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Registration Open for Magic Mile 2025

Beloved children’s event to take place at the Flora Duffy Stadium this Saturday, March 1, 2025

Press Conference: February 26, 2025

It’s that magical time of the year. Hosted by the Bermuda Pacers Track club .the 28th edition of the Skyport Magic Mile will take place at the Flora Duffy Stadium this Saturday.
Hundreds of children aged 4 to 15 are expected to take part in the Skyport Magic Mile this weekend and it’s not too late to sign up.

Throne Speech in two weeks’ time, Budget in May

Premier Burt says new Cabinet will need time to prepare their projected budgets

We’re going to have to wait a little while to find out what the reelected PLP Government plans do with the public purse.

Premier and Finance Minister David Burt advised today that the Budget will be held on May 2nd.

The Throne Speech, or the Convening of the Legislature will be in just over two weeks, on March 14th.

This year, the general election took place around the time that the budget would normally have occurred.

Earlier today, Premier Burt told Gary Foster Skelton that the new Cabinet will need time to prepare their projected budgets in order to meet the promises made in the PLP’s election platform (the full interview with the Premier will be available shortly).


GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE:
The Cabinet Office advised today that the Legislature will convene on March 14, 2025 following its dissolution on January 8, 2025 for the purposes of holding the recent General Election.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Andrew Murdoch will read the Speech from the Throne setting out the Government’s legislative and policy priorities.

Premier David Burt said, “The Government is looking forward to getting back to work in the House of Assembly and the Senate, determined to continue building the fairer Bermuda we promised.”

A Government spokesperson also confirmed that Budget Day is set for May 2, 2025. It should be noted that Section 96 of The Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 specifically contemplates a dissolution of the Legislature “less than three months before the commencement of any financial year” and sets out that any new budget estimates can be laid before the House of Assembly “as soon as practicable after the commencement of that year”.

Accordingly, and in keeping with Section 97 of the Constitution, the House of Assembly will be invited to approve a resolution to extend the necessary fiscal provisions to ensure the continued operation of the Government and all public services until the 2025/26 Budget is approved.

Led by the Ministry of Finance, technical officers have been preparing budgets as usual to ensure that now with the election complete, this important phase of the legislative calendar can proceed.

Premier Burt said, “It is important that we take the necessary time to align our proposed expenditure with the need to deliver on our key Platform initiatives. Ministers will have the opportunity to work closely with technical officers in ensuring we craft a budget that addresses those key issues identified by the people as we met them on the doorstep.”

The Cabinet Office noted that the Throne Speech will be read as part of the ceremony on the Cabinet Office Lawn following the meetings of the House of Assembly and Senate and the conduct of their business which will include the swearing-in of Members and the election of the respective leadership in both Houses

Government ramps up efforts to control feral chickens

Beyond being a nuisance, the wild birds could pose a health risk

Wild chickens remain a widespread problem across the island, and with no signs of easing, the Government is reinforcing its message today.

A Ministry of Public Works & Environment spokesperson warned: “The unchecked growth of Bermuda’s feral chicken population is a serious issue that affects our farmers, our environment, and even our public health.”

To curb the numbers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is ramping up targeted trapping and removal programs.

The birds have long been a nuisance – damaging crops and threatening local food security. But now, a bigger concern is emerging, with the Ministry stating that the global outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as, ‘bird flu’, presents a major risk.

The Ministry spokesperson explained: “Migratory birds could introduce avian flu to Bermuda, and the uncontrolled feral chicken population could serve as a reservoir for the virus.”

While the risk to the public is low, individuals who work with poultry, are immunocompromised, or handle birds are at higher risk.”

In response, the Government is urging the public not to feed feral chickens or pigeons, not to tamper with traps and not to abandon unwanted chickens.

Residents are also encouraged to secure backyard poultry, dispose of food waste properly, and report large feral chicken populations to the DENR.

The spokesperson concluded: “The Government is committed to addressing this problem, but we cannot do it alone. We are ramping up our efforts, and we ask the public to support these measures to help restore balance to our environment.”

