The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton said yesterday that the organization plans to “lobby very hard” for Hurricane Dorian tax breaks to be extended beyond June 30, telling Eyewitness News residents “really haven’t been able to get much accomplished”. Hutton said the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously delayed the island’s recovery process and restoration of the island’s second...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan revealed yesterday that there have been several instances of coronavirus cases recovering and becoming reinfected from the virus, though her claim was not widely supported by other healthcare professionals. Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan. “We would have had reports of reinfections — well, persons who would have been infected previously...

Population census could be completed before the end of this year NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Acting Director of the Department of Statistics Leona Wilson said yesterday that as statisticians prepare to undertake the population census this fall, it would be “near impossible” to complete a Labour Force Survey until May 2022. This would make more than two years without statistics on...

European minister critical of AstraZeneca use for those over 65 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid criticisms from some European countries on jurisdictions that use Oxford’s AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on individuals over 65, Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes said The Bahamas’ decision to provide the vaccine to the elderly is the “correct, scientific decision”. The Bahamas...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said the hesitancy expressed by healthcare workers and other organizations in The Bahamas toward taking the COVID-19 vaccine is “not to be taken lightly”, suggesting to Eyewitness News that the government needs to make more raw data available to these groupings and the public. Asked about a scenario where the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — North Abaco MP Darren Henfield said he believes Hurricane Dorian victims who were displaced should be allowed to choose to vote in the areas where they resided before the record storm “interrupted their lives”. “Of course a national disaster like Dorian displaced people, interrupted their lives, really interrupted our lives, and so, if they wanted to be...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fusion Superplex confirmed yesterday that it is taking a phased approach to reopening, with its Pure VIP cinema to reopen on Friday. Nikolette Elden, chief marketing officer at Fusion Superplex, told Eyewitness News: “On Friday, we will open our Pure VIP cinema and next week Thursday the remaining cinemas will open. “Our opening is a phased approach....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Port Lucaya Marketplace’s director yesterday dismissed as “fake news” rumors of the marketplace’s possible closure, despite it recouping less than 30 percent of the $150,000 being spent per month to keep the venue open. Tyan Moss told Eyewitness News: “The marketplace is not closing. That’s not so; that's fake news. Someone put that rumor out there....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Mastercard and digital payment solutions provider Island Pay yesterday announced the launch of the world’s first Central Bank digital currency-linked card. Island Pay Managing Director Jeffrey Beckles told Eyewitness News: “We have been working diligently with the Central Bank with the Sand Dollar project. We wanted to support the governor’s vision of creating financial inclusion for every Bahamian...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) oil exploration activities in The Bahamas may have ended for now, attorneys were back in court yesterday arguing over an application by the oil exploration company seeking security for costs in the sum of $200,000 in ongoing judicial review proceedings. Clare Montgomery, QC, who argued on behalf of BPC, yesterday argued...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A senior REV/Cable Bahamas executive said yesterday the company has invested at least $1 million in local content over the past two years, noting that it is also working to export local content. Dave Burrows, Rev vice president, while addressing a media roundtable on regional distribution rights for television content yesterday, noted: “In the last two years,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe has denied assertions from Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell that she sought a nomination from his party. In a post on Twitter, Mitchell said since the FNM MP challenged his integrity in a “sporadic attack of the PLP”, he would reveal the “entire story” of her purportedly...

“Hundreds of thousands of dollars” expended on masks, gloves, sanitization and signage NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of Education Marcellus Taylor said some public schools on Eleuthera resumed face-to-face learning on Monday, and others on New Providence will conduct student orientation this week in preparation for the resumption of face-to-face learning next week Tuesday. As part of the hybrid, face-to-face learning...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie said the government is in for a surprise in Parliament today, as he bemoaned the government’s continued absconding of the Parliament’s function and oversight on the second Wednesday of each month to have questions answered. “This coming Wednesday, they are going to be in for a surprise,” said Moultrie,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has agreed to pay all outstanding money owed to Airport Authority employees over a six-month period beginning next month, the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) announced yesterday. In a statement on the outstanding industrial agreement payments, the ministry said it is aware of concerns being raised by Airport Authority employees through their union, the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Financial Services Union (BFSU) President Theresa Mortimer has been unanimously elected as UNI Americas Women’s Committee president for 2020 to 2024. Mortimer has made history as the first Black woman and first Bahamian to hold such a position. As president, she will represent women throughout the Caribbean, Americas, Canada, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a number of deficiencies as it relates to the country’s aviation sector, according to Anthony K Hamilton, president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators. Hamilton told Eyewitness News it represents “a golden opportunity to restructure”. Commenting on the revelation that taxpayers have spent $40 million over the past seven months...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr Raymond King said that following extensive consultation with the marines and senior members of the organization, the defense force will follow suit with the government and allow marines to choose whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine when it arrives in-country. King had previously told Eyewitness News that given the nature...