Fraudsters posing as bank staff are stealing customers’ login details and transferring money overseas
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to receive reports regarding fraudulent activity targeting members of the public, where individuals posing as representatives of local banks are contacting customers and falsely claiming that fraudulent activity has been detected on their accounts.
The fraudsters then request login credentials to correct the problem. However, once they gain access to the accounts, they quickly transfer the funds in those accounts to overseas locations.
The BPS once again urges residents to remain vigilant and note the following to protect against falling victim to these types of scams:
Bank representatives will never ask you over the phone for your personal account login credentials.
If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of a call, hang up immediately and contact your bank directly by phone or in person.
Do not download or install any third-party software at the request of someone claiming to be a bank representative.
If you receive an email claiming to be from your bank, you should check the email header to see if it matches the details of legitimate emails you’ve received from your bank before.
Please have this discussion with any seniors you are related to or are friendly with as they are often particularly targeted by these criminals.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Police Service.
Naval Group’s revenue from Europe has sharply risen since 2019 and is poised to increase even further in the coming years, Pomellet said
International News via Reuters:
Naval Group CEO Pierre-Eric Pommellet said on Wednesday that European governments choose to “buy European” more than they did before, amid a push on the continent to develop strategic autonomy.
Naval Group’s revenue from Europe has sharply risen since 2019 and is poised to increase even further in the coming years, Pomellet said.
“In 2019, Naval Group generated zero euros in revenue in Europe,” Pommellet told Reuters on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of France’s GICAN naval industry association.
“In 2026, we will generate €1 billion, and we will reach €1.5 billion in the coming years thanks to Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, and now Sweden, which has chosen us.”
INCREASED COMPETITION
Faced with the threat posed by Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration’s reluctance to fund Europe’s defence, European governments’ efforts to upgrade their navies have also led to an increase in competition among European rivals.
France’s Naval Group lost out on major submarine programmes in Canada and Poland to Germany’s TKMS and Sweden’s Saab and a frigate contract in Norway to Britain’s BAE Systems last year, before securing a significant contract in May to supply frigates to Sweden.
Pommellet said it was too early to say if its victory with Sweden might help secure a frigate contract that Denmark is due to award.
A strategic asset for France and the centrepiece of its naval industry, Naval Group builds and maintains the French Navy’s most critical warships, nuclear-powered submarines and its aircraft carrier, making it a key pillar of France’s defence capabilities and nuclear deterrence.
According to Naval Group’s website, at the end of 2025, the French state owned 62.25% of Naval Group, while 35% was owned by defence electronics specialist Thales. The French state also owns about a 26% stake in Thales.
Reporting by Florence Loève; Editing by Makini Brice
Macron said at the alliance’s annual summit in Ankara that Europe had shown it was investing more in defence, defending its sovereignty and developing strategic autonomy within NATO
International News via Reuters:
France’s President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he would use a summit of Ukraine’s allies next week to unveil new defence initiatives and joint military exercises, presenting the gathering as further evidence that Europe was assuming greater responsibility for its own security.
More than seven years after declaring NATO was suffering from “brain death”, Macron said at the alliance’s annual summit in Ankara that Europe had shown it was investing more in defence, defending its sovereignty and developing strategic autonomy within NATO.
The July 13 meeting, expected to bring together around 35 leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, will focus on tackling Russia’s shadow fleet, new military capabilities for Ukraine, greater mobilisation of defence industries and deeper operational cooperation among Kyiv’s backers, Macron said.
A long-time champion of European strategic autonomy, Macron argued that Russia’s war in Ukraine and uncertainty over long-term U.S. military commitments had accelerated Europe’s efforts to build up its own defence capabilities while remaining anchored within NATO.
Macron ignited a fierce debate among allies in 2019 when he declared NATO was experiencing “brain death”, citing what he saw as a lack of strategic coordination and the unpredictability of then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
As he enters the final year of his presidency, Macron used the Ankara summit to argue that many of the changes he had long advocated were now taking shape, from higher European defence spending to a greater operational role within the alliance and efforts to build a stronger European defence industrial base.
“France has long advocated that Europeans must support and defend a European defence industry. If we spend more, it should not simply be to buy non-European equipment,” he said.
Macron said Europe was developing its own missile-defence systems, long-range precision-strike capabilities, early-warning networks and artificial-intelligence-enabled command systems.
He sought to play down lingering concerns over Washington’s commitment to the alliance, saying Trump had reiterated his support for NATO in closed-door discussions despite periodic public criticism of allies.
“The United States has announced a redeployment of its efforts, which seems entirely legitimate to me, and Europeans must organise themselves accordingly,” Macron said.
“But we should not do this because someone asks us to. We should do it for ourselves.”
