The Bermuda Airport Authority has awarded its inaugural Aviation Bursaries to three Bermudians pursuing studies and training in the aviation industry.
Elias Reece, Ishmeal Naylor and Remy Donawa will each receive a $5,000 bursary to support their education overseas.
Reece is pursuing a BSc in Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training at Kingston University, while Naylor is studying Aviation Management – Maintenance & Flight at Andrews University.
Donawa is pursuing a degree in Aeronautical Science, with a focus on flight, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The inaugural awards were dedicated to the memory of former Bermuda Airport Authority employees Burton Cox and Kim Wade, both of whom made significant contributions to Bermuda’s aviation community.
Bermuda Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Lester Nelson said the organisation was impressed by the quality of applications received and pleased to support the three recipients as they pursue careers in aviation.
Nelson said their dedication, achievements and passion for the industry provide confidence in the future of aviation in Bermuda.
The Authority congratulated Reece, Naylor and Donawa and encouraged other students interested in aviation to explore career opportunities within the industry and apply for future Aviation Bursary Awards.
Acting Police Commissioner highlights a ‘positive’ Cup Match for police, but cites DUIs and knife-carrying as areas of concern
Photo courtesy of Bermuda Police Service
Forty arrests were made over the Cup Match holiday period – but no major criminal incidents were reported.
Police have called this a “positive overall outcome”, although people driving under the influence and individuals carrying knives remains a cause for concern.
From 5pm last Wednesday through to 5am this morning, thirteen arrests were made for outstanding warrants, five for common assault and another five for carrying bladed articles.
Another seven arrests were made for suspicion of driving or having care and control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol of drugs.
Acting Police Commissioner Na’imah Astwood said, “roadside sobriety stops combined with traffic checks and stop and search operations will remain in place as the Bermuda Police Service continues efforts to reduce this life threatening behaviour…
“However, as we’ve repeatedly stated, we cannot do it alone and call upon you the community to do your part by helping to foster a cultural change that makes impaired driving socially unacceptable.”
The Acting Commissioner also said that those who carry knives often say that they believe it makes them safer, but adds that “the reality is that carrying a weapon frequently increases the risk of serious injury or violence…
“Our message is straightforward: avoid confrontation wherever possible and contact police if you feel threatened. Choosing not to carry a weapon protects both you and those around you.”
Regarding minor public order incidents, Acting Commissioner Astwood acknowledged two isolated disturbances at the Somerset Cricket Club grounds, which were swiftly controlled by police, event security and members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.
In both incidents, people allegedly made threats while brandishing knives. The individuals involved were arrested and the weapons seized, and anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the police on 211.
Acting Commissioner Astwood concluded that ensuring Cup Match is enjoyed safely requires a partnership between police, emergency services, event organisers, volunteers and the public.
“I sincerely thank everyone who played their part,” she said, “particularly our officers, Reserve Police and Royal Bermuda Regiment personnel, whose professionalism and commitment throughout the weekend were instrumental in delivering a safe and enjoyable event for our community.”
Bermuda Police Service press release:
The Bermuda Police Service thanks the public for its cooperation over the Cup Match holiday, following an operational policing plan that contributed to a largely safe and peaceful long weekend.
While there were no major criminal incidents reported, there were forty arrests made during the period 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, through to 5:00 a.m. today, Monday, August 3, 2026. Most of those arrests related to individuals who were wanted on outstanding warrants.
Despite the positive overall outcome, several incidents remain a cause for concern. Police arrested seven motorists on suspicion of driving or having care and control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Additionally, five individuals were taken into custody after allegedly being found in possession bladed articles, namely knives.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Acting Commissioner of Police Na’imah Astwood expressed concern over the continued poor judgement by individuals who choose to operate a vehicle while impaired. “Roadside Sobriety Stops combined with traffic checks and stop and search operations will remain in place as the Bermuda Police Service continues efforts to reduce this life threatening behaviour. However, as we’ve repeatedly stated we cannot do it alone and call upon you the community to do your part by helping to foster a cultural change that makes impaired driving socially unacceptable.”
