Bahamas Tonight: News Headlines – Thursday, November 5, 2026

By Michael Elijah Muhammad Clare | LOL242
Thursday, November 5, 2026

Good evening, Bahamas. Here are tonight’s headlines — home first, then the Caribbean, then the United States and the wider world.

The Bahamas

Western Air back in North Eleuthera — resorts call it a “hallelujah”

Western Air resumed Nassau–North Eleuthera flights on November 2 after suspending the route for all of October over runway-safety concerns. Resort owners on Harbour Island and Eleuthera say the return has lifted a cloud over winter bookings and wedding plans, with the first wedding of the season set for November 6. Ben Simmons of Little Island Hotels called the restoration a “hallelujah” and said it removed uncertainty for guests just as the high season begins. He and other operators are urging steady runway maintenance so the airport does not close again mid-season. Realtor and Eleuthera resident Carlton Russell noted that Governor’s Harbour was also closed throughout October, which strained airlift across the island.

Bahamas joins International Solar Alliance as 116th member

The Bahamas has formally joined the International Solar Alliance as its 116th member. High Commissioner Peter Nicholas Symonette Jr. handed over the Instrument of Accession in New Delhi at the Ninth ISA Assembly on November 4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the accession is complete.

US$65.2 million deal to harden Bahamian water against climate threats

The Caribbean Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund have signed a Funded Activity Agreement worth about US$65.2 million to strengthen climate resilience in The Bahamas’ water sector. The Green Climate Fund is providing roughly US$50.05 million — about US$37.51 million in grants and US$12.54 million in concessional loans — with CDB and partners adding about US$15.15 million. The programme is expected to benefit more than 215,000 people across South Andros, North and Central Andros, Mangrove Cay, Abaco, Acklins and New Providence. Work is planned to start in 2027 and run for seven years. The agreement was signed by CDB Vice-President Isaac Solomon and Kristin Lang, Director of the Green Climate Fund’s Latin America and Caribbean department. The Water and Sewerage Corporation will execute the project, with the Office of the Prime Minister as National Designated Authority. Rochelle Newbold and WSC General Manager Robert C. Deal Jr. welcomed the deal. About 83% of Bahamian land sits under five metres of elevation, and roughly 81% of the country’s drinking water comes from energy-intensive desalination.

Goodman’s Bay vendors clash with Parks Authority over space cuts

Beach vendors at Goodman’s Bay are fighting proposed cuts to their trading space. Monique Taylor of Seaside Destination Services says the Parks Authority wants her operation reduced from roughly 120 by 200 feet to a 10-by-10-foot plot, which she says would put about 12 of her 15 jobs at risk. She attributes the crowding to the relocation of Cabbage Beach vendors for the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences project and alleges political favouritism. Parks Authority executive chairman Jamahl Strachan rejects the favouritism allegations and says vendors in larger spaces must make room for those relocated from Cabbage Beach. Tourism Minister Glenys Hanna Martin referred questions to the Authority. An October 21 Authority letter told vendors all spaces would be 10 by 10 feet with a maximum of 30 chairs. Vendors say Prime Minister Philip Davis intervened in 2025 to pause a similar cut.

BTC CEO Gravette Brown meets Innovation Minister Sebastian Bastian

BTC Chief Executive Gravette Brown paid a courtesy call on Innovation and National Development Minister Sebastian Bastian on November 4. The two discussed partnership work toward a more digital Bahamas.

Grand Bahama governance consultation remains open

Public consultation on reforming Grand Bahama governance opened November 1 and runs through April 30, 2027. The proposal includes a Grand Bahama Development Act that would replace parts of the Hawksbill Creek framework. Port Authority leaders have urged reformers not to “throw the baby out with the bath water.”

The Caribbean

CHOGM closes in Antigua: trade push and UK dialogue on historical harms

Commonwealth leaders wrapped the Antigua and Barbuda summit agreeing to aim for a doubling of intra-Commonwealth trade by 2030, with roughly US$500 million in new commitments announced. The United Kingdom agreed to a structured, time-bound dialogue on the historical harms of the transatlantic slave trade. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he is open to calls for a formal apology but ruled out cash reparations. Host Prime Minister Gaston Browne serves as Chair-in-Office. Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis attended the meeting.

Jamaica: uproar over first UN abstention on Cuba embargo vote

Jamaica is still dealing with political fallout after casting its first-ever United Nations abstention on a resolution calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. The Opposition has pressed a censure motion in Parliament. The government says a parliamentary motion did not bind how Jamaica voted at the UN.

Haiti: About 2,000 Salvadoran troops on the ground as search for four missing technicians continues

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has posted fresh video of Salvadoran forces in Haiti as the search continues for four Salvadoran aviation technicians who went missing after a gang ambush on October 18. Haitian police say they have found the burned truck the men were travelling in. About 2,000 Salvadoran troops are now on the ground; the UN says only a portion fall under the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, while Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says the foreign forces are operating under Haitian authority.

Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago push AU–CARICOM reparations forum; COP31 team set

Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago are pressing for an African Union–CARICOM reparations forum with the United Kingdom. Separately, CARICOM’s negotiating team for the COP31 climate talks in Antalya from November 9 to 20 is in place.

The United States and the World

Democrats take the House and Senate in the midterms

Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections. The Senate stands 54–44 for Democrats, counting independents who caucus with them, with two races still uncalled. Democrat Mary Peltola narrowly leads Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska, and Democrat Scott Colom narrowly leads Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi. Democrats also won the House, with dozens of races still being counted. The new Congress sits on January 3, 2027; until then Republicans keep the chambers. Democratic leaders are preparing for oversight and investigations. The result means a divided government in Washington for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term.

Strait of Hormuz shipping still perilous

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says more tankers and a tug were hit by mines or caught fire on November 5. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported a projectile strike off Qatar. Shipping through the Strait remains hazardous.

Ukraine: Komyshuvakha aid-centre death toll rises to 42

Ukrainian police in the Zaporizhzhia region say the death toll from Russia’s November 2 strike on a humanitarian aid centre in Komyshuvakha has risen to 42, with dozens of people still possibly under the rubble.

Zelenskyy meets US envoys ahead of November talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Brussels ahead of planned talks on November 10–11.

That is tonight’s news for Thursday, November 5, 2026. Stay with lol242.com.

Sources include the Caribbean Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Associated Press, Reuters, CBS News, NBC News and UK Maritime Trade Operations.