St David’s, Bermuda, June 10, 2026 — The St David’s Island Historical Society (St DIHS) has formed an agreement with The Bermuda Land Management Company (BLMC) for permission to create a public park at Annie’s Bay (zoned Park) including the beach and the memorial site, situated south of Orange Hole Road. The St DIHS has completed a detailed Conservation Management Plan prepared by landscape architect David Cox. The Conservation Management Plan has approval of the BLMC, and the support of Google.
The proposed plan to create the public park was spearheaded by President of the St DIHS, Richard Spurling who commented “Prior to 1941 Annie’s Bay was the home of Tommy Fox, who was known to Islanders as the ‘Uncrowned King of St Davids’ and Mr. Fox declared that “St Davids is the most beautiful place to live, free and plentiful. I will never leave it”. Further, on Fox’s Hill above the bay many of the Islanders (whalers, fishermen, pilots, gig rowers and farmers) lived including the Foxs, Lambs, and Pitchers. This bay is the only remaining natural bay of old Southside, St Davids out of 8 bays, the others destroyed by the construction of the US Base in 1941. Accordingly, the area is sacrosanct for many islanders hence the limestone memorial to their sacrifice erected by the St DIHS a couple of years ago. This park will join the many Parks and Nature Reserves in St Davids forming a continuous green belt full of history, views, beaches and nature trails.”
The Hon. Minister and Deputy Premier, Zane DeSilva, “The Ministry of Housing & Municipalities, and the BLMC fully support this Annie’s Bay project and commend the St DIHS for taking on this multiyear task. The Ministry and the BLMC thank Google for their support and the St DIHS for their work in undertaking this project to facilitate this park for the public and the heritage of old St Davids.”
Richard Spurling, President of St DIHS further commented, “The St DIHS is excited to begin this project and suggest naming the park The Annie’s Bay Memorial Park. The project will be managed by Ian Pitcher, an Islander, and a St DIHS founding director. We are grateful for Google’s support and BLMC’s permission, without which this would not be possible. We are confident that the Islanders will join us with volunteer support to remove invasives and plant cedars and palmettos and other endemics/natives keeping the cost to a minimum.”
A Google spokesperson remarked, “We are pleased to support this important project for St Davids and to assist the St DIHS. We look forward to the day when we all can return here at Annie’s Bay to dedicate and open this new park.”
The digital agreement, supplementing a free-trade accord that entered force in 2011, is designed to ease cross-border data flows, recognise electronic contracts and electronic signatures and sets rules on consumer protection
International News via Reuters:
The European Union and South Korea signed a digital trade agreement on Wednesday designed to make digital transactions easier and further cement economic ties between the partners at their first summit in three years.
The digital trade deal and other cooperation agreed at the summit, such as on exchanging classified security information and passenger name records, are part of both sides’ push to forge new alliances and deepen existing ones at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including U.S. tariffs, Chinese export curbs and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The digital agreement, supplementing a free-trade accord that entered force in 2011, is designed to ease cross-border data flows, recognise electronic contracts and electronic signatures and sets rules on consumer protection.
It should also reduce costs for businesses, boosting services trade. The EU is South Korea’s third-largest partner in goods trade, while Korea is the eighth-largest partner for the EU.
The agreement reflects the EU’s aspiration to be a global standard-setter for digital trade, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It already has a digital agreement with Singapore, digital parts of trade accords with Britain, Chile and New Zealand and a deal on cross-border data flows with Japan.
Digitally delivered services trade globally in 2025 was some five times higher than in 2005, with 10% increases in the past three years, far outpacing growth in trade of goods and other services, according to the World Trade Organization.
The EU is the world’s largest exporter of services, nearly half of which are digital. The agreement still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.
Reporting by Philip BlenkinsopEditing by Bill Berkrot
Visa issues have already arisen at the World Cup, which begins on Thursday in the U.S., Canada and Mexico
International News via Reuters:
Los Angeles Olympics organisers are working closely with the authorities to avoid a repeat of the visa complications and denials of entry faced by several stakeholders at the soccer World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said on Wednesday.
