Applications close on Sunday the 16th of March, 2025
With funding provided by Our Shared Ocean, an initiative from the Government of Ireland to build research partnerships with SIDS, Island Innovation has designed a comprehensive 7-week online course in Sustainable Development.
The course material, delivered by relevant international practitioners, offers a structured and immersive learning experience that will educate and engage students from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and provides key practical skills and the principles of sustainable development.
More about the course, including the application portal, here.
This course is tailored to equip students with a comprehensive understanding and practical skills essential for driving positive change within their communities and beyond, covering a diverse range of topics including sustainable business strategies, cross-sectoral collaboration, and global sustainability initiatives.
One of the highlights of this program is its culmination at the prestigious Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) to be held in Saint Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean).
Course Participants will be eligible to apply for Our Shared Ocean Mobility & Travel Grants to facilitate their attendance at the GSIS.
Eligibility for Enrolment: Post-graduate (MSc / PhD) SIDS national students currently enrolled in a PhD or Masters programme or Masters programme within a relevant SIDS institution.
Students from various disciplines including but not limited to Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, Climate Studies, Oceanography, Finance, and related fields are encouraged to apply. Applicants must articulate how the course will contribute to their ongoing studies or research, and how they plan to apply the acquired skills to their current academic pursuits.
Students must be citizens of one of the 39 SIDS countries or reside within one of the 18 Regional Commissions according to the official UN list.
Selection Process: Applicants will be short-listed based on the strength of their applications. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in group projects and presentations as part of the course curriculum.
Recent poll shows majority of Greenlanders want independence but are divided on specifics
Leader of Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, reacts during the election party at cafe Killut in Nuuk, March 12, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS
International news via Reuters:
Greenland’s pro-business Demokraatit Party surged to victory in a shake-up that could boost U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to tap the island’s mineral wealth, with the victors keen for reforms favouring private enterprise and mining.
The Democrats, which favour gradual independence from Denmark, more than tripled their seats to 10 in the 31-seat Inatsisartut parliament, according to results released on Wednesday, and will begin talks to form a coalition.
The strongly pro-independence Naleraq doubled their seats to eight from the prior election, while the ruling coalition lost almost half of its share of the vote.
“People want change,” the Democrats’ leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen told reporters in Nuuk after the final vote count. “We don’t want independence tomorrow, we want to build a good foundation.”
Independence became the central campaign theme in Tuesday’s election after Trump’s repeated insistence that the semi-autonomous Danish territory is vital to U.S. national security and will eventually become part of the United States.
Leader of Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, reacts during the election party at cafe Killut in Nuuk, March 12, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS
At three times the size of Texas, with a population of just 57,000, the Arctic nation contains vast mineral resources, including rare earth minerals critical for high-tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.
Despite gains for rapid independence advocate Naleraq, Rasmus Leander Nielsen, associate professor at the University of Greenland, said the Democrats were more likely to form a broad coalition with one or both of the outgoing ruling parties, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut, in a show of national unity.
GOOD NEWS FOR TRUMP?
In the election campaign, the Democrats’ Nielsen rebuffed Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, calling it “a threat to our political independence”.
However, in campaign documents, the party said it would be open to dialogue with the U.S. on commercial interests.
The election result has moved business development and the mining agenda to the centre of Greenlandic politics.
The Siumut Party holds an election party at the Katuaq cultural center in Nuuk, Greenland, March 12, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS
“If you add up the election result, voters were driven by business development and independence. And that’s good news for Trump,” said Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a professor in political science at the University of Copenhagen. “From a White House perspective, this is probably the best result you could hope for.”
“If Trump can negotiate an agreement that gives the U.S. assurances that Greenland will not open up its society to Chinese bases, Chinese mines or Russian influence, then it’s sort of under control. And then Trump can… say that he has gained access to minerals.”
Greenland has been a formal part of Denmark since 1953. In 1979 it gained some autonomy, although Copenhagen still controls foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy and contributes nearly $1 billion annually to the economy.
The island won the right to seek full independence through a referendum in 2009, but so far has chosen not to do so, on concerns over the economy’s ability to be self-sufficient.
A poll in January showed the majority of Greenlanders want independence but are divided as to how fast it should happen.
