The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the cause of the mass die off is not normal with a similar event taking place here in 2015
Experts are investigating after dozens of dead fish were discovered on the beach at Shelly Bay.
Disease has been ruled out but the unusual deaths might be linked to an imbalance of oxygen, possibly linked to an inundation of seaweed.
Jasmine Patterson tells us more.
Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said he expected a clear majority of the EU assembly to back the deal struck last July at U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland
International News via Reuters:
The European Union is set to fulfil its side of the EU-U.S. trade deal through a vote in parliament next week, a senior lawmaker said on Wednesday, while expressing little confidence that the United States will stick to the deal’s terms.
Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said he expected a clear majority of the EU assembly to back the deal struck last July at U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
The German Social Democrat said the approval was only possible because of a number of safeguards put in place by the parliament, allowing the EU to react if the Trump administration breached the deal’s terms and terminating the deal at the end of 2029 unless there is new legislation to renew it.
“You can’t have any certainty. That’s the problem,” Lange told a media briefing.
“As long as the U.S. set-up remains as it is… with decisions on important issues only made in the White House and by the president you have to constantly expect that decisions will be made against agreements,” he continued. “We see that and others too, such as Brazil.”
The Trump administration has proposed 25% tariffs on many imports from Brazil, which Lange said appeared politically motivated.
The lawmaker also said that the relative advantage the European Union had enjoyed under the Turnberry deal, with lower tariffs on its exports than faced by many rivals, had gone now that 10% U.S. tariffs applied almost universally.
“We can completely forget the special transatlantic relationship in this matter and we have to defend our interests rationally,” he said.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said last week that the United States was committed to complying with the terms of the trade agreement. “We understand that a deal is a deal,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an OECD meeting in Paris.
Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, Editing by Louise Heavens
Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East conflict on March 2 when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under U.S.-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign
International News via Reuters:
The UN human rights office will deploy a team of investigators to Lebanon next week to assess potential violations of international law by all parties during the current war in the country, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Wednesday.
Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East conflict on March 2 when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under U.S.-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign.
Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, editing by Linda Pasquini
Garbage schedule rolls over by one day next week
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment is advising that due to National Heroes Day on Monday, 15 June 2026, household waste collection will follow a roll-over schedule.
On roll-over weeks, waste collection days move over by one day, resulting in waste normally collected on Monday being collected on Tuesday, Tuesday’s waste on Wednesday, and ending with Friday’s waste being collected on Saturday.
Recycling collection will remain unchanged as this is not a recycling collection week.
Members of the public may also use the Tynes Bay Public Drop-off, which is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. to dispose of household waste, TAG recyclables, hazardous materials such as paints and pesticides, and bulky burnable and non-burnable items.
For the 2026 Garbage and Recycling calendar and a comprehensive list of What Goes Where, visit gov.bm/waste.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
New programme offers 500 free scholarships in high-demand digital and technology skills
Bermuda College and Google launch a new initiative to provide residents across the island with the critical training needed to thrive in a changing global economy.
Bermuda is actively building the workforce of the future and offering access to free resources and training through Grow with Google, that prepares local workers and businesses for today’s technology-driven workplace.
Skills development and career growth
500 scholarships have been awarded to Bermuda residents and, by signing up, people will get access to a vast number of courses until December 31, 2027.
The initiative will give residents the opportunity to learn new skills, reskill, upskill or retrain through flexible online courses designed to help people strengthen their current careers, prepare for new roles and gain access to the digital economy.
The programme will include access to foundational Grow with Google Career Certificates in areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing and e-commerce, project management and user experience design.
Advanced certificates include advanced data analytics, business intelligence and IT automation with Python, while shorter courses include AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials and Agile Essentials.
The courses are 100 per cent online and self-paced. Foundational certificates are designed for learners with no prior experience and can typically be completed in three to six months of part-time study. Shorter Google courses can be completed in approximately five to seven hours.
A Google spokesperson said: “Google is proud to partner with Bermuda College to bring Grow with Google to residents across the island.