France’s relationship with NATO has long been complicated. Although a founding member, Paris withdrew from the alliance’s integrated military command in 1966 under Charles de Gaulle before returning fully under Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009.
Since taking office, Macron has sought both to deepen France’s role within NATO and to strengthen what he describes as a European pillar of the alliance.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has strengthened that case.
Despite mounting pressure on public finances, France has maintained defence spending in line with NATO targets and expanded its military presence across the alliance’s eastern flank, while offering greater cooperation with European allies on its nuclear deterrence.
French troops are deployed in Romania and the Baltic states. Macron announced on Wednesday that France would participate in NATO force rotations in Finland alongside Finland and Sweden, becoming one of the first allies to contribute to the newly established deployment near the alliance’s border with Russia.
Severn Trent had failed to effectively provide drainage and deal with the contents of its sewers
International News via Reuters:
UK water regulator Ofwat on Wednesday said it found utility Severn Trent Water had breached its obligations to treat wastewater, but opted not to impose a fine, citing the company’s proactive steps to identify and address failures.
Here are some details from the regulator:
• Severn Trent had failed to effectively provide drainage and deal with the contents of its sewers
• Company failed to maintain adequate systems and processes to meet those duties.
• Utility to invest £98 million ($130.88 million) of shareholder funds to address them.
• The regulator drew a sharp distinction between Severn Trent and the seven cases that preceded it in the investigation.
• “Their (Severn Trent Water) response to those failures sets a standard we expect from all companies,” said Lynn Parker, Ofwat’s Senior Director for Enforcement.
• The shareholder-funded investment included additional capacity at 65 wastewater treatment sites, storm tank enhancements, increased storage at storm overflows, and £26 million of nature-based solutions in the Mansfield area.
• The investment produced tangible results, with Severn Trent’s average spills per storm overflow falling to 15 in 2025, well below the industry average of 20.5.
• The regulator has accepted an enforceable package of undertakings requiring Severn Trent Water to rectify all outstanding issues and ensure future compliance.
• Ofwat’s sector-wide wastewater investigation has so far secured enforcement packages and fines totalling more than £300 million.($1 = 0.7488 pounds)
Reporting by DhanushVignesh Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich
In a flare-up that boosted oil prices by around 7%, Iran said on Wednesday it had attacked U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz
A screengrab from an Iranian state TV video says to show an Iranian missile flying through the air at an unknown location, in this screengrab obtained by Reuters on July 8, 2026. Iranian State TV/Handout via REUTERS
International News via Reuters:
President Donald Trump said an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was “over” and that the United States was likely to launch new strikes on Wednesday night following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf.
In a flare-up that boosted oil prices by around 7%, Iran said on Wednesday it had attacked U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. [O/R]
The attacks rattled a shaky ceasefire agreement and dented hopes of turning the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 into a permanent peace deal to end the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
“If we make a deal with Iran I’m not sure that will stick,” Trump said, “because I found them to be very dishonourable people.”
But Trump said he did not expect a return to full-fledged war, and it was not immediately clear whether the negotiations on reaching a permanent deal would continue.
OIL PRICES RISE, STOCKS FALL
Asked before a NATO summit in Turkey whether the memorandum of understanding was over, Trump said: “It’s a very interesting question. To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them.”
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” he told reporters in Ankara, before adding: “Now, I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people, you know that.”
A source familiar with the Ankara talks said Trump did not repeat his comments about the interim deal being over when NATO leaders met, but he later warned of new strikes before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“I’ll give a little warning: We’re going to hit them hard tonight,” Trump told reporters.
At a press conference later, he said he did not think the war would restart: “Anything that happens is going to be over very quickly … and will only make it safer, including for oil.”
Shipping data showed at least four oil and gas tankers had turned back rather than try to transit the Strait of Hormuz, central to global energy trade.
Iranian state media said eight Iranian service personnel had been killed in U.S. strikes on southern Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the U.S. attacks had violated the memorandum by challenging a clause that “emphasizes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s responsibility in determining arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz”.
It was unclear how Iran planned to retaliate in the absence of comment from the hardline Revolutionary Guard, close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and widely believed to be decisively shaping policy since the war began.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that, to be understood, Iran must speak to Trump in the language of force. Iran’s Press TV cited an “informed source” as saying Iran would close the strait in the event of new U.S. attacks.
IRAN SAYS U.S. VIOLATED MEMORANDUM
A spokesperson for parliament’s National Security Commission said options for retaliation included withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), changing Iran’s nuclear doctrine, and closing the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea, another crucial global shipping route.
Trump has at times stepped back from threats he has made against Iran, but oil prices jumped and global bond markets tumbled. Brent crude futures leapt 7%, the most in a day since late May, to $79.07 a barrel.
