The Logos Hope has officially opened its floating bookstore and café, following a seven-day voyage from Trinidad.
With crew members representing more than 60 nations, the vessel carries over 5,000 book titles and shares a mission of spreading knowledge and cultural exchange.
The ship is docked on Front Street and its bookstore will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, through March 4th.
Kendal Trott spoke to the ship’s captain, Matt Stephens, about his mission in Bermuda.
Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announced that it will commence demolition of Archlyn Villa on St John’s Road, Pembroke this month.
The decision was made after extensive reviews of the building, which has been uninhabited since 2014.
Preston Swan, Chief Operating Officer comments: “We fully appreciate the historic significance of Archlyn Villa and have taken advice on what should be preserved from the building. However, it is not possible to repair the current structure and leaving it is unsafe. We are mindful too of our area neighbours who are faced with a deteriorating building.
BHB purchased the building in 1990 and used it for staff accommodation up to 2014. Extensive maintenance and repair were needed at the time and meant the facility could no longer be used for housing.
“The goal is to use this site for staff accommodation in the future,” Mr Swan notes. “We will ensure our commitment to commemorate this site as a place of historical significance, specifically as one of the first tourist accommodations available to Black visitors during segregation. We will give careful consideration on how we will honour its legacy.”
CURB- Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda said the community engagement series is aimed at supporting Bermudians in developing a clearer understanding of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its relevance to Bermuda
Full press releases from CURB:
Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB) is launching a public education and community engagement series aimed at supporting Bermudians in developing a clearer understanding of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its relevance to Bermuda.
This initiative is designed to provide residents with accessible, balanced information about what CARICOM is, how it functions, and the range of perspectives surrounding regional engagement. Rather than promoting a fixed advocacy position, CURB’s focus is on creating space for learning, reflection, and informed discussion within Bermuda’s unique historical, cultural, and constitutional context.
A Focused Plan of Community Activities
Over the coming months, CURB will roll out a focused schedule of educational and engagement activities intended to reach diverse audiences across the island. These will include:
· Public webinars and virtual information sessions
· Community surveys and feedback opportunities
· Lunch & Learn discussions
· Community awareness events and facilitated dialogues
Dates and participation details will be shared through CURB’s social media platforms and email communications. Community members are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming announcements.
Encouraging Informed Understanding
CURB emphasizes that the purpose of this series is to share multiple perspectives on CARICOM, including both potential benefits and possible challenges. The organization’s role is not to persuade, but to equip those who are interested with balanced information and relevant context.
“Our aim is to encourage thoughtful dialogue and open questions,” a CURB representative noted. “When people have access to clear, non-partisan information, they are better positioned to develop informed, well-rounded views on issues that may have long-term national significance.”
Through this initiative, CURB reaffirms its commitment to respectful, inclusive public education and to supporting community readiness through knowledge, context, and open conversation.
Upcoming Event: Lunch & Learn – Unlock Insights: Understanding CARICOM Together
February 26th, 2026 – 12:30pm – Bermuda National Library
With the weekend almost upon is, we are highlighting a wide range of events happening across the island.
From live entertainment to community activities and special gatherings, there’s plenty to take part in.
Kendal Trott has the details on what’s happening this weekend.No worries! Thank you!No problem, thank you!No problem, thanks!
Football: Young Gombey Warriors’ campaign ends following Group H loss to tournament host
Going into yesterday’s match, Team Bermuda knew the task ahead was daunting. Overturning a two-goal deficit against hosts Honduras was always going to be a tall order for Bermuda’s Under-17 men.
The young Gombey Warriors sat at the bottom of Group H after a narrow 1–0 loss to Guyana — a match in which they controlled long stretches but failed to capitalise.
Honduras, meanwhile, needed only a draw to secure qualification after rallying from two goals down to defeat Guyana 4–2 on Sunday.
From the opening whistle, the hosts set the tempo. Despite a determined defensive effort from Bermuda, Honduras broke through in the 35th minute to take a 1–0 lead into halftime.
When the Central Americans doubled their advantage in the 81st minute, Bermuda’s hopes were extinguished.
Honduras advance to the finals, while Bermuda finish bottom of Group H on zero points, behind both Honduras and Guyana.