“Bermuda is an important place for Google, and as we invest in the island’s digital infrastructure, we also want to invest in its people and their opportunities.
“This first of its kind partnership for Bermuda is about helping residents build practical, job-ready skills that can support career growth, open new pathways and make the opportunities created by technology more accessible to everyone.”
Dr David Sam, President of Bermuda College, added: “This is an exceptional opportunity for Bermuda.
“Through this partnership with Google, residents will be able to access world-class training at no cost, in areas that are increasingly important to employers and to the future of work.
“Bermuda College’s mission is to provide innovative education and partnerships that lead to local and global success.
“Grow with Google aligns directly with that mission by giving learners flexible access to skills that can transform lives, support career progression and strengthen Bermuda’s workforce.”
The programme began as a soft-launch pilot for Bermuda College faculty and staff before being introduced to the St David’s Primary School community, where Google shared the opportunity with parents as part of its engagement connected to the Nuvem and Sol transatlantic cable projects and planned cable landing station in St David’s.
Dr Ali Arouzi, Vice President, Academic Affairs at Bermuda College, said: “This partnership reflects the College’s commitment to expanding digital access and bridging skills gaps in Bermuda.
“Students gain clear career advancement benefits, including in-demand digital skills, industry-recognised credentials and pathways to higher earning potential.”
He added: “The flexible, self-paced format allows learners to upskill while balancing work and personal commitments.
“Since opening the initiative to the campus, we have seen strong engagement and early success, with participants completing multiple courses in a short period, demonstrating both the platform’s accessibility and its clear impact in driving continuous professional growth.”
Tawana Flood, Head of Bermuda College’s Athora Professional and Career Education division, known as APACE, said: “APACE is focused on practical, career-relevant learning, and this partnership gives adults across Bermuda a remarkable way to invest in themselves.
“The courses are accessible, flexible and built around skills that employers need now. Whether someone wants to return to learning, update their CV, prepare for promotion or explore the digital economy for the first time, Grow with Google gives them a clear and supported place to start.”
After completing a course, participants will receive an official Google certificate of completion that can be added as a badge to professional profiles on LinkedIn.
To learn more about the initiative or to sign up, go to the Grow with Google Scholarship (Grow with Google Scholarship Request Form) Request Form or email apace@college.bm.
Media release and image supplied by Bermuda College.
Road Safety Council urges revellers to avoid driving impaired or fatigued
As Bermuda prepares to celebrate Carnival 2026 from June 10–16, the Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) is reminding residents and visitors that the most important part of any celebration is getting home safely.
Carnival is a time to celebrate Bermuda’s culture, creativity, and community spirit. Thousands of people will attend events throughout the week, enjoying music, entertainment, and social gatherings. While we encourage everyone to enjoy the festivities, we also urge the public to make safety a priority and plan ahead before attending any event.
Through our Operation Action – Changing Minds, Changing Behaviours campaign, the Bermuda Road Safety Council continues to encourage road users to make responsible decisions that protect not only themselves but everyone who shares our roads.
The Bermuda Road Safety Council strongly encourages all event organizers, promoters, and carnival-goers to incorporate a transportation plan into their celebrations, particularly when alcohol will be consumed.
If you drink, do not drive. If you drink, do not ride.
Driving or riding while impaired places your life, your passengers, pedestrians, and other road users at risk. A single decision to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol can result in serious injury, loss of life, criminal charges, and consequences that can affect families forever.
If you plan to consume alcohol, arrange safe transportation before leaving home. We encourage the use of:
• Taxis
• Minibuses
• A designated sober driver
• A trusted family member or friend
With ridesharing services commencing June 10th, we encourage the public to learn more about this new safe transportation option by clicking on the link below:
Ridesharing Frequently Asked Questions | Government of Bermuda
The BRSC also reminds the public that alcohol is not the only danger on our roads during Carnival.
This message aligns with the Council’s June road safety theme, “Alert Today – Alive Tomorrow,” which focuses on the dangers of fatigued driving.
