BELCO: Electricity amendment ‘not in Bermuda’s best interest’
BELCO President Wayne Caines says Government’s amendments to the Electricity Act introduce the potential for ministerial interference
Government’s electricity amendment is not in the best interests of Bermuda, according to BELCO.
BELCO President Wayne Caines says that “the decisions that will shape Bermuda’s energy future belong in the Integrated Resource Plan – an independent, evidence-based process that draws on comprehensive data, public opinion and the oversight of the Regulatory Authority…
“The RA is an independent body whose purpose is to represent the people of Bermuda. Governments and their priorities change over time. The RA does not, and that consistency is part of what protects customers…
“As part of our transmission, distribution, and retail licence, BELCO is tasked with planning, constructing, operating, and maintaining Bermuda’s electricity system…
“Every day, work is carried out by BELCO’s highly trained engineers and technically skilled energy professionals who do it for a living. This is exactly the expertise the IRP is designed to draw on to reach the best outcome for Bermuda. Changing that process is not in the best interest of Bermuda…
Mr Caines adds that BELCO shares Government’s goals of affordability, reliability and sustainability, but the suggested changes are not necessary, and introduce the potential for ministerial interference.
Meanwhile, the Regulatory Authority itself has also responded to the legislative changes. An RA spokesperson said, “The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RA) acknowledges the passage of the Electricity Amendment Act 2026…
“As the independent regulator of Bermuda’s electricity sector, The RA remains focused on its statutory responsibilities, including supporting long-term investment in critical energy infrastructure, protecting consumers and ensuring the delivery of resilient, reliable and fairly priced electricity for the island.”
BELCO Press Release:
Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) today responded to the Electricity Amendment Act 2026, which was passed in the House of Assembly on Friday, June 12.
BELCO President Wayne Caines said: “For almost 120 years, BELCO has been committed to serving our customers, the 36,000 homes and businesses that rely on the electricity we generate and distribute across our grid. A utility exists to serve those customers, and our mandate is to deliver power that is reliable and affordable. Serving Bermuda has never been separate from running a sound business. It is our business, and that means the best interests of the island and its people are front of mind in everything we do.
The decisions that will shape Bermuda’s energy future belong in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), an independent, evidence-based process that draws on comprehensive data, public opinion and the oversight of the Regulatory Authority (RA). The RA is an independent body whose purpose is to represent the people of Bermuda. Governments and their priorities change over time. The RA does not, and that consistency is part of what protects customers.
As part of our transmission, distribution, and retail licence, BELCO is tasked with planning, constructing, operating, and maintaining Bermuda’s electricity system. Every day, work is carried out by BELCO’s highly trained engineers and technically skilled energy professionals who do it for a living. This is exactly the expertise the IRP is designed to draw on to reach the best outcome for Bermuda. Changing that process is not in the best interest of Bermuda.
Interrupting the very process designed to protect customers puts the affordability and reliability that Bermuda requires at risk. The surest path to lower bills is a complete, evidence-based plan, not one cut short before the analysis is done. For that reason, BELCO does not agree with the changes introduced by the Electricity Amendment Act. The suggested changes are not necessary, and they introduce the potential for ministerial interference into a process that is meant to stay independent. Within the IRP there is already a clearly defined process, and giving a minister the power to direct the IRP removes the independence of the Regulatory Authority that protects customers.”
Mr. Caines added: “BELCO shares the Government’s goals of affordability, reliability and sustainability. These are the very principles BELCO already plans around. Regulatory certainty is what keeps Bermuda an attractive place to invest in the infrastructure our customers depend on. BELCO remains committed to participating fully and transparently in the IRP planning process, and we will remain steadfast in our advocacy for the valued customers who rely on our service.”
G7 leaders discuss ‘trusted partners’ access to cutting-edge US AI models, sources say
Anthropic on Friday disabled access for all users to Fable 5 and Mythos 5, its most advanced AI models
International News via Reuters:
G7 leaders discussed a plan to grant select “trusted partners” access to advanced AI models from U.S. firms such as Anthropic, three diplomatic sources said on Tuesday, potentially opening a path around restrictions on non-American use.
