NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has agreed to a $10 million loan facility from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to fund the Tourism Development Corporation’s Business Incubation Centres Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper revealed yesterday. Cooper during his budget communication in Parliament said: “I am pleased to announce that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and […]
Tag: Bahamas Nassau
Op-Ed: The state of Downtown Nassau and The Bahamas’ destination brand
On February 27, 2023, a record was set at the Nassau Cruise Port (NCP). Six ships with a collective 28,554 passengers were simultaneously docked at the port. And while the news was shared by many in The Bahamas as cause for celebration, it was met with a different reaction in other circles. While NCP CEO […]
ON ALERT: Health authorities monitoring “very closely” for Monkeypox
WHO says cases identified mainly, but not exclusively, in MSMs NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health officials in The Bahamas are closely monitoring for Monkeypox, a virus that is not usually detected outside of Africa, but has been confirmed in Europe, the Americas, Australia, and 13 other countries outside the Mother Land. The virus is most common […]
“WE DON’T RESPOND TO U.S. REPORTS”: OPM PS says the gov’t is committed to addressing immigration issues irrespective of American’s criticisms
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Press Secretary in The Office of the Prime Minister Clint Watson advised yesterday that the government is working hard to address the backlog of citizen applications at the Department of Immigration. While he declined to respond to a US report that asserted the government had not effectively implemented law to provide long-term […]
‘IT’S ROUGH OUT THERE’: Living wage needed now more than ever, says union leader
TUC to “put something forward” to govt on living wage NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the cost of living continues to rise, Obie Ferguson, the Trade Union Congress president, is reiterating calls for a living wage. [pullquote] If the cost of most things has gone up and your wages remain stagnant, you’re going to find it […]
‘GET MOVING’: Women’s organization says enough talk on gender-based violence & marital rape, time for action
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As she called on the government to maintain its “gender lens” in all of its decisions, Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) Chair Charlene Paul said there has been enough talk over the years on removing gender-based violence, including marital rape, via legislation. She said now is the time for the government to “get […]
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT: UNDP report projects $7.5B in losses due to Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 pandemic
Report projects social and economic development will “likely be inhibited for years to come” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The combined macro-level economic impact of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic on The Bahamas is projected to inflict losses of $7.5 billion, according to a recent study commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report, […]
HOLDING OUT FOR ‘BETTER TIMES’: Port chief defends cruise passenger rerouting amid vendor concerns
Maura: Ongoing construction requires occasional shifting of passenger flows NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nassau Cruise Port Chief Executive Officer Mike Maura said yesterday that ongoing construction at the cruise port has required the occasional shifting of passenger flows to support safe and efficient construction. Vendors operating at the port have expressed concern over the fate of their […]
OVERDUE: Emergency services on Family Islands will be improved, says Darville
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid concerns about the length of time it took for the sole survivor of a deadly crash on Long Island who later succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to New Providence, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said the time has come for the government to address emergency medical services on […]
LOSS OF A LEGEND: Sir Sidney Poitier dies at age 94
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Trailblazing Oscar-winning actor, philanthropist and presidential medal of freedom recipient Sir Sidney Poiter has died at the age of 94. Poitier became the first Bahamian, and African American, to win an Oscar for best actor for ‘Lilies of the Field’ in April 1964. At the time, the Civil Rights Movement was leading […]
CASH FOR CHRISTMAS: 400-450 Atlantis workers to receive $500 lump sum as part of unemployment program
Workers to receive payment no later than 12pm on Christmas Eve NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 400 to 450 Atlantis workers will be beneficiaries of a $500 stimulus payment as part of the government-funded unemployment assistance program. Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles LaRoda told reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting […]
FOR THE KIDS: Thousands drive up for IL Cares Foundation Christmas Fair
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Thousands of children and their families drove through the Queen Elizabeth Carnival Grounds for the annual IL Cares Foundation Christmas give back, where they were treated to free toys, treats, and a live entertainment show with Santa Claus and other characters. People began to gather at the grounds in their vehicles […]
NO DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT: 18 HIV patients contracted COVID since onset of pandemic; 3 died
“HIV patients can get COVID, but they are not more at risk to get COVID, so they should follow the same precautions and guidelines and get vaccinated, same as everyone else” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — HIV-positive patients accounted for less than one percent of all coronavirus infections and deaths in The Bahamas, according to data provided […]
PUBLIC SERVICE: Govt. moving ahead with contributory pension plan for new hires
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is moving forward with the introduction of a contributory pension plan for new hires in the public service, according to Minister of State for the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle. Rolle, during a weekly press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday noted that an analysis has been ongoing, […]
‘COMPLETELY WRONG AND INAPPROPRIATE’: Thompson slams $1B liabilities claims
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson yesterday branded the Davis administration’s claims of a $1 billion difference between the Minnis administration’s pre-election fiscal report and government’s actual liabilities as “completely wrong and inappropriate”. Thompson, who served as minister of state for finance under the former administration, during his contribution in Parliament yesterday, […]
VEX AGAIN: RBC draws more ire from customers as it moves to end interest on savings accounts
Loretta Butler-Turner: Even if you put your money in a rock hole or under your mattress, it is more valuable than keeping it in RBC Social media commenters urge bank customers to close their accounts; no response from officials NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Bahamas has once again drawn the ire of […]
VACCINATION PACE SLOWS: Data suggests possible waning in vaccine uptake
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The pace of vaccinations in The Bahamas appears to have slowed as first-dose coverage reaches just over 27 percent of the population. The government and health authorities continue to encourage vaccine uptake, attributing its “aggressive vaccination campaign” to the beginning of a downward trend in coronavirus cases in the last four weeks. […]
INVESTOR INITIATIVE LAUNCHED: Red Lobster and Bahama MyFi first out the gate on ArawakX crowdfunding platform
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Red Lobster and Bahama MyFi are the first two companies to launch on the ArawakX crowdfunding platform, with the founders touting the move as a step towards financial inclusion for Bahamians. D’Arcy Rahming Jr, chief technology officer of ArawakX, said: “We have tried to make it super simple so that companies and […]