Bahamas

The new Polycarbonate Biometric Voter’s Card, to be rolled out before elections, has been presented to the media in a press conference hosted by the Parliamentary Registration Department to enhance public awareness

Assessments and cleanup were underway in areas of the southern and central Bahamas after Hurricane Melissa swept through the country, uprooting trees, tearing down utility poles and damaging some roofs; most residents were relieved they dodged the worst

Construction of the $4.5 million Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre in Marsh Harbour is completed; the shelter is capable of housing 400 to 800 people during storms and natural disasters, 3% of Abaco's population, hopefully reaching 10%

PM Philip Davis has addresses a push for general election following the death of environment minister Miller

Education director assured government is addressing principal vacancies and is implementing new security measures in public schools and dismissed concerns that there is a growing number of non-English speaking students in public schools

Education sector still has to face persistent challenges that will require continued reforms, including in key subjects such as mathematics, said Minister of Education during her back-to-school message, pointing to challenging goals successfully achieved

A week before schools reopen, VAT exemption allows families and educators to purchase school items, PCs, stationery, clothing, bags, hair accessories, free of VAT; the Consumer Protection urged retailers not to inflate prices, parents to shop essentials

Over 1.400 destroyed firearms were encased in concrete at the Internal Security Division of the police force, a first of its kind in the region; Minister of National Security Munroe called it 'deeply significant' as it ends the life cycle of a firearm

One week into crawfish season, the legal harvesting period for spiny lobster running from 1 August to 31 March, has yielded poor returns, probably due to widespread poaching on southern banks, frequently reported

All practices of Junkanoo, the traditional street parades and dancing in elaborate costumes, have been suspended in response to the controversial Junkanoo Authority Bill, which the Junkanoo Corporation argue undermines 21 years of self-management

Public workers' salary adjustments have been announced: wages and benefits will keep rising over time; the salary increases will come from industrial agreements, regular promotions and a formal wage review to keep government competitive in the job market

A proposal to reform charter fees for Bahamian-flagged vessels has been submitted to Cabinet by Minister of Transport and Housing as part of a broader strategy to incentivize the use of the the national yacht registry to boost sector revenue

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas joined the Escazú Agreement, a Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean; it's the 9th CARICOM Member State, 18th in the region