Leader of Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, plays an instrument during the election party at cafe Killut in Nuuk, Greenland, March 12, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS
Denmark, which has seen relations with Greenland worsen in recent years due to revelations of historic wrongdoing by the former colonial ruler, congratulated the Democrats.
“The Danish government will await the results of the negotiations that will now take place in Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the Democrat’s victory signalled a desire for continued cooperation between Nuuk and Copenhagen. “In difficult times we must stick together,” he told Danish broadcasters DR and TV2.
There was no immediate reaction from Washington.
FISHERIES
Previous election campaigns in Greenland have focused on how to allocate the funds – accounting for half of its budget – that the island receives from Denmark.
Fishing remains its top industry, accounting for about 95% of exports, and although it contains mineral wealth, it has been slow to extract it due to environmental concerns, severe weather and competition from China, which dominates the rare earth sector.
The Democrats want reforms that will help create a self-sustaining economy by stimulating private sector growth, particularly in the mining sector, and to create incentives for entrepreneurship while reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
“It is a question of making small tweaks and introducing some elements of a market economy into the system, rather than drop a nuclear bomb that turns Greenland into Alaska,” said Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.
The party, which has also advocated for closer ties with Europe, voted against a 2021 ban on uranium mining that halted development of Kvanefjeld, one of the world’s biggest rare earth deposits.
Greenland’s public sector currently plays a substantial role in the economy, holding stakes in numerous companies.
In Tuesday’s election the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party lost four of its 11 seats, while its coalition partner, the social-democratic Siumut party, lost six of its 10 seats.
Overall turnout was 70.9%, up 5 percentage points from the previous election four years ago, voting data showed.
Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen and Tom Little in Nuuk; additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen, Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen, writing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Gwladys Fouche; Editing by Sharon Singleton
Dr Dagmara Poprawski and Dr Bhanu Bandlamudi came on board in February and are now seeing patients
The following statement was issued by the Bermuda Hospitals Board.
Bermuda Hospitals Board is very pleased to introduce to the community its two new oncologists, who recently joined BHB.
Dr Dagmara Poprawski and Dr Bhanu Bandlamudi joined BHB in February and are now seeing patients.
Acting Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams comments: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Dr Poprawski and Dr Bandlamudi to Bermuda and BHB. They are highly qualified oncologists who will be a great addition to the oncology team. Their experience and expertise are going to be of great benefit to our patients. They join Dr Alisha Tucker in the Oncology team. This means we now have three fulltime oncologists available and can offer our usual in- and outpatient oncology services.
“I would also like to thank our community partners for their continued collaboration and support working to maximise oncology care provision in Bermuda, especially the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and PALS.”
Dr Poprawski joins BHB from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Saudi Arabia, where she worked as a medical oncology consultant from October 2020, mainly within the King Abdullah Center for Oncology & Liver Disease. Among her previous positions, she served as a senior medical oncologist and chief investigator for the Northern Adelaide and Mt Gambier Hospital in Australia.
Having gained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1992 from the University of Adelaide, Dr Poprawski also has a graduate diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene and a master’s degree in clinical tropical medicine from Mahidol University in Thailand. Dr Proprawski achieved her certificate in geriatric oncology from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.
Dr Proprawski is a member and fellow of many societies and colleges, including the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, European Society of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Group of Australia and Private Cancer Clinicians of Australia. She is a member of the editorial group of QPW Cancer Journal, a member of the Emirates Oncology Society, and vice chair of the Exercise in Oncology Subgroup of Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.
Dr Bandlamudi joins BHB from Subha Comprehensive Cancer Care in India, where he worked as a consultant in medical oncology and radiation oncology from February 2020. He previously worked in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttar Pradesh, India.
In 2011, Dr Bandlamudi gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada. He achieved a postgraduate medical degree (MD) in radiation oncology in 2016 from Kasturba Medical College, Manipa, and a specialised Doctor of Medicine in medical oncology from Jawaharial Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in 2019.
Dr Bandlamudi is a Member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology, American Society Radiation Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology, and Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology.
