The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney Alfred Sears, QC, has raised questions about the use of the emergency powers by the executive and Parliament’s oversight of fundamental rights days after the governor general signed a new proclamation declaring a state of public emergency in The Bahamas. The proclamation came into effect at midnight on Tuesday after the government failed to pass a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Two of the country's premier track and field athletes had impressive showings in their respective season debuts in the United States this weekend. International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) World Champion Steven Gardiner set a new Bahamian national record of 31.83 seconds in the men's 300 meters (m) in a first place finish, while Shaunae Miller-Uibo was the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Leader of Opposition Business in Senate Fred Mitchell yesterday questioned whether Senate was constitutionally allowed to meet, given that they had not been summoned by the Governor-General - according to parliamentary rules. During its morning sitting, Attorney General Carl Bethel attempted to table a new state of emergency proclamation signed by Governor-General C. A Smith on Monday....

Private health facility monthly testing capacity pegged at 12,000 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctor's Hospital will introduce same-day PCR COVID-19 testing - with four to six-hour turn around - starting July 6, confirmed the health facility's CEO Dr. Charles Sealy. The new service comes as the world continues to grapple with a "new normal" as a result of the global pandemic....

Two other boaters injured NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Authorities are searching for a missing boater after an American registered vessel ran aground near South Bimini early this morning, injuring two other people. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force said it responded to reports of a disabled boat around 1.20am and found a 34-ft vessel "Stand Firm", with one man and woman aboard...

420 Bahamians currently employed on project NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson defended the decision to grant 135 work permits for construction of the Baker's Bay project, stating workers hold technical skill sets that will be shared with Bahamians. Johnson was responding to uproar over the use of foreign labour as the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Baker's Bay executives have confirmed that 135 Mexicans who arrived in The Bahamas on Thursday to assist with the reconstruction of the hurricane-damaged resort, have all tested negative for COVID-19. Officials said the group was issued travel cards by health officials. The clarification came after health officials at yesterdays' COVID-19 press conference were unable to confirm the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A former Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) president yesterday said he was ‘personally aggrieved’ that the Baker’s Bay development in Abaco was still allowed to bring in foreign construction workers in the midst of the country’s current high rate of unemployment. Social media was abuzz yesterday over images of dozens of Mexican nationals who had arrived in the...

Justice Klein recommends Parliament give serious consideration to criminal libel laws NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court judge has dismissed a constitutional challenge to a criminal libel charge against Contractors Registrar Omar Archer. However, Justice Loren Klein said the offense did not sit “happily with the edifice of a modern constitution” and called on Parliament to give serious consideration to...

Multiple levels of screening to minimize risk of resurgence NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health and tourism authorities yesterday said there are multiple levels of screening to determine the risk of a traveler, who could be restricted from entering the country if determined to be high-risk. Officials explained the risk stratification as The Bahamas welcomes international travelers, including those from COVID-19 hotspots...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Equinor has pushed back against allegations of ‘negligence’ over a major oil spill last September, asserting that the incident was an extraordinary occurrence which constituted an “act of God”. The Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company in its filed defense against a lawsuit brought by two joint venture companies involved in mining aggregate on Grand Bahama has asserted that it...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Eyewitness News understands that the University of The Bahamas is considering shutting down normal operations at its Northern Campus in Grand Bahama as it continues to grapple with the fallout from Hurricane Dorian. The revelation came in a note, obtained by Eyewitness News, from UB North Vice President Dr Ian Strachan to top university officials. "Is it the...

Calls fraudulent deeds issue ‘a real life nightmare’ NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Local developer Arawak Homes yesterday that there are dozens of fraudulent lands deeds covering most of New Providence, describing the situation as a ‘a real-life nightmare’ as the culprits often go on to claim persons homes and property. Tavares Laroda, Arawak Homes’ general counsel said the country continues to struggle...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas First, the property and casualty insurer will begin trading on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) today. BISX has announced that the listing application submitted by Bahamas First Holdings Limited (“Bahamas First”) has been formally approved by the BISX Listing Committee. As a result, Bahamas First has been added to the official roster of companies listed on the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — For the second time in just under a year, Leigh Rodney, the owner of Compass Point on West Bay Street, has issued the government an ultimatum. Rodney has demanded the government eliminate the “nonsensical” rules and regulations imposed on residents over the last few months or the restaurant will close for good on election day 2022. In...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Commissioner of Police 2020 Policing Plan indicates that police recorded only 54 missing people in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, despite recent attempts by officials to clarify the issue. Minister of National Security Marvin Dames tabled the policing plan in Parliament last week. In the commissioner's foreword, referring to the impact of the deadly storm, COP Paul...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Administrator Mary Walker said yesterday pointed to fiscal restraints on the Public Hospitals Authority’s (PHA) ability to hire. This came as the Bahamas Doctors Union asserted at least 30 junior doctors were facing job insecurity despite working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. During a Ministry of Health press conference yesterday, Walker...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Transport and Local Government yesterday advised public bus fares have not increased. "The Ministry of Transport and Local Government wishes to advise the public that there has been no increase in jitney fares by the Government of The Bahamas; despite rumors to the contrary," read the statement. "The public is further advised that the...