Anthropic on Friday disabled access for all users to Fable 5 and Mythos 5, its most advanced AI models. The company made that move after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered Anthropic to block foreign nationals from accessing its most advanced AI models, citing national security concerns.
One of the diplomatic sources said a number of country representatives attending the annual summit of leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations discussed the idea of widening access to advanced AI models with U.S. representatives.
This was mainly with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, on the sidelines of the opening G7 summit dinner on Monday in the French lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains.
The “trusted partners” could be countries or companies, said a second source, who declined to be named because the talks were ongoing.
An agreement providing broader access to advanced models would allow G7 countries to use the models to develop stronger cybersecurity defences against rivals such as China.
AI executives from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google , which are all developing highly advanced models, are expected to attend a working lunch on Wednesday to speak about technology issues, including regulation, AI infrastructure and networks, Reuters previously reported.
The U.S. Commerce Department and Anthropic’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cybersecurity experts believe Anthropic’s Mythos, a model designed to find flaws in computer code, may turbocharge attacks on banks’ technology systems. The European Union is seeking access to Mythos to study the model’s implications.
Prior to Trump’s order, Anthropic had given access to Mythos to select organizations in “more than 15 countries” so they could use the product to scan their computer systems for vulnerabilities, according to a company statement.
The organizations included entities in the healthcare, communications, power and water sectors, according to the statement.
The news of the “trusted partners” scheme was first reported by the Financial Times.
Reporting by Michel Rose, Andreas Rinke and Julia Payne in Evian-les-Bains, FranceWriting by Gabriel Stargardter and Courtney RozenEditing by Matthew Lewis and Cynthia Osterman
Russian frigate fires warning shots near UK waters to avert yacht collision
The Russian ministry said the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich spotted a yacht travelling on a course that risked collision with the ship
International News via Reuters:
A Russian frigate fired warning shots to divert a UK-flagged civilian yacht near British territorial waters on Tuesday, according to statements from Russia’s Defence Ministry and Britain’s Ministry of Defence.
The Russian ministry said the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich spotted a yacht travelling on a course that risked collision with the ship.
After repeated attempts to establish radio contact failed, the frigate fired warning shots, including small arms fire, ahead of the yacht, the ministry said. It said the yacht then altered course and moved away.
Britain’s MoD also described the shots as an attempt to avoid collision after unsuccessful attempts by the Admiral Grigorovich to contact the yacht.
Russia said the shots were fired when the vessels were 150 metres (164 yards) apart while a source familiar with the incident said they were separated by approximately 457 metres (500 yards).
The incident took place in foggy conditions in the Channel about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters, and no injuries were reported, according to the source familiar with the incident.
In April, the Admiral Grigorovich escorted tankers carrying Russian oil through the Channel.
The Russian ministry said the crew on Tuesday acted in accordance with international maritime rules and took all necessary measures to prevent an incident.
On Sunday, British commandos boarded and intercepted the sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker Smyrtos in the Channel, leading for the first time an operation to disrupt the oil revenue that helps fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The MoD spokesperson said its assessment was that Tuesday’s warning shots were not linked to Sunday’s interception and described it instead as an “isolated incident”.
A Royal Navy vessel had been monitoring the Admiral Grigorovich and support was provided to the crew of the yacht, the MoD statement added.
Reporting by William James and Muvija M; editing by Michael Holden, Gareth Jones and Cynthia Osterman
French startup bets on non-humanoid design in crowded AI robot race
The robot, named Eno, breaks from the humanoid design usually favoured by leading manufacturers, featuring a wheeled base rather than legs, a foldable tower and hands that the company says match the form of a human hand
International News via Reuters:
Genesis AI, the French robotics startup backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, unveiled its first general-purpose robot on Tuesday, as AI capabilities expand beyond chatbots and into physical machines.