“I am confident that in two years we will be able to overcome a number of the challenges that the World Cup is facing right now. But I think that also takes collaboration and learning,” Coventry told a press conference in Lausanne after a meeting of the IOC’s executive board.
IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey said there were dedicated people in the organising committee working on the matter.
“They have an office in Washington, there is a strong relationship they are building with the authorities, with the right agencies that will have to be involved in this process,” Ducrey said.
“I think it’s also a lot about explaining who is going to be coming, the profile of the people, the role they have to play so that we can also spend a lot of time educating the agencies and make sure we are all on the same page regarding what is going to happen in 2028.”
Visa issues have already arisen at the World Cup, which begins on Thursday in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The Iranian team had to move their training base from Arizona to Mexico and will be allowed to enter the U.S. only a day before each of their three matches, and a Somali referee was denied entry into the U.S. days before the event kicks off.
IOC BOARD BACKS SKI MOUNTAINEERING AT 2030 WINTER GAMES
At the Lausanne meeting, the IOC’s executive board approved a proposal to add ski mountaineering, which made its debut at the Milano Cortina Olympics in February, to the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
“The French Alps organising committee proposed… to add ski mountaineering to the 2030 Winter Olympic programme edition. The (executive board) has decided to approve this and will put that forward to our session in two weeks,” Coventry said.
The board also decided not to include “crossover sports” such as cyclocross at the 2030 Games, but left open the door for the future.
“We decided, very clear, for the upcoming Winter Olympics that we would like to keep the identity of winter sports of snow and ice… no crossover at the moment. It could be in the future,” said Karl Stoss, chair of the Olympic programme working group.
The IOC’s 146th session is set to be held on June 24 and 25 in Lausanne.
Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon
Like other countries and the European Union, Britain is moving to protect domestic steel producers as they flag concern over the “dumping” of highly subsidised steel from countries such as China
International News via Reuters:
Britain is seeking views from industry on its new steel tariff regime, the government said on Wednesday, as it considers changes to the proposed scheme after users of the metal warned of heavy costs on their businesses.
Like other countries and the European Union, Britain is moving to protect domestic steel producers as they flag concern over the “dumping” of highly subsidised steel from countries such as China.
In March, Britain proposed to cut its tariff-free quota on imported steel and double the tariff on imports exceeding that allowance, in a new trade measure due to come in on July 1 which was welcomed by the British steel industry.
But firms from other sectors have expressed concern about the impact of the plan on their costs, and the British Chambers of Commerce has warned of “real financial and logistics problems” for steel-consuming industries including construction, engineering and manufacturing.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said the trade measure “aims to strike the right balance between protecting domestic production and maintaining a secure supply”.
“We always said we would take feedback from industry about the measures and conduct a review after 12 months to ensure it remains effective, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” the spokesperson said.
A Sky News report on possible modifications to the plans said there could be a “partial U-turn” in which a greater number of steel products might be exempted from the restrictions.
Industry group UK Steel said it would fully support targeted amendments and didn’t agree that accepting those would be a U-turn, adding that it had itself proposed changes to help other sectors access the steel they needed.
The group has engaged with manufacturers “to identify areas where amendments are required to ensure the measure provides the protection steelmakers need whilst causing the minimum amount of disruption to the broader manufacturing sector”, said Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel.
Britain and the EU are in talks over their respective steel measures, with UK trade minister Chris Bryant previously indicating that the two sides should be able to agree mutually beneficial exemptions.
Reporting by Alistair Smout, Muvija M and Sam Tabahriti, writing by Alistair Smout, editing by William James and Jan Harvey
Forty-six signatories call on EU leaders to support a “robust and predictable” ETS during the July review, calling it “a critical moment for Europe’s competitiveness, energy security and clean industrial future”
International News via Reuters:
A group of investors managing around €12 trillion ($14 trillion) in assets have backed a public statement calling on European Union leaders not to dilute the bloc’s Emissions Trading System during a planned review.
• Forty-six signatories call on EU leaders to support a “robust and predictable” ETS during the July review, calling it “a critical moment for Europe’s competitiveness, energy security and clean industrial future”.
• Signatories include Allianz SE, L&G Asset Management, Church of England Pension Board, Erste Asset Management, Sampension and Nordea Asset Management.
