Tonight in Heart of Bermuda, Julie Matthews-Borchardt explores a familiar part of the island’s landscape that has become woven into local tradition and some of life’s most important milestones.
Its a story that stretches beyond Bermuda and may not be as widely known as the symbol itself.
Heart of Bermuda: Through the Moongate
‘Don’t dig in your heels about CARICOM’
Economist Craig Simmons calls for patience as Government lays out its case for full CARICOM membership – but adds that we need to hear from our economy-driving I.B. sector
Don’t dig in your heels about CARICOM – we don’t have the full picture yet.
That’s the opinion of economist Craig Simmons, who says Government’s Green Paper frames the arguments well – but it’s the role of a White Paper to really flesh them out.
However, the former Senior Economics Lecturer says we still need to hear the opinion of the sector that is driving our economy – international business.
Mr Simmons spoke to us earlier today.
WATCH the interview above…
Starmer calls for Elon Musk to stop interfering in UK politics
Musk has been critical of Starmer before, including in January 2025, accusing him of failing in his role as chief public prosecutor between 2008 and 2013 to prosecute gangs of men, mostly of a South Asian background, who sexually abused girls
International News via Reuters:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said Elon Musk should stop interfering in British politics, after the billionaire X owner posted on his platform about a murder that has triggered a public outcry and protests.
Last year, 18-year-old Henry Nowak was handcuffed by British police as he lay dying from stab wounds after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack. The killer, a Sikh man, was sentenced on Monday.
Video footage released after the sentencing showed officers ignoring the pleas of a dying, innocent man and has sparked anger and a political storm about how police treat different ethnicities.
Starmer has said police had serious questions to answer about their handling of the incident, but condemned a violent and disorderly protest that took place on Tuesday night and said it was “unforgivable” to exploit the death to stir tension.
“Musk again has been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division. That is not who we are in Britain,” Starmer told reporters.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Starmer’s words. The exchange comes as Musk’s SpaceX prepares to float what could be the most valuable initial public offering ever.
MUSK ACCUSED UK POLICE OF BIAS
Musk had posted about the case on X, suggesting police are biased against white people, and reposting other users’ critical comments about how the incident had been handled.
“The West has created an utterly evil state religion where an accusation of ‘racism’ is the gravest offense that can be committed, even worse than rape or murder!” he posted on Wednesday.
The police and government have rejected accusations of bias in policing.
Nowak’s family, who met privately with Starmer on Thursday, called his treatment by police “inhumane and degrading” but said after the sentencing that his death should not be “used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
STARMER HAS CRITICISED MUSK BEFORE
Musk has been critical of Starmer before, including in January 2025, accusing him of failing in his role as chief public prosecutor between 2008 and 2013 to prosecute gangs of men, mostly of a South Asian background, who sexually abused girls.
Starmer has defended his work in that role.
He has also backed a lawmaker in his Labour Party who is suing Musk’s xAI after she said the Grok AI platform was used to create fake sexualised images of her. Starmer has previously criticised Grok over such images, prompting X to take steps to comply with UK law.
Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by William James and Rod Nickel
Clashes break out at Belgian protest against education reforms
Police used tear gas against protesters in the city centre, which was strewn with debris and vandalised bicycles and street signs
International News via Reuters:
Clashes broke out between protesters and police in Brussels on Thursday, as a demonstration against planned reforms to part of Belgium’s education sector turned violent.
Police used tear gas against protesters in the city centre, which was strewn with debris and vandalised bicycles and street signs. Some windows had been smashed. Brussels police advised people to avoid the area around the city’s main railway station.
Belgian media also reported protests in other French-speaking cities, including Namur and Charleroi, though they were mostly calmer than those in Brussels.
Belgium’s French Community government, which oversees French-language education, plans to increase annual tuition fees for higher education to €1,194 ($1,280) from €835 for the majority of students.
Although still low by international standards, it represents a 35% increase, which the government says is part of a cost-cutting drive and brings fees broadly into line with those in Flemish, Dutch-speaking universities.
Other proposed measures include requiring teachers with pupils in the final years of secondary school to take on two extra classroom hours per week without additional pay, and revising tenure rules.
