The Big Story – Eye Witness News

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 1:15 pm Natario McKenzie

Local

PM: “Many more deaths” were it not for emergency orders

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said today that had the government not enacted the COVID-19 Emergency Orders there would have been “many more deaths”, as he defended his administration’s actions as “morally and constitutionally right”. Minnis, who kicked off debate in Parliament on a resolution to extend the state of emergency to […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said today that had the government not enacted the COVID-19 Emergency Orders... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 1:15 pm | Natario McKenzie

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 12:34 pm Eyewitness News

Local

GB teacher charged with indecent assault

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — A 63-year-old teacher has been charged with indecent assault of female students at a Grand Bahama high school. Reynold Christopher Robinson, of #3 Creswell Drive, was today arraigned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbie Ferguson in Magistrate‘s Court for indecent assault. Robinson pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted cash […]

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — A 63-year-old teacher has been charged with indecent assault of female students at a Grand Bahama... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 12:34 pm | Eyewitness News

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 12:25 pm Sloan Smith

Local

MP’s brother-in-law charged with assault and threats of death against him

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Alexander Williamson, the brother-in-law of Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson, was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court today in connection to an altercation involving the MP and his “female friend” on January 16. At the time of his arrest, Williamson was granted $1,500 police bail. He appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Alexander Williamson, the brother-in-law of Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson, was arraigned in the Magistrate’s... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 12:25 pm | Sloan Smith

BusinessJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:59 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Moody’s now expects lower economic rebound for The Bahamas in 2021

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Moody’s Investors Service said it now expects the country’s economic rebound to be lower this year and GDP growth in 2022 to be higher than previously forecast. The ratings agency in an update yesterday noted that still-depressed tourist flow will hamper this nation’s growth this year. Last summer, Moody’s lowered the country’s […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Moody’s Investors Service said it now expects the country’s economic rebound to be lower this year and... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:59 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:57 am Sloan Smith

Local

AG defends extension of state of emergency

Bethel: Only a little more ways to go before the start of mass vaccination NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday defended the government’s decision to seek an extension of the state of emergency and emergency order until May 23, pointing to the onslaught of COVID-19 variants worldwide. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert […]

Bethel: Only a little more ways to go before the start of mass vaccination NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:57 am | Sloan Smith

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:56 am Sloan Smith

Local

Dames: More than enough time to register 20,000 voters by next general election

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday that he has received no reports of people having challenges with being able to register to vote. Dames was responding to claims by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis that new voters and people seeking transfer of addresses have been having challenges […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday that he has received no reports of people having... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:56 am | Sloan Smith

Poll

Should The Bahamas independently review any vaccine approved by PAHO for wide distribution?

Yes (72%)
No (24%)
Unsure (4%)

Loading ...

BusinessJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:52 am Natario McKenzie

Business

34 approvals under BEATS program to-date

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has received just over 100 applications thus far for its Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program, with 34 having been approved thus far. The program was launched last October and allows visitors to work and study across the country for up to a year. According to information collected by […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has received just over 100 applications thus far for its Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:52 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:50 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Exuma Chamber of Commerce fears Scotia’s exit will impact half the banking population

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Exuma Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday that half of the island’s banking population will be impacted by Scotia Bank’s exit, with no other institution having stepped up to this point to fill the gap. Pedro Rolle told Eyewitness News that while the reopening of Sandals Emerald Bay scheduled for February […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Exuma Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday that half of the island’s banking population will be... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:50 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:48 am Natario McKenzie

Business

IMF: Debt target delay “appropriate” as government’s near-term priority is to “save lives and livelihoods”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s near-term priority is to “save lives and livelihoods” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which added that it is “appropriate” to postpone the achievement of the public debt target of 50 percent of GDP by another two years. According to the IMF, public debt is expected to jump to […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s near-term priority is to “save lives and livelihoods” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF),... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:48 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:48 am Sloan Smith

Local

BPC Perseverance Well #1 established as safety zone from ships and planes

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has tabled new regulations to the Petroleum Act, 2016, that establishes the area around the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) exploratory oil well near Andros a safety zone and a prohibited area. The Petroleum (Operation of Facilities) (Safety Zone)(Regulations), 2020, which was made on December 24, 2020, establishes a safety zone […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has tabled new regulations to the Petroleum Act, 2016, that establishes the area around the... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:48 am | Sloan Smith

LocalJanuary 27, 2021 at 3:05 am Sloan Smith 1

Local

Govt optimistic about employment in tourism sector

Atlantis optimistic Spring Break will spur reopening of Royal Towers by end of February NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said yesterday he is “very optimistic” about the employment situation in The Bahamas, “especially the touristic sector”. Foulkes was responding to concerns about Atlantis’ latest announcement that it will temporarily furlough some of […]