The robot, named Eno, breaks from the humanoid design usually favoured by leading manufacturers, featuring a wheeled base rather than legs, a foldable tower and hands that the company says match the form of a human hand.
Driven by advances in AI, the global robotics market is expanding rapidly, sparking debate over its impact on employment, though technical challenges, mostly about processing power and battery life, remain.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month showed 53% of Americans were concerned that AI would put them or someone in their household out of work.
Founded in early 2025, Genesis AI has raised $105 million (€90.6 million), one of France’s largest and matching the record seed round of Mistral AI – Europe’s leading AI company. Genesis AI’s valuation was not immediately available.
Eno runs on Genesis’ own AI model, and is not built to look like humans, but to extend human capabilities, according to the company.
Genesis AI plans to begin production and targeted customer deployments by the end of 2026, starting with logistics and manufacturing customers, followed by hotels, hospitals, and consumers.
In a statement, Schmidt said the robot’s breakthrough will not replace human expertise, but rather “amplify it” to unlock what he called “one of the largest economic opportunities of the AI era.”
Genesis AI has built dozens of units so far and plans to scale up production in the second half of 2026, Vivian Sun, Vice President of Commercial and Strategy at Genesis AI, told Reuters.
Sun said the wheeled base was chosen because most industrial customers operate on flat floors, adding that legs would only make sense for use cases like climbing stairs.
“We are mimicking humans in capabilities, not in form. Humans can go up and down, and so does the robot, but through this foldable design.”
(1 euro = $1.1584)
Reporting by Leo Marchandon and Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman
Price pressures may linger due to damaged energy assets, ECB’s Makhlouf says
The ECB raised interest rates for the first time in nearly three years last week and left the door open to more tightening to prevent a surge in fuel costs caused by the Iran war from spreading to other prices
International News via Reuters:
An interim deal to end the Middle East conflict will not necessarily bring an immediate end to the global energy shock, with damage to energy infrastructure potentially causing lingering price pressures, European Central Bank Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf said on Tuesday.
The ECB raised interest rates for the first time in nearly three years last week and left the door open to more tightening to prevent a surge in fuel costs caused by the Iran war from spreading to other prices.
While the preliminary agreement struck by the U.S. and Iran three days after the ECB’s decision was “welcome”, much remains unclear, Makhlouf said.
“Let me be clear: an end to the conflict does not necessarily mean an immediate end to the shock,” Makhlouf, Ireland’s recently re-appointed central bank chief, said in a speech.
“It remains to be seen how quickly supply chains normalise and energy prices adjust. The direct price pressures might not fade so quickly if the infrastructure damage from the war means production only recovers with a lag.”
Makhlouf added that there also remained little clarity on the proposed reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.
The ECB’s Chief Economist Philip Lane said in an interview at the Reuters NEXT Europe conference on Tuesday that the bank would continue to be “proactive” in its fight against high inflation even after the deal brought down energy prices.
Investors are betting on at least one more ECB rate hike this year, most likely in September or October, with the slight risk of a further move in winter. The deposit rate is currently at 2.25%.
Reporting by Padraic HalpinEditing by Gareth Jones
Public invited to explore careers in Government
Career fair at Pier 6 aims to connect Bermudians with opportunities across the Public Service
The Cabinet Office invites members of the public to attend the Public Service Career Fair and Expo, taking place at Pier 6 from 12.00pm to 8.00pm. This free event is open to high school students, job seekers and working professionals, and is designed to showcase the breadth of careers within the Public Service while providing information on current opportunities, career pathways and future workforce needs. The public is encouraged to come out, speak directly with public officers, and reimagine themselves in a career in the Public Service.
“This Career Fair and Expo is an important opportunity for the community to engage directly with the Public Service and better understand the wide range of roles that support Bermuda every day,” said the Head of the Public Service, Cherie-Lynn Whitter. “We encourage individuals at every stage of their career journey to attend, ask questions, and discover how their skills and interests can align with meaningful public service careers.”