With many people attending multiple events over several consecutive days and nights, fatigue can become a serious safety concern. Scientific research has shown that fatigue impairs reaction time, concentration, awareness, and decision-making. In some cases, driving while severely fatigued can affect a person’s ability to operate a vehicle as much as alcohol impairment.
Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
We encourage everyone to get adequate sleep throughout Carnival week and to recognize the warning signs of fatigue, including difficulty concentrating, frequent yawning, drifting between lanes, missing traffic signals, or struggling to keep your eyes open. If you are tired, do not drive. Find another way home.
Before starting your vehicle, ask yourself:
• Have I been drinking?
• Am I too tired to drive?
• Do I have a safe way home?
If the answer to any of these questions gives you pause, do not get behind the wheel.
The Bermuda Road Safety Council wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Carnival 2026. Celebrate responsibly, look out for one another, and remember that every decision you make on the road has the potential to save a life.
Plan Your Ride. Get Your Rest. Make the Right Choice.
Operation Action: Changing Minds. Changing Behaviours.
Alert Today. Alive Tomorrow.
Every Choice Matters.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Road Safety Council.
Police said in a statement that they had launched a manhunt for more than 10 suspects following the attack at the Jumpers informal settlement
International News via Reuters:
At least 12 people were killed and nine injured on Tuesday evening when gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, police said on Wednesday.
Police said in a statement that they had launched a manhunt for more than 10 suspects following the attack at the Jumpers informal settlement.
The motive for the attack is not known.
Police said the suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the settlement from two access points and opened fire at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.
Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina;Editing by Alexander Winning
Seasonal forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures across large parts of the United States, while moisture flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico could fuel thunderstorms and severe weather during the opening weeks of the tournament
International News via Reuters:
The World Cup will kick off on Thursday under familiar North American summer threats: extreme heat, suffocating humidity and thunderstorms capable of delaying matches with little warning.
Seasonal forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures across large parts of the United States, while moisture flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico could fuel thunderstorms and severe weather during the opening weeks of the tournament.
While conditions for individual matches cannot be predicted this far ahead, sports scientists say there are clear weather-related risks facing a summer World Cup spanning Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The key measure is not air temperature alone but wet-bulb globe temperature, which incorporates heat, humidity, sunlight and wind to estimate heat stress on the body.
World Weather Attribution has warned that roughly a quarter of matches could be played in conditions that exceed recommended safety limits.
INTERNAL HEAT CHALLENGE
Chris Minson, a physiology professor and co-director of the Exercise and Environmental Physiology Labs at the University of Oregon, said elite players generate enormous internal heat even before the weather is considered.
“Seventy-five percent of all the energy that we utilise during exercise gets converted to heat,” Minson told Reuters. “Only about 25% goes to actually doing the exercise.”
In hot, sunny or humid conditions, the body’s normal cooling system begins to struggle. Humidity is a particular concern, since sweat cools the body only when it evaporates.
“One of the hardest things for us is when the humidity is very high,” Minson said.
High-humidity World Cup venues include Houston, Miami, Dallas and Monterrey.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE
Climate change has increased the likelihood of temperatures high enough to affect player performance at 97 of the 104 tournament matches, according to new research from Climate Central.
The biggest such increase is projected for the June 26 group-stage match between Uruguay and Spain in Guadalajara, where researchers estimated a 70% chance of performance-impairing heat – 37 percentage points higher than it would have been without climate change.
Ryan Calsbeek, a biological sciences professor at Dartmouth College who studies how body type affects athletic performance in different climates, said heat and humidity could influence not only player welfare but the pace and style of matches.
“Higher temperature, higher humidity is likely to slow games down,” he said. “When athletes have to perform for a very long time, they’re just not going to be able to balance the explosive power of their fast-twitch efforts with the more aerobic long-term efforts of a 90-plus minute game in the heat and humidity.”
Nearly half of all matches face at least a 50% chance of temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) — a threshold linked to declines in sprinting, distance covered and recovery time.
