Government is advising Bermudians in the Middle East region to register with the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Government of Bermuda press release:
The Government of Bermuda advised this evening that it is following the developments in the Middle East, noting the heightened risk of regional tension.
A Government spokesperson said, “Bermudians in the Middle East Region must follow travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Due to missile attacks, shelter in place. Affected individuals are encouraged to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
Additionally, please register your presence with the FCDO:
Bermuda have ignited their regional qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Sint Maarten at the Costa Rican Football Federation Field in Alajuela. Following a high-scoring opening draw against Trinidad and Tobago, the young Gombey Warriors displayed a more clinical defensive edge to secure three points and move into a strong position in Group E.
The encounter began as a tactical stalemate, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough during a goalless first half. Bermuda, led by a backline featuring Daniel Powell and Logan Jimenez, remained disciplined against a Sint Maarten side playing their third match of the competition. Despite the early deadlock, Bermuda’s midfield quartet of Jace Donawa, Xahvi DeRoza, Michari Tear-De Leon, and Malachai Belboda began to dictate the tempo as the match progressed into the second period.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute courtesy of a well-executed set-piece. Donawa, who had been a creative spark throughout the afternoon, delivered a pinpoint free kick into the heart of the penalty area. DeRoza read the flight of the ball perfectly, ghosting past his marker to turn the ball home and hand Bermuda a deserved 1–0 lead.
Sint Maarten pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but Bermuda’s bench provided the necessary fresh legs to see out the contest. The victory was made safe in the first minute of stoppage time following a rapid counter-attack. Kalen Brunson unleashed a powerful strike that the Sint Maarten goalkeeper could only parry into the danger zone. Substitute Kennahz Fray was the quickest to react, poaching the rebound to double the advantage and spark celebrations on the Bermudian bench.
The result marks a significant step forward for the squad as they continue their journey in Costa Rica, with the focus now shifting toward their upcoming fixtures as they aim to secure the top spot in the group.
The Taxi Operators Association asks for evidence that supports market expansion rather than improving current operations
Media release from the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association (BTOA):
The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association (BTOA) has reviewed the Minister of Transport’s statement on the proposed Motor Car (Ridesharing) Amendment Act 2026 and is compelled to address the continued absence of data, consultation, and policy accountability underpinning this legislation.
The Minister asserts that this proposal is grounded in evidence and consultation. However, the statement relies heavily on historical perception-based data while failing to present any current, transparent economic or operational analysis specific to the introduction of rideshare into Bermuda’s regulated Public Service Vehicle (PSV) market.
The same data cited confirms that taxis continue to service the overwhelming majority of visitors, approximately 87% annually, while overall visitor satisfaction remains high. This raises a fundamental question: where is the evidence that structural market expansion is required, rather than operational improvement of the existing system?
The BTOA further notes that this is not a new issue. The introduction of rideshare has been pursued across successive Transport Ministers, including under the tenure of former Minister Wayne Furbert.
Since 2024, the Association has: Publicly stated its opposition to rideshare without consultation and economic analysis; Submitted the “Connecting Bermuda, Driving Progress” Transport plan outlining industry-led modernization and digital dispatch solutions; Engaged stakeholders across tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors; Requested operational data, enforcement strategies, and policy clarity from the Ministry, the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board (PSVLB), and the Transport Control Department (TCD).
These efforts have been documented through formal submissions and public commentary. To date, no structured response, consultation process, or data disclosure has been provided by the Ministry under either the current Minister or his predecessor. This is not a matter of disagreement. It is a sustained absence of engagement.
The Minister’s statement references a “transportation gap,” yet provides no operational data on: ∙ Actual unmet demand; ∙ Taxi utilisation rates; ∙ Trip acceptance or completion rates; ∙ Geographic service distribution.
Without this data, the justification for introducing a new transport service category remains unsubstantiated.
Equally concerning is the reliance on the 2019 Transport Green Paper. While the Green Paper identified systemic challenges, the majority of its recommended reforms, particularly those related to enforcement, data collection, and operational management, remain unimplemented. To now advance new legislation without addressing these foundational issues reflects a continuation of policy without delivery.
The BTOA also rejects any attempt to portray Bermuda’s transport challenges in simplified or selective terms. The data cited by the Minister reflects input from visitors, residents, and business stakeholders collectively, indicating system-wide operational inefficiencies rather than a demographic or class-based issue.
At its core, this issue reflects a broader governance concern. For over two decades, and across successive administrations, the transport system has faced: ∙ Limited enforcement of existing laws; ∙ Absence of reliable operational data; ∙ Inconsistent policy implementation; ∙ Lack of sustained industry engagement.
