Football: Bermuda Select Outclassed by Khano Smith’s Side
Bermuda Select went down 6 nil to USL Eastern Conference Champions FC Rhode Island last night at the Flora Duffy Stadium. Last night’s match was the last in the Bermuda Select Invitational series of international friendlies designed to give Bermuda’s National Coach and his staff the opportunity to scout talent playing in the domestic leagues on the island to potentially deepen the pool of players considered for the National Squad.
Football: The Final Match of the Bermuda Select Invitational 2025
In football, Bermuda Select will face off against visiting USL team FC Rhode Island this evening in the final match of the Bermuda Select Invitational at Flora Duffy Stadium. The visitors, who are coached by Bermuda’s own Khano Smith, played to a 0-0 draw with Portland Hearts of Pine on Monday in their opening match of the series of international friendlies. Bermuda National Head Coach Michael Findlay and his staff are using this series to scout local talent for the Senior Men’s National Squad, and he believes that the Rhode Island team will be a great test for Bermuda Select.
On Friday, Bermuda Select lost to Portland Heart of Pines when the visitors scored 2 goals in the second half. Coach Findlay said that despite Friday’s defeat, there were a number of positives to take from that match.
Around 50 concerned parents from the school’s PTA held a protest mid-February in Paget petitioning to keep the school open
More details revealed today on discussions between the Education Minister Senator Crystal Caesar and parents of Gilbert Institute students.
It includes the creation of two dedicated support teams at Gilbert Institute—the Department of Education’s School Closure Committee and the School-Based Transition Team to offer additional support for families.
You’ll recall, around 50 concerned parents from the school’s PTA held a protest mid-February in Paget, to make a last plea for policy makers to keep the school open.
However, in a meeting on Tuesday, Education Minister Senator Crystal Caesar told parents that all decisions around school closures are final.
However, The Department is going to provide the option for parents of Prospect and Gilbert students to register their children at any Parish Primary School island-wide – as long as space is available.
Minister Caesar said, quote: “I understand and value your concerns about your children’s educational futures. My team and I are here to listen to those concerns and are dedicated to offering clarity and support throughout this process.”
“The Ministry’s open-door policy will continue to welcome your feedback.” end quote.
The Department also pledged to increase available spaces in select year levels.
A PTA member who was in attendance at the meeting said parents were happy that some class sizes increased from 15 to 18 students per class.
Although, they tolds us a majority of parents had already begun applying for spaces at other schools prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
Parents were also informed there will be no cost savings for the Department of Education because 90% of expenses are on staff salaries who have been promised jobs elsewhere in the public school system.
The remaining facilities charges, they said, will have to be maintained whilst a decision is made on re-purposing the building.
Extended interview: Premier David Burt on reduced vote share, low turnout, and platform priorities
Premier David Burt is the first Progressive Labour Party Leader to pilot his party through three consecutive general election victories, in 2017, 2020 and 2025.
Only former Premier Sir John Swan has more wins under his belt, leading the United Bermuda Party to success in 1983, 1985, 1989 and 1993.
Premier Burt says the achievement is “personally gratifying”, but adds that it’s not about him, but about the party and the work they have to do.
The Premier does not see any challenges presented by the fact that the PLP has dropped from winning 61.8% of the popular vote in 2020, to just under half (49.6%).
He attributes this to the wider choice of candidates in this election, and says “we know that our election system rewards those parties that win the most seats.”
“The fact is that we have retained 25 seats in Parliament, and that is enough to form a very stable government.”
As for the low voter turnout, the Premier says that PLP candidates are going to visit those who may not have voted.
He also acknowledges the commentary that the electoral register may not be accurate, and says the Minister in charge will be looking into it.
WATCH the full interview above.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed concerns that Washington is ending foreign aid
International news via Reuters:
U.S.-funded health projects around the world, including those providing lifesaving care, received termination notices from Washington on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s administration neared completion of a review to ensure grants are aligned with its “America First” policy.
Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January pending assessments of how projects were consistent with this foreign policy.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed concerns that Washington is ending foreign aid, saying waivers had been provided to life-saving aid.
Only weeks later, the administration decided to terminate more than 90% of the programs globally, according to a February 25 court document, including many that were initially covered by waivers such as work tackling HIV as well as wider health programs.
Several of the largest U.S.-funded HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa were told that their funding would not resume, according to three senior leaders at health organizations, while a global non-profit that works on malaria and maternal and newborn health had the majority of its contracts cancelled.
UNAIDS, the United Nations agency tackling HIV and AIDS, had its contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) cancelled, documents reviewed by Reuters showed.
Khana in Cambodia, an HIV and TB organisation, also got a termination notice, according to a source familiar with its work.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the U.S. State Department.
Reuters was not immediately able to determine how many organisations worldwide were affected, or exactly what the criteria were for termination.
