The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Straw vendors are facing a “major struggle” to make ends meet, according to Rebecca Small, vice president of the Straw Business Persons Society. Small told Eyewitness News vendors are “hurting”, adding the situation will likely only worsen with US cruise lines not expected to sail until mid-September at the earliest. “We have received government assistance for eight...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has approved a project with the United Nations Technology Arm- the International Telecommunications Union- that will end in a cybersecurity strategy as well as the creation of a National Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson said yesterday. During his contribution to the Senate debate on the 2020/2021 budget Thompson said, “Recently,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Touristic dependent countries are “significantly exposed” to the coronavirus-induced decline in tourism, and countries such as The Bahamas will face the greatest pressure on their economies as a result, according to Moody’s Investor Service. In a June 22 report, Moody’s said The Bahamas, Maldives, St Vincent and the Grenadines are “highly vulnerable to a severe slump in tourism”,...

Brennen: We cannot “let our guard down” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Deputy Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen has encouraged individuals to report incidents where they have not been required to fill out health forms when inter-island travelling. The requirement to complete a standardized travel form and a standardized health form at the time of check-in is to travel to all...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the government will partner with the Downtown Nassau Partnership to transform the downtown area into an outdoor venue on weekends in an effort to stimulate the economy and entrepreneurship. The project, called ‘Downtown Under The Stars’ is expected to take place over several weeks starting in the latter half of July,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As The Bahamas prepares to reopen its borders to commercial flights next week Monday, welcoming visitors from the United States and other jurisdictions, the European Union is considering a different approach. According to a draft list obtained by The New York Times,  America, Russia and Brazil could excluded from the list of acceptable travelers that can visit...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will lead a series of reforms to the National Health Insurance model to be dubbed 'NHI 1.1', which could save the government some $62 million over the next five years, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said on Tuesday.. During his wrap up to the 2020/2021 budget debate, Minnis, who serves as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Residents of eastern New Providence were left powerless for the third time in less than 48 hours, as Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) were challenged to complete repairs on a damaged line in the area. The latest outage occurred around 8pm, impacting residents on Abundant Life Road, Glendale Subdivision, Old Trail Road, Soldier Road, St Michael Road,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club is expected to spend $400 million over three years on post-Dorian reconstruction work in Abaco, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced yesterday. Minnis noted Bahamians currently make up 80 percent of persons employed at the property. During his wrap up to the 2020/2021 budget communication, Minnis said: “Baker’s Bay has commenced...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government intends to sign an agreement with a foreign vendor to collect fees related to boat registration and cruising permits on the government’s behalf, Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest revealed last night. He was responding to questions from Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis, who questioned why the government would appoint a vendor to collect these fees...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today noted that $40 million has been budgeted for temporary income replacement for persons still unemployed when their unemployment assistance ends. During his wrap up to the 2020/2021 budget debate, Minnis said: “In our islands thousands of Bahamians have either been temporarily laid off, furloughed or terminated as a result of the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A total of 137,350 people received emergency food supplies in April and May through the government’s food distribution plan and networks at a cost of more than $2 million, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. During his wrap-up of the budget debate, the prime minister said more than 41,000 units, which included parcels or vouchers, were...

Unintended benefit: Dust is absorbing moisture that tropical cyclones need to form NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Residents with allergies and or respiratory illnesses are being advised to take necessary precautions, inclusive of taking medication, as The Bahamas braces for a concentrated expanse of Saharan dust haze. Some of the dust, known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), is expected to move...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Connecticut Sun suffered a major blow to their 2020 title-hopes today as center Jonquel Jones announced that she would forgo the entire 2020 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) schedule. Jones joins several other WNBA and National Basketball Association (NBA) players that have decided to forgo the upcoming seasons to focus on the fight against social injustices...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Tourism received backlash on Sunday after posting a photo featuring a white father and son on its Twitter page to recognize dads on Father’s Day. The photo was removed after criticism mounted on the social media platform. The pushback comes amid an ongoing global debate concerning race, racial privilege and the treatment of black people...

Failure to wear facial masks will result in heavy fines NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today announced the national nightly curfew has been pushed back by one hour and public parks and beaches on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini will reopen on June 29. However, Minnis made clear there will be no “beach parties” and the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has raised concerns over three unofficial and incomplete development proposals in North Andros. BNT Executive Director Eric Carey underscored the proposals for aragonite mining and commercial development pose significant impact to the environment, including five of six protected national parks on the island. “Along with encroachment on protected areas, they pose a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Notwithstanding safety protocols, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said there is no perfect set of policies that can eliminate the risk of new infections from imported cases. On Friday, the World Health Organization said the world has entered a “new and dangerous phase” of the pandemic, as cases in the United States spiraled in numerous...