Politicians pose solutions to ending firearms related crime

In 2022, five people died of gun shot wounds – fewer than the previous year

As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Bermuda is not immune to violence and gun crime.


Overall, crime is down for a fourth consecutive year, according to the latest 2022 police statistics.

But prior to last week’s General Election, we sought to find out how the country’s prospective policy makers intend to address the perennial problem.

Paget Primary hosts 7th annual Black History Museum

Highlights Bermudian pioneers in art, education, activism and politics

Members of the public strolling the halls of Paget Primary’s campus this week for the school’s 7th annual Black History Museum.

The school hopes that the event will both educate and inspire students, parents, and Bermuda residents—informing them of the contributions Black Bermudians have made to the country.

The late Dame Marjorie Bean, a founding member of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), was honoured alongside political activist and author Mrs. Florenz Webbe Maxwell. The latter was on-site to read an excerpt from her latest novel, ‘Girlcott’, to students.

You can watch Bermuda Broadcasting’s interview with Mrs. Maxwell and Paget Primary Principal Sonia Raynor via Vimeo, above.

New Chairman at The Berkeley Institute

Mr. Kyle Masters has been appointed the new Chairman following retirement of Mr. Craig Bridgewater

Update via press release:

In adherence to its Constitution and Bye-laws, and in recognition of its 146-year history since its incorporation in 1879, The Berkeley Educational Society held its Annual General Meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025.

Among the agenda items were receiving a report from the Governing Body of The Berkeley Institute and electing a new Chairperson to oversee the operations of this aided school, under the educational leadership of Principal Ms. Keisha L. Douglas.

As a prelude to the elections, Society Chairperson Ms. Anika M. DeShields praised the dedicated service of outgoing Chairman Mr. Craig Bridgewater, who, after 15 years of distinguished leadership as chairman in addition to three years as a Board member, chose not to seek re-election and therefore retire from the role.

Under his stewardship, the Governing Body of The Berkeley Institute has remained steadfast in upholding the School’s mission of academic excellence, teacher excellence, student empowerment, preservation of The Berkeley legacy and community engagement.

His leadership leaves a strong foundation upon which future progress can be built. Mr. Bridgewater now passes the torch on to Mr. Kyle Masters, who was formerly Deputy Chairman and becomes the 15th chairperson since the enactment of The Berkeley Institute Act of 1933.

Comments from Ms. Anika M. DeShields:

“On behalf of the Management Board of The Berkley Educational Society, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Bridgwater for his outstanding leadership as Chairman of the Governing Body.

His dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment have greatly contributed to the continued success and growth of The Berkeley Institute. Mr. Bridgewater’s guidance and leadership have been invaluable, and we are deeply appreciative of all your efforts in advancing The Berkley Institute’s mission.

Thank you Mr. Bridgewater for your remarkable service!”

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Kyle Masters as the new Chairman of the Governing Body of The Berkley Institute.

We look forward to the fresh perspectives, energy, and leadership that Mr. Masters will bring to the table. With his experience and dedication, we are confident that he will continue the great work begun by his predecessor and guide The Berkeley Institute toward even greater achievements. Mr. Masters, we are eager to embark on this new chapter with you!”

Comments from retiring Chairman Mr. Craig Bridgewater:

“It has been an immense privilege to have been the caretaker and protector of the legacy of The Berkeley Institute and to oversee the building of its most recent chapter – standing on the shoulders of our Founding Fathers and the previous 13 chairs of the Board. The Berkeley Institute has always prioritised student success. The ingredients in this recipe are teacher excellence, programme excellence, excellent student conduct, preservation of our legacy, and preservation of our self-governance.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the students, faculty, staff, Principals and leaders, the Management Board of The Berkeley Educational Society, and Bermuda in this capacity.”

Mr. Masters, a member of the Class of 2000, reflected on The Berkeley Institute’s legacy and his commitment to its continued progress:

“The Berkeley Institute has always stood as a pillar of excellence, resilience, and empowerment. While my journey took me beyond these walls before graduating, the values instilled in me here remain foundational in my life. I am grateful for the work Mr. Bridgewater has done over the past 15 years, ensuring that our school remains strong and forward-thinking. It is an honour to now serve in this capacity, building on that legacy and working alongside a dedicated team to advance our mission and provide our students with the best possible opportunities.”