‘Comprehensive’ guidance for Litigation Guardians to be launched in September
Consultations with stakeholders took place earlier this month. Photo supplied
The following press release was issued today by the Bermuda Government: “The Ministry of Youth, Social Development, and Seniors has completed a productive week of consultations to strengthen protections for Bermuda’s most vulnerable children through an enhanced Litigation Guardian service. From March 3rd – 7th, the Ministry hosted strategic discussions with the Judiciary, Litigation Guardians, and Community Partners, facilitated by returning Consultant Anthony Douglas CBE with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Consultant led specialised sessions for the different stakeholder groups that included:
Litigation Guardians who explored: how to handle complex casework management, the emerging child safeguarding trends, and best practice frameworks for structured annual programme reviews.
Magistrates examined international best practices in child protection proceedings and discussed the impact of developmental issues in relation to the child’s timeline and court delays.
Community partners inclusive of Parent guide, Milestones, MASC, and the Coalition for the Protection of Children were provided an overview of the critical role of Litigation Guardians in supporting vulnerable youth and discussed the need for cohesive collaboration.
Participants in the work sessions acknowledged notable progress made by the Litigation Guardians and Social Workers in amplifying children’s voices in both casework and court reports.
The Ministry now aims to advance this work by fostering continued collaboration across the various stakeholder partners to maintain a culture of continuous improvement. Consultant, Mr. Anthony Douglas, who has provided expert guidance to the Ministry for several years on developing a comprehensive Litigation Guardian service, also focused on assessing the past achievements of the litigation service and identifying priority areas for future enhancements and strengthening. During the past year, the Ministry established several foundational elements for a sustainable Litigation Guardian service, such as:
A dedicated meeting room space for client interviews
A policy and procedural guide for appointing litigation counsel for children when necessary
A public information pamphlet developed to highlight the Role of Litigation Guardians
Minister Tinée Furbert expressed satisfaction with the progress made to-date: “I am heartened by the strides we have made in ensuring children and young people in Bermuda have a strong and independent voice. Our commitment is to build on the litigation guardian service with a sense of urgency, ensuring that decisions made in the best interests of children are swiftly implemented.” The Ministry has identified four key priorities for the coming year to build on the Litigation Guardian Framework:
Finalising a comprehensive Practice Guidance for Litigation Guardians, to be launched in September
Enhancing the role of the Practice Manager to focus more on providing training, coaching and mentorship of the Litigation Guardians
Producing the first annual report of the Litigation Guardian Service
Implementing robust performance management and quality assurance measures for the litigation guardian practice
The Ministry is also releasing today a first-time information pamphlet about the Role of the Litigation Guardian. The pamphlet provides information on what is a litigation guardian, what does a litigation guardian do; the best standards of service and practice for litigation guardians; and, how a litigation guardian adds value on behalf of a child. Copies of the information pamphlet will be distributed to the various stakeholder agencies and can also be collected from the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors Headquarters and downloaded from the Ministry’s website at https://www.gov.bm/ministry/youth-social-development-and-seniors. The Ministry of Youth, Social Development, and Seniors remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in Bermuda and will continue working closely with all stakeholders to strengthen the Litigation Guardian framework.”
Several Wall Street firms have also softened their stances on DEI
FILE PHOTO: People walk as the sun shines in the City of London financial district in London, Britain, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Britain’s top financial regulators have scrapped proposed new rules to boost diversity and inclusion in the industry, and mothballed a fresh crackdown on non-financial misconduct, citing fears of imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens on firms.
The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday they had no plans to follow a joint consultation with further regulation, in light of industry feedback and already pending changes to the law.
Sam Woods, CEO of the PRA, said his organisation still believed an “appropriate focus” on D&I could benefit governance, decision-making and risk management across the sector but new requirements “could be seen as in tension” with efforts to support competitiveness by reducing red tape on firms.
Britain is moving at pace to lighten the regulatory load on its financial services industry, a critical cog in a sluggish UK economy. But some stakeholders fear the moves, which include disbanding of certain regulators and a reduction in banks’ capital requirements, could endanger the sector in the long run.
The latest position updates from the PRA and FCA follow a massive backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the United States during the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
On Inauguration Day, Trump launched executive orders revoking a slew of liberal policies including support for the rights of the disabled, low-income or social and ethnic minorities.
Several Wall Street firms have also softened their stances on DEI, sparking concerns among staffers who fear a future increase in workplace discrimination, bias and inequality.
