrants was escorted by a joint team of Royal Bahamas Defence Force and immigration officers,” read a statement. “All Ministry of Health safety protocols were strictly enforced and overseeing...

Vaccines expected in-country by end of week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is expected in-country by the end of the week, with a possible rollout of all 100,000 doses to start as early as next week. Health Minister Renward Wells told the media he would leave the announcement of details to the prime minister, whom he referred to...

Six cases recorded on Monday, with 50 more recoveries  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following a spate of high double-digit coronavirus cases, The Bahamas has recorded low single-digit infections over the last few days, furthering assertions from health officials that the nation has flattened the curve of the virus despite threats of emerging variant strains. The Bahamas recorded six cases of the...

Third killing in the past 24 hours NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was killed near John Road and Baillou Hill Road last night, while another man was shot on Finlayson Street an hour later and died in hospital. According to police, officers responding to a shooting on John Road west and Baillou Hill Road around 7pm found a man with...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle has tendered her resignation from Cabinet, becoming the fourth minister to resign this term. Rolle did not provide a reason when she confirmed her decision to Eyewitness News this morning; however, she said she will continue on as the MP for Sea Breeze to fulfill the contract she signed...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday challenged the prime minister to stand ready to debate him on a national stage in the upcoming general election campaign. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the western MacFit360 gym, Davis reiterated his position on the matter. "I said yes and I am and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several newcomers are expected to go head-to-head in the fight for the Nassau Village constituency in the next general election. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has ratified 33-year-old Jamahl Strachan as the candidate for the area, who describes himself as a "son of the constituency and a son of the soil". Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Nassau Village...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prison Commissioner Charles Murphy said yesterday security at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) has been strengthened since a woman purporting to be a lawyer and carrying a fake identification card was able to visit inmates and sneak contraband into the facility on Fox Hill Road. “We have all of our security measures in place,” he...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A governance reformer said yesterday that with election fever heating up, the government should now move ahead with campaign finance legislation. Matt Aubry, the Organization for Responsible Governance’s executive director, said: “Campaign finance laws help to level the playing field. It helps to standardize and equalize the process. It creates a better space for citizens to be...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The union representing some 350 Bahamasair employees said yesterday morale was “really low”, adding that the state of the airline was the worst he has seen in nearly 40 years. Gladstone Adderley, president of the Airport, Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU), told Eyewitness News: “The morale is real low, I’d say for the last year and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Fred Mitchell yesterday appealed for Attorney General Carl Bethel to assist in advancing the trial of three men accused of a mass shooting in Fox Hill in 2013 that killed four people and injured seven others. “It’s now going on eight years since that happened and we can’t get a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel indicated yesterday that the government is drafting a bill that will create a “new framework” for permanent COVID-19 legislation concerning the health aspects of the emergency orders, while an advisory committee will advise the minister responsible on the civil aspects of the orders. In an address in the Senate, Bethel said the advisory...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) will utilize significant resources to campaign digitally for the upcoming General Election, said PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday. Mitchell's comments come as the party's digital ads become more visible across multiple social media platforms. One such ad, a video of PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis talking about his life and his political...