Mr. Masters will lead the Governing Body alongside Deputy Chair Ms. Garita Coddington, Treasurer Mr. William Usher Jr., and members Mr. Sean Tucker, Mr. Scott Pearman, Mrs. Meisha Medford, Mr. Nadir Wade, and Dr. Merate-Kristos Place.

Additionally, Dr. June Hill and Mr. Andre Carr will serve as ex-officio members, representing The Berkeley Educational Society and the Parent-Teacher-Student Association, respectively.

Absences, disputes mar G20 meet on global poverty

Meeting follows Trump administration’s plans to gut USAID

Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank speaks during an interview on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers meeting at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa, February 25, 2025. REUTERS/Nic Bothma

South Africa sought to salvage international talks on tackling global poverty on Wednesday as finance chiefs of several leading economies skipped a gathering of Group of 20 nations in Cape Town held against a backdrop of foreign aid cuts.

The two-day meeting comes after the Trump administration announced plans to gut its USAID arm and Britain slashed its aid budget by 40% to divert funds towards defence spending.

Disputes over trade, the Ukraine war and how to tackle climate change have long made it hard for the G20 grouping to make serious progress on global challenges, but the latest no-shows risk further undermining its credibility.

After U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed he would not attend, finance ministers from Japan, India and Canada also pulled out. Others cut short their presence and the European Union’s top economic official chose to stay away.

“It is now more important than ever that the members of the G20 work together,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in opening remarks appealing for multilateral cooperation.

“It is vital to ensuring that the rights and interests of the vulnerable are not trampled beneath the ambitions of the powerful,” he said.

The high-profile absences further reduce chances of agreement on a meaningful communique at the end of the meeting.

There also seemed little hope of major progress on issues that Ramaphosa as host wanted to target: scant climate finance from rich nations and reform of a financial system that penalises poor countries, as well as widening inequalities.

South Africa’s central bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago, noted that a number of recent G20 meetings had finished without agreement on a communique and that the fact that some countries were being represented by deputy ministers was not a problem.

“There is no one in the room then saying … ‘I’m going to make this point, but I think I am too junior so they might ignore it’,” he told Reuters.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves defended her country’s diversion of foreign aid funds towards greater defence spending.

“It’s clear we are facing a more dangerous world, and I will not hide from this reality,” she said in a statement, adding that investment, free trade and reforms were the best ways of achieving sustainable growth.

Alex van den Heever, political scientist at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, said the absence of the United States from G20 talks – it also declined to send its top diplomat to a meeting of G20 foreign ministers last week – “makes it very difficult to see how people will move forward”.

CLIMATE WOES

South Africa had hoped to make the G20 a platform for putting pressure on rich countries to do more to tackle climate change, and to give more towards poorer countries’ transitions to green energy and adaptation to worsening weather.

Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told Reuters the climate change scepticism of U.S. President Donald Trump would “reconfigure the conversation” on green energy.

“Where it leads is anyone’s guess,” he said, adding that some countries might reconsider the scale and pace of their transition from fossil fuels to green energy as a result.

Some analysts said the retreat of the G20’s biggest economy from the discussions raised questions about its relevance. Others saw an opportunity for moving ahead without the United States.

“There could very well be synergies between large portions of what’s left by excluding the U.S. on particular issues,” said Daniel Silke, director of the Political Futures Consultancy.

“It’s an opportunity for South Africa to take its leadership role.”

Additional reporting by Wendell Roelf, Duncan Miriri and Tim Cocks, Writing by Tim Cocks and Mark John; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Timothy Heritage and Emelia Sithole-Matarise

Musk to attend Trump cabinet meet as workers brace for more uncertainty

Musk said federal workers must list five accomplishments in 48 hours or risk termination

Elon Musk gestures onstage as he attends the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., February 20, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

International news via Reuters:

Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser tasked with radically downsizing the U.S. government, will attend President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday as turmoil continues to swirl around his plans to fire federal workers.

