No evidence of gunshots found in Pembroke
Police respond to report of loud noises in the Glebe Road area
Around 1pm Monday, 8th June 2026, police officers responded to a 911 call reporting two loud noises in The Glebe Road, Pembroke area.
The caller expressed concerns that the noises may have been gunshots. However, after officers patrolled the surrounding area, nothing was found to substantiate those concerns.
Additionally, checks at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital revealed that no one had attended the medical facility seeking treatment for any gunshot related injury.
The Bermuda Police Service appreciates the anxiety such incidents can create and encourages members of the public to report any similar occurrences immediately and to refrain from spreading rumours regarding such matters.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Police Service.
School in lockdown mode after reports of gunshots
The Department of Education advises that Victor Scott School has activated its lockdown procedures following reports of suspected gunshots in the vicinity of the campus.
The safety and well-being of students and staff remain our highest priority. School administrators are working closely with the relevant authorities, and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that students and staff are secure while the situation is being assessed.
Parents and guardians will continue to receive updates through official school communication channels as more information becomes available. We urge the public to avoid speculation and to allow the authorities to carry out their investigations.
The Department appreciates the cooperation and understanding of the school community during this time.
Update, 3pm: The Lockdown has been lifted at the school.
Airline chiefs slam engine makers for delays at industry summit
The comments came during the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where executives said engine problems remain one of the industry’s biggest constraints despite signs of improvement
International News via Reuters:
Commercial jet enginemakers faced renewed pressure from airline CEOs on Monday, as carriers warned that grounded aircraft and higher repair costs could persist for years.
The comments came during the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where executives said engine problems remain one of the industry’s biggest constraints despite signs of improvement.
“Obviously there is dissatisfaction, and the way to measure that dissatisfaction is how many aircraft I have grounded today,” LATAM Brasil CEO Jerome Cadier told Reuters, adding that it has 12 single-aisle planes grounded due to engine issues.
While airline executives have long complained about engine problems, supply-chain improvements and actions taken by manufacturers like RTX’s Pratt & Whitney were expected to help keep more planes flying.
Some CEOs and lessors say there has been progress. But with the supply of engines and aircraft still tight, executives expect constraints to persist.
“Year-on-year we’re certainly seeing incremental improvement,” lessor Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said in an interview. “When you look at the global fleet overall it continues to be very tight, so we expect the strain on the market to continue for at least another couple of years.”
Hundreds of A320neo planes, the latest version of the Airbus single-aisle jet, have been grounded globally, partly due to long wait times for engine inspections and repairs, and after a manufacturing problem at Pratt weighed on the output of the fuel-efficient GTF engines.
Airlines also cited issues with engines made by Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace for Boeing and Airbus planes.
RTX and GE Aerospace both said they are investing heavily to increase repair and production capacity for their engines. RTX added it is working to improve the durability of the GTF.
Rolls Royce was not immediately available for comment.
“I think the biggest constraint for at least the next five years is going to be lack of engines,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told reporters on Sunday.
“GE is working hard. I’ll put them at the top of the list,” Kirby said. “Pratt has had well-publicized challenges, but is sincere and genuine in their desire to want to fix them and to work with us. … The truth is the only one that I sort of have in my doghouse is Rolls.”
ENGINE ISSUES CREATE HIGHER COSTS FOR AIRLINES
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said modern engines are generating higher maintenance costs, offsetting some fuel savings.
“There’s a lot of unscheduled maintenance that’s happening,” he said. “The cost of ownership is significantly higher than what we had anticipated.”
Azul CEO John Rodgerson said some engines are not as durable as initially expected: “They’re just not lasting as long.”
Italy’s ITA Airways, which will take a decision in weeks on whether to sue RTX’s Pratt over GTF problems, said the grounding of almost 20% of its fleet is complicating growth plans to Latin America.
ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart said the carrier needs the grounded single-aisle aircraft to feed passengers to airport hubs for longer haul routes. Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam told reporters that about half of the 10 Airbus A320s operated by its low-cost HK Express subsidiary are grounded at any one time due to GTF engine issues.
