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Gov’t communications team earns excellence award

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Gov’t communications team earns excellence award

Staff recognised for coordinating coverage of King’s visit

The Government of Bermuda is pleased to announce that the Department of Communications’ King’s Visit Team are the recipients of the May Public Service Excellence Award for their exceptional coordination, delivery, and coverage of the historic visit of His Majesty King Charles III to Bermuda.

The public will recall that His Majesty The King visited Bermuda from 30 April to 2 May 2026, marking his first visit as Sovereign to a British Overseas Territory. The visit spanned from St. George’s to Dockyard, and celebrated Bermuda’s culture, heritage, and global connections, highlighting the key areas of youth development, biodiversity, innovation, and public service.

Under the oversight of the Director of Communications, Nea Talbot, the Department’s King’s Visit Team executed a comprehensive, high impact communications programme that showcased Bermuda on the global stage.

Central to the success of the initiative was the Director’s close collaboration with key international and local stakeholders, including senior members of the Buckingham Palace Communications team, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Communications team, and Government House. This high level coordination ensured seamless, consistent, and timely communications to the public across all channels.

The Department of Communication’s King’s Visit team successfully managed a complex, multi-faceted operation within a condensed timeframe, delivering seamless coverage across several key areas.

This included coordinating photography and videography across multiple locations, producing engaging and timely social media content, strategically coordinating and assigning local media to ensure comprehensive coverage across all official engagements, creating a dedicated Royal Visit webpage, and designing and delivering branded commemorative materials that captured the significance of the occasion.

A key component of the Department’s success was its ability to support and help manage a large international media contingent. The team facilitated accreditation, assisted with coordinating transport and accommodations, and ensured that media representatives had access to official footage, photography, and live broadcast feeds, enabling accurate and high quality global coverage of the visit.

In addition, the Department oversaw live streaming of the King’s engagements, allowing audiences locally and abroad to participate in the historic moment in real time. Communications Officers were strategically deployed at each official stop, ensuring consistent messaging, efficient operations, and real time updates throughout the visit.

The logistical framework underpinning the communications effort included detailed transportation planning to manage movement between multiple event sites, coordinated security protocols to streamline media access, and the establishment of fixed media positions to ensure optimal coverage. Close collaboration with key partners and agencies across Bermuda ensured that all operational elements were aligned and executed effectively.

Remarkably, the entire initiative, from concept through execution, was delivered in a period of just under four weeks. The Department’s ability to achieve such a high level of performance within tight timelines reflects its professionalism, agility, and commitment to excellence in public service.

The Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, commended the team’s efforts, saying, “The combined work of the Department of Communication’s team surrounding the visit of His Majesty the King was nothing short of exemplary. I extend my congratulations to the entire team for their outstanding efforts that ensured both local and international audiences witnessed the historic visit of King Charles III.

Head of the Public Service Cherie Whitter praised the Department’s achievement, saying, “The Department of Communications’ King’s Visit Team demonstrated exceptional coordination, innovation, and professionalism in delivering coverage of a visit of international significance. Their ability to unify multiple stakeholders and execute a seamless communications strategy under tight timelines is a shining example of public service excellence.”

And the Director of Communications Nea Talbot noted, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, creativity and teamwork of the Department of Communications. We were honoured to work with our local and overseas partners to help tell Bermuda’s story during such a significant occasion. This is a milestone achievement, and the team is deserving of this commendation and for setting a high standard of excellence in public sector communications and event delivery.”

Department of Communications King’s Visit Team included:

  • Nea Talbot
  • Keno Simmons
  • Antoine Hunt
  • Omar Gilbert
  • Shireeca Cambell
  • Honey Adams
  • Tari Trott
  • Robert Zuill
  • Jason Swan
  • Jamie McDowell
  • Tina Evans
  • Richante Basden
  • Jayde Gibbons
  • Jannell Ford
  • Al Seymour
  • Asha Ludwig
  • Nick-Keymin Spence
  • Michelle Lamb
  • Jessica Steede
  • Michael Brangman

The PSEA is a programme that recognises a group or individual within the Public Service who has made significant achievements in service delivery in the last 60 days.

Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.

BAMZ opens doors for anniversary celebration

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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BAMZ opens doors for anniversary celebration

Free event marks 100 years of the institution and 50 years of BZS

The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ), invite the community to come together for a free Community Open House on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at BAMZ. This special event celebrates a landmark moment in Bermuda’s history with the 100th anniversary of BAMZ and 50 years of the BZS as the support charity of this beloved national institution. 

The Open House is part of the broader Aquarium 100 Campaign, a public-private initiative to build on the legacy of BAMZ as a world-class centre for conservation, education and research. The day will offer the community a chance to explore the wonder within the facility, connect with the teams from BAMZ and BZS that make the magic a reality, and discover what the next 100 years will look like for this treasured Bermudian institution. This is a chance for Bermuda to come together and take pride in an institution where generations of islanders have learned more about the natural world around them. The day promises something for everyone, with a lively programme of activities, performances and giveaways. 

Highlights of the day will include: 

  • A Scavenger Hunt throughout BAMZ to explore the facility in a fun way  
  • Cultural performances celebrating Bermuda’s diverse heritage, including Portuguese and Filipino dancers and the iconic Gombeys 
  • Complimentary treats including traditional Portuguese doughnuts and refreshing Duch pops 
  • Of course, there will also be animal encounters, giveaways, bouncy castles and face painting, to round out a fun day for the whole family! 
  • Plus, we encourage everyone to bring a reusable bottle to fill up at our hydration station, which has been kindly sponsored by Pure Water. 

Overflow parking will be available at Whitney Middle School with shuttle bus throughout the day. 

For a century, BAMZ has connected the community to the natural world and inspired generations of Bermudians to become scientists, conservationists and environmental stewards of our island and beyond. The Aquarium 100 Campaign, supported through a partnership between the Government of Bermuda, BZS and a growing community of philanthropy, is structured around three pillars: 

Education & Conservation Infrastructure: New Aquarium and Zoo exhibits; modernised facilities, classrooms and infrastructure; and state-of-the-art exhibitry and teaching technology. 

Education & Conservation Programmes: Expanding educational programmes, research initiatives and conservation work; deepening community engagement; and advancing opportunities for students and staff. 

Endowment: Building a strong endowment to provide a lasting financial foundation, with annual earnings directed to support core priorities in perpetuity. 

For more information about Aquarium 100, visit https://bzs.bm/aquarium-100/  

Media release and images supplied by BAMZ.

Ridesharing records 220 trips in first week

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Ridesharing records 220 trips in first week

Government says new service is helping meet transport demand

The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport is pleased to provide a positive update on the initial launch of Bermuda’s ridesharing programme.

In the first six days of operation, ridesharing operators completed 220 rides, with 14 active ridesharing operators participating through the despatcher app platform. The early activity reflects demand for additional, reliable transportation options and demonstrates the important role ridesharing can play in supporting residents, visitors and Bermuda’s wider transportation network.

Activity grew steadily during the first week, with the strongest demand recorded over the holiday and Carnival weekend. The highest single-day activity was recorded on June 13, when 80 rides were completed.

Ridesharing represented only 4.12% of overall despatcher app activity during the reporting period. This is an important indicator that the service is operating as intended, providing additional transportation capacity when demand requires it, while taxis continue to remain the priority.

The location data also shows that ridesharing supported transport needs for visitors and locals alike during the launch period. Trips included activity connected to hotels, guest properties, restaurants, beaches, event locations and key tourism areas, including Hamilton and Front Street, Dockyard, St. George’s and the South Shore.

The data also reflects pickups and drop-offs in residential areas and local business districts across the island. This early pattern suggests that ridesharing is helping to provide additional transportation capacity for both visitor-facing and local needs, where and when it is needed most.

The Hon. Owen K. Darrell, JP, MP, Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, said, “We are very encouraged by the early results. Ridesharing was introduced to complement Bermuda’s existing transportation network, improve transport options for visitors and locals alike, and help ensure that fewer people are left waiting or stranded. These early numbers show that the programme is working, that operators are stepping forward, and that the public is beginning to make use of this new service.”

