The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Banks wrote off $10 million in bad loans during the month of May according to the Central Bank, which noted that during that time non-performing loans (NPLs) fell by $14.9 million. The Central Bank in its monthly economic and financial developments for May 2020 noted that during the month of May total private sector arrears decreased by...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Atlantis will push it reopening back 23 days due to the “dramatic increase” in coronavirus cases in the United States, Eyewitness News can confirm. In a correspondence, the resort on Paradise Island said the measure was in the “interests of the health and safety of our guests, team members and the Bahamian community”. “We will keep you...

Foreign Affairs reviewing the matter NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has been lumped in with other countries, like the United States, who will be unable to travel to a bloc of European Union countries slated to reopen tomorrow. The coronavirus epidemiology of the Americas vastly differs from that of The Bahamas, which has not had a new case since June...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Baha Mar began its first wave of firings today as it seeks to reduce its staff count of around 6,000 employees by 20 percent, Eyewitness News can confirm. According to several employees, who did not wish to be named, Baha Mar personnel contacted them this morning via phone to advise of their termination due to the extended...

Opposition says "heads must roll" NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Governor-General C. A Smith has signed a new proclamation declaring that a "state of public emergency exists in The Bahamas". The proclamation came into effect at midnight after the government failed to pass a resolution extending the initial state of emergency proclamation, which expired on Monday night. The new declaration means the government...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) decision to drop its fuel charge to 10 cents and begin fuel hedging was welcomed yesterday. However, some expressed skepticism as one Chamber of Commerce executive questioned, “what’s the catch?” Debbie Deal, chair of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) energy and environment division said: “It’s going to be...

Smith won't renew contract, may leave sooner NASSAU, BAHAMAS — University of The Bahamas yesterday confirmed its president Dr Rodney Smith will not renew his contract at the university in August 2022 and has begun actively seeking employment. This comes after it was revealed that Smith has been shortlisted along with two other finalists to be West Virginia State University’s...

New proclamation expected, curfew continues NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A legal oversight has led to the expiration of the public state of emergency order; however, the national curfew and emergency orders will reportedly remain in effect as officials work to close this gap. Attorney General Carl Bethel apologized today, for what he termed a “procedural oversight” in allowing the Governor General’s...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Bar Association President Khalil Parker issued a strong warning to Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis today over the lack of consultation for judicial appointments. In an open letter to the prime minister, dated June 29, Parker reiterated calls for an open, fair, and transparent process of the next appointment of Chief Justice and President of the Court...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas must work towards creating a ‘paradigm shift’ in governance, a well-known businessman and governance reformer urged yesterday. Robert Myers, the Organization for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) principal told Eyewitness News, "we cannot sustain the path we’re on". He said Moody’s recent decision to lower the country’s sovereign credit rating by two notches from Baa3 to Ba2...

UTEB says farewell to Smith, says no need for Iraqi executive vice president NASSAU, BAHAMAS - President of the University of the Bahamas Dr Rodney Smith has been shortlisted along with two other finalists to be West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) 12th president. The university posted on its website last week that Smith, along with the other two candidates -...

Govt has not reviewed or approved a multimillion-dollar proposal for aragonite mining and trade zone NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday assured that the government will not approve a free trade zone in Andros and insisted his administration will not sell vast tracks of Bahamian land. Minnis comments come amidst growing public concern over several draft proposals...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamasair chairman Tommy Turnquest said yesterday the airline has joined carriers such as American Airlines and United Airlines in scrapping social distancing protocols on flights, telling Eyewitness News that it was both impractical and unprofitable. Turnquest said: “A month ago we were talking about not using the middle seats on the jets and then the question was...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - With confirmed cases of COVID-19 seeing a resurgence in country's worldwide in recent weeks, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday begged Bahamians and residents to reconsider any non-essential travel abroad and encouraged domestic travel instead. "I want to make a very strong plea to Bahamians and residents considering or planning to travel overseas for nonessential travel --...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In an effort to make it easier for private aviation to The Bahamas, the government is opening fixed based operators (FBO) in South Florida which allow for Customs and Immigration pre-clearance. Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar noted this was one step being taken to facilitate the private aviation segment which he acknowledged is a ‘big market’ for the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The family of a two-year-old girl are appealing for blood donations after the toddler was critically injured during a shooting incident in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. Police have arrested two men suspected to be involved in the shooting at Baby Johnson Road on Saturday. The little girl has been identified as DaNyla Roberts, affectionately called Nyla. Relatives have...

Appellant Alexander Johnson was ordered to begin his 35-month prison sentence today NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The appellate court has upheld the conviction and sentencing of a former Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino employee who used his position in the resort’s casino to steal from the casino safe. Court of Appeals Justices John Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is pressing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to agree to hold an on-site visit ahead of its plenary in October, according to Attorney General Carl Bethel. Bethel explained the plenary is when the FATF will consider whether or not to remove The Bahamas from its list of countries with strategic deficiencies in their response...