DISCONNECT BETWEEN PERFORMANCE OF AIRLINES, ENGINE MAKERS
IATA CEO Willie Walsh said there is a disconnect between the financial performance of enginemakers, which have increased their margins by double digits, and airlines which he said have faced about $11 billion in additional costs due to supply-chain disruptions.
“They’ve done extremely well at a time of major disruption for the airlines. And I think that paradox really does need to be called out,” Walsh said.
GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp has defended the jet-engine industry’s pricing practices, saying they reflect the scale of investment required to develop and support complex propulsion systems.
For LATAM Brasil’s Cadier, suing doesn’t make sense, but he wishes enginemakers could get a taste of the pain that airlines are absorbing.
“Just as airlines are suffering, I would also like to see engine makers’ margins suffer.”
Reporting by Allison Lampert, Gabriel Araujo, Luciana Magalhaes, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Joe Brock in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani
UK financial regulator softens proposed change to UK money market fund rules
In May the government said it would impose tougher rules on money market funds, which were hit by heavy redemptions during a COVID-19-induced “dash for cash” and have been a focus of regulators since
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s financial regulator on Monday slightly softened its proposals for money market funds to hold more liquid assets which are designed to ensure they are resilient enough to weather financial shocks.
In May the government said it would impose tougher rules on money market funds, which were hit by heavy redemptions during a COVID-19-induced “dash for cash” and have been a focus of regulators since.
The Financial Conduct Authority set out an update to its original proposals in a statement on Monday after receiving consultation responses.
It said current minimum weekly liquid assets would be unchanged, but that it would now set out a “strong supervisory expectation” that so-called ‘stable net asset value’ funds would need to hold 40% WLA and variable net asset value funds would need to hold 20% WLA.
Funds would be able to dip below these levels to meet redemptions or for reasons outside their control, but should only do so “very rarely”, the FCA said.
The original proposals had been for a binding requirement that firms held 50% of their assets in investments that could be converted into cash within a week.
“Our updated proposals will deliver a clear increase in the level of resilience expected of UK MMFs while making sure they can continue to meet the needs of investors,” the regulator said.
They are subject to final consideration and sign-off within the FCA.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, writing by Sarah Young and William James; editing by David Milliken
Leo meets abuse victims in Spain as some protest
The Vatican provided few details of the meeting, which lasted about an hour. But it said Leo had listened to proposals to make Church safeguarding more effective, and promised to make it a safe space for all
International News via Reuters:
Pope Leo met on Monday with six survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy in Spain, the Vatican said, as groups of survivors who were not invited criticised the event as a mere photo opportunity.
The Vatican provided few details of the meeting, which lasted about an hour. But it said Leo had listened to proposals to make Church safeguarding more effective, and promised to make it a safe space for all.
Leo, on a week-long visit to Spain, had earlier made his first direct reference to scandals that have shaken the Spanish Church’s credibility, telling bishops that they must listen to survivors and offer them reparations.
Leo told the clerics that survivors of abuse should see a “determined commitment” from the Church to strengthen safeguarding and create a safe culture for children and other vulnerable people.
A 2023 report by Spain’s human rights ombudsman estimated that hundreds of thousands of victims had been abused by Spanish clergy over decades, echoing scandals that have shaken the Church’s moral authority around the world and cost hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements.
Juan Cuatrecasas, president of the group “Stolen Childhood”, said the survivors’ meeting with the pope had fallen short by failing to include representatives of all Church victims.
“They are being used by the Church, by the Bishops’ Conference, to clean up the image of the Spanish Church”, he told reporters.
SURVIVORS SAY CHURCH MUST DO MORE
While Leo’s predecessor, Francis, took steps to address clerical abuse, survivors’ groups have called for stricter accountability and a global zero-tolerance policy for clergy accused of misconduct.
“Stolen Childhood” and other Spanish groups have demanded measures including fair compensation and lifelong psychological care for victims, as well as support for education and employment.
Last week, Madrid Cardinal Jose Cobo said it was not feasible for the pope to meet multiple groups of survivors during a packed itinerary.
“It is simply that his time is limited,” said Cobo.
