The Big Story

Let’s face it—2018 has made some of the strongest minded among us tremble internally or as Bahamians say “take with the nervousness.” In terms of human progress towards enlightenment—in The Bahamas and worldwide, 2018 has been a dud. In all likelihood, other members of the animal kingdom across the planet are probably holding congress to decide whether they should allow...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Global Ports Holding (GPH), one of three companies in the running to redevelop and manage the Port of Nassau, revealed Wednesday that it is prepared to invest an estimated $250 million into transforming the country’s main gateway. Colin Murphy, Head of Business Development for GPH Americas revealed a number of GPH’s proposed plans for the port redevelopment...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - An Abaco shantytown assessment report, which surveyed 777 households, indicated that 3,041 people reside in six shantytowns on Abaco, inclusive of Sand Banks, Farm Road, L & H (treasure cay), the Mudd, Pigeon Pea and Elbow Cay. The report, released Wednesday, revealed that 80 per cent of persons are documented while 41 per cent hold work permits. According...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Director of Labour John Pinder said yesterday that junior doctors should comply with the Public Hospitals Authority’s (PHA) automated time system as it is not an impediment, but serves those doctors in ensuring overtime and holiday pay is properly accounted for and compensated. “It’s good for safety reasons; for example, some areas of the hospital you can...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said yesterday that while international ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) took into consideration the fiscal policies implemented by the Minnis administration to improve the country’s finances, lower debt and strengthen its financial services sector regime, the likelihood of an upgrade of The Bahamas’ credit rating at this time is “not realistic”....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - New recruits of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Fire Services Unit spent Wednesday conducting community walkabouts throughout New Providence in an effort to distribute a number of educational pamphlets which outlined best practices to avoid fire hazards during the holiday season. Kenya Culmer, Sergeant in charge of fire prevention told Eyewitness News Online that officers went...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Organizers of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl hosted two community outreach events yesterday in the capital. The first stop of the day was a visit to the Ranfurly Home for Children, where players from both teams played basketball, ran foot races, and played volleyball with the children residing there. Personnel from ESPN also donated to the home....

Sands: Doctors are not expected to be paid like shift workers   NASSAU, BAHAMAS - As junior doctors await the Department of Labour to certify a strike vote taken on Monday over holiday pay issues, documents obtained by Eyewitness News Online reveal that the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) offered each doctor $2,500 as a lump sum for the 47 holidays...

Marks third for the month of December NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The country’s murder count in the capital rose two notches after a double murder was recorded on Tuesday morning at a home on New Hope Drive, Bamboo Town. The victims have been identified by police as James Johnson, 29, and Kevisha Richards, 24. According to police press liaison officer Superintendent...

BB+/B rating with “stable” long-term outlook NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) has affirmed The Bahamas' sovereign credit rating and ascribed a "stable" long-term outlook due to an expectation of further fiscal consolidation and moderate economic growth over the next one to two years. The Bahamas’ credit rating was affirmed as BB+/B, which according to S&P...

Minister still awaiting advice from AG’s Office   More than a week after the majority of teachers at C.H. Reeves Junior High School voted to strike, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes told Eyewitness News Online he was still awaiting the advice of the Office of the Attorney General to determine whether the Department of Labour will issue a strike certificate....

According to Marcellus Miller, a dialysis patient of 16 years, the Dialysis Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) is in crisis mode and can present a life or death situation for those receiving treatment. Miller’s cries for help came after the Dialysis Unit at PMH reportedly closed early on Monday, turning away dozens of patients because it was understaffed....

Cruise lines to focus on realizing potential of the destination if successful   Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) President and CEO Michael Bayley said yesterday that the proposal submitted by a consortium of cruise companies to redevelop and operate the Port of Nassau “absolutely encourages Bahamians ownership, and participation”. “Our proposal encourages Bahamian ownership, participation and quite honestly, we would...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - As the murder count in the capital rose to 87 and 88 on Tuesday, the country’s 89th murder also occurred yesterday on the island of Grand Bahama, marking the fifth for the nation’s second city. According to police reports, shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, police were called to a residence on Inagua Avenue, where a male...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - A manpower audit of the social services department is currently being conducted by Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie Campbell. The effort is aimed at assessing its effectiveness and how best it will move forward in the new fiscal year. The audit comes just five months after Campbell was appointed to the post. “The importance...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - AML Foods, in partnership with corporate Bahamas and AML Food patrons, has raised a little over $100,000 dollars to feed an estimated 3,000 families for the holidays. The local food wholesaler launched the special feeding program three years ago. It’s called, “Feed 5,000.” To date, the initiative has raised $234, 000 dollars and has distributed 5,800 meals....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - In an effort to raise awareness about the way diabetes is affecting The Bahamas, the Sports Fellowship Institute, the Anoo Association and The Bahamas Diabetes Association is set to host the first “Walk It Off” road race next year. The walkathon is set for January 5 and begins at the R.M. Bailey Park. It kicks off at...

AG: Major step forward for financial services sector NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) yesterday re-evaluated The Bahamas’ compliance with its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements and found the country compliant with the majority of its recommendations. The re-evaluation and increased compliance ratings are expected to stave off any sanctions from the international financial regulatory body....