• Investors flag points to maintain in the ETS including: ensuring the ETS cap aligns with the EU’s climate goals; and that there are transparent rules to maintain supply and scarcity, limit price volatility and help ensure market liquidity.
• The investors also call for a “functioning carbon border adjustment mechanism” to mitigate carbon leakage risks and drive carbon pricing elsewhere.
• ETS revenues, meanwhile, should be used to support investment in industrial decarbonisation and energy system transformation, with support offered to companies making “meaningful” decarbonisation investments and targeted sectoral policies to address investment barriers.
• An internal European Commission document seen by Reuters on Wednesday suggests it will extend industries’ free emissions allowances, in exchange for them investing in the bloc.
• Walter Hatak, head of responsible investments at Erste Asset Management, said: “Institutional investors depend on predictable long-term policy frameworks to allocate capital with confidence. Weakening the EU ETS would increase regulatory uncertainty, dilute the carbon-price signal, and risk penalising companies already investing in electrification, clean industrial processes and low-carbon technologies.”
($1 = 0.8658 euros)
Reporting by Simon Jessop; Editing by David Holmes
Bermudian international striker Kole Hall has been officially retained by National League North side Chorley FC for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
The 27-year-old forward moved to Victory Park in June 2024 and enjoyed an impressive debut season with the Magpies, netting 12 goals in 39 appearances. However, Hall’s progress was cruelly halted when he was sidelined for the entirety of the 2025-26 season after suffering a serious, unexpected medical condition upon returning from international duty.
Following an extended period of rehabilitation, the club has reached a new agreement to support the frontman as he steps up his workload toward full match fitness.
The global football community rallied around the striker during his illness, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over £10,000 to assist with his medical expenses. Hall has expressed his immense gratitude to the supporters and officials at Chorley, as well as the wider public, for the overwhelming waves of support.
Chorley manager Andy Preece expressed his delight at securing Hall’s services for another year, emphasizing the forward’s unique quality when firing on all cylinders.
“Kole has had a frustrating season with illness and injuries,” Preece said. “We know if we can keep him healthy he is one of the best strikers in the league. He offers an all-round threat which is hard to find at any level.”
With the contract finalized, Hall is eager to pull the shirt back on and spearhead the Magpies’ attacking line as they look ahead to the new league campaign.
Bermuda’s Daniel Phillips made a blistering start to his campaign at the M15 Kayseri tournament in Turkey, dropping just a single game to secure his place in the main draw.
Competing on the hard courts for the ITF World Tennis Tour event, the rising Bermudian star turned what could have been a tricky qualifying hurdle into a dominant display of power and precision.
Facing off against the United States’ Martin Ramirez, Phillips asserted total authority from the opening serve. He dominated the baseline rallies, hitting through the court with supreme confidence to sweep the opening set without conceding a single game.
Ramirez simply had no answer to Phillips’ relentless tempo. While the American managed to finally get himself on the scoreboard in the second set, it proved to be nothing more than a brief consolidation as Phillips swiftly wrapped up a clinical 6-0, 6-1 straight-sets victory.
The emphatic win sends a clear warning to the rest of the field in Kayseri as Phillips carries formidable momentum into the main draw.
Bermudian youth athletes Raelyn and Reyna Robinson produced a spectacular track and field performance on the international stage, storming to a combined five gold medals at the Abu Dhabi Championships.
Competing as unattached athletes at the prestigious Zayed Sports City, the talented duo asserted dominance over their respective sprint and field divisions against a highly competitive international field.
Raelyn Robinson enjoyed a flawless weekend in the Under-10 category, executing a clean sweep across all four of her events. She ignited her campaign by capturing the 80m title in 12.98 seconds, before doubling down in the sprints to claim the 150m crown in 24.38 seconds.
Showcasing immense versatility, Raelyn then stepped up in distance to comfortably secure the 300m gold in 56.98 seconds, before leaping to a dominant victory in the Long Jump with a best mark of 3.13 metres.
Not to be outdone, younger sibling Reyna Robinson mirrored that golden touch in the Under-8 division. Reyna stormed to a magnificent victory in the 150m sprint, stopping the clock at 29.70 seconds to claim the top step of the podium. She very nearly made it a sweep of her own, digging deep to secure a superb silver medal in the 80m final in 15.48 seconds.
