The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis advised the government is moving to further enact the Freedom of Information Act, civil society organizations yesterday urged legislators to pick up the pace to bring the act fully into effect. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis advised on Wednesday that he is in the process of reviewing the credentials of possible candidates...

BNT to issue statement on shark culling proposal today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamian fishermen have recommended that the government temporarily lift the ban on shark harvesting, and allow culling to balance the population. In a statement, the Bahamas Commercial Fisher Alliance backed recent remarks by Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest who noted that “sharks and turtles” have become a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas will likely see "anemic" economic recovery until its tourism industry returns to at least 50-60 percent pre-COVID levels according to a former Central Bank Governor, who suggested the Bahamian economy would be worse off if not for the resilience of the financial services sector. Julian Francis, who served as Governor of the Central Bank from...

One man stabbed to death, another shot dead and four others injured NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was stabbed to death yesterday morning at a residence on Joe Farrington Road, according to police. The incident, which took place at 10am, came just hours after a man was killed and four others were injured in a drive-by shooting in the area...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Legislation regulating the sale and issuance of digital assets could provide The Bahamas with much-needed avenues to new industries and allow new entrants into that space, according to Caribbean Blockchain Alliance President Stefen Deleveaux. “It’s going to be a big win for us," Deleveaux told Eyewitness News. The Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Bill, 2020 (DARE Bill) debated...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The 6th Annual Long Island Business Outlook (LIBO) will be held on November 12 under the theme, “A New Era: Resilience in the Face of Vulnerability.” This free virtual event is intended for, but not limited to, residents of Long Island. There will be four sessions with an array of speakers who will discuss tourism, technology, entrepreneurship,...

Minnis will address the nation by Sunday  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday defended the allowance of hotels in New Providence to operate during the weekend lockdown with beach access, insisting that the policy is fair to guests who follow testing protocols. Minnis said health officials continued to meet to review data on the COVID-19 situation in the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Shoppers can now pay for groceries and get CashBack at all Super Value locations in New Providence when they check-out using the MobileAssist App. Using QR Codes for cashless transactions is just one more step the food store chain is implementing to keep both customers and cashiers safe as the country learns to co-exist with Covid-19. The...

System expected to bring heavy rain and moderate winds over northwest Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tropical Depression Eta is now projected to veer further northeast away from The Bahamas and toward South Florida as a tropical storm next week, though meteorologists warn the storm’s outer bands could bring significant rainfall and some moderate winds to the northwestern Bahamas. “The new...

Eta could impact the northwestern Bahamas as a Cat. 1 hurricane or strong tropical storm NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With meteorologists predicting Tropical Storm Eta could impact the northwest Bahamas as a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane, Chief Climatological Officer Geoffrey Greene urged residents to remain watchful and begin preparations ahead of the weekend. “It’s definitely moving close to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commonwealth Brewery has reported that the overall impact of COVID-19 resulted in a net loss of $3.4 million for the first nine months of the year. In its unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, the BISX-listed brewer said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a substantial impact on the economy and the...

Turnquest: "Time" and "circumstances" not working with FNM administration NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said yesterday that the government is hopeful that the opening of major resorts this year will escalate tourist arrivals quickly. Turnquest said due to the coronavirus pandemic and back-to-back hurricanes, the government's fiscal consolidation strategy has been pushed back to two to five...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 100 supporters led by Lincoln Bain of Bahamian Evolution occupied Rawson Square yesterday morning, demanding the government table in Parliament all leases for mining of natural resources, including aragonite, or there will be “war”. ”Today we came in peace; tomorrow war,” said Bain, flanked by supporters. Bain continued: “For far too long we have been...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest said yesterday it is unlikely that Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) will be a ‘viable’ commercial banking option for the Family Islands. Turnquest told Parliament the government is disappointed over Scotiabank’s decision to close its branches in Abaco, Andros, Long Island, and Exuma. However, he said it...

Govt. has yet to address resolution for alternative parliamentary proceedings NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While Leader of Government Business Renward Wells yesterday declined to comment on Parliament transitioning to virtual sittings, several governing parliamentarians expressed support for the measure. In an interview with Eyewitness News on Monday, Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie expressed disappointment with the government’s apparent...

East Grand Bahama MP says temporary shelter is still "not adequately placed" on island NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said the government will move appropriately to protect life and to the extent possible, properties, but residents “must be proactive” with early preparation as meteorologists predict Tropical Storm Eta could impact The Bahamas as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday that while the government may continue to impose restrictions on the domestic economy to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the tourism sector will be ‘carved out’ to ensure that the protocols under which the sector operates remain consistent. D’Aguilar was speaking to Eyewitness News following Baha Mar’s announcement that it...

Forbes: Clinical trial still awaiting approval NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several coronavirus patients at health facilities in the country have started treatment on the antiviral drug Remdesivir, said National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Director Dr Nikkiah Forbes yesterday. Remdesivir has become the first drug to show a clear-cut effect in treating the deadly respiratory illness and is the first drug...