The Career Fair and Expo will extend across the Pier 6 waterfront, Cabinet Grounds and surrounding areas, offering a dynamic and interactive experience. Attendees can expect to see boats and maritime operations on the waterfront, alongside displays from the uniformed services including police, fire and rescue, and the Royal Bermuda Regiment. Emergency vehicles, buses from the Department of Transport will also be on display. These demonstrations are designed to give the public a hands-on view of the essential work carried out across Government, making the event more than a traditional career fair.
Inside Pier 6 and under the event tent, representatives from 11 Ministries will be available to engage with attendees. These include the Ministry of Public Works and Environment; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Economy and Labour; Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Innovation; Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of National Security; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Health; and the Ministry of Education. Departments ranging from Parks, Planning and Public Lands to Immigration, Information and Digital Technologies, Court Services, Customs, Corrections, Health Services and Education will be represented. The Department of Employee and Organisational Development and Workforce Development will also be on hand to provide CV guidance, career advice, and interview preparation, helping attendees better understand where their skills and experience may fit within the Public Service.
Throughout the day, a series of panel discussions and presentations will offer further insight into specific career paths and emerging opportunities. These include an overview of opportunities within the Public Service at 12.20pm, Careers in the Trades with Public Works at 1.00pm, Uniformed Service Pathways at 2.00pm, Public Health Careers at 3.00pm, and Careers within the Attorney-General’s Chambers at 4.00pm. Evening sessions resume with welcome remarks at 5.15pm, followed by a discussion on Digital Transformation in the Public Service at 6.15pm, leading into the Senior Executive Panel at 7.00pm.
The event is structured to accommodate a wide audience, with high school students encouraged to attend between 12.00pm and 4.00pm, and adults and professionals between 4.00pm and 8.00pm. However, all members of the public are welcome at any time. The Public Service offers a diverse range of career options, including opportunities for those without a university degree, as well as pathways for career advancement and growth. With current openings and funded vacancies available, and a significant number of public officers expected to retire in the coming years, now is an ideal time to explore a future within the Public Service. A full list of all the funded vacant posts is available here: https://www2.gov.bm/job-listing
Mrs. Whitter added, “We invite everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the Public Service, engage with our teams and consider how they can contribute to the work we do. Whether you are entering the workforce, considering a career change or looking to grow professionally, there is a place for you within the Public Service.”
For more information, members of the public can visit www2.gov.bm/careerfair, follow Government social media channels to hear directly from public officers about their roles, or email careerfair@gov.bm with any questions.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Kiwon Waldron battles through competitive Pace Class card in Indiana
Bermudian harness racing driver Kiwon Waldron returned to the sulky at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Indiana, grinding out a pair of hard-fought, fast-paced results against top-tier North American fields.
The premier seven-furlong oval welcomed back the talented island driver for a demanding evening under the lights across two highly competitive Pace Class fixtures. Waldron’s finest moment of the card arrived in the eighth race of the evening behind Odds On Candy. Executing a patient, well-timed drive from the gate and navigating dense traffic through the backstretch, he positioned the pacer beautifully for a late charge. Odds On Candy responded well in the final straight, gritting out a superb third-place podium finish and stopping the clock in a sharp 1:54.0.
Waldron returned to the track for the 12th race of the program, guiding Tell’s Pure Power in another blistering Pace Class encounter. The race proved to be an absolute speed show from the start, with the frontrunners setting a ferocious tempo that completely stretched the field.
Despite being forced to cover extra ground on the outside from a difficult position, Waldron kept Tell’s Pure Power pushing hard until the wire. The duo crossed the line in fifth place overall, clocking a scorching time of 1:52.1 in an attritional finish. The back-to-back performances provide Waldron with another solid foundation of competitive miles as he continues to assert his presence on the elite midwestern harness racing circuit.