Addressing the arrests involving bladed articles, Acting Commissioner Astwood said officers remain focused on removing weapons from Bermuda’s streets. “Too often we hear people say they are carrying a knife because they believe it makes them safer. The reality is that carrying a weapon frequently increases the risk of serious injury or violence. Our message is straightforward: avoid confrontation wherever possible and contact police if you feel threatened. Choosing not to carry a weapon protects both you and those around you.”
The Acting Commissioner also acknowledged minor public order incidents that occurred near the conclusion of the festivities on Friday.
“There were two isolated disturbances at the Somerset Cricket Club grounds which were quickly brought under control through the coordinated efforts of police officers, event security personnel and members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment. Both of these incidents allegedly involved individuals making threats while brandishing knives. The subjects involved were immediately arrested and the weapons seized. Both matters remain under investigation and anyone with information is asked to please call 211 or 295-0011.”
Acting Commissioner Astwood concluded by recognising the collective effort that contributed to a successful holiday weekend.
“Cup Match is one of Bermuda’s most celebrated traditions, and ensuring that it can be enjoyed safely requires a partnership between police, our emergency service colleagues, event organisers, volunteers and the public. I sincerely thank everyone who played their part, particularly our officers, Reserve Police and Royal Bermuda Regiment personnel, whose professionalism and commitment throughout the weekend were instrumental in delivering a safe and enjoyable event for our community.”
ARREST BREAKDOWN:
Assault on Police/VRA/Offensive Words- (1)
D.U.I- (6) Highest Breathalyser reading, 284/100
Having Care and Control of a motorcar whilst Impaired- (1)
Bladed Articles- (5)
Possession of an offensive weapon in an increased penalty zone/Bladed Article- (1)
Possession of a controlled Drug/Importation of a controlled drug- (1)
Possession of a controlled drug w/intent and Possession of drug equipment- (1)
Breach of Bail Conditions – (1)
Driving whilst disqualified by reason of age – (1)
A total of 43,547 new battery EVs were registered in July, up from 29,226 a year earlier, giving them a 27.4% share of new car registrations
International News via Reuters:
Battery electric vehicle registrations in Britain jumped 49% in July from a year earlier, taking more than a quarter of the new car market and running ahead of the zero-emission vehicle mandate path for a second straight month, New AutoMotive data showed on Monday.
A total of 43,547 new battery EVs were registered in July, up from 29,226 a year earlier, giving them a 27.4% share of new car registrations, New AutoMotive said.
EVs have been gaining ground in Europe as rising fuel costs, largely driven by global oil shocks from the Iran war, steer customers toward alternatives.
While Britain’s zero-emission vehicle mandate target for 2026 is 33%, the industry body estimated that the effective market-wide target falls to 24.6% after scheme flexibilities, below the year-to-date battery EV share of 25.3%.
Reporting by Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva and Shreya Biswas
The industry is facing scrutiny in the United States, where the Trump administration has finalised the details of voluntary cybersecurity tests, and the European Union, where regulators are in talks with the two U.S. companies
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s data watchdog said on Monday that it was monitoring “developments closely” relating to OpenAI and Anthropic after recent hacking incidents involving their AI models.
The industry is facing scrutiny in the United States, where the Trump administration has finalised the details of voluntary cybersecurity tests, and the European Union, where regulators are in talks with the two U.S. companies.
“The ICO undertakes regular proactive supervisory engagement with AI developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic,” Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office said in an emailed statement.
“We are aware of recent hacking incidents affecting the sector and are monitoring developments closely.”
Anthropic said last week that some of its Claude models hacked into three companies’ systems during cybersecurity tests, days after OpenAI revealed one of its AI agents had gone rogue.
Britain’s AI Minister Kanishka Narayan has told Reuters that the government would consider regulating advanced AI models if its current voluntary system for testing them before deployment no longer proved sufficient to protect the public.
The surge, which began on Thursday at one of the EU’s only two land borders with Africa – the other being Morocco’s frontier with the Spanish enclave of Melilla – triggered alarm across the bloc
International News via Reuters:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Monday that the European Union further strengthen its borders and increase support for Morocco to help prevent a repeat of the chaotic influx of 50,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week.
The surge, which began on Thursday at one of the EU’s only two land borders with Africa – the other being Morocco’s frontier with the Spanish enclave of Melilla – triggered alarm across the bloc.