The introduction of rideshare does not resolve these issues. It risks compounding them. Expanding supply within a finite, capacity-constrained island economy without first addressing structural inefficiencies will not improve outcomes; it will dilute them.
The BTOA remains committed to modernization and has demonstrated this through industry-led initiatives and investment in digital dispatch solutions. However, modernization requires discipline: data before policy, consultation before implementation, and enforcement before expansion.
The Association also notes that formal submissions made in late 2025, as well as recent correspondence entered into the official record of the House of Assembly, remain unanswered. We therefore ask: on what basis is this legislation being advanced in the absence of engagement with the very industry it directly regulates?
The BTOA will await the full publication of the draft legislation and will take all appropriate steps to ensure that its implementation complies with statutory authority, procedural fairness, and economic responsibility.
FDM questions ruling party’s priorities over loosening of work permit rules
Worker Bargaining Power at Full Employment
The Hon. Minister Jason Hayward’s decision to relax restricted job categories in hospitality raises a fundamental question: when the interests of unionised workers collide with the interests of a large development, whose side is the Government truly on? With unemployment reported at 1.4 percent, this is precisely the environment in which workers should be able to use their bargaining power to earn what they are truly worth. An intervention that weakens the position of Bermudian workers in favour of employers — such as Gencom, which is already benefiting from substantial public support — is a misstep. This is particularly concerning as many in the tourism industry have just endured another off-season, doing what they can to make ends meet.
Public Risk Must Deliver Public Benefit
Bermudian taxpayers have supported the Southampton Princess redevelopment through a $75 million government loan guarantee and more than $120 million in tax concessions granted to Gencom. When the public assumes that level of risk, the public should reasonably expect Bermudian workers to benefit first — not that labour protections are softened to reduce operating costs. If wages in tourism are not attracting Bermudians, that signals a price-and-incentives problem, not a summit problem and not a job fair problem.
Historical Context and Wage Reality
The 1981 strike, led by the Bermuda Industrial Union, was about dignity and the right of hospitality workers to earn wages that allowed them to live. Today, too many tourism roles still do not provide sufficient stability to meet Bermuda’s cost of living. If wages are not rising, the solution is not to increase labour supply prematurely — it is to allow compensation and conditions to adjust to scarcity. Constant repetition of the 1.4 percent unemployment rate should signal worker strength, not justify labour liberalisation. The benefit of full employment is stronger bargaining power for those who are the face of our tourism industry.
Protecting Bermuda’s Tourism Identity
Tourism’s greatest asset has never been infrastructure. It has been Bermudians. Visitors come for the authenticity, charm, and lived experience that locals bring to the front line. A hospitality model increasingly reliant on imported labour risks eroding the differentiator that once made Bermuda competitive against destinations such as Turks and Caicos, St. Martin, and Anguilla.
Accountability in Labour Policy
The Minister of Economy and Labour cannot serve two masters. This Government has historically relied on organised labour as a foundation of its political support. It cannot now present itself as a champion of workers while advancing policies that reduce their bargaining power at the first sign of pressure. Especially where taxpayer guarantees are involved, Bermudian workers must come first.
Israel had warned Beirut that it would strike Lebanon hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, if Hezbollah involved itself in any U.S.-Iran war
International News via Reuters:
Lebanon’s Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran on Saturday as it came under attack from the United States and Israel, warning in a statement of dire consequences for the region without saying whether it would get involved.
Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim militia and political party that has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since being established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, was severely weakened by Israel in a war in 2024, when its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed.
Israel had warned Beirut that it would strike Lebanon hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, if Hezbollah involved itself in any U.S.-Iran war.
In a statement, Hezbollah said the consequences of the U.S.-Israeli plan would “affect everyone without exception if left unchallenged”. “We are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow,” it said.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would not accept anyone dragging Lebanon into “adventures that threaten its security and unity”, a veiled message to Hezbollah.
In a statement released after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, Salam noted the “serious developments” in the region and called on “all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people’s interests above any other consideration”.
Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam and Jana Choukeir; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Kevin Liffey
The strikes targeted Iran’s top leaders and plunged the Middle East into a conflict that U.S. President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers
International News via Reuters:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that British forces and planes were participating in coordinated defensive efforts to protect the country’s interests and allies but were not taking part in U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
The strikes targeted Iran’s top leaders and plunged the Middle East into a conflict that U.S. President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.
“Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before, in line with international law,” Starmer said in a video statement posted on X.
“We’ve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level.”
The government did not respond to a request for comment seeking details on the “defensive operations”.
Starmer added that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and that ensuring that is the case remained a priority for Britain and its allies.
