Hosts Bermuda reignited their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Belize by 10 wickets in a rain-shortened encounter on day two.
Following the opening day’s total washout, subsequent downpours at the National Sports Center North Field forced tournament officials to truncate the match to 12 overs per side. Winning the toss and electing to field, Bermuda’s bowling attack restricted their opponents to a meager 45 for 7, with Belize’s Alex Oxley offering the only real resistance with a top score of 22.
The standout performer with the ball for Bermuda was Dominic Sabir, who delivered a devastatingly economical spell to return exceptional figures of 2 wickets for just 4 runs from his single over.
Faced with a modest target of 46 for victory, Bermuda’s opening pair of Onias Bascome and Delray Rawlins wasted absolutely no time, launching a ferocious assault to wrap up the chase in mere minutes and finish on 48 without loss.
Bascome led the charge with a blistering, unbeaten 31 off just 19 deliveries—smashing four boundaries and a colossal six—while Rawlins played the perfect supporting role to finish on 17 not out from 13 balls. The statement victory provides a massive net run-rate boost for Bermuda as they chase the solitary qualification spot on offer.
The National Archery Association of Bermuda’s Men’s National Team has touched down in Tlaxcala, Mexico, ahead of a high-stakes campaign at the prestigious Pan American Archery Championships.
The elite continental tournament serves as the single most critical qualification gateway for the region’s archers, with prized qualification slots on the line for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games in Peru.
Bermuda’s four-man squad features the core unit of Camerin Pickering, Jaydon Roberts, Bernard Wade, and Robert O’Connor. The contingent has travelled under the guidance of elite coaching duo Ross and Trina Roberts, who will oversee the technical adjustments as the team transitions to the competitive atmosphere in central Mexico.
The stakes could not be higher on the range, with Tlaxcala set to award 18 coveted spots in the recurve division and nine in the compound division for each gender. The primary route to qualification for the Bermudians will rest on a top-five finish in the high-pressure team rounds, while a secondary individual allocation round offers a final lifeline.
Facing powerhouse federations from the United States, Brazil, and host nation Mexico, Bermuda’s marksmen face a daunting examination of nerve and execution under pressure.
Official practice sessions and equipment inspections get underway immediately, building toward the opening qualification rounds where the island’s elite specialists will look to master the Mexican air and lock down their positions for the elimination brackets.
Bermuda Basketball has announced that its Under-17 and Under-19 National Teams will represent the island at the prestigious 2026 Portugal Basketball Festival in Lisbon.
Scheduled for June 27th to 28th, 2026, the tournament stands as one of Europe’s premier international youth basketball events, gathering elite global talent for a high-intensity weekend of competition and cultural exchange. The campaign aligns with the Bermuda Basketball Association’s (BBA) mission to expand international player development paths and expose young athletes to elite physical and mental challenges.
The Under-17 squad, led by coaches Joshua Nesbitt and Ralph Scott, features a dynamic lineup including Ryan Green, Micah Simmons, Maximilian Kimberely, Harrison Estwanik, Stasio Rayner-Weller, Traedon Minors, Luka Cedenio, Mataio Cameron, Jordon Marsh, and Cruz Butterfield.
Meanwhile, coaches Jorel Smith and Damiso Husband will guide the Under-19 contingent, consisting of Maxwell Lawrence, Josiah Scott, Tre’ Simmons, Jordan Smith, Quinton Husband, Lachlan Thompson, Henok Simons, Zadok Simons, Devin Todd, Chris Crumpler Jr., and Anton Gilbert Jr.
Marking a major milestone for the island’s youth setup, the BBA extended its gratitude to the families, coaches, and volunteers driving the sport forward as Bermuda prepares to showcase its talent on the European stage.
New initiative allows people with outstanding traffic warrants to be processed at Hamilton Police Station before appearing in court the same day
Image: Bermuda Police Service
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) wishes to advise the public that, with immediate effect, a new provision is in place for persons who have outstanding traffic warrants.
With the express authority and approval of the Senior Magistrate, persons with outstanding traffic warrants may now present themselves directly to the Hamilton Police Station, where they will be received and processed by the Station Duty Officer at the front desk.
Upon arrival, individuals will be asked to provide their personal details. Their warrant information will be confirmed, and they will then be directed to attend the Magistrates’ Court directly on the same day at 9:30 AM.
Persons wishing to avail themselves of this provision are asked to report to the Hamilton Police Station between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM in order to allow sufficient time for processing prior to their court attendance.
The Bermuda Police Service recognises that the traditional traffic warrant processing experience placed a significant burden of time and inconvenience on members of the public. This initiative developed through partnership between the BPS and the judiciary is designed to streamline that process, making it as seamless as possible while encouraging members of our community to come forward and address outstanding traffic matters proactively.