The early data also shows strong participation by approved ridesharing operators. Over the six-day period, operators completed an average of approximately 15.7 rides per driver, with several operators completing more than 20 rides each.

Ridesharing operator Keisha Brooks, who completed 28 trips during the first week, said the initiative has been well received by passengers. “Having nearly completed my first week as a rideshare driver in Bermuda, I can confidently say that the initiative has been very well received by the passengers I’ve transported,” said Ms. Brooks. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet and assist a diverse mix of customers, including local residents, guest workers, visitors attending Carnival festivities, and sailors from the Annapolis to Bermuda Race. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many passengers expressing appreciation.”

Another ridesharing operator, Evandre Smith, said his experience with the programme has also been positive, particularly in assisting visitors. “My experience with the ridesharing programme has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Mr. Smith. “It has been a genuine pleasure interacting with riders, who have mostly been visitors to the island. Many shared that they discovered the app through word of mouth from frontline tourism workers at hotels, restaurants, and outdoor excursion operators. They particularly appreciated how seamless and user-friendly it was to request a ride.”

Mr. Smith also shared an experience that, for him, highlighted the value of the programme. “On the holiday weekend, I picked up a visiting family who had just disembarked from a cruise ship,” he said. “They had been trying unsuccessfully for some time to get a ride from Horseshoe Bay after 9 p.m. and were becoming increasingly concerned. It was already dark at the beach, and they had young children with them. As a Bermudian, I felt proud to provide them with a safe ride back to their cruise ship.”

The Ministry recognises the important contribution of Bermuda’s taxi industry and continues to view ridesharing as a complementary service designed to strengthen the overall transportation network. Taxis remain a vital part of Bermuda’s transportation system, and the introduction of ridesharing is intended to provide additional capacity, particularly during periods of high demand.

The Ministry also continues to work closely with key tourism stakeholders, including the Bermuda Tourism Authority, to monitor the impact of ridesharing and gather feedback on how the service is supporting the visitor experience.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority said, “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is encouraged by passenger response to this transportation initiative. According to exit surveys, 92% of visitors say that the reliability and availability of transportation is important or critically important, yet the gap between expectation and experience remains in double digits at 11.8%. We welcome innovative efforts such as this to address this challenge while supporting the important role taxi operators continue to play as valued ambassadors for Bermuda.

We will continue to monitor feedback closely as the programme develops.” Minister Darrell added, “This is a positive and practical step forward. The early results are encouraging, but we will continue to monitor the programme carefully, listen to operators, passengers and industry partners, and make adjustments where necessary. Our goal is simple: a stronger, more responsive transportation system for Bermuda.”

The Ministry thanks the Transport Control Department, approved ridesharing operators, despatching partners, insurers, tourism stakeholders and all those who have supported the implementation of the programme to date.

The Ministry will continue to provide updates as the ridesharing programme progresses.

Media release and image supplied by the Government of Bermuda.

Police officers injured during arrest in St. George’s

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Police officers injured during arrest in St. George’s

Suspect allegedly resisted arrest, assaulted officers and damaged a police vehicle

The Bermuda Police Service can confirm that at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, 17th June 2026, uniformed police officers conducting mobile patrols along Old Military Road, St. George’s, observed a male riding a motorcycle in a manner deemed dangerous.

The rider was initially stopped by officers, issued with a verbal warning regarding his manner of riding, and allowed to leave the area.

Subsequent checks revealed that the individual did not possess a valid driver’s licence and was the subject of an outstanding court-issued warrant for his arrest in relation to a similar offence.

Officers subsequently located and re-engaged the individual in the area of York Street, St. George’s, where they informed him of the warrant and their intention to arrest him.

During the arrest, the individual became verbally aggressive and physically resistant, resulting in a struggle with officers.

In an effort to gain compliance and safely effect the arrest, one of the officers drew a Taser. Compliance was achieved without the device being discharged, and it was subsequently re-holstered.

The individual was arrested and placed in the rear seat of a police vehicle for transport to Hamilton Police Station.