“We will have to work more for the same wages, and working conditions will deteriorate, with more people having larger classes”, one teacher attending the protest who gave her name only as Marie told Belgian broadcaster VRTNWS.
At a press briefing on Thursday, French Community government leader Elisabeth Degryse defended the fee increase in the face of strained public finances, adding that the government was heading for a 1.9 billion euro deficit.
“Our aim with these measures is to free up money to re-invest in the sector”, Education Minister Valerie Glatigny.
The parliament of the French Community is expected to vote on the proposed cost-cutting measures later on Thursday.
($1 = 0.8593 euros)
Reporting by Bart Biesemans and Yiming Woo, Writing by Sudip-Kar Gupta and Charlotte Van Campenhotu; editing by Barbara Lewis and Gareth Jones
EU regulators pause probe into $1.65 billion UPM-Sappi deal, await data
The European Commission, the bloc’s competition enforcer, stopped the clock on the probe on May 26
International News via Reuters:
EU antitrust regulators have paused their review of a proposed €1.42 billion ($1.65 billion) paper joint venture between Finland’s UPM-Kymmene and South African-listed Sappi, pending information from the companies.
The European Commission, the bloc’s competition enforcer, stopped the clock on the probe on May 26.
“The ‘clock’ in merger investigations can be suspended if the parties fail to provide, in a timely fashion, an important piece of information that the Commission has requested from them (for its competition assessment) within a prescribed deadline,” a Commission spokesperson said.
The review will resume once the information is submitted, with a new deadline for a decision. The previous deadline was October 26.
In April, the Commission flagged concerns the deal could reduce competition and push up prices, noting both companies are major suppliers of coated mechanical paper (CM) and wood-free coated (WFC) paper in Europe.
($1 = 0.8598 euros)
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Mark Potter
‘Ebola risk in Bermuda remains low’
The Ministry of Health is advising that the current risk of Ebola to Bermuda is considered low. This follows the World Health Organization’s recent declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Bermuda, and no change to daily life or activities on the island. Bermuda’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit is actively monitoring these events closely and reviewing preparedness measures, as international travel can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases across borders.
Ebola is a serious illness that spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of someone who is infected or contaminated surfaces.
People who are planning to travel to affected areas should review the latest travel health advice before leaving Bermuda. Anyone who becomes unwell after travelling, especially with fever or flu‑like symptoms, should contact a healthcare provider or emergency services and explain their recent travel history before going to a clinic or the hospital. This helps ensure that care is provided safely. Healthcare workers have also been reminded to stay alert for symptoms in people who have recently travelled to affected regions and to follow established procedures.
“This advisory is precautionary,” said the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shaun Ramroop. “Our goal is to ensure that residents have accurate information and understand how to protect themselves when travelling. While the risk to Bermuda is low, awareness and early action are key to preventing the importation of infectious diseases. Ebola outbreaks can be serious and by staying aware and prepared, Bermuda can respond quickly and keep the public informed.”
“We will continue to provide timely updates as the global situation evolves,” said the Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “Our priority is to keep the people of Bermuda informed and protected through clear, proactive public‑health guidance.”
Members of the public are encouraged to rely on official Ministry channels for accurate and timely information.
Updates will be shared through https://www.gov.bm/health-information, the Government and Ministry of Health’s social media channels, and local media.
Oil settles lower on hopes for Iran deal following Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
Israel and Lebanon said late on Wednesday they had agreed to implement a ceasefire, raising hopes for a deal between Washington and Tehran
International News via Reuters:
Oil prices settled around 3% lower on Thursday on investor hopes for an end to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel and Lebanon said late on Wednesday they had agreed to implement a ceasefire, raising hopes for a deal between Washington and Tehran. Iran has made any agreement conditional in part on an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group in Lebanon.
Brent futures settled down $2.78, or 2.84%, at $95.03, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled down $2.98, or 3.1%, at $93.04.
“Once again, the market is giving full credit to hopes of a resolution here and the worries about supplies are just not registering with the market,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital. “This latest development with Israel and Lebanon is pulling the rug out from under any sort of bullish thesis today.”
The two contracts rose about 2% on Wednesday after renewed Middle East hostilities, including Iranian attacks on Kuwait and U.S. military strikes near the strait.
