Budget & Housing: The Bahamas unveiled a 2026/27 budget projecting a US$223.1M surplus, with VAT exemptions expanded for first-time homeowners (including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) and the first-time property tax threshold raised from $500,000 to $600,000, plus duty cuts on items like sanitary products, chair lifts, and wigs for cancer and alopecia patients. Weather Watch: Caribbean climatologist Dr. Cedric Van Meerbeeck says the 2026 hurricane season may be quieter but “erratic,” with El Niño-linked heat, drought risk, and higher chances of intense rainfall and flash flooding. Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: Tourism Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin leads The Bahamas to UN Tourism engagements in Paraguay, including a forum on “The Future is Female” and the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Americas meeting. Community & Immigration: 24 Haitian nationals were convicted for immigration offences (mostly overstaying) and fined or sentenced, with deportation orders also removing 56 foreign nationals in the May 16–26 period. Youth & Learning: The Bahamas Chess Federation crowned WCM Chika Pride undefeated at the 2026 Scholastic Individual Chess Tournament, which also qualified players for a CAC Youth Chess Team trip to Costa Rica. Sports/Family Spotlight: A Scripps National Spelling Bee finals viewing guide highlights tonight’s live final at 8pm ET, with spellers including one from the Bahamas. Business & Lifestyle: Butterfield announced an agreement to acquire CIBC Caribbean’s 91.7% stake in a US$1.8B deal, aiming to expand banking and wealth management across the region.