Banish regulatory ‘handcuffs’ so that Freeport can thrive
Freeport must go back to its Hawksbill Creek Agreement roots and banish the red tape and regulatory “handcuffs” if it is to compete with multi-billion free trade zone rivals, a GBPA director asserted yesterday.
Doctors Hospital unveils healthcare finance entry
Doctors Hospital yesterday revealed plans to “directly insert” itself into financing affordable healthcare by late summer 2025 with “insurance-like pricing” up to 50 percent less than existing coverages.
GB Chamber president rejects abolishing GBPA
Calls to abolish the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) were yesterday rejected by a senior private sector executive who urged sceptics to “accept” it will exist for at least another 29 years.
Bakeries fear cost of eggs will push up their prices
LOCAL bakeries are feeling the economic squeeze as egg prices continue to skyrocket, warning that product costs will rise because the situation has not improved.
‘Ease immigration to help Freeport’
GRAND Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) executive director Rupert Hayward said excessive red tape, strict immigration policies, and regulatory changes have hindered Freeport’s investment growth, while also expressing frustration with the slow pace of government approvals for projects in the pipeline.
‘We are ready to go’ on Bazaar redevelopment
THE government has finalised purchase agreements with the International Bazaar owners and Harcourt Development, clearing the way for developing an Afro-Caribbean Marketplace in Freeport.
ERIC WIBERG: Fire and loss near Governor’s Harbour
During World War II the loss of the nondescript wooden Canadian cargo ship Bernardo to fire off Governor’s Harbour would probably been overlooked except this happened while a search was underway for dozens of US aviators missing in a large seaplane.
As Trump policies impact aid, US Embassy assures it is not abandoning Bahamas
THE United States Embassy said it is not abandoning its commitment to Bahamians, even as President Donald Trump’s policies on most US foreign aid impacts local organisations and contractors.
Father admits to child cruelty, says he was just disciplining son
A 41-year-old father admitted to child cruelty for beating his son with a belt, claiming he was only disciplining the boy for bad behaviour at school.
14-months jail for breaking into bar and restaurant
A MAN was sentenced to 14 months in prison after admitting to breaking into Primetime Bar and Restaurant and repeatedly trespassing on the property over the past six months.
Man gets 30-months prison for having gun
A MAN was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting to having a loaded gun during a foot chase with police on Minnie Street last Sunday.
Woman fined after admitting to stealing from employer
A WOMAN was fined yesterday after admitting to stealing more than $5,000 while working at Prescription Parlour Pharmacy last December.
Police investigating death of man found with gunshot wounds
POLICE are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man who died in hospital yesterday after being found with apparent gunshot wounds.
Two tourists drown in separate incidents just 24 hours apart
TWO tourists drowned in separate incidents just over 24 hours apart — an 85-year-old man in Bimini and a 28-year-old man on Paradise Island.
Body found in Wulff Road fire
A MAN has died following a structural fire that broke out yesterday afternoon on Wulff Road near Windsor Park, prompting the launch of a death investigation.
02132025 OBITUARIES
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Gov’t agencies ‘defaulted’ on multi-million NIB debts
The National Insurance Board (NIB) has had to contend with two government agencies defaulting on multi-million dollar debts owed to it with one still delinquent at year-end 2022.
Natural resource protection ‘started from ground zero’
A former Cabinet minister who oversaw enactment of the much-criticised natural resources regulatory regime has defended its objectives as noble, while asserting: “We were starting from ground zero.”