IRAN CAN END THIS CONFLICT NOW, STARMER SAYS
The British prime minister reiterated that Britain had not taken part in the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran earlier on Saturday, but noted that “the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent.”
Starmer spoke to his French and German counterparts following a so-called COBRA emergency meeting earlier on Saturday, as part of a series of calls with allies.
In a joint statement, the leaders condemned “Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms” and called for a resumption of negotiations, urging the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution.
The British premier said in his video statement that it was crucial to prevent further escalation into a wider regional conflict.
Starmer said Iran could end the conflict now.
“They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programmes, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future, in line with our longstanding position,” he said.
The government earlier on Saturday issued a notice advising against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories while urging citizens to seek shelter in Gulf states, after moving embassy staff from Tel Aviv to another location in Israel on Friday.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Sharon Singleton
President Donald Trump said the strikes were aimed at ending a security threat to the United States and ensuring Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon
International News via Reuters:
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, targeting its top leaders and calling for the overthrow of its government, while Iran responded with missiles fired at Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries.
President Donald Trump said the strikes were aimed at ending a security threat to the United States and ensuring Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon. He called on Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and invited Iranians to topple their government once the bombing ended.
Tehran called the strikes, which began in the morning hours and hit targets across the country, unprovoked and illegal. Iran’s Al-Alam television said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – yet to be heard from by Saturday evening – was due to give a speech soon.
Iran responded to the strikes by launching missiles at Israel and at several Gulf Arab allies of the United States that host American bases.
It promised a stronger response to come, with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only “scrap missiles” and would soon unveil unforeseen weapons, state television reported.
Israel said it hit strategic defence systems, including a SA-65 aerial defense system located in the Kermanshah area in western Iran, further weakening air defences it had already damaged in strikes last year.
Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in Israeli attacks, three sources familiar with the matter said.
Explosions rang out in nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries, which said they had intercepted missiles after Tehran warned it would strike the region if it was attacked.
The first wave of strikes in what the Pentagon named “OPERATION EPIC FURY” mainly targeted Iranian officials, a source familiar with the matter said.
An Israeli official said Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted but the result of the strikes was not clear. A source with knowledge of the matter had earlier told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.
An Iranian source close to the establishment said several senior commanders in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and political officials had been killed. Iranian state media said 40 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports.
TRUMP SAYS ‘BOMBS WILL BE DROPPING EVERYWHERE’
In a video message published on social media, Trump cited Washington’s decades-old dispute with Iran and Iranian attacks, dating to the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran during the 1979 Islamic revolution that brought the clerics to power.
Trump, who had deployed vast U.S. military firepower in the region saying he hoped to force Iranian concessions in nuclear talks, said the operation was intended to ensure Tehran did not obtain a nuclear weapon. The aim was “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime”.
He urged Iranians to stay sheltered because “bombs will be dropping everywhere”. But he added: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint U.S.-Israeli attack “will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands” and “remove the yoke of tyranny”.
Iran’s clerical leaders were already in a difficult position after mass anti-government demonstrations in January, which led to a crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, the worst domestic unrest since the era of the 1979 revolution.
Protesters had again taken to the streets in recent days in remembrance of those killed the previous month.
Israeli military operations over the past two years have already killed some of Iran’s senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran’s once-feared proxy forces across the Middle East.
After Israel pounded Iran in a 12-day air war last June joined by the United States, the U.S. and Israel had warned that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The threats were backed up in recent weeks by a U.S. military buildup in the region, even as Iranian and U.S. officials held nuclear talks.
An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.
MISSILES FIRED AT ARAB GULF STATES
Oil markets have been closely watching the standoff between Washington and Tehran to try and determine if supplies will be impacted.
“If we don’t see signs of de-escalation over the weekend, risk premiums could still drive Brent up” by $10–$20 per barrel when markets reopen on Monday, said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy.
Iran, the third largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumps about 4% of global oil supplies, and a far larger share is shipped past its coast through the strait leading out of the Gulf.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said all U.S. bases and interests in the region were within Iran’s reach and that Iran’s retaliation would continue until “the enemy is decisively defeated”. Iraq’s Iran-aligned armed group Kataib Hezbollah said it would soon attack U.S. bases in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the Iranian attacks, the UAE state news agency said.
Loud booms sounded in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, an oil producer and close U.S. ally, and several blasts were heard in the business capital Dubai.
Bahrain said the service centre of the U.S. Fifth Fleet – base for American naval forces in the region – had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the island state’s coastline as sirens wailed.
Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country and that it had a right to respond. Kuwait confirmed a missile attack on a U.S. military base there.
An explosion was heard in Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar, Iranian state media reported.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report of a strike at a primary school for girls in southern Iran, where Iranian state media reported 40 deaths.