Police say additional witnesses are encouraged to come forward
Image: Bermuda Police Service
Two motorcyclists hurt in a collision that occurred around 3:15pm Wednesday, 11th February 2026, in the North Shore Road, Shelly Bay, Hamilton parish area, have since been treated and discharged from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
The riders, understood to be a 57-year-old Hamilton parish man and a 51-year-old Pembroke man, were travelling in opposite directions along North Shore Road Wednesday afternoon, near the junction with Lemon Grove Road, when they collided.
Emergency services personnel responded to the location.
Both injured men were treated on site for potentially serious injuries and transported to hospital via ambulance, for further medical assessment. Their injuries were later found to be less serious than originally thought.
Traffic flow in the immediate area was reduced to one lane for approximately an hour and a half, while the collision scene was processed.
The Bermuda Police Service thanks those witnesses who have already come forward.
Any additional witnesses are now encouraged to call Constable Tyler Nelmes on 211, or e-mail tnelmes@bps.bm.
The B.U.T. complained that it had effectively been frozen out of talks about education reform but the Ministry of Education has hit back, detailing various interactions.
Overseas file image.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education has issued the following statement in response to claims made earlier in the week by the Bermuda Union of Teachers.
The Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) has recently made statements about the Ministry of Education’s stakeholder engagement process that do not accurately reflect the discussions held to date.
The Minister of Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary met with the BUT Executive on Tuesday, January 20, to present the recommendations developed by the principals of the parish primary and middle schools. This meeting was among the first held with key stakeholders of which there were 24 in total.
Most recently a confidential conversation was held between the President & General Secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Premier and the Minister of Education to discuss the process for stakeholder engagement in matters of education transformation. It is deeply disappointing that details arising from that confidential discussion have been mischaracterised publicly by the BUT.
The assertion that the Minister of Education has refused to consult with teachers is inaccurate. The Minister values and respects the professional expertise of teachers and recognises them as critical stakeholders in Bermuda’s education system. However, engagement must occur within established governance structures and protocols. The Minister has appropriately engaged school leaders first, as they are responsible for the management and operations of their respective schools. Principals , all of whom are experienced former teachers, are entrusted with representing their school communities professionally and effectively. Respecting this structure is not exclusionary; it is consistent with sound leadership and organisational practice.
The Bermuda Union of Teachers was fully aware of the Ministry’s engagement process and the Minister’s intentions. During the Bermuda Trade Union Congress meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., the Minister clearly articulated the planned phased approach to stakeholder consultation, as has been the established custom and practice. After that meeting, concerns were raised regarding the Union’s decision to release a survey containing information derived from confidential discussions before the Ministry had completed its structured engagement process.
Throughout the month of January, the Ministry of Education conducted targeted stakeholder meetings to review recommendations submitted by school leaders most directly impacted by reform and transformation efforts. Leaders with lived and front line experience operating within the parish primary and Middle school model were consulted specifically to assess student transition outcomes, identify any curricular gaps, and examine infrastructure or operational challenges affecting the delivery of high-quality education.
School boards, principals, union representatives, the Department of Education, parents, teachers, PTA executives and other relevant stakeholders were apprised of the recommendations. Feedback was actively sought, questions were answered, and concerns were documented. Principals were responsible for communicating with teachers and parents within their school communities to ensure clarity and context. This approach was intentional, recognising the established relationships and trust that exists between school leadership and their respective communities.
To suggest that there was no consultation prior to or following the development of recommendations is incorrect. Consultation occurred before recommendations were formulated, most recently during their consideration, and continues as part of the ongoing transformation process. Education transformation in Bermuda has always been informed by educators. The framework itself was developed by a team of teachers, and the Ministry team currently leading this work is comprised of experienced educators who have taught at multiple levels within the Bermuda Public School System. What has occurred is a difference in opinion regarding the order and method of engagement — not a refusal to consult.
It is important to note that the premature public disclosure of incomplete discussions disrupted the Ministry’s structured engagement plan and contributed significantly to public confusion. Since that time, the Ministry has met with multiple stakeholder groups to clarify accurate information, address concerns directly, and ensure transparency moving forward.
Education transformation requires collaboration, professionalism, and responsible communication. The Ministry remains committed to meaningful engagement with teachers and all stakeholders, while ensuring that established governance processes are respected and that information is shared in a measured and constructive manner.