During the journey, he again became combative and assaulted the arresting officers, causing minor injuries. Both officers attended King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for assessment and treatment and were later discharged.

The arrested individual did not report any injuries.

In addition, significant damage was caused to the police vehicle during the incident.

The individual remains in police custody at Hamilton Police Station while enquiries continue.

He is expected to appear before the courts in due course.

Media release supplied by the Bermuda Police Service.

Overseas Territories explore joint solutions to workforce shortages

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Overseas Territories explore joint solutions to workforce shortages

Bermuda-hosted summit focuses on recruitment, talent retention and leadership development

The Government of Bermuda has successfully concluded the Overseas Territories Deputy Governors and Heads of Public Service Annual Summit, hosted on behalf of the government by the Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter, last week from June 11 – 12, 2026.

The two-day Summit brought together senior public sector leaders from Bermuda, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, providing a valuable forum for collaboration, peer learning, and strategic dialogue on shared public service priorities. 

Throughout the Summit, delegates engaged in robust and candid discussions on workforce shortages, talent acquisition and retention, public service reform, leadership development, and the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into public administration.

A key focus of the first day was a structured forum examining public service workforce challenges across the Overseas Territories, where each jurisdiction shared insights into recruitment pressures, the drivers of talent gaps, and practical strategies to strengthen workforce capacity and ensure continuity of critical services. The second day saw a series of high level meetings to further discuss and implement plans and strategies.

Reflecting on the outcome of the Summit, Head of the Public Service, Ms. Whitter, underscored the importance of continued regional cooperation, saying, “The conclusion of this Summit marks an important step forward in strengthening collaboration across our Overseas Territories. During the two days, we engaged in meaningful, solution-focused discussions on the shared challenges facing our public services, and subject to the necessary approvals, expect to enter into an MOU to increase engagement in talent development activities including secondments and attachments.

“While each of our jurisdictions is distinct, the commonalities are clear. By working together, sharing experiences, and building on collective expertise, we are better equipped to modernise our public services, develop our people, and deliver for our Island homes. Bermuda is proud to have hosted this important gathering and to contribute to advancing this ongoing partnership.”

The Summit also provided an opportunity to highlight Bermuda’s ongoing efforts to modernize job evaluation systems and grade structures, including lessons learned during the implementation phase in other jurisdictions.

A special moment during the Summit was the acknowledgement of The Honourable Franz Manderson, MBE, JP, Deputy Governor of the Cayman Islands, who will retire on July 7, 2026, following distinguished service. Delegates recognised his significant contributions to public service leadership across the region. The presence of Deputy Governor Designate, Ms. Gloria McField-Nixon, marked a notable leadership transition for the Cayman Islands, as she prepares to officially assume the role on July 8, 2026. Attendees extended their best wishes to both leaders, recognising their contributions and the continued strength of public service leadership within the Overseas Territories. And last Friday as part the King’s Birthday Honours, Mr. Manderson was recognized with the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), for his services to the Cayman Islands Civil Service and the wider community in the Cayman Islands.

The Government of Bermuda reaffirms its commitment to ongoing collaboration with fellow Overseas Territories, recognising that shared challenges require shared solutions, and that strong, modern public services remain central to supporting the needs and expectations of citizens.

Media release and images supplied by the Government of Bermuda.

Bank of England votes 7-2 to keep rates at 3.75%

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bank of England votes 7-2 to keep rates at 3.75%

The BoE’s approach contrasts with those of the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan – which have both raised rates in the past week

International News via Reuters:

The Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at 3.75% in June, as it has since the start of the U.S.-Iran war, judging it would be premature to raise rates now given the unclear strength of increased inflation pressures.

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to keep rates on hold, in line with economists’ expectations in a Reuters poll, after external member Megan Greene joined Chief Economist Huw Pill in calling for a quarter-point rate rise.

But most other MPC members appeared little closer to raising rates, broadly sticking with what Governor Andrew Bailey has called an “active hold” which he views as an effective tightening compared with market expectations of cuts before the conflict.

The BoE’s approach contrasts with those of the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan – which have both raised rates in the past week – and projections from the U.S. Federal Reserve after its first meeting under its new chair, Kevin Warsh, which showed policymakers expected rates to rise later this year.