The meeting comes amid a tug-of-war between Musk and Trump, and officials in the U.S. government in what has become an early test of Musk’s authority.

Musk is not a cabinet officer, but no one in the president’s circle has wielded more influence in Trump’s early weeks.

Musk’s email directive that all federal workers detail their accomplishments or face losing their jobs plunged the government into chaos after some agencies told their employees to comply with his demand and others said they could ignore it.

Even after the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the agency that oversees the federal bureaucracy, told workers they need not respond to Musk’s email, Trump and his allies seemed to suggest workers may be better off if they complied with Musk’s wishes.

Musk on Saturday said federal workers must list five things they did during the week or risk termination and gave them a 48-hour deadline to respond via email.

On Tuesday, Musk continued to press on social media for workers to respond. He was seemingly aided in that effort by Trump, who told reporters on Tuesday that the email request was “somewhat voluntary, but it’s also if you don’t answer, I guess you get fired.”

When asked on Tuesday whether Musk’s threat would be carried out, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would defer to cabinet secretaries’ guidance for their individual workforces.

Some cabinet officers such as Kelly Loeffler, the head of the Small Business Administration, backed Musk’s demand.

“We just want to know: Are there people there doing their jobs? And again, the bar is so low it’s laughable,” Loeffler told Fox News in an interview on Tuesday.

But others, including Trump loyalists such as Kash Patel, the new FBI chief, told their employees to hold off on replying.

DOUBTING DOGE

As the back-and-forth played out, 21 workers resigned from Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency in protest on Tuesday.

“We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services,” the employees wrote in a resignation posted online.

Musk’s downsizing initiative has laid off more than 20,000 workers, with another 75,000 accepting buyouts, and the effort continued to accelerate on Tuesday. There are about 2.3 million civilian federal employees.

The vast majority of fired workers were in their jobs for less than a year, making them easier to lay off under civil service rules. But there were signs that DOGE was turning its attention to long-term career staff.

Internal Revenue Service executives have been told to brace for another round of job cuts beyond the nearly 12,000 employees already slated to be terminated, two people familiar with the matter said, referring to the roughly 7,000 probationary employees set to be fired and 5,000 employees taking a buyout. The cuts so far amount to more than 10% of the service’s workforce.

The Interior Department on Tuesday received a directive from OPM saying that bureaus such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs should prepare plans for reductions in their workforce ranging from 10% to 40%, an Interior source told Reuters.

Musk spent much of Tuesday railing against federal judges who have stepped in to block his team from accessing sensitive systems and data at the Treasury Department, Education Department and the Office of Personnel Management and to order the administration to release frozen foreign-aid funds.

“The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges,” Musk wrote on X. “No one is above the law, including judges.”

Reporting by James Oliphant. Editing by Noeleen Walderm and Lincoln Feast

‘Where is Mr. Musk in all of this?’ Judges question secrecy of DOGE’s activities

Questions around Musk’s role and the activities of the team are at the heart of multiple lawsuits

FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

 On social media and at political rallies, Elon Musk has taken credit for leading the team that is cutting allegedly wasteful U.S. government spending, even waving a chain saw on stage at a conference.

In court, it’s a different story.

During a hearing on Monday in a case trying to block access by the DOGE cost-cutting team to Treasury Department systems, a federal judge repeatedly pressed a government lawyer to clarify who is running things. “Where is Mr. Musk in all of this?” asked U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. 

“I don’t have any information beyond close adviser to the president,” responded Bradley Humphreys, an attorney for the Department of Justice.

“You can’t tell me what role he has?” the judge persisted.

Kollar-Kotelly did not say if she would block DOGE and Musk from the Treasury Department information systems as requested.

Questions about Musk’s role and the activities of the team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency, are at the heart of multiple lawsuits seeking to block them from accessing government systems and slashing programs.

MUSK’S ‘SPECIAL’ STATUS 

Many of the suits allege that Musk and DOGE are violating the Constitution by wielding the kind of vast power that only comes from agencies created through the U.S. Congress or appointments made with confirmation by the U.S. Senate. 