While that was far below the peaks above $120 seen at the height of the fighting, it was enough to inject fresh inflation risk into the bond market, particularly since months of conflict have drawn down global oil inventories.
Wall Street’s main indexes fell. [.N]
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they had attacked U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation.
Bahrain’s army later said it had thwarted Iranian attacks.
The U.S. had earlier launched strikes and revoked a licence allowing Iran to sell oil, in response to attacks on three tankers in the strait.
U.S. Central Command said more than 60 small boats used by the IRGC were among the targets hit in an operation intended to impose a heavy cost on Iran for strikes on shipping in violation of the ceasefire.
Trump said the U.S. had “knocked out 28 boats last night” and would probably hit more later.
He confirmed the U.S. had attacked Iran’s main oil hub of Kharg Island and, repeating a warning that U.S. forces could take over the island, said: “They may hit it again tonight.”
IRAN SEEKS TO EXPLOIT CONTROL OF STRAIT
Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, called the U.S. strikes a “blatant act of aggression”.
Iranian media reported explosions on Kharg Island, on Qeshm Island and in the southern port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
A U.S. official told Reuters that strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and drone launch sites.
No civilian deaths were reported in Iran.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz, which runs between Iran and Oman, has given Tehran immense leverage as it negotiates with Washington.
Under the interim U.S.-Iran agreement, the U.S. Treasury issued a general licence to allow the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. In revoking that licence on Tuesday, it gave Iran until July 17 to wind down any transactions.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a breach of the framework agreement.
Reporting by Reuters team in Tehran and Reuters bureaux; Writing by Stephen Coates and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Alex Richardson and Sanjeev Miglani
Aquarium closes briefly this weekend to return sharks and finish final renovation work
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises the public that the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) will be temporarily closed from 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 10 July and will re-open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11 July. The closure is necessary to facilitate a crane lift associated with the North Rock Tank renovation project, allowing for the return of sharks and other large fish to the exhibit. The closure period will also allow for the removal of construction hoarding and the replacement of flooring in the Aquarium Hall.
BAMZ has coordinated with vendors, stakeholders and partners to reschedule tours during the closure period. In addition, there will be no disruption to the facility’s Aqua Camps.
Following the removal of the construction hoarding, visitors will once again be able to view the North Rock Tank. The exhibit has not yet officially reopened, however, as fish and corals are still being added and monitored as part of the final stages of the project. Visitors should also be aware that sections of the Aquarium Hall may remain temporarily closed while flooring replacement work is completed.
The Ministry thanks the public for its patience and understanding as these improvements are carried out and looks forward to welcoming visitors back to BAMZ on Saturday afternoon.
Bermudian jump rope star Ajani Robinson has pulled off a sensational, dominant comeback to be crowned a Grand National Champion at the US National Championships in Buffalo, New York.
Competing across a grueling four-day event, Robinson initially secured second place in the 19+ Individual Freestyle Age Division and finished fourth in the pairs Freestyle alongside Finniegan Cook, a junior athlete he coaches.
However, it was his tactical masterclass in the finals that stole the show. Entering the final round in second place overall for the individual freestyle, Robinson executed a breathtaking routine with just two minor mistakes.
The clinical performance engineered a dramatic turnaround, surging him into first place with a commanding three-point lead over the previous leader to claim the ultimate title.
“It led to a very dominant comeback,” Robinson said. “Overall, it was an extremely good competition, and one that I will remember forever as an American Jump Rope Federation Grand National Championship.”
The triumph adds another historic chapter to the William Peace University senior’s growing international resume, following his multi-medal haul on the world stage in East Asia.
Bolton Wanderers have officially welcomed nine new scholars into their Academy ranks as the youngsters begin their full-time journeys with the League One outfit.
The promising starlets have moved up the club’s Academy ladder to sign two-year scholarship deals with the Youth Team, with the ultimate goal of securing a coveted professional contract at the end of their stints.
Under the guidance of newly appointed Head Youth Team Coach Danny Clarke, the crop of talent will combine full-time professional football training with their academic studies as they integrate into the Under-18 squad alongside the existing second-year scholars.
Among the nine fresh faces arriving at the club is Bermudian youth international Na’Im Zuill.
Recruited during the youth phase from Oldham Athletic, Zuill arrives with a reputation as a highly talented, left-footed attacker capable of operating across a number of offensive roles. The Bermudian prospect will look to make an immediate impact in Clarke’s side as pre-season preparations get underway later this month.
Bermuda’s national road and time-trial champion Nicholas Narraway safely negotiated a high-speed day in the saddle to finish in the main bunch on Stage 1b of the Sibiu Cycling Tour in Romania.
Representing Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway navigated the 110.5-kilometer route, which started and finished in the historic city of Sibiu, crossing the line in 100th place.
