The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A well-known private aviation executive said yesterday there has been “a very significant flood of requests” for information regarding flying to The Bahamas, telling Eyewitness News “We have not seen any pushback regarding COVID-19 testing requirements”. Rick Gardner, a US commercial pilot, flight instructor and Bahamas Flying Ambassador said: “There has been a very significant flood of requests for...

PM warns follow the rules, or no beach NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced both tourists and residents will face heavy fines if they don't wear a face mask in public spaces. During a national address today, Minnis said individuals who do not wear a mask face $200 in fines, one month in prison, or both. A...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of a rape and sentenced to 12 years in prison. “We have considered this matter and we are satisfied that this is a proper case in which there ought to be a retrial of the matter,” Sir Michael Barnett said. The oral judgement was...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A heated row erupted in the Upper Chamber after Senator Jobeth Coleby-Davis accused the Minnis administration of firing public servants upon assuming office. On Thursday, her comments referencing the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest, which was central to the row, was eventually struck from the record. However when reintroduced in the afternoon session,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The slowed testing rates for the novel coronavirus in The Bahamas is a reflection of the reduced number of active cases and the numbers of individuals presenting with symptoms of the virus, according to Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Ministry of Health Dr Nikkiah Forbes. As of Thursday, 2,373 people had been...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Moody’s yesterday predicted the country’s debt burden could hit 85 percent of GDP by June 2021 as it lowered the country’s credit rating two notches from Baa3 to Ba2 with a negative outlook. The credit ratings agency suggested the country could see a 16 to 20 percent contraction in its gross domestic product (GDP) due to a...

BPL refutes load shedding, but said power outages will occur NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Hundreds of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) customers in western New Providence were without electricity for hours yesterday as the power provider attempted repairs related to a tripped line from the Windsor Field substation. The trip occurred just after 4pm as BPL was upgrading the transmissions and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Moody’s has predicted that government borrowing needs will exceed 17 per cent of gross domestic product in 2020/2021. The credit ratings agency yesterday lowered the country’s credit rating two notches from Baa3 to Ba2 with a negative outlook. It said: “Moody's forecasts government borrowing needs will exceed 17 perrcent of GDP in 2020/21, above historical levels of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Trade Union Congress (TUC) president Obie Ferguson yesterday said the umbrella union plans to take legal action over the phased termination of the remaining employees at the Grand Lucayan. Ferguson told Eyewitness News that he was  ‘taken by surprise’ over the move, and further questioned whether it was consistent with the sale agreement and the law. The...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A US based conservation organization most known for protecting birds and their habitats has raised concern over one of three Andros projects being considered by the government. The National Audubon Society noted in a statement that as Piping Plovers are nesting in record numbers on the US Atlantic Coast, their recovery could be jeopardized by a series...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The volume of shares traded on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) reduced by a further 36.2 percent year-on-year, according to the Central Bank. The regulator reported domestic capital market developments were ‘subdued’ during the first three months of the year,  in its quarterly economic review for the first quarter of 2020. It noted: “Domestic capital market...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Labour Minister Dion Foulkes yesterday confirmed a total of 13,751 vehicles have been pre-inspected under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, with 382 vehicles rejected for import. Foulkes said the programme is on target with achieving its key target indicators and objectives. The Ministry of Labour and the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) entered into a Pre-Export...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas will lift travel restrictions from previously excluded countries, including China, Europe’s bloc of countries, the Republic of Korea and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. The lifting of the travel ban from these countries will take effect on July 1, when The Bahamas reopens its borders to commercial air carriers. In addition to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) official said yesterday The Bahamas is likely to observe an influx of imported cases of COVID-19 as carriers of the virus can test negatively within a 10-day window. This comes as the country prepares to resume commercial air traffic on July 1. In addition to temperature scanning and health assessment forms...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa Etienne said while the region has adverted “greater tragedy” due to the early adoption of public health measures, countries should expect recurring COVID-19 outbreaks over the next two years. She said countries must be realistic about the future and learn to adjust to a new way of life. “The question...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Ministry of Health Dr Nikkiah Forbes said yesterday that despite layers of screenings, one of three symptomatic people can test negatively for COVID-19. “And so, persons can be infected with SARS-CoV and their tests could be in fact negative,” said Forbes during an interview with Eyewitness...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Authorities were yesterday searching for 15-year-old Ernicia Nixon, who was last seen at her Hepburn Way, Andros Avenue home on Monday. According to a missing persons bulletin, Nixon went missing sometime after 4.30pm. She is described as slim, of light brown complexion and five foot, six inches. Police appealed to anyone in the public with information on the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield was the second member of the team to test positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Hield is one of Sacramento's most reliable options, averaging 19.8 points per game. He will now have about two weeks quarantine and recover as the National Basketball Association (NBA) is set...