“Developments across the pond and the repeated push back on publishing final rules by the FCA and PRA mean today’s statement does not come as a surprise at all,” Noline Matemera, partner at law firm Osborne Clarke LLP, told Reuters.
“Whether (it) is the death knell for focusing on D&I in financial services in the UK is yet to be seen.”
“NAME AND SHAME”
The FCA said separately it would axe proposals to use a “public interest” test for announcing investigations into regulated firms, part of a drive to enhance transparency of its enforcement activities and deter wrongdoing.
Lawmakers strongly criticised the suggested change in a report entitled “Naming and shaming: how not to regulate”, and called on the watchdog to ditch the plans entirely.
But the FCA said it had observed significant support for reactively confirming investigations already in the public domain and for notifying the public about potentially unlawful activities of unregulated firms as well as regulated firms which were seen operating outside the regulatory perimeter.
The watchdog said it would also look to publish greater detail of matters under investigation on an anonymous basis, with final policy to be announced by end-June.
“Considerable concerns remain about our proposal to change the way we publicise investigations into regulated firms, so we will stick to publicising in exceptional circumstances as we do today,” Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive Officer of the FCA, said.
Reporting By Sinead Cruise; Editing by Kirsten Donovan
Visit comes as Britain and other European allies ramp up defence spending
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s William, Prince of Wales walks on the day of the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, March 10, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
Prince William will travel to Estonia next week to visit British troops involved in NATO operations there as part of the UK’s drive to show solidarity with its allies and highlight its commitment to the defence of the alliance’s eastern flank.
During the two-day visit, which begins on March 20, William, the heir to the throne, will also carry out engagements in Tallinn to learn more about how country has responded to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, his office Kensington Palace said on Wednesday.
He will also have a meeting with Estonian President Alar Karis and learn about the country’s innovations in renewable energy and technology, the palace said.
Britain has about 900 troops based in Estonia and Poland as part of ‘Operation Cabrit’, the British contribution to NATO’s build-up of strength on its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The royal’s visit comes as Britain and other European allies ramp up defence spending after the U.S. President Donald Trump said other NATO nations had to contribute more to Europe’s security or he would not defend them.
Last month, British media reported that Baltic states were unhappy not to have been invited to a summit in London to discuss Ukraine.
The Estonian visit, the first to the Baltic state by King Charles’ eldest son, is not the first such symbolic mission undertaken by William. Two years ago, the prince visited British soldiers in Poland who were involved in providing support to Ukraine.
The latest trip is overtly for William to visit the British army’s Mercian Regiment, of which he is the Colonel-in-Chief, who are based there. His uncle, Prince Edward, also visited British troops in Estonia in 2022.
Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Sarah Young
E.U. to impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros worth of U.S. goods from April
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The dollar struggled to lift off a five-month low against other major currencies on Wednesday, as traders digested tit-for-tat U.S.-EU tariffs and a potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, while awaiting U.S. inflation data amid worries about the economy.
President Donald Trump’s unpredictable announcements on trade policy have whipsawed markets and drawn tariff retaliation from trading partners, ramping up a global trade war.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.39 billion) worth of U.S. goods from April, the European Commission said on Wednesday, in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium that came into force earlier in the day.
“There are so many, so many moving parts,” said Kenneth Broux, head of corporate research FX and rates at Societe Generale.
“We’re not seeing any safe haven in European assets this morning because of retaliation of the trade war,” Broux added.
The euro eased after hitting a five-month peak of $1.0947 on Tuesday as Ukraine said it was ready to support Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. The ball is now in Moscow’s court.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was waiting for details from the U.S., while senior Moscow sources said a deal would have to take account of Russia’s advances and address its concerns.
The euro traded 0.15% lower at $1.0902 in midday European trading.
Europe’s single currency has been flying high on the promise of massive fiscal spending by Germany, although the situation has become more complex after the Greens vowed to block those plans and unveiled rival proposals.
That remains the “overarching story” for the euro, Broux said.
SOURCE OF VOLATILITY
The Canadian dollar was steady after a volatile session on Tuesday, when Trump pledged to double tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50%, only to reverse course just hours later.
The Bank of Canada decides policy later on Wednesday, with traders expecting another quarter-point interest rate cut.
The greenback edged lower to C$1.4415.