The Bermuda Police Service remains committed to working collaboratively with our community and partner agencies to provide a service that is both efficient and people centred.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Police Service.
The digital euro, essentially an electronic wallet guaranteed by the central bank but marketed by banks or fintech companies, will allow all euro zone residents to make payments online and in person
International News via Reuters:
The European Central Bank secured key parliamentary backing on Tuesday for the launch of a digital euro, an electronic means of payments aimed at making the euro zone less reliant on U.S. credit cards at a time of fraying transatlantic relationships.
The digital euro, essentially an electronic wallet guaranteed by the central bank but marketed by banks or fintech companies, will allow all euro zone residents to make payments online and in person.
Six years in the making, the ECB’s digital cash has become a more pressing issue since Donald Trump returned to the White House, slapping tariffs on even established trade partners such as the European Union and raising fears that the U.S. could one day weaponize its dominance over payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.
The approval of draft rules by the economic committee of the European Parliament comes after three years of wrangling between the ECB and banks, which have been concerned about deposit outflows and lost revenues and sought to limit the scope of the project.
“The introduction of the digital euro would… reduce overreliance on non-European providers by becoming a pan-European means of payment and would bring the single currency into the digital era by giving Union citizens the freedom to opt to pay with central bank money in their daily transactions,” the draft regulation says.
Siegbert Frank Droese of the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations, a political group in the European Parliament, said his group had voted against the proposal, raising the likelihood that a further vote would be needed at the Parliament’s plenary.
Barring an objection there, lawmakers should start negotiating with EU governments and the European Commission next month, aiming for final approval by the end of the year.
The ECB plans to run a 12-month pilot of the digital euro starting in the second half of next year before a full launch in 2029.
Reporting by Francesco Canepa and Valentina Za; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Susan Fenton
The Instagram parent has been under fire over concerns about the impact of its platforms on young users’ wellbeing and online safety
International News via Reuters:
The European Commission is set to escalate a probe into Meta Platforms that alleges its social media offerings are designed to be addictive to children, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Instagram parent has been under fire over concerns about the impact of its platforms on young users’ wellbeing and online safety.
Here are some details:
• The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that accuse Meta’s Facebook and Instagram of using design practices that keep young users hooked, the report said.
• Regulators have not set a date for when the findings will be announced, Bloomberg News reported.
• Meta and the European Commission did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
• The commission is considering curbs similar to those announced by the UK and other countries, after an expert panel delivers recommendations next month, the report said.
• The commission first opened a probe into the company under the Digital Services Act in May 2024, due to concerns it had not adequately addressed risks to children.
• In April, the EU charged Meta with breaching its tech rules and said the tech giant must do more to block children under 13 from accessing the social networks.
• In the U.S., Meta has lobbied Congress for legal immunity from child-harm claims as the tech giant faces thousands of lawsuits from young users and their families, Reuters exclusively reported last week.
• A Los Angeles jury reached a landmark verdict in March, finding Meta and Alphabet’s Google negligent for designing social media platforms harmful to the youth.
Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath
Britain, Italy and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions disrupting schools and transport networks
International News via Reuters:
Forty people have drowned in France over the past days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat, the prime minister said on Tuesday, as a heatwave swept across much of Europe.
Britain, Italy and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions disrupting schools and transport networks.
Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization, making such prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.
HEAT ALERT ACROSS FRANCE
Much of France is under severe heat alert and set to experience temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, Meteo France said, with temperatures of up to 43 C expected in some parts of western France.
The country has just recorded its hottest afternoon and night since records began in 1947. Fifty-four departments are under red alert in what forecasters described as unprecedented.
Across France, people have been jumping into canals and rivers to cool off. French sports minister Marina Ferrari said she understood the urge to escape the heat but warned against swimming in unauthorized or dangerous areas.
Speaking ahead of an emergency meeting on the heatwave, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said: “A sad scourge when it comes to drownings, as the latest figures just reported to us show 40 deaths since June 18, most of them young people.”
On Monday, first responders were unable to resuscitate two children, aged 2 and 4, who were found unconscious by their mother in the family car outside their home, said a prosecutor in Carpentras, southeast France.
BUSINESS ACTIVITY SLOWS
In Paris, commuters struggled through sweltering conditions after sleepless nights in apartments ill-equipped for heat. Some trains were cancelled, including between Paris and Brussels.
Business leaders said the economy was also taking a hit.
“France is running at a slow pace. Businesses, as far as possible, are implementing recommendations to protect their employees,” the head of France’s MEDEF employers group, Patrick Martin, told BFM TV. In several places across Paris, shops had run out of electric fans amid surging demand.
BRITAIN, ITALY, SPAIN, BELGIUM ALSO HIT BY HEATWAVE
The heatwave is driven by a weather pattern known as an Omega block, because it takes the shape of the Greek letter, with a bulge of hot air in the middle and cooler air either side, allowing temperatures to build day after day.