Government hints at a ‘more gradual’ transition to renewables
An amendment to the Electricity Act means the Minister of Home Affairs can suspend the IRP process that involves the Regulatory Authority and an electricity provider
Government has granted itself more power over the electricity sector.
In taking that action, it implies a change to previous “aggressive” targets for the transition to renewable energy.
An amendment to the Electricity Act, passed on Friday, means the Minister of Home Affairs can step in to a process previously held between the Regulatory Authority and an electricity provider, such as BELCO.
The Minister can now suspend, for up to two years, the process to formulate the next Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP – the blueprint governing Bermuda’s energy future.
Alexa Lightbourne, the Home Affairs Minister, cites this move as part of an effort to lower energy costs for Bermudians.
She argues that the previous structure has limited Government’s power to ensure affordability is considered in the IRP process.
The Minister said, “this government was elected in 2025 on a mandate of equity and tangible progress. The price, the reliability and the fairness of electricity sits at the center of that mandate…
“Under the current framework, the Integrated Resource Plan is authored by the utility. We know that the utility is a commercial enterprise… and plans accordingly to its commercial interests. The regulatory authority then refines what the utility submits in consultation with the government’s policy. And the government, which promised the people relief and a better standard of living, holds a responsibility without the statutory means… Three entities, three different objectives…
“It should be declared that none of these institutions has acted improperly. The structure itself produced the misalignment, and this bill corrects it by ensuring that regulatory accountability also considers the public interest.”
Members of the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance commended the aim to reduce energy costs for Bermudians.
However, Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Minister of Home & Community Affairs, cited that affordability is already a part of the electricity act, and questioned if any suspension of the IRP process could lead to higher costs for the taxpayer.
He added that this act is “ministerial overreach, though with good intentions”, and may spook investors by giving the appearance that the independent Regulatory Authority may “not be as separated from government as reach as it should be”.
Scott Pearman, Deputy OBA Leader, reaffirmed that the OBA is instead in favour of giving the Regulatory Authority more power over the electricity provider.
Michael Fahy called for the Minister to explain what Government is planning to do with its new powers in the immediate future.
He asked, “how quickly after this bill passes, will the Minister issue an order or a directive pursuant to the act?…
“Which parts and for how long?… she should also explain how any potential directives or orders that she’s going to give to reconstitute or suspend the IRP is in the public interest.”
Minister Lightbourne cited that much has changed since the Electricity Act was passed in 2016 – including the sale of BELCO to a foreign entity.
Responding to Opposition questions, the Minister also indicated that previous IRP timelines to transition to renewables may be unrealistic and costly to pursue…
“The electricity sector policy of 2015, which is currently the approved government policy, has aggressive 85% renewable targets for energy transition in Bermuda… 2035 targets. And we are just short of of 2035, with not having made material progress towards that 85% targets.”
“To proceed with a target with such an aggressive transition means that the cost relating to reviews, research, technological viability studies – all will be done under a confined timeline, which will all be compounded, and at the cost of the ratepayer.”
“What the energy policy… that is being proposed seeks to rightsize [is] a transition that is more gradual in our context, that does not compromise our energy targets, but rather says ‘due to where we know that we are now… these targets ought to be reconsidered.”
Adam Hall returns as Winnipeg Goldeyes edge RedHawks in 10-inning thriller
Bermudian international Adam Hall made a dramatic return from the Injured List as his Winnipeg Goldeyes teammates prevailed in a wild, 10-inning extra-base extravaganza to defeat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 13-10.
On an afternoon where pitching took a back seat to pure offensive fireworks at Newman Outdoor Field, Hall showed no signs of rust following his recent spell on the sidelines. The island standout turned in a resilient two-for-six performance at the plate and scored twice to help orchestrate a classic road victory.
The Goldeyes looked in total control early on, building a 6-2 lead fueled by solo home runs from Max Murphy and Jiandido Tromp, alongside magnificent four-hit games from both Tromp and Ramon Bramasco.