Canada will announce C$29.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs on the United States on Wednesday, a Canadian official, who declined to be named, said.
“Trade uncertainty persists and therefore so does market volatility,” said Kyle Rodda, senior financial markets analyst at Capital.com.
“The U.S. growth outlook continues to deteriorate,” Rodda added, pointing to increased attention on the release of the consumer price index (CPI) later in the day, which he warned “could be a significant source of volatility”.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of six others, edged up 0.1% to 103.6, following Tuesday’s slide of 0.46% that took it to its lowest since October 16.
Investors have been on edge since Trump avoided ruling out the possibility that a recession would result from his trade policies in an interview on Sunday with Fox News.
Wednesday’s CPI report may be setting the market up for “a lose-lose situation”, said Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank.
“A higher-than-expected reading could fuel the stagflation narrative while a weaker-than-expected print could cement recession fears,” Lafargue said.
“What the market really needs at this point is better visibility on growth rather than on inflation.”
The United States also resumed military aid and intelligence to Kyiv.
Increased optimism for an end to the war in Ukraine lifted the Swiss franc, which firmed to as much as 0.8840 per dollar before paring gains.
Sterling steadied at $1.2942, just below a four-month high of $1.29655 hit in the previous session. [GBP/]
The dollar gained 0.6% to 148.74 yen, after sinking to a five-month trough of 146.545 yen in the prior session.
“We’re waiting for Friday for these trade union agreements in Japan,” Broux said, calling the dollar’s strength against the yen despite tighter bond spreads on Wednesday “a bit of a mystery”.
Many of Japan’s biggest companies have met union demands for substantial wage hikes for a third consecutive year, seeking to help workers cope with inflation and retain staff amid labour shortages. But it’s unclear whether the hikes will be strong enough to spur consumer spending and encourage the Bank of Japan to increase its policy rate, still at a low 0.5%, more aggressively.
($1 = 0.9158 euros)
Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru and Kevin Buckland in Tokyo; Editing by Kim Coghill, Kirsten Donovan
An all-encompassing approach to Bermuda’s many challenges
Dr. Stanley James
Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church Hosts Special Series Guided by Dr. Stanley James Hamilton, March 2025 – In today’s environment of rising anxiety, global uncertainty, and societal tension, Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church warmly invites the community to the urgent and transformative series, “State of the Nation: A Call to Healing, Wholeness & Hope.”
Guided by Dr. Stanley James—a physician, Assistant Pastor at Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church, and PhD researcher in Racial Disparities in Healthcare at Aberdeen University—this empowering educational series integrates, inspiring personal stories, spiritual empowerment, health education and prophetic insights on current events.
Special guests, including Dr. Brooks from Dynamic Urology, oYering urology screenings, Dr. Schuyler Dowling, Dr. Peter McCullough, epidemiologist and cardiologist, and Dr. Leonard Gibbons of the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Hope Healthcare, providing expert health evaluations and wellness lectures.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Clear Guidance for Uncertain Times: Reduce anxiety through compassionate insights that clearly explain global events and provides practical steps for confidently navigating the future.
Dr. James emphasizes, “We all are concerned about the state of the nation, and all of us have a part to play. Business, Government., Private industry and faith-based communities. At the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist church, we are deeply concerned about the physical health of the community, the mental health of youth and young adults and the erosion of the moral fabric of culture and want to address the state of the nation.”
“We are providing free, practical health advise, Biblical insights for spiritual growth and clear, natural strategies for mental health and prophetic perspectives for peace of mind. We warmly invite everyone to join us in finding genuine hope, support, and practical tools for a better tomorrow.”
EVENT DETAILS: Location: 43 King St. Hamilton, Bermuda Dates: 8th-22nd March 2025 Time: 6:00pm daily, except Thursdays. Saturdays 11:00am and 6:00pm Admission: FREE – All Are Welcome FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact: info@thestateofthenation.org Website: thestateofthenation.org Phone: 292-4276 Watch live on YouTube at www.youtube.com/StateOfNation or on Facebook on TNN – Bermuda News As It Happens
Personal Stories of Hope: Hear authentic local testimonies from community members who have transformed adversity into meaningful, empowered lives.
Comprehensive Health Screenings & Expert Education: Free physician assessments, dental checks, and urology screenings provided by Dr. Brooks of Dynamic Urology, alongside valuable health insights from Dr. Leonard Gibbons and others.