The extraordinary medal haul in the Middle East marks a brilliant international breakthrough for the young siblings as they continue to showcase the immense depth of rising athletic talent emerging from Bermuda.
Bermuda’s youth basketball development is set to take a historic step forward this summer, with the island officially confirming its debut participation at the prestigious 2026 Portugal Basketball Festival.
Marking a monumental milestone for the local game, Bermuda will send two select youth squads to the European continent for the very first time to test their skills against a formidable international field.
To ensure they are battle-ready, the Bermudian contingent will first undergo an intensive, one-week developmental training camp in Lisbon to adapt to the climate, sharpen tactical systems, and gel as a unit.
Organisers have promised a high-calibre environment designed to push emerging talent to their absolute limits.
“This is where new teams step onto an international stage and face real competition in every youth category,” a tournament representative stated. “It’s time to test your limits on the court. It’s the beginning of a legacy.”
The festival has established a fierce reputation for showcasing top-tier global youth talent, demanding elite tactical discipline and high-level athleticism. For the Bermudian players, the tournament represents vital international exposure and the foundational bricks for the island’s long-term basketball future.
The latest Support Public Schools donation will help teachers and students across the island’s public primary schools
More than $17,000 worth of new school supplies have been delivered by the truckload to the island’s public schools thanks to a community-driven initiative.
Alisa Bernardo was at St. David’s Primary School as students and teachers received their donation.
More in the above report.
Media release:
Support Public Schools, Bermuda (SPS.bm) has inspired supporters to purchase more than $17,300 worth of new school supplies to benefit Bermuda’s public schools this term. In addition, several thousand dollars’ worth of good quality second-hand office supplies have been donated by companies to help support teachers and administrators. The supplies will be delivered to grateful teachers and students on June 9th and 10th.
Since SPS was founded in 2018, approximately $700,000 worth of new school supplies have been purchased by SPS supporters to benefit public school teachers and students. In addition, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of second-hand office and school supplies, including computers, furniture, sports equipment and apparel, books and games have been donated to all public schools.
Butterfield remains the most generous supporter of SPS.bm since inception, this year repeating its purchase of $10,000 to help fulfill public school teachers’ “wish lists” for much-needed school supplies.
The Bermuda legal fraternity will put on their sneakers to participate in the Bermuda Bar Association’s Annual Walk on Thursday June 11, 2026, supporting SPS for the third year in a row. Last year they raised more than $7,000 to purchase school supplies for Bermuda’s 15 primary schools.
Bermuda Bar Association former President, Richard Horseman said:
“The Bermuda Bar Association commenced the Legal Fraternity Annual Charitable walk in 2014 as a platform in which the legal fraternity could give back to the community. Of course, many law firms and lawyers have their own charitable programmes and give back in their own way, but the members and the Bar Council felt that it was important to organise this event to recognise the Bar Association’s commitment to helping those in need, particularly Bermuda’s youth. Support Public Schools is an extremely worthy recipient of this year’s event. A quality education is critical in preparing Bermudian students for future success, and SPS is assisting this need by providing resources teachers and students need for a well-rounded education. I am proud to have been involved with the former Bar Council who came up with the idea many years ago and delighted to see that the event has now solidified itself into a permanent annual event”
SPS was also delighted to once again receive support this year from the Bermuda Monetary Authority who purchased 12 cases of paper for public schools.
“The SPS team consistently work with great dedication to ensure that our public-school teachers have the resources, tools, and support they need to succeed in the classroom. Your ongoing commitment makes a meaningful difference for both educators and students across our community. It is truly our pleasure to continue supporting this important work. We value the collaboration and the positive impact that Support Public Schools has in strengthening public education. We are indeed grateful for the opportunity to continue making our contributions in a way that helps in advancing these efforts.”
Other generous supporters this year include a repeat $5,000 donation from Deloitte, as well as donations from Argus, Butterfield & Vallis, Legal & General Re, Challenger Banks Ltd., Bermuda Public Services Union, BELCO, Catalina Holdings, Ernest and Young, Expertise Group Limited, MS Reinsurance, Catalina Re, Canterbury Law Limited, BEDC, Chubb, and Everen.
