The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Five innovative entrepreneurs from Royal Caribbean International’s Kickstarter Programme were awarded funding following the first cohort’s final pitch competition which followed eight weeks of small business training. The first group to go through the program focused on a wide range of tourism-based businesses. One Big Nut, the startup that took home the top prize is bringing a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Jerone Roberts, attorney for FTX mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, told the court that his client was "anxious to leave" The Bahamas where he has been remanded for the past week. Bankman-Fried waived his right to a formal extradition hearing before Magistrate Shaka Serville this morning, bringing an end to the days-long speculation over whether he would continue to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Extradition proceedings for disgraced FTX billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried is expected to resume in Magistrates Court today. Bankman-Fried's lawyers as well as embassy officials were spotted at the courts yesterday; however, no further statement was made to the media. He's facing a litany of fraud charges related to the collapse of crypto exchange FTX last month. Bankman-Fried initially...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas government faces the “unenviable balancing act” to ensure that its efforts towards ensuring food security do not jeopardize its need for fiscal discipline, according to an Inter-American Development Bank Report. The report assessing the headwinds facing the post-pandemic recovery stated that cost of living increases will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable in the country. The...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Taxicab Union president Wesley Ferguson is expressing serious concern for the industry’s reputation and is calling for tighter screening and background checks of new entrants. His comments came on the heels of an alleged sexual assault of a female ship worker by a taxi driver last week. In an Eyewitness News interview, Ferguson said that dozens...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tackling the learning loss is the main issue on the agenda for the Ministry of Education, according to officials, who say that there will be a strong focus on reform and ensuring that both teachers and students have what they need for success. This year, the company, Renaissance was chosen by the Ministry of Education for data...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the ground-breaking for a multimillion-dollar cruise port and resort in Long Island on Monday marked the start of construction plans for significant development in the country, those more concerned about the sustainability of these deals say that it comes at a price to neighboring communities. Environmentalist and Secretary of the Bahamas National Fisheries Association Paul Maillis...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — After meeting with government officials last week to discuss their concerns, Straw Market Association President, Rebecca Small said that things are looking up for vendors who were closed for the greater part of the pandemic and saw a soft opening between this year and last year. As the country and tourism sector regains its economic posture following...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has agreed to be voluntarily extradited to the United States. His lawyer Jerone Roberts said yesterday his legal team is now preparing the necessary legal documents, adding that he hoped Bankman-Fried would be returned to court this week. Roberts was flanked by attorneys Crystal Stuart and Kendrea Demeritte as he spoke at...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The development of a $250 million cruise port and resort in south Long Island and other spin-off businesses could be “just what the doctor ordered” for the island’s ailing economy it was noted yesterday, with developers breaking ground on the much-touted project.  Azul Destinations and Calypso Cove Destinations have committed to building Calypso Cove, a luxury resort...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has cautioned US legislators and FTX CEO John Ray against finger-pointing and casting aspersions that could harm the reputation of The Bahamas. His comments come as Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the collapsed crypto exchange returns to court today to reverse his decision to fight extradition to the United States, where...

NASSAU, BAHAMA — Several crypto investors who claim to have lost millions due to the FTX collapse say they were left frustrated and disappointed after police refused to lodge their official complaint. Several investors in the bankrupt crypto lender Celsius sought to file criminal complaints with the Financial Crimes and Corruption Unit on Saturday against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Acting Director of Education Dominique Russell yesterday said that the Ministry of Education (MOE) is pursuing ways to cut down on the number of outstanding stipends owed to teachers working for the government in the family islands. Russell confirmed 19 teachers are set to receive payments this week that was owed from this August. In response to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has agreed to be voluntarily extradited to the United States. SBF's lawyer Jerone Roberts confirmed to Eyewitness News that his legal team is now preparing the necessary legal documents, adding that he hoped SBF would be returned to court this week. He was flanked by attorneys Crystal Stuart and Kendrea Demeritte as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Embattled FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is headed back to prison after a confusing morning hearing that prosecutors and the sitting judge dubbed a waste of time. SBF was expected to appear before the judge to drop his extradition fight after spending less than a week at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. However, his local lawyer Jerone...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An emergency hearing for disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was forced to take a 45-minute recess after his lawyers told a magistrate his appearance this morning was "shocking" and "premature". SBF's counsel Jerone Roberts told magistrate Shaka Serville that he has not yet made any formal request for his client to appear in court. Sources close to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 28-year-old ship worker was allegedly sexually assaulted by a taxi driver early Friday morning. According to police, the woman was out with friends when she got sick and a taxi was called to transport her back to the vessel sometime around 1am. "It is further reported the victim was taken to an unknown location by the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — President of the Bahamas Nurses Union, Amancha Williams said that the number of nurses leaving the public health system continues to climb with as many as 70 nurses leaving this year as she put officials on notice of looming industrial action. She said the trend is an increasing concern among younger nurses who have become frustrated with...