In the run-up to the BoE’s June meeting, a tentative truce between the United State and Iran promises to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lower oil prices, a boon for Britain if the deal sticks as it relies heavily on imported natural gas.

However, the BoE said it was too soon to declare the inflation threat over.

“Whatever happens in the future, the higher energy prices of the past four months means there’s already some inflationary pressure in the pipeline,” Bailey said in a statement alongside Thursday’s decision.

The BoE expects inflation to rise above 3.25% in the final quarter of this year, up from 2.8% in May, though this is a smaller increase than the rise to 3.6%-3.7% which it projected in April under two of its three main scenarios.

The central bank was also marginally more upbeat on growth, estimating the economy is expanding at an underlying rate of 0.2% a quarter, up from 0.1% in its last set of forecasts despite a small fall in output in April.

Both Pill and Greene said a rate rise now was needed to rein in households’ expectations for future inflation, which are their highest since at least 2009 in a quarterly BoE survey, though are coming down on a more frequent monthly survey.

Inflation has exceeded the BoE’s 2% target for most of the past five years due to a series of upward shocks since the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine that lifted British inflation above 11%.

“A proactive hike now in Bank Rate should help anchor inflation expectations,” Greene said.

The rising cost of living has been a key factor behind many Britons’ dissatisfaction with mainstream politicians.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s popularity has plummeted since he won a sweeping election victory two years ago, and he faces a potential leadership challenge if Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins a parliamentary seat in a by-election on Thursday.

Catherine Mann was the policymaker who appeared closest to joining Pill and Greene to vote for a rate rise, as she judged inflation risks were more prominent than the other MPC members who voted to keep rates on hold.

But in minutes of the decision she agreed there was time to wait as “a forceful Bank Rate decision can have a quick effect on inflation and inflation expectations”.

Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli said the risk of damaging second-round inflation effects was increasing as high energy prices continued but so far the evidence pointed to a standard pass-through of higher energy prices.

Reporting by David Milliken and Andy Bruce

Hungary urges EU parliament to drop lawsuit over funds release

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Hungary urges EU parliament to drop lawsuit over funds release

The EP sued the EU’s executive in 2024 after it unblocked €10.2 billion ($11.71 billion) for Hungary in December 2023

International News via Reuters:

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Thursday he would ask the European Parliament (EP) to withdraw its 2024 lawsuit against the European Commission over the release of European Union funds to Hungary.

The EP sued the EU’s executive in 2024 after it unblocked €10.2 billion ($11.71 billion) for Hungary in December 2023, a move made while it was seeking to persuade Budapest to lift its veto on €50 billion ($57.38 billion) in aid for Ukraine.

Some members of the European Parliament accused the Commission of effectively offering funds in exchange for dropping the veto, which had frequently been used by former right-wing leader Viktor Orban on key EU decisions on Ukraine. Orban lost power in April.

The Commission rejected the accusation, saying that the two decisions were not related.

“This lawsuit could have a major impact on Hungary’s EU funds,” Magyar said in a Facebook post from Brussels,where he attended the first EU summit since his inauguration in early May.

“I will ask the president (of the EP) to withdraw the lawsuit, or at least request the suspension of proceedings so that EU funds due to the Hungarian people are not jeopardised because of the decisions of the previous government,” he said.

Magyar defeated Orban in an election in April and secured a constitutional majority in parliament that allows him to roll back ​or change legislation passed by Orban’s Fidesz.

Unblocking the European Union funds that were frozen under Orban’s government over rule-of-law concerns was a key campaign promise of Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party.

The European Commission said last month that reforms under the new government would allow the release of €16.4 billion($18.82 billion) in previously frozen EU ​recovery and cohesion funds.

The EU money, which could start flowing in the fourth quarter if Hungary delivers on its reform pledges, is crucial to reviving the Hungarian economy after three years of stagnation.