The focus remains, as it must, on delivering high-quality teaching and learning experiences for Bermuda’s students.
Under Operation Metro Surge, Trump had deployed about 3,000 armed immigration agents by late January to deport migrants in Minnesota
International News via Reuters:
U.S. President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said on Thursday that a significant drawdown of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota was underway and that he had proposed and Trump had agreed that the surge there should end.
Under Operation Metro Surge, Trump had deployed about 3,000 armed immigration agents by late January to deport migrants in Minnesota.
The surge has led to tumultuous scenes in Minneapolis, the state’s biggest city. Residents have come out onto the streets, some blowing whistles, in protest against masked agents in military-style gear. On different days in January, immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens who had come out to protest or observe the agents.
“I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude,” Homan told reporters at a press conference.
A week ago, Homan announced that about 700 out of 3,000 immigration agents would be withdrawn. He said on Thursday that many of the remaining agents deployed from other states would be sent home in the coming week, citing in part what he called “unprecedented” coordination with local law enforcement agencies in Minnesota. Before the surge, about 150 immigration agents worked in Minnesota.
The deportation sweeps have been staunchly opposed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, and other elected officials in the state. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who last month joined Walz in suing the Trump administration and asked a judge to restrain the surge, said in a statement that the increased deployment had been catastrophic.
“They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” Frey said as he welcomed Homan’s announcement.
The chief federal judge in Minnesota has reprimanded Trump administration officials, saying the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has defied dozens of court orders to free wrongly arrested migrants.
Some of Trump’s fellow Republicans have also criticized the way the deportation surge has been carried out and how the administration has handled the killings of two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
As Homan made his announcement, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was in Washington testifying before a Senate committee that oversees homeland security.
Rand Paul, the committee’s Republican chairman, criticized how the Trump administration had described Good and Pretti after they were killed. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials initially called them “domestic terrorists.”
“The First and Second Amendment are not suspended during periods of unrest or during protests,” said Paul, a libertarian from Kentucky, referring to constitutional rights to free speech and to carry weapons. “When officials speak imprecisely or rashly about constitutional limits, especially in volatile moments, they risk inflaming the situation rather than stabilizing it.”
Reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington and Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Helen Coster, Ted Hesson and Katharine Jackson; editing by Michelle Nichols, Paul Thomasch and Rosalba O’Brien
The demise of the London Mining case is the latest prosecution to collapse after the SFO had problems with disclosing relevant evidence to the defence
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s Serious Fraud Office on Thursday dropped the prosecution of three people over alleged bribery in Sierra Leone and announced a review of potential disclosure issues in around 20 other cases.
The demise of the London Mining case is the latest prosecution to collapse after the SFO had problems with disclosing relevant evidence to the defence.
The SFO had opened its investigation in 2016 and charged former chief executive David Graeme Hossie, 60, ex-CFO Rachel Rhodes, 55, and former consultant Ariel Armon, 57, in 2023.
They pleaded not guilty to corruption and in December their trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court was delayed to January 2028, in part because the SFO needed more time to review evidence that may have had to be disclosed to the defence.
The SFO’s lawyer Esther Schutzer-Weissmann said on Thursday that there is “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” and Judge Christopher Hehir formally directed not guilty verdicts.
Hossie, Rhodes and Armon welcomed the decision. It demonstrates “a profound collapse in the checks and balances meant to ensure a fair trial”, Armon said in a statement.
An SFO spokesperson said disclosure issues were one of several factors behind dropping the case. Armon’s lawyer, Christopher Houssemayne du Boulay from Hickman & Rose, said disclosure was “undoubtedly a key factor”.
ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR THE SFO
The SFO, which had already discovered an issue with its old disclosure system, said it had identified another problem where some material may not have been available for review.
Helen Taylor from campaign group Spotlight on Corruption said the collapse of the case “raises serious questions about how these disclosure problems were missed in past reviews”.
The end of the London Mining case is an embarrassment for the SFO, whose director Nick Ephgrave last month announced he was standing down early at the end of March. He did not specify why.
Its prosecution of former executives at security company G4S collapsed over disclosure issues in 2023, as did a case against two former employees at government contractor Serco in 2021.