“Secretary Rubio and (USAID) Deputy Administrator (Peter) Marocco have determined your award is not aligned with Agency priorities and made a determination that continuing this program is not in the national interest,” said the notice received by organisations, which was seen by Reuters.
International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn, referring to cuts worldwide, said: “The U.S. funding cuts are dismantling the system. HIV treatment is crumbling. TB services are collapsing… Lives are on the line.” Her organisation is not affected directly.
Some of the programmes that were cut in South Africa provided HIV/AIDS services to vulnerable groups such as LGBT+ people and sex workers.
Others provided HIV testing and services to the general population, said Francois Venter, executive director of the Ezintsha Research Centre in Johannesburg, which is not funded by USAID.
South Africa has the world’s largest number of people living with HIV, at around 8 million.
“The programmes who received their termination letters this morning were among the most efficient, effective health delivery programmes in the country,” said Venter, calling it a “devastating blow” for South Africa’s HIV response.
Reporting by Nellie Peyton in Johannesburg and Jennifer Rigby in London; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington
Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico
International news via Reuters:
Voters in Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, head to the polls on Thursday in an election where the incumbent premier seeks to use U.S. tariff threats to expand his majority.
Progressive Conservative Party leader Doug Ford called an election more than a year early, arguing he needs a stronger mandate to fight U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Ford, 60, already had a majority government in the provincial legislature.
He is seeking a third consecutive majority mandate after sweeping victories in 2022 and in 2018.
Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.
Ontario, home to about 35% of Canada’s 40 million people, is the country’s manufacturing heartland and would be badly hit if Trump proceeds with tariffs. The province is one of the world’s largest sub-sovereign borrowers.
Trump has also said he could use economic force to make Canada the 51st state.
Canadian politicians, including Ford and his opponents, left-leaning New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles and centrist Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie, have been vocal in their opposition to both tariffs and Canada’s annexation.
Trump is dominating Canadian politics at provincial and national levels. A federal election is also expected this year.
At the same time, Ontario is struggling to provide its residents with adequate healthcare. About 2.5 million Ontarians lack a primary care provider, up from 1.8 million in 2020.
Ford came under fire for suggesting the reason emergency departments are full is people are going there with sore throats and scraped knees. His opponents argue people may not be able to get care anywhere else.
Ontario, like other parts of Canada, is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis and has lagged in meeting its own housing goals.
Ford has taken to sporting a “Canada is not for sale” hat and made two trips to Washington, D.C., during the election campaign to make his case against U.S. tariffs. He came under fire for travelling there during an election period when governments are in caretaker mode and generally expected to refrain from policy-making.
Calling the election was Ford’s bet on winning another majority government, said Laura Stephenson, a Western University politics professor, adding it may pay off.
A CTV News/Nanos poll of 900 Ontarians released on February 26 found the Progressive Conservatives ahead with 45.7% of decided voters, a 14-point lead ahead of the second-place Liberals.
It is unusual for Ontario to hold a winter election and much of the province is still digging out from recent snowstorms.
Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Rod Nickel
Partnership streamlines communication between flight crews, ground staff and control centre
Update from Paradise Mobile via press release:
BermudAir, Bermuda’s first homegrown airline, has partnered with Paradise Mobile, the island’s most advanced telecom provider, to revolutionise the way its operations stay connected.
Leveraging Paradise Mobile’s state-of-the-art 5G network, BermudAir has streamlined communication between flight crews, ground staff and its operations control centre – both locally and internationally – resulting in faster processes, reduced costs, and enhanced efficiency.
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation and sets a new standard for connectivity in aviation with a distinctly Bermudian edge.
By adopting Paradise Mobile’s high-speed, low-latency technology, BermudAir has enhanced connectivity, achieving measurable benefits such as real-time data access, seamless airport communications and more reliable global roaming.
‘At BermudAir, our mission is to provide a world-class travel experience with efficiency at the core of our operations,’ said George Henderson, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of BermudAir. ‘By partnering with Paradise Mobile, we’ve enhanced the performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of our critical connectivity solutions. This collaboration ensures seamless and secure communication – an essential component of modern aviation.’
With Paradise Mobile’s network, BermudAir can now reduce its reliance on costly and inconsistent airport Wi-Fi networks and optimise operational costs and reinvest in other areas of the business.
Faster data transmission during pre-flight coordination and around-the-clock connectivity are just a few of the game-changing outcomes of this unique partnership between two locally rooted innovators.
Brett Corday, Head of Sales for Paradise Mobile, expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasising its impact on advancing Bermuda’s aviation industry. ‘Paradise Mobile’s mission has always been to connect Bermuda to the world with technology that feels effortless and we are proud to support Bermuda’s homegrown airline, BermudAir.
Collaborating with them is a perfect example of how our 5G network can deliver tangible results – improving efficiency while cutting costs. Together, we’re showing the world what Bermuda’s tech and aviation industries can achieve through innovation and teamwork.’
Update from Paradise Mobile via press release
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.
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
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.”
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.
