Power & Business Impact: The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation says persistent Bahamas Power & Light outages are forcing businesses to close, lose sales, and spoil inventory—especially where electronic payments and refrigeration can’t run reliably. Trade & Tariffs: New BNSI figures show imports rose 6.4% to about $1.3bn in Q1 2026 while the trade deficit widened to $1.085bn, as exports face renewed pressure after the US 12.5% tariff. Export Strategy: Bahamas Trade Commission Chairman Barry Griffin says the government is pushing export diversification and a national export strategy with the IDB to reduce reliance on the US. Financial Stability: The Central Bank reports domestic financial stability risks remain well contained, though global trade uncertainty and geopolitics add near-term pressure. Insurance Regulation: The Insurance Commission launches an ICIRP programme adding AI to its compliance and innovation push, with an innovation hub pathway for regulated ideas. Grand Bahama Development Fight: Opponents of Bahama Rock’s Freeport Harbour expansion ramp up ahead of a public consultation, warning of years of blasting and disturbance. Maritime & Environment: Grand Bahama Shipyard marks International Mangrove Day by highlighting mangrove restoration work, including planting nearly 25,000 seedlings with Waterkeepers Bahamas. Local Governance/Infrastructure: Works Ministry says Fishing Hole Road Bridge damage shown online is localized spalling, with a full engineering inspection scheduled. Housing & Lending: Fidelity Bank says it won’t chase risky mortgage growth, citing structural barriers that keep mortgage credit below pre-COVID levels. Science & Research: Bahamas Academy of Sciences unveils its first peer-reviewed publication mapping 50 years of Bahamian research and flags major gaps in areas like groundwater, food systems, and renewable energy.