Migration has been one of the European Union’s most divisive political issues since the 2015-16 migration crisis, when more than a million refugees and migrants, many fleeing war in Syria, arrived in Europe.
The influx fuelled support for anti-immigration and far-right parties across the bloc and intensified years of disputes over border controls, asylum rules and burden-sharing.
Increasingly, the EU relies on migration agreements with countries in North Africa to curb irregular arrivals.
“Morocco is an important strategic partner, particularly in our efforts to combat migrant smuggling and illegal migration,” von der Leyen wrote.
“In cooperation with Spain, especially on anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we could enhance border management early-warning systems and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco.”
CEUTA THE FIRST TEST OF EU’S NEW MIGRATION PACT
Morocco said on Sunday that recent mass crossings to Ceuta and Melilla had been fuelled by misinformation on social media, human trafficking networks and misinterpretation of a Spanish court ruling.
In the event, most of those who breached the border barrier found no food or welcome, and returned to Moroccan soil.
Nevertheless, Italy suspended passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for a month, even though they do not apply to Ceuta, while 22 of the EU’s 27 members urged coordinated action to strengthen the bloc’s external borders.
The Ceuta incident is the first major test of the EU’s Migration Pact, which entered into force in June after years of negotiations aimed at creating common migration rules and stronger solidarity among member states.
“The idea of the pact is control and solidarity between EU member states. Yet we’ve seen the opposite,” said Bram Frouws, director of the Mixed Migration Centre.
“If the first major incident shows that the pact isn’t doing much differently, that’s politically risky,” Frouws said, arguing that it could undermine confidence in European leaders and provide “fuel for the far right”.
With elections approaching in several EU countries, migration remains among the bloc’s most politically sensitive issues.
EUROPE’S MIGRATION DILEMMA
Critics argue the strategy of relying on transit countries leaves Europe vulnerable to pressure if these relax migration controls, or threaten to do so, in pursuit of political or economic concessions.
“Europe’s increasing reliance on neighbouring countries for migration control may reduce arrivals in the short term, but it can also provide those countries with significant political leverage,” said Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, senior policy analyst at the European Policy Centre.
Additional reporting by Inti Landauro, Andrew Gray, Philip Blenkinsop, Sudip Kargupta; Editing by Kevin Liffey
Britain has favoured a light-touch approach to AI regulation, aligning more closely with the United States than the European Union, whose AI Act came into force on Sunday
International News via Reuters:
Britain would consider regulating advanced AI models if its current voluntary system for testing them before deployment no longer proved sufficient to protect the public, AI Minister Kanishka Narayan told Reuters.
Britain has favoured a light-touch approach to AI regulation, aligning more closely with the United States than the European Union, whose AI Act came into force on Sunday.
The government sees AI as a driver of economic growth and has sought to position Britain as one of the world’s leading destinations for AI investment. Britain is the European leader in AI funding and start-ups.
But recent disclosures by AI companies have renewed debate about whether oversight of frontier models should be strengthened.
Anthropic said on Thursday that some Claude models hacked into three companies’ systems during cybersecurity tests, days after OpenAI revealed one of its AI agents had gone rogue.
Britain’s AI Security Institute, established after the AI Safety Summit in 2023, receives pre-deployment access under voluntary agreements to AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others, allowing it to assess their capabilities and risks.
Narayan, who was elevated to the cabinet by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, said access gives Britain a window into frontier AI development.
“If the right mechanism and lever changes in time and it feels like regulation might be a way that helps us do that, of course, we will look at it,” he said in an interview.
He said the institute had pre-deployment access to almost every frontier AI model developed by Western companies, making Britain the only country besides the United States with such access. “That is really, really unique,” he said.
Narayan said the government’s priority was protecting the public and that he was focused on outcomes rather than “obsessing only with the mechanism”.
Britain has not created a dedicated AI regulator, instead relying on existing authorities responsible for areas including competition, human rights, and health and safety.
Asked about AI last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration was “looking at controls”, but added he didn’t want to risk the country’s leadership in AI.
Bermudian cyclist Nicholas Narraway produced a resilient ride on Stage 3 of the 75th Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe, placing 15th just a day after suffering a heavy crash.
