The Big Story – EyeWitness News

LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:59 am Royston Jones Jr. 1

Local

DOUBLE STANDARD: McAlpine accuses FNMs of holding “strategy meetings” in breach of protocols

MP blasts PM as ‘duplicitous’ over social gatherings, opposition commentary NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said while the government has discouraged social gatherings among its citizens, Free National Movement politicians have attended “political strategy meetings” with more than the allowed number of attendees. McAlpine condemned what he called a “double standard” for the […]

MP blasts PM as ‘duplicitous’ over social gatherings, opposition commentary NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine said while the... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:59 am | Royston Jones Jr. | 1

CoronavirusSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:57 am Royston Jones Jr. 1

Coronavirus

Former health minister calls for the return of parliamentary democracy

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday he will not support an extension of the emergency orders for another month, and called on the return of parliamentary democracy where legislators and the people whom they represent can determine the way forward. “I believe that this matter of COVID will be with […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday he will not support an extension of the emergency... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:57 am | Royston Jones Jr. | 1

CoronavirusSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:49 am Sloan Smith

Coronavirus

Social Services processing rental assistance after months of delay

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said yesterday that the department is currently processing rental assistance after months of delay in the program. Campbell sought to assure individuals who have applied for the program but have yet to receive a response from officials on the matter. However, he could not provide further […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said yesterday that the department is currently processing rental assistance after... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:49 am | Sloan Smith

CoronavirusSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:46 am Royston Jones Jr.

Coronavirus

Abaco in “precarious situation” with COVID, ongoing reconstruction — says MP

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Central and South Abaco MP James Albury said the construction industry represents a major hotspot for COVID-19 and the continued rise in infections on the island, noting Abaco is in a “precarious situation” as reconstruction forges on. “It’s something that is on everyone’s mind, including my own,” Albury told Eyewitness News. “We’re […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Central and South Abaco MP James Albury said the construction industry represents a major hotspot for COVID-19... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:46 am | Royston Jones Jr.

CoronavirusSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:43 am Sloan Smith

Coronavirus

Govt. commits to support food distribution program until end of October

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has provided more than $13.2 million to the National Food Distribution Programme (NFDP) to date, according to Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell. The program – which is a private-public partnership with numerous non-governmental organizations – was launched to help provide food assistance to the most vulnerable in the country throughout […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has provided more than $13.2 million to the National Food Distribution Programme (NFDP) to date,... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:43 am | Sloan Smith

LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:39 am Sloan Smith

Local

Boarders relocation costs govt. $800,000 in the first year

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s initiative to relocate boarders from the Princess Margaret Hospital will cost $800,000 in the first year, said Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday. During a press conference, Campbell advised that some 30 boarders will be moved to senior residential facilities in order to free up bed capacity at the hospital. […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s initiative to relocate boarders from the Princess Margaret Hospital will cost $800,000 in the first... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:39 am | Sloan Smith

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LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:38 am Royston Jones Jr.

Local

Virtual Parliament sessions would infringe on public’s rights, says PLP senator

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday that while he agrees with alternative accommodations being used to better facilitate parliamentary proceedings, virtual sessions would infringe on the public’s constitutional right to physically observe the legislature conduct the people’s business. “I’ve had discussions with members of the judiciary and within our […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday that while he agrees with alternative accommodations being... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:38 am | Royston Jones Jr.

BusinessSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:35 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Abaco Chamber director slams “disrespectful” crime downplay

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An Abaco Chamber of Commerce director said yesterday it was “disrespectful” to the island’s residents to see their crimes fears downplayed. Krista Albury told Eyewitness News the frequency of burglaries and theft on the island was “totally unacceptable”. She said: “Marsh Harbour and the surrounding areas is the epicenter of what is happening. […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An Abaco Chamber of Commerce director said yesterday it was “disrespectful” to the island’s residents to see... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:35 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:32 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Central Bank: FDI projects continue to support construction sector

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Construction sector activity in the second quarter of the year remained largely supported by ongoing varied scale commercial foreign investment projects, while domestic financed activity remained subdued. The Central Bank in its quarterly economic review for June 2020 stated: “Construction sector activity during the second quarter remained supported by ongoing varied-scale commercial […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Construction sector activity in the second quarter of the year remained largely supported by ongoing varied scale... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:32 am | Natario McKenzie

BusinessSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:30 am Natario McKenzie

Business

FOCOL eyeing new revenue streams to mitigate potential COVID-19 earnings loss

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — FOCOL Holdings reported net income of $29 million for the fiscal year ending July 31, with management said to be focused on developing new revenue streams to augment any potential earnings loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman of the BISX-listed petroleum products supplier, Sir Franklyn Wilson, said: “Net income […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — FOCOL Holdings reported net income of $29 million for the fiscal year ending July 31, with management... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:30 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:29 am Eyewitness News