Spanish activist Miguel Hurtado was dismayed that the pope was not due to meet survivors of abuse at the mountainside Montserrat Abbey outside Barcelona, where Hurtado says he was abused as a teenager.
Leo will visit Montserrat, which was included in the 2023 ombudsman report, on Wednesday and have lunch with its Benedictine monks.
“At the very least … remember the victims,” Hurtado told reporters. “Commit publicly to cleaning the Church of abusers and those who cover them up.”
The ombudsman’s report identified 15 victims and three alleged perpetrators linked to the abbey.
Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Emma Pinedo; additional reporting by Joan Faus, Aislinn Laing, Elena Rodriguez and Silvio Castellanos; Editing by David Latona, Alex Richardson and Kevin Liffey
‘Short, sharp and more strategic’: the EU’s new approach to climate talks
The internal document, which was seen by Reuters, was prepared by the upcoming Irish presidency of the 27-nation European Union and spells out the strategy the EU should take for the United Nations’ COP31 climate summit in Turkey
International News via Reuters:
The EU wants to target fewer, clearer goals at the world’s annual climate summit in November, building alliances in advance to avoid a repeat of last year’s bruising talks where the bloc struggled to advance its agenda, a document showed on Monday.
The internal document, which was seen by Reuters, was prepared by the upcoming Irish presidency of the 27-nation European Union and spells out the strategy the EU should take for the United Nations’ COP31 climate summit in Turkey.
The EU’s negotiating mandate should be “shorter, sharper and more strategic” than in previous years, the document said.
“We should say fewer things, more clearly – and stand firmly behind them,” it said.
The previous global climate conference, COP30, in Brazil, ended without deals on EU priorities to accelerate cuts to planet-heating emissions and reduce fossil fuel use.
“Europe should continue to stand firmly for ambitious climate action and for the integrity of the multilateral process. But ambition alone is not a strategy,” the document said.
While discussions of a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and plans to increase climate funding dominated the talks in Brazil last year, the 15-page EU negotiating mandate that its member countries had agreed ahead of the summit did not include positions on those issues.
Some diplomats said the EU’s failure to push through its agenda was in part due to a lack of preparation.
‘DEPLOYING STRATEGICALLY’ AS IRAN WAR LOOMS OVER SUMMIT
The challenge to agree on ambitious climate action at this year’s COP comes as countries around the world struggle to respond to the Iran war’s disruption of energy supplies, with some expanding renewable energy while others burn more coal.
Ireland will also focus on early outreach by EU member governments to other countries, building cooperation with both allies and opponents in the talks, the document said.
This will involve dividing up negotiating responsibilities among member states’ ministers to ensure they are “deployed strategically both in the lead-up to and during COP31 itself.”
“Political ownership matters. Ministers should not arrive at COP only to react to events as they unfold,” the document said.
Asked about the document, a spokesperson for Ireland’s climate ministry told Reuters the country was taking a streamlined approach to preparing for COP, and “concentrating our efforts where we can make the greatest contribution and on key priorities”.
“Climate diplomacy is not just about two weeks at a COP; it is a year-round process of engagement, relationship-building and delivery,” the spokesperson said.
Reporting by Kate Abnett; additional reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Jan Strupczewski and Joe Bavier
Plastic waste becomes powerful ocean message
Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield leads creation of 20-foot whale sculpture to inspire action against marine pollution
To mark World Ocean Day on 8th June, a striking sculpture created almost entirely from reclaimed marine debris is capturing attention as both a work of art and a compelling call to action against ocean pollution.
Accurately scaled and constructed from marine plastics collected along Bermuda’s shoreline, the sculpture which is affectionately called ‘Whaleen’ is a life-size representation of a nine-month-old North Atlantic Humpback Whale.
While Governor Andrew Murdoch conceived of the idea, it was brought to life during a conversation with Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield in December 2025.
Ms Horsfield, Programmes Educator at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), led the project. The sculpture design grew to 20ft in length – the largest sculpture Hannah had ever made. It evolved through weeks of dedicated shoreline cleanups across Bermuda. Each item of ocean plastic debris was carefully sorted by size, colour, and material type in preparation for construction. With the help of family and friends, a metal framework was built, with reclaimed PVC pipe and blue barrels being added to create the familiar shape. Hundreds of flattened marine plastic fragments were then secured to create the sculpture’s outer skin. The near final piece was then transported to Government House – causing some amused glances as it was driven through Hamilton on the back of a flatbed truck –
to be finished.