Spiritual & Emotional Empowerment: Learn practical strategies for emotional resilience and clarity, finding strength through spiritual support and clear, accessible teachings.
Mr DeSilva defeated challengers Michael Weeks and Diallo Robain in a vote by PLP delegates and superdelegates
The PLP issued the following statement the immediately following the election:
Statement on the Election of Zane DeSilva as PLP Deputy Leader
“The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party elected Zane Desilva, a long-serving MP and Minister for Housing and Municipalities, as its Deputy Leader.
Premier and Party Leader David Burt remarked, “Tonight, Delegates of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party have spoken and selected one of our hardest working Parliamentarians as our Deputy Leader. Zane has been a steadfast supporter of the Progressive Labour Party, and his passion, loyalty, and commitment as Deputy Leader will help drive our Party forward.”
The PLP remains dedicated to protecting Bermudian jobs, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that our economic policies work for the many, not just the privileged few. With Zane DeSilva as Deputy Leader, we will continue our collective work to build a stronger and fairer Bermuda for all.”
Public school M2 & Y8 students will not move to Berkeley or CedarBridge as expected
Francis Patton and Purvis Parish Schools, Dellwood Middle School and Whitney Institute. File photos
Second-year public middle school students, who were set to transition, along with M3s to senior school in the Fall, will remain in Middle School as Year 9 students instead.
Parents at Francis Patton and Purvis Parish Schools, Dellwood Middle School and Whitney Institute were informed about the “revised plan” on Tuesday evening.
They were also informed that Y8 Parish Primary students will transition to Middle School instead of High School to complete the Y9 programme.
The Ministry of Education published a news release shortly after parents were informed, with new Minister of Education Crystal Caesar explaining that the workload of the senior schools teams has “created some unreadiness”.
Its part of the overall education reform plan to transition the public education system from a three-tier to a two-tier system.
At that time, Minister Rabain said the current M2 and M3 year groups, plus Year 8 students from already-transitioned Parish Primaries, would move on to Senior Schools in September 2025. Cedarbridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute were due to transition to a five-year programme, and take on an additional academic year as M2 and Year 8 students transfer to senior schools as well as the usual M3s.
Many M2 and Year 8 students have already attended Senior School taster sessions and selected Signature Programmes.
This evening, parents of M2 and Y8 students were told that the physical move to senior schools would no longer take place, but the students will follow a Year 9 curriculum at Middle School.
Y9 students will take the same courses at Middle School sites as they would have taken at Senior School sites, parents were told, and they will start earning senior school credits.
Schools will also develop plans to help students adjust to the change, with details to be shared with parents by the end of the month.
Then-Acting Minister of Education Crystal Caesar said at the time, “we are giving the senior school leaders and staff on the front lines an opportunity to come up with a comprehensive plan that can be clearly communicated to both parents and students for September 2025.”
Today, Minister Caesar confirmed the change of plans, saying “the senior school teams are working on the essential tasks of completing Signature Learning Programmes (SLP) courses for S4 students for 2025, preparing for incoming S1 students for September 2025 – who are currently M3 students and preparing for both internal and external examinations in the next few months.
“This complexity of these critical tasks has created some unreadiness. The senior school teams have been working long hours to accomplish these demands. I appreciate their time and commitment.”
Government Press Release below: The Ministry of Education has announced the revised transition plans for Year 8 and M2 students for September 2025. The Minister of Education, Senator, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, emphasised the collaborative nature of the decision-making process, stating that this follows her meeting on 28 January with the senior school leadership teams from CedarBridge Academy, The Berkeley Institute, and Sandys Secondary Middle School. This meeting was a crucial step in reviewing their progress and assessing their readiness for September 2025, and it was a testament to the collective commitment to the students’ education. To highlight the scope of the work that the senior school teachers are engaged in, Minister Caesar stated, “The senior school teams are working on the essential tasks of completing Signature Learning Programmes (SLP) courses for S4 students for 2025, preparing for incoming S1 students for September 2025 – who are currently M3 students and preparing for both internal and external examinations in the next few months.” The Minister emphasised, “This complexity of these critical tasks has created some unreadiness. The senior school teams have been working long hours to accomplish these demands. I appreciate their time and commitment. Minister Caesar continued, “Following the meeting on 28 January, the Commissioner of Education facilitated meetings with parish primary school principals from Francis Patton and Purvis Parish Schools, middle and senior school principals, the Department of Education and the Education Reform Unit. The following changes were agreed:
* Current M2 students will NOT physically move to the senior school site in 2025. However, they will remain at their respective middle school sites and complete a Y9 Senior programme. These students will be on track and have the credits necessary to transition to Year 10 Senior School in September 2026. *Year 8 students at the Parish schools will transfer to a middle school site in September 2025 to complete the Y9 Senior programme.