Local

RBDF apprehends 83 Dominican poachers

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A total of 83 Dominican fishermen onboard two Dominican Fishing Vessels were apprehended in the south western Bahamas. According to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, the fishermen were apprehended off Diamond Point, Great Bahama Bank on Thursday morning. Acting on information received from the US Coast Guard, Defence Force patrol craft HMBS […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A total of 83 Dominican fishermen onboard two Dominican Fishing Vessels were apprehended in the south western... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:29 am | Eyewitness News

BusinessSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:28 am Natario McKenzie

Business

Banks write off $31.4 mil. delinquent loans in Q2

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Banks wrote-off an estimated $31.4 million in delinquent loans in the second quarter, according to the Central Bank. The regulator in its quarterly economic review for June 2020 noted the true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector remaining delayed due to the implementation of loan deferral schemes. According to the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Banks wrote-off an estimated $31.4 million in delinquent loans in the second quarter, according to the Central... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:28 am | Natario McKenzie

LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:25 am Sloan Smith

Local

Police investigate spate of shootings in NP

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are investigating three separate shooting incidents that occurred in New Providence yesterday. In the first incident, shortly after before 1pm, a man was walking on Beautmontia Avenue, Garden Hills, when he heard sounds of gunshots. Moments later he felt a sensation and realized that he received injuries to his right foot, police […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are investigating three separate shooting incidents that occurred in New Providence yesterday. In the first incident,... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:25 am | Sloan Smith

LocalSeptember 18, 2020 at 3:23 am Eyewitness News

Local

Abaconian trio face triple threat as a team

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In the last year, three Abaco natives have faced property destruction inflicted by Hurricane Dorian, a cancer diagnosis, and now, the heightened safety risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Elladice Murray, Gwendolyn Baillou, and Karen Lightbourne, who were once only cordial acquaintances, are now meaningful pillars of support in each other’s lives. […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In the last year, three Abaco natives have faced property destruction inflicted by Hurricane Dorian, a cancer... read more »

September 18, 2020 at 3:23 am | Eyewitness News

CoronavirusSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:58 am Sloan Smith 1

Coronavirus

PAHO: Bahamas showing balance between reducing transmission and reopening

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has proven that public health strategies can work to reduce transmission and strike a balance between reopening the economy, said Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Health Emergencies Department Director Dr Ciro Ugarte yesterday. However, Ugarte urged the country to follow public health measures, noting that the increase in cases since […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has proven that public health strategies can work to reduce transmission and strike a balance... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:58 am | Sloan Smith | 1

CoronavirusSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:56 am Royston Jones Jr.

Coronavirus

Govt. plans to extend emergency orders until October 31

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government intends to to extend the public state of emergency and emergency orders until October 31, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced. The existing orders will come to an end on September 30. In the House of Assembly Wednesday morning, which met with only 16 members, including Speaker of House Halson […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government intends to to extend the public state of emergency and emergency orders until October 31,... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:56 am | Royston Jones Jr.

LocalSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:54 am Sloan Smith 1

Local

Former AG: Bahamas shift to republic is inevitable

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Attorney General Sean McWeeney, Q.C. yesterday said the country’s shift to a republic is inevitable in the political evolution of the country, but would likely have to be driven by the government. McWeeney’s comments follow an announcement from Barbados on Monday, that it will remove Queen Elizabeth II as its head […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Attorney General Sean McWeeney, Q.C. yesterday said the country’s shift to a republic is inevitable in... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:54 am | Sloan Smith | 1

CoronavirusSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:53 am Royston Jones Jr.

Coronavirus

Downward trend: Family Islands on track to be virus free

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As he underscored the recent downward trend of coronavirus cases, particularly in New Providence, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis expressed disappointment with the continued proliferation of social gatherings and pleaded for Bahamians to avoid them to allow the case trend to continue. “We would note that the numbers are coming down,” the […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As he underscored the recent downward trend of coronavirus cases, particularly in New Providence, Prime Minister Dr... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:53 am | Royston Jones Jr.

BusinessSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:49 am Natario McKenzie

Business

IDB backs mandatory evacuation protocol

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — It is “due time” for a mandatory evacuation protocol to be established in The Bahamas, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In a newly released 218 page report titled, “The Assessment of Affects and Impacts of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas”, the bank underscored the official death toll and the number […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — It is “due time” for a mandatory evacuation protocol to be established in The Bahamas, according to... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:49 am | Natario McKenzie

CoronavirusSeptember 17, 2020 at 3:47 am Royston Jones Jr. 1

Coronavirus

PM says Davis is COVID immune, blasts absence from House

PLP labels PM’s assertion “divisive and contradictory” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday suggested people previously infected with COVID-19 have an immunity to the virus for several months in a dig at the opposition leader’s decision not to attend Parliament. Minnis called the decision unfortunate, and further noted Opposition Leader Philip Brave […]

PLP labels PM’s assertion “divisive and contradictory” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday suggested people previously infected... read more »

September 17, 2020 at 3:47 am | Royston Jones Jr. | 1