Heatwaves and storms are being intensified by climate change, pushing temperatures higher and causing more rainfall.
In Italy, the health ministry issued its highest level alert for 15 cities and authorities took measures to curtail work. Storms are expected later on Tuesday over the Alps and Apennines, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and hail.
Britain is also in the grip of the heat, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of up to 37 C in southern England on Tuesday — potentially a new June record — before rising further on Wednesday and Thursday.
Dozens of schools have said they will close early, due to old buildings not being suitable for classrooms with more than 30 children in.
CLIMATE SHELTERS
Spain’s meteorological agency has issued red alerts across parts of the country, warning of dangerous heat with temperatures expected to reach 44 C. The warnings follow an already extreme day on Monday, including a peak above 45 C in Andujar.
Nighttime has brought little relief, with around 30 monitoring stations still recording temperatures above 25 C early on Tuesday.
Madrid has opened climate shelters for vulnerable people, including the homeless. The shelters would “provide a climate-controlled environment, offer basic food, allow visitors to take a shower, and give them a chance to rest for a while,” said Juan Carlos Arellano of Madrid’s Samur Social.
In Belgium, soaring temperatures forced a primary school in Tervuren, near Brussels, to relocate its final exams to a nearby church.
“Too hot in the classroom, then we’ll do the exams in the church,” the school wrote on its Instagram, posting footage of pupils taking their tests from rows of church chairs.
DISRUPTION TO TRANSPORT
Transport networks across Europe came under strain. Britain’s Network Rail warned passengers to travel only if necessary later this week as temperatures approach 39 C, with speed restrictions likely to disrupt services.
In London, overnight thunderstorms — part of the same volatile weather pattern — caused further disruption, including at Heathrow Airport.
Reporting by Giselada Vagnoni in Rome, Sudip Kar-Gupta in Brussels, Sarah Young in London, Emma Pinedo in Madrid, Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Ros Russell
Mirrors exhibition highlights youth talent and invites public voting at Washington Mall
The Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, The Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, invites the public to visit the Mirrors 10th Annual Student Art and Digital exhibit at Washington Mall, in the heart of the City of Hamilton, opening 19 June until 2 August 2026, to cast their vote for the “People’s Choice” award.
The Mirrors Programme and Mirrors the Alumni & Friends Association (M.A.F.A) have once again partnered with the Masterworks Foundation to host the exhibit. This year’s theme is “Our Island. Many Stories,” which gave Bermuda’s budding artists the opportunity to express their view of life living in Bermuda.
The Minister opened the exhibit on Friday evening, 19 June and offered congratulatory remarks to the winners, stating, “This year’s theme, ‘Our Island. Many Stories,’ reminds us that Bermuda’s story is not a single narrative.
“It is a rich collection of experiences, traditions, perspectives and dreams. Through these pieces, our budding artists have captured who we are, where we come from, and what inspires us.”
Jasmine Lee of Masterworks expressed her excitement at collaborating with Mirrors for their annual Student Art & Digital Competition. She stated, “This year’s theme is particularly timely as it reinforces the importance of using art as a lens for storytelling, encouraging the artists to share their view of life in Bermuda through their lens.
“We continue to believe that all students in Bermuda should have opportunities to connect to their inner artist and express themselves creatively”.
Kimberley Jackson, Programme Manager at Mirrors, indicated, “It is not only about the prizes that our schools stand to win, but more importantly, it is about unearthing young talent amongst our children.
“We have engaged with students through this competition who expressed interest and some who discovered their passion to pursue art as a career, and that fits with our overall mission of reaching one’s full potential”.
John Perinchief, Chairman of the Mirrors Alumni & Friends Association, said, “We are delighted to be a part of such an exciting and rewarding event. The quality of the art & digital submissions has grown from year to year.
“Bermuda has so many talented young artists who have the amazing ability to express themselves through art. I encourage all to visit the exhibit at the Washington Mall. You won’t be disappointed”.
The public can view the exhibit, from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm until 2 August 2026, at the “Wall of Words’ inside Washington Mall (between Gibbons Company Home Store), to cast your “People’s Choice” vote. For more information, contact the Mirrors office at 294-9291 or email mirrors@gov.bm .
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
The Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) monthly order books balance fell to -45 in June from -41 in May, its lowest ebb since the COVID-19 pandemic
International News via Reuters:
British manufacturing orders deteriorated this month at the fastest rate since September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey on Tuesday that showed little immediate relief from the easing of tensions in the Middle East.
The Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) monthly order books balance fell to -45 in June from -41 in May, its lowest ebb since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It gauge of expected output for the next three months fell to its lowest since December 2024.
The CBI’s survey contrasted with figures published earlier on Friday by S&P Global, which showed manufacturing orders rising and the much larger services sector falling deeper into contraction this month.