The sculpture incorporates more than 1,000 individual plastic items collected from Bermuda’s shores, including: 78 octopus traps, 45 oil jugs, 63 flip-flops, 39 white jugs and bottles, 14 large waste and oil containers, 13 plastic crates, one large fishing net, and one discarded mooring rope forming the whale’s mouth.
His Majesty King Charles III was able to view the sculpture on 1 May during its final phase of construction on the grounds of Government House. He met Hannah Horsfield, who was joined by Youth Climate Summit students and local primary school students working to complete the sculpture in time for World Ocean Day. Hannah was able to show the plastics washed up on Bermuda’s beaches, often brought by ocean currents from thousands of miles away. BUEI’s Education Head, Ms Summer Wood, was also present to explain the educational use of the sculpture as part of BUEI’s programme of outreach to schools in Bermuda.
Hannah actively partnered with environmental organisations from across the island, schools and community volunteers, to collect plastics from the beaches across the island.
The Governor remarked that: “I’m absolutely delighted that the concept has been brilliantly brought to life by the talent of Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield. This is wonderful sculpture and as a piece of art it deserves to be seen by visitors to Government House. But its creation was always intended to be more than just art. Its creation required collaboration from organisations across the island, and it sends a powerful message on the need to work together to protect the ocean – turning waste into advocacy for change. It highlights Bermudian artistic talent. It highlights family and community spirit in those that came together to design, build, collect materials, transport and install Whaleen. It highlights the incredible nature off our coast in the form of the iconic humpback whale. And it highlights the threat posed to our ocean from marine plastics, and the damage plastics do to the environment.”
The project was made possible by sponsorship from Convex given its alignment with their Seascape Survey project aims. It was fuelled by community participation from across the island, including from Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Nonsuch Expeditions, the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in Bermuda, and WhalesBermuda. Three truck loads of marine debris were removed from Bermuda’s coastline with youth from both public and private schools actively engaged in every stage of the process, from collection and cleaning to creative
assembly.
Hannah Horsfield said “I have been working to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution for nearly a decade. As a teenager, I began collecting plastic from Bermuda’s shorelines, later writing my Environmental Science thesis on the issue of plastic pollution in Bermuda and creating art installations from recovered marine debris. I am deeply honoured to have been invited to create Whaleen for Bermuda, and
incredibly grateful to the many individuals and organisations whose collaboration brought this vision to life. My hope is that the sculpture inspires viewers to reflect on the impact of plastic pollution and motivates them to help protect our marine environment and the remarkable marine mammals that depend on it.”
BUEI provided the institutional lead for the project, and said they will “further the impact of this project through educational programming, treating the whale sculpture as a powerful catalyst for ocean advocacy, through the following lesson plans and projects, delivered within the EcoSchool Framework:
- Understanding Marine Pollution and Its Impact on Migratory Species
- Sustainable Art: Connecting Local Action to Global Ocean Impact
- Advocacy and Community Awareness Projects
All EcoSchools will have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from these projects; we currently have a total of 23 schools participating in the EcoSchool Program, with students that range from pre-school age to Bermuda College.”
Celebrating meaningful progress and community action, the project delivers a critical message: Every piece of debris collected for the sculpture is a reminder of the persistent challenge posed by plastic waste. Despite growing awareness and positive change, marine pollution continues to endanger ecosystems and wildlife, including species like the humpback whale.
Through the fusion of art, education, and environmental action, the North Atlantic Humpback Whale project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. It celebrates Bermudian talent, empowers young people, and reinforces the importance of protecting our oceans for generations to come.
On this World Ocean Day, Bermuda sends a clear message to the world: collective action can inspire change—but the work is far from over.
Media release and images supplied by Government House.
Wolfpack Spring League: Shadow Pack stage major upset on electric finals weekend
The Wolfpack Spring League wrapped up its season with an electric Championship Weekend, crowning the Predators and the Shadow Pack as champions across two hard-fought youth divisions.