“Crude futures are reversing yesterday’s gains and then some on news that Israel and Lebanon have entered a peace deal, which should allow U.S. and Iran peace talks to continue,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.
“Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at a near standstill; however, some ship re-positioning shows them moving closer to the Persian Gulf, which could be a sign of an expected opening sooner than later,” Kissler added.
The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block Trump from continuing the war against Iran. To take effect, the resolution would need Senate approval and two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override an almost certain Trump veto.
“In our view, the path of least resistance for prices remains to the upside as long as flows remain restricted,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday that Russian oil production has fallen since the start of the year due to unplanned refinery maintenance, marking the first time a Russian official has acknowledged the decline.
U.S. crude stockpiles fell by 8 million barrels to 433.7 million barrels in the week ended May 29, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. That was a much bigger drop than the 4 million-barrel draw analysts had expected in a Reuters poll.
Iranian oil prices slipped into discounts for the first time since April, while Russian crude premiums eased as traders cut prices to entice Chinese buyers amid sluggish demand, trade sources said.
Elsewhere, OPEC expects robust oil demand growth and is not changing its estimates, Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said on Thursday at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, despite the Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar in London, Helen Clark, Sam Li and Lewis Jackson. Editing by Mark Potter, Jan Harvey, Nia Williams, Cynthia Osterman, Rod Nickel
What’s on this weekend
Summer vibes will continue across the island this weekend, with a wide mix of events giving residents and visitors plenty of ways to enjoy the warmer weather.
From waterfront activities and yoga experiences to live entertainment, social gatherings, and family-friendly outing, there are plenty of choices.
Here’s Kendal Trott with a look at what’s happening this weekend.
The Intention Effect | Episode 2
In this weeks episode of The Intention Effect, we explore the science and practical techniques of breathwork, emphasizing its physiological effects on stress, emotional regulation, and resilience. Learn how deliberate breathing exercises can be integrated into daily life to improve mental and physical well-being.
‘A proud moment for Bermuda’
Government minister supports Bermudian actor Nichloas Christopher on Broadway
On Tuesday, June 2, Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, attended the Broadway revival of Chess in New York in his official capacity, following an invitation to support Bermudian actor Nicholas Christopher, who stars alongside internationally renowned performer Lea Michele in the production. Mr. Christopher, the son of Ed Christopher, Bermuda’s Town Crier, has emerged as one of Broadway’s most celebrated performers and this year earned nominations for the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his leading role in Chess.
“Watching Nicholas lead a major Broadway production was a proud moment for Bermuda,” said Minister Darrell. “His talent, dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration to young Bermudians and demonstrate that our people can excel at the highest levels of the performing arts.”
Minister Darrell noted that Christopher’s recognition among Broadway’s top award nominees places him in the company of the theatre industry’s most accomplished artists. He added that it is especially important for young Bermudians to see that someone from Bermuda can rise to the highest levels of an internationally competitive profession, reinforcing that extraordinary opportunities can begin with Bermudian talent and ambition.
Several injured in Boeing 787 nose-gear collapse in Frankfurt
A Boeing spokesperson said the company was aware of the incident and was supporting its customer but offered no further detail
International News via Reuters:
Several staff members were injured when the nose gear of a Boeing 787 jetliner unexpectedly collapsed at a gate at Frankfurt airport on Thursday, its operator Lufthansa said.
“Passengers had not yet boarded,” a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement, adding that crew members and ground staff were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, which was first reported by Bloomberg News.
“Several staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment,” the company added.
A Boeing spokesperson said the company was aware of the incident and was supporting its customer but offered no further detail.
A Reuters photographer saw multiple emergency vehicles parked around the two-engine widebody aircraft, which partly lay on its belly.
The incident occurred at 12:45 p.m. (1045 GMT), and the jet was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles as flight LH450, Lufthansa said.
“We are currently investigating the exact circumstances with the relevant authorities,” the company added.
The 787, of which Lufthansa operates the 787-9 variant, is a relatively new addition for the group, which is planning to gradually phase out less efficient jets and simplify its fleet.
Reporting by Kai Pfaffenbach in Frankfurt, Thomas Seythal in Berlin and David Shepardson, editing by Linda Pasquini, Kirsten Donovan