Despite Musk’s public assertions to the contrary, the Department of Government Efficiency operates in great secrecy.

The initial executive orders signed by President Donald Trump setting up DOGE described it primarily as an outfit to modernize software, not an agency. The Trump administration designated Musk a “special government employee.” 

Musk has been the face of DOGE since its inception, but White House Office of Administration Director Joshua Fisher said in a February 17 court filing that Musk is not the outfit’s administrator or even a DOGE employee. 

On Tuesday, the White House identified Amy Gleason as DOGE’s “acting administrator.” She did not immediately respond to a request for comment made to the Trump administration.

‘DELIBERATE OR NOT’

The scant information presented in court about who is ordering the cost-cutting and how it is working has led some judges to rule in favor of Musk and DOGE, at least for now. 

To block Musk’s efforts with a temporary restraining order, or TRO, plaintiffs must show they will suffer imminent, irreparable harm without one, a high legal bar to clear.

At a hearing last week in a case brought by unions and Democratic state attorneys general, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington said DOGE’s lack of transparency made it difficult to show it was on the verge of causing irreparable harm.

“I don’t know if that’s deliberate or not, but I will concede that it is difficult to see what’s happening next and to predict that and come in with a concrete harm,” Chutkan said at the February 17 hearing. 

The states presented her with extensive news reporting about DOGE and Musk shuttering programs, accessing confidential data, slashing funding and firing personnel. 

“It’s an understatement to say there’s a lot of news reports out there,” said Chutkan. “But the courts can’t act based on the media reports.”  

She denied a temporary restraining order to prevent DOGE from accessing sensitive information at seven agencies. The case will continue and the attorneys general will seek evidence to support a more permanent injunction.

THE GOLDILOCKS AGENCY

In some cases, however, despite noting concerns about DOGE’s opacity, judges have found there is sufficient evidence to pause its activities. 

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas on Friday temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury systems responsible for trillions of dollars of payments because she found there was a realistic danger that confidential information was going to be disclosed. 

She was particularly troubled that the government did not know what information was accessed by Marko Elez, a former software engineer for Musk’s companies who resigned from DOGE on February 6.

“Even now, weeks after his departure, the Treasury Department is still reviewing his logs to determine what precisely he accessed and what he did with his access,” Vargas wrote in her Friday ruling.

Government lawyers have even used shifting definitions for DOGE, which in one instance worked in their favor.

U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington denied a request by the unions for a temporary restraining order against Musk and DOGE. 

In doing so, Bates noted that the Trump administration argued DOGE was an agency in order to comply with a law known as the Economy Act that allowed DOGE to detail its staff to various government agencies. 

But Trump created DOGE as part of the Executive Office of the President and therefore not as an agency that is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, an open records law known as FOIA.  

The judge described DOGE in fairytale terms: “A Goldilocks entity: not an agency when it is burdensome but an agency when it is convenient.” 

Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Additional reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Amy Stevens and Sandra Maler

Hollywood fights to keep its role as the world’s film capital

Movie and TV production heading to locations with tax incentives that make filming cheaper

A large billboard sign featuring this years Oscar host Conan O’Brien towers over Hollywood blvd as workers prepare for the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2025. REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE

International news via Reuters:

Behind the glitz of the movie awards season that culminates with the Oscars on Sunday, Hollywood is fighting a battle to keep its place at the center of the global film business.

None of the 10 best picture contenders to be celebrated at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre were filmed in Los Angeles, home to most major film companies for more than a century. Nominee “Wicked,” for example – a prequel to the classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” – was filmed in Britain.

Movie and TV production has been exiting Hollywood for years, heading to locations with tax incentives that make filming cheaper.

Crew members were hoping for a rebound in Los Angeles after strikes by writers and actors in 2023, but statistics show the comeback has been slow.

The wildfires that destroyed sections of Los Angeles in January accelerated concerns that producers may look elsewhere, and that camera operators, costume designers, sound technicians and other behind-the-scenes workers may move out of town rather than try to rebuild in their neighborhoods.