Calsbeek said Mexico City’s altitude – some 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) above sea level – could also prove significant, particularly for those arriving from lower elevations without time to acclimatise. The city is set to host five matches.
FIFA has said every match at the World Cup will include a three-minute hydration break in each half, while scheduling decisions took into account factors including average temperatures, travel, rest days, medical planning and cooling infrastructure.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS QUESTIONED
Several venues feature retractable roofs or climate-control systems, and tournament regulations allow matches to be delayed, suspended, rescheduled or relocated for health, safety or security reasons, including severe weather.
Minson said FIFA should mandate interventions when the wet-bulb globe temperature reaches 26C and should consider postponing matches around 28C to 30C.
Minson also called for six-minute cooling breaks, shaded cooling areas, emergency ice baths and longer halftimes when conditions warranted.
“If you have a player who seems to be having some delirium or not thinking straight, or collapses on the field, you need to cool them down immediately,” he said.
For FIFA, the tournament is a logistical showpiece. For players, coaches and scientists, it may also be a test of how football adapts to a hotter future.
Reporting by Angelica Medina and Janina Nuno Rios, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien
Hudson Ferris honoured as first recipient of renamed leadership award
In recognition of his recent retirement and lasting contributions to the firm and community, Deloitte is proud to announce the renaming of the Deloitte Bermuda Scholarship to the Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship.
Hudson Ferris has been named the inaugural recipient of the Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship (The Scholarship).
The Scholarship is awarded annually and provides Bermudian undergraduate students pursuing accounting, actuarial science, or other business-related fields of study with up to $30,000 over a maximum of three years.
Hudson said: “I am honoured to be selected as the inaugural recipient of the Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston ‘Lead with Integrity’ Scholarship. This recognition reflects the values of leadership, initiative, and integrity that have guided my academic journey and community involvement. I am grateful to Deloitte and the Scholarship Committee for their confidence and support, and I look forward to learning from this opportunity and using those experiences to make a meaningful contribution to Bermuda in the future.”
The Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship Committee was highly impressed by the quality of this year’s applicants, with Hudson distinguishing himself through his academic achievement, initiative, leadership, and strong alignment with Deloitte’s values. He recently completed the International Baccalaureate Programme at Warwick Academy and will begin a Bachelor of Science, Finance and Accounting at the University of Exeter in Fall 2026.
Hudson’s thoughtful engagement with Deloitte first stood out at a career fair, where he approached the team after researching the firm and asked informed, tailored questions about different career paths. The Committee also noted his confidence, preparation, and ability to articulate his strengths, as well as his responsible use of technology as a study aid. Among his standout accomplishments is helping lead the introduction of Bermuda’s first water-cleaning drone, an initiative that required coordinating stakeholders and securing funding, demonstrating exceptional leadership and project management skills.
Hudson will participate in the Deloitte Exclusive Experience Program (DEEP Internship) next summer and, upon completing his studies, intends to pursue his professional designation with Deloitte’s support.
“At Deloitte, we search for people who are innovative and driven to add value to and make an impact through their work,” said Heldar Carreiro, Audit & Assurance Partner and Member of the Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship Committee. “We want to invest in local talent so that they can reach their professional objectives. Therefore, I am pleased to award the 2026 Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston ‘Leadership with Integrity’ Scholarship to Hudson. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to his studies and to pursuing a career in a business-related field. Deloitte hopes he continues to succeed and looks forward to supporting him both monetarily and via his job experiences.”
Deloitte is a place for the curious. We welcome those who value imagination, natural ingenuity, delivering solutions, and problem-solving. At our firm, you’ll find your unique fit within our multidisciplinary service lines, including Audit & Assurance, Tax, and Consulting. We offer life-changing career and professional development opportunities for those who set no limits on their ambitions. Be a part of the Deloitte network and connect with our global community, gain valuable work experience, flex-work benefits, local and overseas training, volunteer opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Deloitte Bermuda student programs include: High School Work Experiences, DEEP, Co-op Placements, and the Deloitte Graduate Program.