“Manufacturers are facing an increasingly difficult trading environment, with order books now at their weakest since 2020 and output continuing to fall,” said Cameron Martin, CBI senior economist.
Like the S&P Global survey, the CBI reported an easing of price pressures from manufacturers, although they remained elevated.
Martin said the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz would help British manufacturers.
“But it will take time for energy prices and supply chains to normalise even under the best of circumstances, while the potential for further instability is clear,” Martin added.
Survey seeks community feedback on safety, accessibility, recreation and design ahead of planned revitalisation
The Department of Parks is inviting residents, park users and members of the wider public to share their views on the future design of Parsons Road Park in Pembroke. A public survey is now available on forum.gov.bm, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback on how the park can better serve the area while supporting safety, accessibility, recreation, environmental sustainability and overall design quality.
The Minister of Public Works and Environment, the Hon. Jaché Adams, JP, MP, said, “Parsons Road Park is an important community space, and this survey gives residents a direct opportunity to help shape its future. We want to hear how the park is used now, what people value about it, and what improvements would make it safer, more welcoming and more useful for the community.”
Parsons Road Park currently includes a playground, basketball court and open space for seating and recreation. The park is also connected to important natural features, including the Pembroke Canal and Pembroke Marsh, which support local habitats, wetlands, wildlife and native plant communities. This work has been informed in part by the earlier work of the Family Centre’s Pump Up the Park proposal developed by young residents, which highlighted community priorities for improvements and activation of the space. The proposal is being recognised as a valuable stakeholder contribution and has helped prompt the current engagement process.
The survey asks the public about their connection to the area, how they currently use Parsons Road Park and nearby parks, what challenges they see, and what features they would like considered in the future design. Participants are also asked to comment on safety, accessibility, seating, lighting, pathways, maintenance, environmental protection, and whether the park reflects the needs and identity of the local community.
In parallel with this initiative, the Ministry continues to advance playground and outdoor exercise equipment upgrades across public parks through the Parks Improvement budget. Funding has been allocated within this programme to support initial phases of revitalisation at Parsons Road Park, including a proposed $250,000 allocation in the 2026/2027 budget to begin early works informed by community feedback.
The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and responses will remain anonymous unless individuals choose to provide contact information for future project updates or engagement opportunities.
Feedback collected through the survey will help inform future planning and design recommendations for Parsons Road Park. Community responses will be gathered through 30 June, with a report including design concepts expected by mid-September. Following this, a management plan will be developed in accordance with the National Parks Act 1986 to guide implementation of the park’s revitalisation.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit forum.gov.bm and complete the Parsons Road Park public survey by 30 June.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said some customers who bought tickets between April 6 and December 7 last year had to pay delivery and service fees that were not included in the total price from the start, which broke consumer law
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s competition regulator fined ticket resale platform StubHub UK £900,000 ($1.19 million) on Tuesday and ordered it to refund more than 50,000 customers for illegally hiding mandatory fees from fans buying tickets for gigs and sports events.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said some customers who bought tickets between April 6 and December 7 last year had to pay delivery and service fees that were not included in the total price from the start, which broke consumer law.
They will receive refunds of around £10 per transaction onto the cards used to buy the tickets, the CMA said.
The CMA received strengthened consumer powers in April 2025 to tackle hidden fees as well as other unlawful online pricing practices.
StubHub UK is part of StubHub International, created when StubHub was acquired by Viagogo in 2021 to meet regulatory requirements.
StubHub International is owned by Digital Fuel Capital and functions separately from StubHub North America, according to the company’s website.
($1 = 0.7556 pounds)
Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru and Paul Sandle in London; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala; editing by Sarah Young
Murrell is the former husband of ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who suddenly resigned in 2023, shortly before she was arrested as part of the probe into the party’s finances
International News via Reuters:
Former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell was jailed for just over five years on Tuesday after admitting embezzling more than £400,000 ($540,000) of party funds to buy items such as cars, a motorhome and luxury goods.
Murrell is the former husband of ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who suddenly resigned in 2023, shortly before she was arrested as part of the probe into the party’s finances. She was cleared of wrongdoing in March last year.
He had pleaded guilty last month to the offence and was jailed for five years and three months at Edinburgh High Court.
The judge, Andrew Young, said the sentence needed to serve as a deterrent to others.
The police investigation which led to the arrest of Sturgeon, the SNP’s longest-serving leader, along with the conviction of her former husband prompted embarrassing questions for the pro-independence party which has dominated Scottish politics for nearly two decades.
After Murrell’s plea, Sturgeon reiterated her innocence and said that she had “no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes”.
Murrell had admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2023, using the money to buy several vehicles, as well as items from luxury brands such as Estee Lauder and Harrods.
Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by William James
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