($1 = 0.8715 euros)

Reporting by Anita Komuves and Gergely Szakacs, Editing by William Maclean

Church of England leader apologises for historical forced adoption practice

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Church of England leader apologises for historical forced adoption practice

The Church was a significant provider of mother and baby homes, potentially more than 200 over time, its research examining the period between 1949 and 1976 showed on Thursday

International News via Reuters:

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, apologised for the Church of England’s role in forced adoption practices in the decades following World War Two, when roughly 185,000 children were taken from unmarried mothers across England and Wales.

“We are profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced – and still carried – by many people because of historical adoption practices in homes affiliated to the Church of England,” Mullally said in a statement.

The government is also expected to apologise on behalf of the state for the practice. Other countries, including Ireland and Australia, have in recent years issued similar apologies.

The Church was a significant provider of mother and baby homes, potentially more than 200 over time, its research examining the period between 1949 and 1976 showed on Thursday.

The social systems and structures at the time “made it extremely difficult for unmarried women with children to live independently”, the Church’s report said.

“Today, we say to each of you: the shame you were made to feel was wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, we are deeply ashamed that this happened to people in the care of Christian communities,” Mullally said.

Reporting by Muvija M; editing by William James

UN food agencies seek $202 million to shield 8.8 million people from El Niño

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UN food agencies seek $202 million to shield 8.8 million people from El Niño

Strong El Niño conditions in the second half of 2026 are predicted to increase the likelihood of drought, floods and storms across parts of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO and WFP said

International News via Reuters:

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme on Thursday appealed for $202 million to help protect 8.8 million people across 22 high-risk countries from the looming El Niño weather pattern.

• Strong El Niño conditions in the second half of 2026 are predicted to increase the likelihood of drought, floods and storms across parts of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO and WFP said.

• The 22 countries most at risk are Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe in Africa; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philippines and East Timor in Asia-Pacific; Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Additional funding would allow FAO and WFP to expand support beyond the 1.2 million people already targeted.

• Planned support includes cash transfers, climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood control measures.

• El Niño is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific caused by weakening trade winds. It occurs naturally every two to seven years and tends to last between nine and 12 months.

• The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared the arrival of El Niño last week. It said the weather pattern was likely to intensify, with a 63% probability of a very strong or “super El Niño” heading into 2027.

Reporting by Alessia Pe; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Alison Williams

UAE sets minimum social media age at 15, mandates age checks

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UAE sets minimum social media age at 15, mandates age checks

Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts

International News via Reuters:

The United Arab Emirates has set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction as governments worldwide seek to address growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.

Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts. The ban means they will not be able to post content, comment, share or join public groups, the government’s media office said.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be allowed to use social media platforms subject to enhanced safeguards, including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.

The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and require companies to implement robust age-verification measures, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as a valid form of verification.

Platforms must also disable accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from circumventing age-verification systems and refrain from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.

The government said the measures were designed to address concerns over children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use and the collection of personal data.

Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.

The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.

Several countries, including Australia and others in Europe, have moved to tighten restrictions on children’s use of social media amid mounting concerns about its effects on mental health and online safety.

Reporting by Jana Choukeir, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Philippa Fletcher

UK stocks decline before Bank of England rate decision

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UK stocks decline before Bank of England rate decision

The BoE is widely expected to hold rates at 3.75% later this morning, after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged on Wednesday

International News via Reuters:

Britain’s main stock indexes fell on Thursday, pressured by financials and materials as investors awaited the Bank of England’s rate decision and assessed the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy outlook.

The BoE is widely expected to hold rates at 3.75% later this morning, after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged on Wednesday. However, nine Fed policymakers expect a rate hike this year as inflation concerns continue to weigh on consumers.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell 0.94% to 10,410.01 points by 10:16 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 slipped 0.63%.

• Among financials, London Stock Exchange fell 3.5% after Rothschild Redburn downgraded the stock to “neutral”, while investment firm 3i Group declined 4.3%.

• Precious metal miners led sectoral losses, falling 5%, with Fresnillo  and Hocschild Mining down 5.8% and 7%, respectively.

• UK’s biggest food retailer Tesco slipped 2.2% after reporting a slowdown in first-quarter sales growth.