At Deloitte, there is a universe of career options for you, all with endless future possibilities. To discover yours, visit https://www.deloitte.com/cbc/students for more information about our student programs.
Photo caption: Heldar Carreiro, Audit & Assurance Partner and The Scholarship Committee Member, with Hudson Ferris, 2026 Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship recipient.
Media release and image supplied.
The Brians 1 penitentiary, built in 1991 about 40 km (25 miles) outside Barcelona, currently houses around 1,000 inmates
International News via Reuters:
Pope Leo, who has forcefully advocated for the rights of prisoners, visited one of Spain’s largest prisons on Wednesday, urging the inmates to make amends for their crimes and commit to living better lives.
Speaking to detainees at a penitentiary outside Barcelona, in the first visit of a pope to a Spanish prison, Leo said a person’s past “does not condemn the future but rather offers the possibility of changing our decisions and choices”.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, is on a week-long tour of Spain in which he has warned that escalating conflicts have pushed the world into a profound crisis and urged better treatment of migrants.
The centrepiece of the pope’s visit to Barcelona, the second of three stops on the tour, will come later Wednesday, when he will inaugurate the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia, the modernist basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi that has become the world’s tallest church.
The Brians 1 penitentiary, built in 1991 about 40 km (25 miles) outside Barcelona, currently houses around 1,000 inmates.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I haven’t been able to sleep a wink,” said Montse Benavente, an inmate who delivered a testimony before the pope about how she had struggled with her faith and the damage she had done to her family with her actions.
Leo last visited a prison in April, when he braved a heavy rainstorm in Equatorial Guinea during a four-nation Africa tour and heard the inmates cry out for freedom.
The late Pope Francis also advocated for prisoners’ rights and visited a facility in Rome just four days before his death as he was recovering from double pneumonia.
One of the prisoners at the Barcelona facility told El Mundo they were very grateful for Leo’s visit. “No one remembers us,” said the person, identified as Mayte. “It is very easy to forget someone who is in prison.”
Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Additional reporting by Joan Faus; Editing by Charlie Devereux and Alison Williams
The report said the Department for Business and Trade would be holding talks with industry groups this week on proposals that would exclude a greater number of steel products from the restrictions unveiled in March
International News via Reuters:
Britain is drawing up plans to modify a steel tariff regime, including expanding exemptions to more categories of steel, after industry groups warned the measures could impose heavy costs on their businesses, Sky News reported on Wednesday.
The report said the Department for Business and Trade would be holding talks with industry groups this week on proposals that would exclude a greater number of steel products from the restrictions unveiled in March.
The Department for Business and Trade did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reporting by Muvija M, writing by Sam Tabahriti, editing by William James
The utility would avoid some new penalties over four years in return for £700 million investor funding to improve assets
International News via Reuters:
UK’s Thames Water could pay £749 million ($1 billion), including fees to bankers and lawyers, if a proposed deal handing senior creditors control of the utility goes through, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing a creditor submission.
Here are some details from the report:
• Deal would include £160 million in fees to senior creditors and £254 million in other costs
• Thames Water would pay about £285 million in accrued interest to creditors on deal completion, and £50 million in fees owed to other creditors
• The utility would avoid some new penalties over four years in return for £700 million investor funding to improve assets
• Creditors would inject £3.35 billion in new equity and provide £3.25 billion in new debt, plus an option to increase debt by £3.3 billion
• Thames Water will pay £160 million in commitment fees to lenders backing the £6.55 billion debt package
• Apollo will backstop the entire credit facility and could receive a sum of £160 million, with other creditors taking smaller portions
• Thames Water reiterated its focus on securing a recapitalisation to restore financial stability, a spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the deal is intended to support and accelerate a turnaround
• Creditors have proposed a new management plan that could lead to a 2030 IPO
• Ofwat said that it is reviewing the proposals carefully to assess whether they would benefit customers and the environment
• Silver Point and Apollo did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment
($1 = 0.7469 pounds)
Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Anusha Shah; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Sonia Cheema