In Israel, police said all holy sites were closed to visitors under national emergency guidelines after authorities announced several barrages of missiles were launched from Iran.
Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East and the attacks raised the prospect of oil prices rising. Some oil majors and trading houses suspended crude oil and fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, four trading sources said.
Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Barbara Lewis, Sam Holmes, Timothy Heritage, Peter Graff
The City of Hamilton is pleased to announce the expansion of the License Plate Recognition (LPR) system at Number 1 Car Park on Monday, 2 March 2026 marking the third phase of the City’s broader smart parking initiative.This follows the well-received deployment of the same system at Par-la-Ville car park in April of this year and #5 Car Park on Front Street in 2024.
LPR technology simplifies and modernizes the parking experience by using cameras at entry and exit points to scan vehicle license plates. The system automatically calculates parking duration and requests payment, eliminating the need for physical tickets.
Developed by Mobile Smart City, the LPR system was first introduced at #5 Car Park in January 2024. A two-month trial period allowed for user feedback, which informed minor upgrades and operational refinements to enhance the user experience. Since then, the system has been operating successfully and has been well received by the public for its convenience and efficiency.
Payment Options:
LPR:
Approach the gate and select ‘press to enter’ on the touchscreen
The system reads your license plate, raises the barrier, and allows access.
When exiting, the camera scans your plate, calculates the duration of your stay, and requests payment on the screen. Payment can be made by swiping or tapping a credit or debit card (it is a cashless system). For stays under 15 minutes, the barrier will open without a payment request.
OR
2. Pango Parking App:
Download the free Pango Parking app (available on your phone’s app store) before entering the car park.
At the gate, scan your individual QR code using the red-light scanner to enter.
When exiting, scan the same QR code, and payment will be processed automatically through the app, linked to your credit card.
On Sundays and public holidays parking is free. Users must select a payment option upon entry, but no fee will be charged upon exit.
For monthly, annual, and commercial permit holders, the system provides seamless access by automatically recognizing license plates (no need to touch the machine at all). Vehicles on pre-approved access lists, such as emergency services and Corporation of Hamilton vehicles, will also benefit from automatic entry. Temporary or long-term additions to the access list can be managed easily through the system.
Bike parking at Par-la-Ville remains unchanged and is not affected by the LPR transition.
“Switching to digital is a big step toward smarter parking in Hamilton,” said Traffic Manager, Fred Richardson. “No paper, fewer headaches, and a much quicker process for drivers. We’re committed to creating a car park system that feels modern, reliable, and efficient for all.”
This initiative reflects the City of Hamilton’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure, enhancing the user experience, and preparing for scalable Smart City solutions. The LPR system allows for flexible updates and future technology integrations as needed.
We thank the public for their continued cooperation and patience as we roll out these improvements.
For assistance navigating the new system, please contact the City’s Parking Management team at 531-5254.
Friday, 27th February 2026 — The Bermuda Hotel Association members are pleased to acknowledge and welcome the changes to the Closed and Restricted employment categories specific to Bartending and Housekeeping positions, as recently announced by the Minister of Economy & Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward JP MP following the recent Hospitality Industry Summit which took place earlier this month.
With the referenced categories having been moved from closed to restricted effective the 1st March 2026, this will ensure that the Hotel industry is better positioned and able to ensure that we can recruit and onboard key staffing resources to fill these critically important guest service positions, which historically we have been challenged to fill, as we collectively prepare for the upcoming tourism season.
Stephen Todd, the BHA CEO stated “It remains our overall goal as an industry to recruit, train and retain as many Bermudians as we can, who are genuinely interested in pursuing a long-term career, given that there are a number of opportunities for them to do so. Additionally, we will continue to pursue this important objective and in keeping with the request of the Minister, plans are already underway to host a Hospitality Careers Fair on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, in conjunction with our industry partners, with additional details to be forthcoming and announced very soon.
We are committed to continuing to work in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy & Labour, the Department of Workforce Development, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Bermuda College as well as with that of our Hospitality Industry partners at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to attract Bermudians to our industry.”
Police reported a serious single vehicle road traffic collision around 11:20pm on Friday, near the junction of Cedar Avenue and Angle Street
Photo supplied by Bermuda Police Service
Police reported a serious single vehicle road traffic collision around 11:20pm on Friday.
The crash involved a motorcycle, and occured near the junction of Cedar Avenue and Angle Street, Pembroke.
A police spokesperson said “Details are limited at this time however, initial information suggests the male motorcycle may have sustained a head injury after he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree.”
“He has been transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment of his injuries, the extent of which is unknown at this time.”
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