The 149.4km road race from Le Gosier to Capesterre-Belle-Eau posed a stern physical test, but Narraway shook off hand and leg abrasions sustained in Stage 2 to cross the line in the main peloton with a time of 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 57 seconds.
The performance saw Narraway climb up to 24th position in the overall general classification (7:27:16).
Fellow Bermudian Kaden Hopkins, riding for Atom 6 Bikes – Cycleur de Luxe – Auto Stroo Team, endured a frustrating afternoon after being forced to navigate the final 40 kilometres on soft tubeless tires.
With the blistering pace of the peloton preventing a wheel change, the Stage 1 time-trial winner crossed the line in 73rd place (3:33:59), slipping to 50th overall (7:31:03).
Bermuda’s Erica Hawley delivered a late surge to finish 18th in a high-caliber 51-woman field at the 2026 World Triathlon Cup in Rio de Janeiro.
The race marked an emotional return to Copacabana Beach, ten years after Hawley’s compatriot Dame Flora Duffy famously finished eighth on the iconic Brazilian sand during the 2016 Olympic Games.
Hawley produced a calculated performance to cross the line in 59 minutes and 32 seconds, mounting a superb second-half comeback after a demanding opening leg in the surf.
Hawley faced early work after emerging from the 750-metre open-water swim in 34th position with a time of 11:06.
However, the Bermudian Olympian quickly found her rhythm on the bike course, posting a cycle split of 30:54 to reel in the pack before launching a furious assault on the final discipline.
Unleashing the 12th fastest 5km run split of the day in 16:33, Hawley carved through the field to seal an impressive top-20 finish on one of triathlon’s most storied stages.
This episode explores the complexities of wealth transfer, emphasizing the importance of communication, values, and early planning to ensure a smooth transition across generations.
Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy secured their first-ever regional crown after holding Dominican Republic outfit Universidad O&M to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the National Stadium in St Andrew.
Despite being held on the night, the St Ann side claimed the trophy on overall points following an unblemished tournament campaign where they dominated the competition from the very beginning.
The victory marks a milestone moment for Mount Pleasant, who secure their first hold on the prestigious trophy.
Adding further distinction to the occasion, the match was officiated by Bermuda’s FIFA referee Amaury Majors, who became the first referee from the island to take charge of a CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Final.
It marked Majors’ first major final at this international level—a milestone appointment that reflects years of dedicated work and progress within the regional refereeing ranks.
Mount Pleasant entered the final as heavy favorites, having set the pace throughout both the group and knockout stages.
In a tense final, Universidad O&M provided a stern test, but Mount Pleasant showed the composure that defined their entire tournament run to ensure the trophy remained in Jamaica.
Bermudian trailblazer Jashe Trott has been selected for the inaugural Americas NextGen squad ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup Americas Qualifier.
Trott, who made local history after becoming the first female cricketer to play in Bermuda’s Men’s Premier Division, earns her spot in a multi-national developmental setup designed to showcase the region’s top emerging talent.
Adding further island influence to the squad, former Bermuda international and coach Terry-Lynn Paynter will lead the side as head coach.
The Americas NextGen initiative features 13 promising athletes selected from across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
The tournament takes place in the Cayman Islands from 4–17 August, with teams competing for a coveted spot at the upcoming ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.
Trott’s inclusion marks another major milestone in her rapid development following her landmark domestic appearances, as she prepares to test her skills on the international stage under Paynter’s tutelage.
In the letter, dated August 3rd, she also reiterated the EU’s support to help Spain tackle illegal immigration while noting that more needed to be done
International News via Reuters:
More must be done to strengthen the European Union’s borders at critical points, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in a letter seen by Reuters.
In the letter, dated August 3rd, she also reiterated the EU’s support to help Spain tackle illegal immigration while noting that more needed to be done.
The letter came after last week’s huge rush of migrants who surged over the Moroccan border to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in north Africa. At least 67 people died as a result.
“In co-operation with Spain, especially on anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we could enhance border management early-warning systems and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco,” wrote von der Leyen in the letter.
Reporting by Inti Landauro and Amina Ismail; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Charlotte Van Campenhout
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