In a wide-open and frantic bunch sprint, the Bermudian was credited with the exact same time as Danish stage winner Matias Malmberg (Swatt Club), who stopped the clock in a brisk 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 2 seconds.
The result keeps Narraway well positioned within the peloton’s competitive core. However, the real test begins now; the UCI 2.1-rated Europe Tour event is about to head into the brutal, high-altitude climbing stages of the Southern Carpathians, where fractions of a second will give way to minutes.
Bermuda has named its rising beach volleyball stars for the upcoming ECVA Under-20 Beach Volleyball Championships, tipping off this Friday in St Kitts & Nevis.
The tournament offers a critical developmental platform for the island’s elite junior athletes. Isabella Sousa and Olivia Gazzard spearhead the women’s challenge — teaming up internationally for the first time — while Carter Lamb and Daniel Morris make their highly anticipated international debuts in the men’s division.
National coaches Sean Tucker and Meagan McPeek will guide the squads, alongside taking part in an advanced coaching course spearheaded by FIVB Empowerment Coach Rick Bevis. The tournament runs concurrently with a three-day athlete development camp and coach education drive.
“International experience is invaluable to athlete development,” said National Beach Team Chair Meagan McPeek. “This is an exciting opportunity for our young athletes to test themselves while proudly representing Bermuda.”
The long-term sustainability of the sport remains a high priority for the association, with Paul Bohus and Marcus Rodrigues also traveling to complete their FIVB Level 1 Coaching Certification Course.
Officials say external expertise and additional capture methods are being considered as the hunt continues
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment wishes to advise the public that search efforts remain active following the reported sighting of an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Although the snake has not yet been located, trained responders continue their search and remain ready to respond to any credible information received. The Government is also exploring additional measures, including external expertise and other capture methods to strengthen ongoing search efforts.
The Hon. Jache Adams, JP, MP, Minister of Public Works and Environment, said, “The Government remains fully committed to locating and safely removing this animal. Trained personnel continue to lead this effort, and we are exploring all available options to strengthen our search and capture capabilities. We ask the public to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and report any credible sightings immediately. We urge members of the public not to create, share or rely on fabricated videos, images or narratives as it can undermine public confidence and hinder response efforts.”
The Ministry is aware of fake social media posts, including AI-generated videos and images circulating on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok falsely claiming the snake has been captured or located. These posts are not authentic, and the snake has not been found. Such misinformation can create confusion and distract from legitimate public safety efforts. Members of the public are encouraged to rely on verified information from official Government sources.
Members of the public are encouraged to follow official Government social media channels and visit www.gov.bm for verified updates. The Government will continue to provide factual information as it becomes available.
Anyone who observes the snake is urged to maintain a safe distance and immediately report the sighting by calling 911. If safe to do so, keep the snake in sight until authorities arrive. Never attempt to capture, corner, or harm the animal.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Revised pricing takes effect August 1, with most residential customers seeing “a modest increase of around $1.62 to $4.72 a month”
Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) today announced that from 1 August 2026 BELCO’s electricity rates will be restructured and customer bills redesigned as directed and approved by the Regulatory Authority. The changes are guided by two key priorities, greater transparency for customers, and a fairer sharing of costs.
Rates will now be unbundled for greater transparency. Usage and demand charges previously bundled to reflect the total cost to generate and deliver electricity to customer homes will be separated out to show what customers pay for the generation of their electricity (generation charges) and what they pay for the transmission and distribution of it (transmission and distribution charges). This enables customers to see how their rate divides between the cost of generating, and transmitting and distributing, the electricity they use.
The rates themselves have been adjusted, most notably the facilities charge, to be more cost-reflective of the service provided to each customer.
Customers who both self-generate and consume energy from the grid use the system differently from those who only require electricity to be delivered to their homes. The revised rate structure better aligns charges with actual grid usage, so costs are shared more fairly across all customers.
The impact varies by customer class and by usage, so the change is not a single across-the-board increase or decrease. For most residential customers who do not have distributed generators (primarily rooftop solar), the change means a modest increase of around $1.62 to $4.72 a month.
Customers with distributed generators will see a larger increase, primarily in their Facilities Charge, which reflects the increased cost of operating and maintaining a grid that now must carry power to and from their home or business, while maintaining a reliable supply for the entire island.
A full breakdown of the new rate structures, with tables and worked examples showing how the change affects each type of customer, is available at belco.bm.
Customers are also encouraged to visit belco.bm to learn more about energy efficiency tips and practical ways to lower their monthly usage.
BELCO President Wayne Caines said: “For more than a century, BELCO has been dedicated to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers. The new rate structure demonstrates our commitment to fairness and transparency and is cost-reflective of the energy provided to our customers. I encourage residents to visit our website to learn more about what this change means for them.”
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