“There are a lot of people that haven’t worked in a while because of the strikes and everything, and now the fires,” said Samantha Quan, producer of Oscar best picture nominee “Anora,” filmed in Brooklyn, New York, and Las Vegas. “I think it’s been a good wake-up call for everyone to push for production to go back to Los Angeles.”

Advocates have launched a “Stay in LA” campaign, hoping to capitalize on the goodwill toward Angelenos following the fires. A petition calls for politicians to lift the cap on tax incentives for filming in the city for the next three years as part of the wildfire recovery effort.

They also are urging studios to commit to increasing production in LA by at least 10% over the next three years.

Gavin Newsom, California’s Democratic governor, has proposed boosting the state’s film and TV tax credits to $750 million a year, up from $330 million annually.

Filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith, an organizer of the “Stay in LA” campaign, said she backed that increase but called on the state to do even more, including making permitting easier.

“We’re not saying that everything should be shot in LA, but it’s almost never an option anymore,” she said.

Smith said she had developed a show in which “the entire culture of it was LA and Malibu.”

“When it came time to budget that show, they had us choose between South Africa and Australia,” she said. “LA was never a contender.”

“That’s the kind of thing that needs to change, because I think it’s really short-sighted of us to lose this absolutely amazing industry and legacy we have here,” she added.

More than 21,000 people have signed the “Stay in LA” petition, including big names such as Kevin Bacon, Zooey Deschanel, Bette Midler, Keanu Reeves and Olivia Wilde.

“I hope people realize how important it is to bring jobs to LA,” said Susan Sprung, CEO of the Producers Guild of America. “We have the best crews in the world. We have the best producers in the world. Most people live here. They want to work at home.”

PREFERRED FILMING LOCATIONS OUTSIDE U.S.

Permitting data shows production in Los Angeles in 2024 fell to the second-lowest level on record, ahead of only the COVID-19 year of 2020. Production dropped 5.6% from 2023 to 2024 to 23,480 shoot days, according to FilmLA.

A survey of executives by ProdPro found California was the sixth most preferred place to film in the next two years, behind Toronto, Britain, Vancouver, Central Europe and Australia.

While studios including Walt Disney and Netflix are still based in Los Angeles, that could change, said writer Alexandra Pechman, a “Stay in LA” organizer.

“If they don’t commit to shooting projects here, where their offices are, why are the studios here? Those jobs might pick up and leave too,” Pechman said.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director of the SAG-AFTRA actors union, said he was optimistic after talks with Hollywood CEOs. One executive told him they had committed to shooting 60 projects in Los Angeles this year.

“I think that we’re going to see this rebuild, but it can’t be fast enough for me,” Crabtree-Ireland said. “I wish it was immediate.”

Sunday’s Oscars will acknowledge the fires and celebrate the resiliency of Los Angeles, according to organizers. Some speakers may try to rally support for keeping production in Hollywood, as they have at other awards shows.

At February’s Critics Choice Awards, “Hacks” co-creator Paul W. Downs urged power players in the business to insist on filming in the city.

“The more we tell people that we shoot in Los Angeles, the more we hear, ‘you are so lucky,'” Downs said. “That shouldn’t be the case because this is an industry town, and we should have more productions in LA.”

“I feel like the people in this room have the power to make that happen,” he added, “so we need to ask to shoot our shows here in LA.”

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Rollo Ross in Los Angeles and Sarah Mills in London; Editing by Mary Milliken and Howard Goller

EU proposes cutting back sustainability laws for companies

Companies with over 1,000 employees would be obliged to report on their environmental and human rights impact

FILE PHOTO: A European Union flag flutters outside the EU Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, February 1, 2023 REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed sweeping changes to EU green rules, scrapping sustainability reporting requirements for thousands of companies and delaying its due diligence policy by a year.

Under the proposals, only companies with over 1,000 employees would be obliged to report on their environmental and human rights impact.

The rules currently target firms with over 250 employees, and the commission said the change would exempt 40,000 companies – or 80% of all firms the policy was originally designed to apply to.

The proposals will need to be negotiated and approved by the European Parliament and EU member states.

Reporting by Kate Abnett, editing by Bart Meijer