However, facing a 10-6 deficit in the bottom of the ninth, the RedHawks mounted a spectacular, stadium-shaking rally against the Winnipeg bullpen. Colby Wilkerson ignited the comeback with a clutch three-run home run, before Carlos Amaya followed with a dramatic solo shot to tie the game at 10-10 and force extra innings.
The momentum faded quickly for the home crowd in the top of the 10th. Noah Marcelo and the returning Hall sparked the definitive blow, executing back-to-back singles before catching the defense completely off guard with a daring double steal. Both came around to score courtesy of a Marcelo single and a clutch Bramasco RBI knock to stretch the lead to 13-10.
RedHawks shortstop Aidan Byrne hit a triple in the bottom of the frame to give the fans one last glimmer of hope, but Goldeyes reliever Eli Saul slammed the door shut to secure the thrilling win and keep Winnipeg’s early-season momentum firmly on track.
Nuff Said victory caps off flawless Missouri weekend for Bermuda
Bermuda’s grip on the international powerboat landscape has tightened significantly following a historic, high-octane weekend at the IHRA Shootout Offshore at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The competitive field arrived in Missouri desperate to close the gap on the dominant mid-Atlantic teams, but instead witnessed a total island takeover on the freshwater circuit. The marquee event culminated in a historic maiden professional victory for Luis Martins and Nick Imprescia aboard Nuff Said, while world championship leaders David Selley and Steven Bridges secured a vital podium finish to maintain their status as the definitive team to beat.
Qualifying on the inside of the second row, Martins and Imprescia handled the breezy lake conditions with superb discipline, locking into an early deck-to-deck duel before pulling away into clean air. The S-12 canopy catamaran crew controlled the eight-lap race from the front, stopping the clock in a blistering, winning time of 26:00.188.
The breathtaking display earned the team a massive 115 points, pushing their season tally to 352 overall. While they remain fourth in the world standings, Nuff Said now sit just nine points behind third-placed Wozencraft, and are within striking distance of second-placed Allied/STR Powerboats on 378 points.
The island’s dream weekend was backed up beautifully by the premier boat in the division. Racing from pole position, David Selley and Steven Bridges navigated the heavy wake and tight river corners to deliver a heavily disciplined performance, crossing the line in second place with an eight-lap time of 26:12.351.
The podium finish collected 104 valuable points for the championship frontrunners, expanding their commanding total to 438 points at the summit of the world standings. With the field preparing for the next tour stops, Bermuda’s multi-boat onslaught has left the international fleet scrambling for answers in the race for the 2026 world title.
Peter Bromby consolidates second as Kelsey Durham battles tough day two
Bermudian sailing legend Peter Bromby maintained his fierce charge for a fourth world title, weathering a grueling second day of racing at the International One Design World Championship in Marblehead to sit outright second overall.
Following an opening day that saw the fleet deadlocked at the summit, the 13-boat fleet returned to the waters off the Eastern Yacht Club for another heavy block of tactical racing. Relying on his vast experience to navigate the regatta’s strict boat-rotation format, the four-time Bermuda Olympian put on a tactical clinic in the opening heat of the day to secure a superb second-place finish.
A hard-fought sixth-place finish in the subsequent race took Bromby’s total score to 14 points, keeping him safely in the silver medal position and within striking distance of the overall lead as the fleet crosses the midway point of the 10-race series.
In contrast, the second day on the Massachusetts coast proved to be a highly attritional affair for fellow Bermudian skipper Kelsey Durham.
After ending the previous afternoon locked in a highly competitive tie for third, Durham found himself fighting deep within a crowded mid-fleet pack as shifting coastal breezes disrupted the racing lines. Despite enduring a couple of difficult starts, the young helmsman demonstrated great grit to limit the damage, grinding out back-to-back ninth-place finishes.
The resilient display leaves Durham in seventh place overall on 28 points, remaining firmly in contention to mount a late-regatta charge toward the top five when racing resumes tomorrow.