In the Pee Wee showpiece, the Predators relied on a fierce defensive press to capture the title with a 24-16 victory over the Alphas. Game MVP Bryn Davis anchored the champions’ teamwork with an impressive 11 points and six rebounds.
Earlier, the division opened with a double-overtime thriller as the Timberwolves outlasted the Shadow Pack 33-29, driven by a monster double-double from league MVP Sebastien Von Herberstein, who racked up 12 points and 18 rebounds.
The Junior League final produced the biggest shock of the weekend, as the Shadow Pack tore up the formbook to knock off the top-seeded Predators in a dominant 49-31 victory. Finals MVP Traddie Simpson Jr. was unstoppable for the underdogs, putting on a clinic with 19 points, six assists, and three steals.
Meanwhile, the Junior Bronze Game saw the Timberwolves pull away late to defeat the Alphas 31-23, spearheaded by an energetic performance from Koa Raynor Bailey, who logged 13 points and seven steals.
Double delight for Tariq Simons as Deloitte Open concludes
Tariq Simons enjoyed a triumphant return to the Deloitte Open, capturing a spectacular title double as the prestigious tournament concluded at the Pomander Gate Tennis Club.
Having missed last year’s event due to international duty, the 25-year-old local favourite reminded everyone of his dominant domestic pedigree by safely navigating early-week weather delays to claim silverware in both the singles and doubles top tiers.
In the flagship Men’s Singles ‘A’ final, Simons was pushed to the absolute limit by rising junior star Zachary McGuire. In a high-octane encounter defined by heavy baseline rallies, Simons’ experience ultimately told as he dug deep to claim a grueling 7-6, 7-5 straight-sets victory.
Simons then quickly returned to the clay to anchor the Men’s Doubles ‘A’ final alongside partner Scott Redmond. Facing the resilient David Thomas and Christopher Weeks, Redmond and Simons showed immense composure to navigate a dramatic third-set match tie-break, securing the title with a 2-6, 6-4, 10-6 triumph.
Elsewhere, the Mixed Doubles crown was claimed in comprehensive fashion by the clinical pairing of Sam Butler and Ashley Brooks. They produced a flawless, front-running performance to defeat Evan Heyliger and Shelby Madeiros in a one-sided 6-2, 6-2 final.
Bermudian swimmer Jack Harvey secures top-12 finish in France
Bermudian Olympic swimmer Jack Harvey secured a valuable top-12 overall finish after battling through an elite international field at the 38th Meeting International de Canet-en-Roussillon.
Competing at the prestigious Arlette Franco Swimming Center in southern France, the national backstroke specialist faced a grueling multi-discipline schedule on the Mare Nostrum circuit.
Harvey’s standout performance came in his signature event, the 100m Backstroke. A sharp display in the morning preliminaries saw him clock 55.78 seconds to claim 15th place and comfortably seal a spot in the evening’s B Final.
Returning to the pool for the final blocks, Harvey hung tough against formidable continental opposition, touching the wall in 56.13 seconds to claim fourth in the race and secure 12th position overall.
Earlier, the Bermudian used the sprint events to test his raw speed, finishing 24th overall in the 50m Backstroke (26.48) and 62nd in a fiercely contested 100m Freestyle field (51.94).
The high-calibre meet serves as a crucial competitive benchmark for Harvey as he sharpens his form ahead of upcoming major international assignments on the global calendar.
Women’s football team edge Belize
Bermuda’s Senior Women’s National Team enjoyed a triumphant evening on home soil, navigating a hard-fought battle to defeat Belize 1-0 at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium.
In an evenly contested encounter, a moment of magic immediately after the restart separated the sides. Following a tense, scoreless first half where clear-cut chances were at a premium, the decisive blow landed in the 47th minute when Keunna Dill finished clinically to break the deadlock.
The narrow victory mirrors the global standings, with 142nd-ranked Bermuda justifying their status against a resilient Belize side sitting 26 places below them in 168th.
Despite sustained late pressure from the visitors, a disciplined Bermudian backline held firm to ensure the clean sheet remained intact at the final whistle.