Ephgrave’s two-and-a-half-year tenure was marked by successes, notably the speeding up of investigations and decisions to bring charges.
Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Barbara Lewis, Kirsten Donovan
Enthusiasm about AI’s profitability has fueled the U.S. bull market, with stock gains for technology companies and others tied to the build-out of data centers and related infrastructure
International News via Reuters:
Investors are discovering that the artificial intelligence landscape is not just fertile ground for stocks — it is also a minefield.
Enthusiasm about AI’s profitability has fueled the U.S. bull market, with stock gains for technology companies and others tied to the build-out of data centers and related infrastructure. Many investors have also pointed to 2026 as the year AI will start boosting bottom lines more broadly, as companies see productivity benefits.
But recent concerns over the technology’s disruptive potential are rattling industries, including software, legal services and wealth management, as investors rethink how to value those businesses.
Questions over massive AI capital spending are pressuring the share prices of some of the world’s biggest companies, including Amazon.com and Microsoft.
“You’ve clearly seen that breakdown in terms of the monolithic AI trade,” said Garrett Melson, portfolio strategist at Natixis Investment Managers Solutions. “You’re going to have these tug-of-war dynamics in a lot of the bigger index weights, just by how the market’s rewarding perceived winners and losers in the AI race.”
Already in 2026, Anthropic’s launch of plug-ins for its Claude Cowork agent triggered selling of software stocks. The heavyweight S&P 500 software and services index was down 15% since the end of January, as of Wednesday.
Shares of U.S. brokerages tumbled on Tuesday after wealth management startup Altruist introduced AI-enabled tax planning features, with LPL Financial, Raymond James Financial and Charles Schwab each dropping at least 7%. Shares of U.S. insurance brokers such as Willis Towers Watson and Arthur J Gallagher also slumped this week, after online insurance platform Insurify released an AI‑powered comparison tool built on ChatGPT.
“You’re going to see a lot of volatility driven by these headline stories that are also going to be very single-name centric,” said Alex Morris, CEO and CIO of F/m Investments.
SOFTWARE CHEAPER BUT ‘NARRATIVE’ CLOUD LOOMS
Some of the signature stocks of this bull market have also struggled this year, undercut by concerns they would fail to reap sufficient returns from high capital spending. Shares of Microsoft, which has been caught up in the concerns about the software space, are down 16% this year, while Amazon.com shares are down over 11%.
“The concern that they’re just spending far too much money … I think that’s an open question,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at PNC Financial Services Group, adding that he thinks “some of the negativity around the spending is going to ease up.”
Some investors sense a buying opportunity as valuations become more enticing. For example, the forward price-to-earnings ratio for the software and services index recently fell to 22.7 times, its lowest level in nearly three years, according to LSEG Datastream.
JPMorgan equity strategists on Tuesday recommended investors add exposure to a basket of higher-quality and “AI-resilient” software companies, saying in a note that they believe “the balance of risks is increasingly skewed towards a rebound.”
“The challenge right now is that AI is moving quickly,” said Keith Lerner, chief investment officer at Truist Advisory Services. “Earnings are still strong, but it’s hard for companies to come out and disprove the narrative.”
In assessing the fallout from AI developments, Sean Dunlop, director of equity research at Morningstar, said economic “moats” – a term used to describe a company’s competitive advantages – can help investors “sift through the wheat and the chaff to some extent, whereas selling has been pretty indiscriminate, creating investable opportunities.”
AVOIDING ‘IMPLOSIONS’ COULD BE KEY
The AI trade lifted a wide swath of technology and related stocks for much of 2025, when the benchmark S&P 500 posted a double-digit percentage return for a third straight year.
Bullish investors entered 2026 heartened by an upbeat backdrop that includes S&P 500 earnings estimated to rise over 14% this year and the Federal Reserve expected to further ease interest rates. The S&P 500 was last up over 1% this year and not far from record highs, as other areas of the market have picked up the slack for the lagging tech sector.
But AI-driven volatility adds a wrinkle. S&P 500 constituents that were lower on the year as of Tuesday were down an average of 10.6%, according to Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. That decline compares to the average 5.9% fall for index members that were lower at this point last year.
“In 2026, less is more, and stock picking is about avoiding implosions,” O’Rourke said in a note.
Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; additional reporting by Ateev Bhandari in Bangalore; editing by Megan Davies, Rod Nickel
Nandy said in a written statement that she had issued a so-called public interest intervention notice due to concerns the acquisition could affect the “plurality of views” in British media
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s culture minister Lisa Nandy ordered a formal regulatory investigation into DMGT’s proposed acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group, saying on Thursday the deal raises public interest and competition concerns.
Nandy said in a written statement that she had issued a so-called public interest intervention notice due to concerns the acquisition could affect the “plurality of views” in British media.
The proposed 500-million-pound ($683 million) purchase would bring the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph newspapers under the same umbrella as the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Metro and The i Paper. .
CONCERNS ‘WARRANT FURTHER INVESTIGATION’
“My decision to issue (the notice) relates to concerns I have that public interest considerations… may be relevant to the proposed acquisition of TMGH by DMGT, and that these warrant further investigation,” Nandy wrote.
DMGT said it remained committed to investing in the Telegraph, particularly in the United States, and planned to preserve the Telegraph’s editorial independence.
The Telegraph did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Separately, Prince Harry and six other claimants are suing Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Mail on Sunday, seeking damages over claims its papers violated their privacy.
Nandy’s decision sends the deal to Britain’s media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority to examine media plurality and competition issues.
In a letter to the parties and published on the government’s website, Nandy said DMGT would gain the ability to align editorial stances between the Mail titles and the Telegraph, and that this potential alone justifies further scrutiny, even if the group insists it has no incentive to merge editorial lines.
DMGT already controls 50.62% of Britain’s daily national newspaper market. The Daily Telegraph accounts for 5.52% of daily circulation. If the deal is approved, DMGT’s share would rise to 56.14%.
Ofcom and the CMA told Reuters they would report back to Nandy by June 10, a deadline she has set.
OVER TWO YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY
A separate bid by U.S. investment firm RedBird Capital Partners collapsed in November, extending a two-and-half-year period of uncertainty over the ownership of one of Britain’s biggest newspapers.
RedBird had tried to acquire the titles through a joint venture with Abu Dhabi-backed IMI in 2023, before the government introduced legislation banning foreign state investment in British newspapers.
RedBird later sought approval under a revised structure that would have capped IMI’s involvement at 15%. But the company withdrew its bid in November after a slower-than-expected regulatory process and internal opposition from senior Telegraph newsroom figures.
The collapse left the Telegraph Media Group in limbo as the government and potential buyers assessed alternative options.
Nandy’s decision marks the latest chapter in a long-running saga that has left the right-leaning broadsheet without a stable owner since 2023.
DMGT has argued its acquisition would provide long-term certainty and investment for the titles while keeping their editorial teams independent.
($1 = 0.7324 pounds)
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Muvija M. Writing by Sam Tabahriti. Editing by Michael Holden, KIrsten Donovan and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
The atmosphere at IMG Academy was thick with emotion and pride as the curtain began to fall on a defining chapter for one of the most prestigious basketball programmes in the United States. In a night dedicated to celebrating the journey of the graduating class, Bermudian standout Ralph Scott was one of six senior players formally honoured during the annual Senior Night festivities.
For Scott, the evening represented a significant milestone in a burgeoning career that has seen him rise from a promising local talent to one of the most coveted prospects in North American high school basketball. Standing as a unanimous four-star recruit and a top-40 player nationally, the 6-foot-8 wing has spent his tenure at the Florida-based academy refining the versatile skill set that recently earned him a high-profile commitment to the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the dedication required to excel within the IMG system, where academic rigour meets professional-grade athletic development. As Scott walked across the hardwood alongside five of his teammates, the crowd was reminded of the collective achievements of a group that has consistently competed at the highest echelons of the national circuit.
The Bermudian international, who was the first from his island to compete in the Basketball Without Borders Americas camp and was named its MVP, has become a symbol of Bermuda’s growing footprint in the elite basketball world. His success has paved the way for future generations of Bermudian athletes, proving the path to the SEC is well within reach.
As the regular season draws to a close, the focus for Scott shifts toward the post-season and the national championships. While the night was a celebration of past accomplishments, the intensity of the competition ahead remains the primary objective for a group determined to leave IMG Academy with one final piece of silverware.