• Rate-sensitive homebuilders shed 2.6%, with Persimmon falling 6.4%, the worst performer on the benchmark.

• Intertek gained 1.5% after the testing and certification firm agreed to a takeover by Swedish private equity firm EQT

• The world’s largest exhibition group Informa was the top performer on FTSE 100, rising 2.3% after forecasting stronger growth in 2027.

• Oil giants BP and Shell declined 1.5% each, as oil prices reached to their lowest since start of Iran war. [O/R]

Reporting by Utkarsh Hathi in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid

Hegseth announces review of US troops in Europe, scorns some allies

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Hegseth announces review of US troops in Europe, scorns some allies

Hegseth, addressing defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said the U.S. review would last for up to six months and include consultations with the U.S. Congress, which has legislated a minimum number of U.S. forces in Europe

International News via Reuters:

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new review of America’s troop deployments in Europe on Thursday and threatened to withhold some U.S. dues to NATO if “free riding” allies did not meet their defense spending commitments.

Hegseth, addressing defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said the U.S. review would last for up to six months and include consultations with the U.S. Congress, which has legislated a minimum number of U.S. forces in Europe.

While he did not explicitly say the review could result in reductions in U.S. force deployments in Europe, he stressed the goal would be to prompt the continent to do more while ensuring the U.S. military would be able to meet its global commitments.

“Make no mistake about it, this will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth also slammed allies who did not support the United States during its war with Iran, after some denied the U.S. basing and overflight rights for war-related activities.

He said the U.S. review would ensure U.S. basing and overflight rights were assured.

His comments came as countries in the alliance scrambled to fill gaps in their crisis forces — national capabilities committed to the transatlantic alliance in an emergency — after Washington cut some contributions with immediate effect.

The U.S. told its allies last month that it had decided to shrink the pool of U.S. military capabilities available to the alliance in a crisis, raising urgent questions as leaders prepare for a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8.

The move is meant to gradually end an “unhealthy co-dependence” on U.S. forces as Washington faces the potential of simultaneous conflicts in multiple theaters, according to NATO’s top commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich.

Arriving for a meeting with his counterparts at NATO’s Brussels headquarters, Hegseth said the United States would be candid in public and private about countries that need to do more to meet their commitments.

“(There are) some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public. I think that’s important, friends being honest with friends,” Hegseth said.

“NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that it needs to go back to a real hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe.”

‘IT IS IMMEDIATE’

NATO chief Mark Rutte acknowledged that the reduction of U.S contributions to NATO’s crisis forces has already taken effect.

“The question yesterday came up: Is this immediate or not? It is immediate,” he told reporters.

“However, why I’m a little bit reluctant to say this is because it is a planning tool. So what would happen in reality? If war would break out … all allies, including the U.S., will max out what they can do to make sure we can fight the war.”

Some ministers spelled out offers to raise their contributions to NATO’s crisis pool as they entered the Brussels meeting.

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said his country would contribute more to NATO’s crisis forces to help replace some U.S. capabilities, including with F-16 fighter jets and MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones.

“There will be heavy discussions on who is doing what, but I can say that Belgium is contributing,” the minister said.

Plugging other gaps will take longer as Europeans lack weapons such as deep strike missiles, prompting German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to call for a synchronized process to prevent “dangerous capability gaps in Europe”.

“It is difficult and dangerous for the security of NATO’s territory in Europe if capabilities are withdrawn very quickly without having clarity when they can be compensated for,” he warned, citing deep strike as one of the capabilities hard to replace.

“There, we will need either stop-gap solutions or time before their withdrawal. This will need to be negotiated with our American partners. Generally, we will be able to compensate much but we will need some more time,” Pistorius said.

The U.S. has not publicly disclosed details of its reductions, but they range from refuelling aircraft to fighter jets, drones and ships, according to figures provided to Reuters by a military source.

The number of U.S. F-15 and F-15E fighter jets available to NATO will fall by a third to 99 and the number of MQ-4 and MQ-9 Reaper drones by half to 12, according to the source.

Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Phil Stewart, and Lili Bayer; Editing by Andrew Gray, William Maclean

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