Atlantis optimistic Spring Break will spur reopening of Royal Towers by end of February NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour... read more »

January 27, 2021 at 3:05 am | Sloan Smith | 1

BusinessJanuary 26, 2021 at 7:48 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Former Sky Bahamas financier seeks default judgement against Butler

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Sky Bahamas financier Fred Kaiser is seeking a default judgement against the airline’s former chief executive, Randy Butler, over an alleged $28 million “bogus loans” scheme. According to court documents, on Monday, Kaiser’s attorneys filed a judgement in default of defense against the claims leveled against him in a writ filed […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Sky Bahamas financier Fred Kaiser is seeking a default judgement against the airline’s former chief executive,... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 7:48 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalJanuary 26, 2021 at 3:58 am Sloan Smith 1

Local

PM Minnis urges Bahamians to remain vigilant

Govt intends to extend state of emergency until May 23 Minnis: We can see light at the end of the tunnel NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government intends to extend the public state of emergency and emergency orders for another four months, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in Parliament yesterday. The prime minister gave notice […]

Govt intends to extend state of emergency until May 23 Minnis: We can see light at the end of the... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 3:58 am | Sloan Smith | 1

LocalJanuary 26, 2021 at 3:56 am Sloan Smith

Local

Davis urges govt to address voter registration concerns

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday called on the government to address pressing concerns of people who have been unable to register to vote. Davis raised the matter during an address in Parliament, indicating that he wrote a letter to both Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and National Security […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday called on the government to address pressing concerns... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 3:56 am | Sloan Smith

BusinessJanuary 26, 2021 at 3:53 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Union chief: Extension of state of emergency raises “economic and social concerns”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent trade union leader yesterday blasted as “unacceptable and a total disrespect to the labor movement” the prime minister’s decision to further extend the state of emergency until May 23 without consulting trade unionists, warning that the move raises serious economic and social concerns. Obie Ferguson, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent trade union leader yesterday blasted as “unacceptable and a total disrespect to the labor movement”... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 3:53 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessJanuary 26, 2021 at 3:52 am Natario McKenzie 2

Business

Baha Mar to complete final phase of reopening on March 4 with SLS and Rosewood

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following the December opening of the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar is completing the final phase of its reopening, with Rosewood and SLS to reopen on March 4, according to the resort. The resort welcomed guest back guests to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on December 17, 2020. Earlier this month, Baha Mar President […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following the December opening of the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar is completing the final phase of its... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 3:52 am | Natario McKenzie | 2

BusinessJanuary 26, 2021 at 3:49 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Hotel union president concerned about challenges to tourism rebound

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) President Darrin Woods yesterday expressed his concern over the country’s tourism industry’s rocky restart, with Atlantis informing employees that it will scale back its operations next week and furlough some staff again. Woods told Eyewitness News: “They called us and told us about it […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) President Darrin Woods yesterday expressed his concern over the... read more »

January 26, 2021 at 3:49 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalJanuary 25, 2021 at 4:52 pm Sloan Smith

Local

Natural resources committee visits Andros

25 different resources in the country, including oil and aragonite, identified to be reviewed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Parliament Select Committee on Natural Resources toured multiple sites on Andros last week as a part of its review and reporting on the natural resources in the country and their value. Chairman of the committee, Golden Gates […]

25 different resources in the country, including oil and aragonite, identified to be reviewed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Parliament Select... read more »

January 25, 2021 at 4:52 pm | Sloan Smith

LocalJanuary 25, 2021 at 2:00 pm Sloan Smith

Local

Global Tourism Crisis Committee recommends vaccine passports for resumption of international travel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —The Global Tourism Crisis Committee has underscored the need for vaccine passports in order to jumpstart international tourism amidst the ongoing global pandemic. The committee met in Madrid last week during the 113th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council to advance solid plans to restart tourism. The meeting […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —The Global Tourism Crisis Committee has underscored the need for vaccine passports in order to jumpstart international tourism... read more »

January 25, 2021 at 2:00 pm | Sloan Smith

LocalJanuary 25, 2021 at 12:49 pm Sloan Smith

Local

Former Brexit MEP Robert Rowland dies in diving accident in The Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Brexit Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Robert Rowland, a father of four, has died in a diving accident near his Bahamas-based home. He was 54. In a statement announcing his death, British politician Nigel Farage paid tribute to Rowland as a “larger-than-life character”. “It is with great sadness that I […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Brexit Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Robert Rowland, a father of four, has died in... read more »

January 25, 2021 at 12:49 pm | Sloan Smith