Minister Caesar added, “The Middle School Principals have provided sound leadership around the changes and are prepared to lead and ensure a successful Y9 Senior programme at their respective sites.” Minister Caesar concluded, “I have carefully listened to the concerns and insights of school leaders, teachers, and parents. Understanding that this transition impacts students and families directly. The Department of Education leadership team is now prepared to meet with the 20 parents of current Year 8 students from Francis Patton and Purvis Parish Schools and 222 parents of the current M2 students from Dellwood, Sandys and Whitney to share the framework and logistics for Y9 students for September 2025. The parent presentations include information on the components of the Y9 program and address questions raised by parents to date. The presentations are tailored to meet the needs of each parent group. The meetings will take place today, Tuesday, 11 March. We recognise that parents and students have many questions, and we are committed to keeping school communities informed. These are the first meetings, and a second one will be arranged before the end of the school term.”
The thrift and consignment store, offering affordable home furnishings while supporting charitable housing projects, reopened this week
Habitat for Humanity Bermuda has officially reopened its home furnishing and décor store at a new location on King Street. The store, previously located on Front Street in the building that once housed Blucks, had to relocate due to the deteriorating condition of the site.
“We were very sad to leave our Front Street location, but the building was literally falling down around us, and it just was no longer safe for us and for our customers,” said Sheelagh Cooper, Chairwoman of Habitat for Humanity Bermuda. “Since then, we’ve been looking for a spot. Then one of our donors decided to buy us this building and donate it to Habitat, so that’s very exciting. It’s a beautiful building. We are putting it into a trust so that it will be used for this purpose in perpetuity.”
Grosvenor Lodge, the new location of the Habitat ReStore operation
The new store is situated next to the Hamilton Fire Station, within the Southeast Hamilton Empowerment Zone, which provides savings on land tax from the government. These benefits, along with the absence of overhead costs, allow Habitat for Humanity to direct more funds towards their charitable cause.
“We have a great business model,” Ms Cooper explained. “We are all volunteers. Everything is donated.”
The ReStore serves as a significant source of revenue for Habitat for Humanity, though the charity still relies on donations from the corporate sector.
Purchases made in its retail store will help fund much-needed building and housing projects island-wide.
“We’re in the middle of four projects at the moment,” said Ms Cooper. “One of them is a four-apartment complex in Devonshire to house mothers and children. The property was donated, and we are fixing it up to create the four apartments. We’ve got two house projects on the go at the moment. We’ve already completed three or four this year since January. So, we’ve got plenty and quite a waiting list.”
In an effort to expand its inventory, Habitat for Humanity has also introduced consignment sales at the new location. “One thing we are going to do with this location, at least for the time being, is take consignment items, and so that will encourage people to bring really nice items here,” Ms Cooper shared.
The new store offers a wide variety of affordable home furnishings. For example, shoppers can purchase a couch for $200 or chairs for just $75 each. Habitat for Humanity is also considering allowing local artists to display and sell their work in the store. “We’re planning to offer the opportunity to various artisans, if they would like to set up their own work in here like a gallery. We would sell the items for them and then take a percentage, of course. But it might liven things up, and there will be new things all the time. We have four rooms just like this that we will be using for that purpose.”
The store, which opened yesterday, is now eagerly welcoming customers. “Come on in, we have lots of things. It’s beautiful, it’s spacious, it’s fun. And do some thinking about what you might have around the house that you’d like to sell through Habitat,” Ms Cooper said.
If you are interested in donating an item, consigning goods, or volunteering your time for a good cause, get in touch with the charity via habitat.bermuda@gmail.com.
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