Residents will be given a means of reporting suspected air pollution under a newly proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act 1991.
Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, has tabled the Clean Air Amendment Act 2024.
It aims to raise emission quality standards higher than those in the EU, UK and the U.S.A. and embraces new technologies to monitor air quality.
More details in the video above.
Takes place next Tuesday and everyone is welcome
Image supplied
Islanders interested in the evolution of our tax system are invited to a public meeting.
The ‘Bermuda Tax Reform Commission Town Hall Meeting’ will take place at St. Paul’s AME Centennial Church Hall on Victoria Street on Tuesday, December 17, between 6pm and 8pm.
It will include an introduction to the Tax Reform Commission, members of which will explain their mandate, share their work, and discuss how it impacts Bermuda.
Consulate hosts meeting of government, border officials
Officials from the airport, the Bermuda Government, U.S. Customs and Border Protection were among those who gathered on-island to discuss modernizing the pre-clearance process. Photo supplied
The United States Consulate General recently hosted a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and a visiting delegation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In a press release, government said the meeting “marked the launch of a collaborative effort to enhance the relationship between the Ministry of Transport and CBP in delivering secure, high-quality services at Bermuda’s airport”.
A key focus of the meeting was the U.S. preclearance process, which allows travellers to complete U.S. Customs and Immigration checks before leaving Bermuda.
The group discussed ways to modernize the preclearance process and make it safer, smoother and more traveller-friendly.
Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert said: “This meeting was an important step forward in improving the travel experience for Bermudians and visitors alike.”
Acting U.S. Consul General Vanja Vukota added: “Expanding pre-clearance will improve collaboration and coordination between CBP and Bermudian law enforcement, provide an improved experience for all travellers, and allow for deeper ties between the people of the United States and Bermuda.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance Director Glenn Rogers highlighted the longstanding security ties between the United States and Bermuda, adding: “Through collective investment in enhanced travel and border security, we are strengthening our capabilities and ensuring safer, more secure borders for both nations. This partnership facilitates improving Preclearance’s foundation in Bermuda for long-term cooperation, benefiting our citizens and fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Bermuda.”
A school teacher who admitted to luring and sexually exploiting a student will await sentencing in January after details of the offenses were revealed in the Supreme Court.
A teacher who admitted to sexually exploiting a young person will await sentencing in January after details of the offenses were delivered in the Supreme Court this morning.
Guyanese national Ronald Forde, 39, an English school teacher, pleaded guilty to luring a young person under the age of 18 while in a position of trust, sexual exploitation while in a position of trust, and accessing child pornography.
He had admitted to all three offenses earlier this year.
Forde began tutoring the victim after school hours in February 2024.
The crown said social media messages including nude photographs of the victim and sexually explicit texts were discovered on a mobile phone.
When the victim’s family found the messages on their phone on March 5th, an investigation was launched.
Forde was brought to Hamiton Police Station for questioning and arrested a day later, and his phone was seized. Police searched his home and confiscated his passport and laptop. Police also found a pair of the victim’s underwear.
The young person, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police that she and Forde had kissed in his bedroom.
He declined to comment during all recorded interviews with police.
Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke had called for a jail term of 10 to 12 years as this the first conviction under the newly legislated offense of “luring.”
Among aggravating factors of the case … the number of sexual images recorded and retained by Forde and his previously dismissed cases of a similar nature reported in Guyana.
Forde’s only mitigating factors were lack of previous convictions and an early guilty plea, the DPP added.
In a victim impact statement, a relative of the victim described Forde as a “selfish, demon…”
Defense lawyer Elizabeth Christopher cited Forde’s remorse for the crimes.
In a lengthy address to the court, Forde extended an apology to the people of Bermuda, and said neither the Government nor his employer made a mistake by letting him come to Bermuda. Quote: “All anger should be heaped on me alone”.
Justice Juan Wolffe reserved judgment to the 6th of January 2025.
Forde was remanded into custody at the Westgate Correctional Facility.
That’s a concern of economist Craig Simmons.
International Business already contributes heavily to payroll tax, and CIT revenues will come from the same sector.
Premier David Burt in this year’s budget said other taxes on the sector would be reduced – such as employer payroll tax. So what will be the net revenues? Economist Craig Simmons wants answers.
He also told Gary Foster Skelton that tax reform could include a value added tax, or even tax credits for low income earners… and he says it’s incumbent on middle and high income earners to support those at the bottom.
Fresh appeal seeks to jog memory of anyone who was at the scene
Steve Parkes, 53, was gunned down outside his Devonshire home. Photo courtesy of BPS
Detectives continue to investigate the murder of Steve Parkes, which occurred a year ago.
Mr. Parkes was 53 years old when he was fatally shot outside his home, as he was about to get on his motorcycle.
It happened around 7:48pm on Monday, the 11th of December 2023, in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire area.
Investigators today renewed their public appeal for information and in particular, they want to hear from area residents who may have seen any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire neighbourhood on the night Mr. Parkes was killed.
Police say all information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Anyone who can assist is encouraged to call Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa on 717-2250, or e-mail adonawa@bps.bm
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided through the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline on 800-8477, as well as their website, www.crimestoppers.bm
Starting in the new year, BHB will not accept payments at its city offices
Let your fingers do the work; it’s time to make the switch to online medical payments. File photo
Bermuda Hospitals Board has announced that it will no longer accept payments at its Hamilton location in Craig Appin House on Wesley Street.
Patients are encouraged to make payments online where possible.
The change takes effect on January the 1st.
Butterfield and HSBC Banks have included BHB in their list of payees for online payments.
Clarien Bank clients can also make an online transfer.
Payments can be made with cash, credit card or personal cheque at the cashier’s window on the ground floor of the hospital’s Acute Care Wing, the Emergency Department Admitting Window and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre.
Michael Weeks, National Security Minister, believes this is the case.
Minister Weeks acknowledges a lack of unequivocal data to support this – however, in the years since the GVRT was formed, there was a reduction in firearm deaths.
The Minister also sought to clarify that the GVRT does not work alone – but in collaboration with other bodies.
Two cars collided at Court/Reid Street junction
Traffic was held up for two hours after the crash. Image: BPS
Two female car drivers were treated and later discharged from the hospital, after being involved in a collision.
It happened around 9:45am yesterday, at the junction of Court Street and Reid Street, in the City of Hamilton.
One of the women involved, a 67-year-old Warwick resident, was driving down Court Street and the other woman, a 46-year-old Sandys parish resident, was driving along Reid Street when they collided at the junction.
Police said in a statement this afternoon: “It is understood that the Court Street traffic light was green at the time. There were traffic disruptions in the immediate area for approximately two hours while the collision scene was processed. The two damaged cars had to be towed away.
“One witness made themselves known to the attending police officers and inquiries continue.”
The Department of Health has announced free HIV testing available to the public on Monday, December 16th 2024 between 9am -12pm.
In support of World AIDS Day recognised at the start of the month of December. free HIV testing will be available to members of the public on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health the initiative is encouraging people to take proactive steps towards health and wellbeing, while raising awareness of the importance of knowing your HIV status.
Minister of Health, Kim Wilson said, “HIV testing is a crucial step in breaking the stigma around the virus and ensuring early detection and treatment, which can significantly improve quality of life.”
Confidential and free testing will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024 located at the Hamilton Health Centre at 67 Victoria Street in Hamilton.
Appointments can be made by calling 246-7711.
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