Bahamas

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

$10 million have been budgeted to begin construction of a new Parliament in the upcoming fiscal year; the full project is expected to cost $65 million and be completed by 2028. The current building has been in use since 1815

The Bahamas is taking part in the wider push to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, focusing on administering the HPV vaccine to boys and girls across the country, Minister of Health and Wellness said at the WHO 78th World Health Assembly

A large brushfire was threatening homes and buildings as it swept through Grand Bahama, in the Regency Park and North Bahamia areas especially; flames were fully estinguished in 24 hours, no casualties occurred

11.157 road accidents, of which 2.234 involved minor and registered serious injuries or fatalities (66), were recorded in Bahamas in 2024, marking a 30% increase from the 51 fatalities of 2023

Amid efforts to achieve universal health coverage, a bill will soon be introduced to move the Chronic Drug Prescription Plan under the National Health Insurance, said Minister of Health and Welfare, Michael Darville

Almost 500 retired civil servants have been re-employed by the government, Minister of Labour and Civil Service Pia Glover-Rolle confirmed

Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis called on the Davis administration to save the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, which needs $400.000 to keep its doors open

The pending industry agreements with the Bahamas Physician's Union and the Consultant Physician Staff Association could be finalised and signed by early February according to Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle

The Consultant Physicians Staff Association lamented the fact that an industry agreement has yet to be finalized over three years after the last one expired and called on the government to address the issue so that it is not “forced to take action"