Sports in public schools was promoted by a repeat gift of footballs by Frankie Jr. and Susana Brewster of the ProShop. Special thanks also goes to Chubb for donating coffee mugs for public school teachers.
Many companies also donated towards our Spring “paper drive” buying cases of printer paper, which delighted teachers call “gold”, with a total of 75 cases purchased and distributed to schools.
St. David’s Primary Principal Mr. Gladstone Thompson said:
“On behalf of the St. David’s Primary School community, I extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Support Bermuda’s Public Schools for your continued commitment to uplifting and strengthening public education across our island. Your dedication to supporting students, educators, and schools has made a meaningful and lasting impact. Through your advocacy, resources, and generosity, you help ensure that our public schools remain places where children can learn, grow, and thrive in a supportive and enriching environment.
We are deeply thankful for the role you play in championing educational equity and excellence. Your efforts not only enhance learning opportunities for students but also inspire educators to continue their work with renewed purpose and confidence, knowing that our community stands behind us. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all that you do in service of Bermuda’s public schools. Your support is truly valued, and we look forward to the continued positive difference we can make together.”
Francis Patton Principal, Todd Fox said:
“On behalf of the students and teachers at Francis Patton School, we would like to thank you once again for your generous donation of school supplies for P4 and P5, Art and PE. Your kindness and continued support to provide valuable resources that enrich our students’ educational experiences are truly appreciated. We are grateful for your commitment to our school community and for making such a positive difference. The teachers and students of Francis Patton School sincerely appreciate your generosity and ongoing partnership.”
SPS founder and main organiser, Ms. Juliana Snelling thanked everyone stating:
“The entire SPS team is thrilled to be making our second delivery of school supplies for the 2025/26 school year in our 8th year running. We are so grateful for our long-standing, as well as new supporters, who have given so generously which enables us to deliver critical and exciting supplies to all of Bermuda’s public primary schools. Our motivation in founding SPS, and a mission to which our entire team remains committed, is to ensure that Bermuda’s young students have the instructional resources they need to thrive in a stimulating, creative and fun school environment. The entire community has a vested interest in putting education first and providing every opportunity we can to help shape our future leaders. Our twice-yearly deliveries contribute to enhanced learning experiences and outcomes, and we are always grateful for the many letters of thanks and appreciation we receive from principals, teachers and students.”
Each year public school teachers provide SPS with “wish lists” of what will improve their classroom experience. This year the items included fidget chair bands, electric sharpeners, board games, STEM Kits, CDs for Listening Centers, wobble cushions, noise cancelling headphones, geometry sets, laminators, sand timers and more. Supporters can respond to the specific classroom need that inspires them.
These items are then made available for purchase at discounted prices by SPS’ two retail suppliers, AF Smith Ltd. and Phoenix Group Ltd. The stores then deliver the supplies directly to the classrooms free of charge on designated delivery days overseen by SPS.bm volunteers. Principals, teachers, and students then send thank-you letters describing how the supplies are helping to improve the classroom experience. Supporters can visit website SPS.bm to read moving letters from principals, teachers and pupils who attest to how the SPS supplies are being put into amazing use.
Donations are welcomed throughout the year. Supporters can make online purchases on the SPS.bm website with a credit card or make a bank transfer to AF Smith Ltd: BNTB A/C 20006060173876100 (Memo ref: SPS SUP003) or HSBC A/C 010715613001 (Memo ref: SPS SUP003). Alternatively, they can purchase supplies themselves and drop them off to SPS at the address below. Second-hand good quality office and school supplies including computer equipment and furniture are also welcomed.
SPS.bm is proud to have been selected as the 2024 Winner of the Meritus Foundation Award which recognises community leaders helping people and planet and demonstrating values of passion, courage, humility and empathy. Ms. Snelling was also recognised in the 2025 King’s Honour’s List with a King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for her work through SPS and the Grateful Bread to help those in need in our community.
To learn more, visit the website SPS.bm or email SPSteam@sps.bm or tel. 296-8444 at Canterbury Law Ltd., a proud supporter of SPS.bm.
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