Lisa James, Founder and Chair of the new organisation, the Bermuda Caregivers Alliance is calling for greater support and resources for those carers employed on island
Caregivers are calling for more care — for themselves.
As Bermuda’s population ages, the demand for caregiving is growing, with around one in five residents now over the age of 65.
The Bermuda Caregivers Alliance hopes to become a vital resource for those who spend their days caring for others.
More in this report.
A strict airspace exclusion zone will be enforced above the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium in Bermuda later this month to guarantee security and safety throughout the upcoming Davis Cup fixture.
The Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) confirmed the mandatory restriction order, which outlaws all unauthorized aerial activity over the facility across the two-day international event running from 19 to 20 September 2026.
Enacted under Article 68 of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013, the directive explicitly bars all non-participating conventional aircraft alongside gliders, airships, hot-air balloons, microlights, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
The BCAA stressed that the restrictions have been introduced strictly in the public interest. The measure aims to safeguard competing athletes, tournament officials, and spectators courtside, while eliminating potential mid-air interference with approved broadcast production and emergency air services.
Homegrown airline cites major achievements as it celebrates three years in business
BermudAir is celebrating its third anniversary with a series of significant milestones that underline the airline’s continued growth and evolution, including the successful launch of its own ground-handling operation at L.F. Wade International Airport, strong commercial performance through August.
Three years after operating its inaugural flight, BermudAir has grown from an ambitious Bermuda start-up into an increasingly diversified aviation business, connecting Bermuda with key destinations across North America and the Caribbean while continuing to invest in the infrastructure, people and capabilities required to support its long-term growth.
That momentum was underscored by a particularly strong August, during which BermudAir achieved a 77.1% passenger load factor, reflecting continued growth in customer demand across the airline’s expanding network.
At the same time, BermudAir continues to achieve exceptionally strong customer satisfaction results. The airline’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) remains above 70, placing BermudAir among the world’s leading companies for customer advocacy and providing a powerful indication of the loyalty and satisfaction of its customers.
Coinciding with the airline’s third anniversary, BermudAir has also successfully transitioned to providing its own ground-handling services in Bermuda. The new operation brings a critical part of the customer and aircraft journey directly within the BermudAir organisation, with BermudAir team members now responsible for the handling of its aircraft, baggage and customers on the ground at its home airport. The move represents a substantial investment in Bermuda, including new equipment, infrastructure, training and employment, while giving the airline greater control over operational performance and the customer experience.
“Reaching our third anniversary is an important moment for everyone at BermudAir, but what makes it particularly meaningful is that we are celebrating it while continuing to deliver strong growth and taking another major step forward as an airline,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir.
“Launching our own ground-handling operation in Bermuda has been an enormous undertaking, and I could not be more proud of our team,” Mr. Scott continued. “The transition has been successfully completed and gives us greater control over one of the most important parts of our operation, while creating new jobs and developing additional aviation expertise here in Bermuda.”
To celebrate the airline’s third anniversary, BermudAir is offering a 30 percent discount* on published base fares on all routes from gateways. The discount is on sale from September 3-5, 2026, for travel from September 15 to November 15, 2026, when the promo code BIRTHDAY3 is used at check-out at www.flybermudair.com. Terms & conditions apply.
Since launching operations in 2023, BermudAir has steadily expanded its fleet, route network and capabilities while retaining its focus on providing a distinctly Bermudian travel experience. The airline is now entering another significant period of development, which will include the expansion of its cargo business and preparations for the introduction of Airbus A220 aircraft to the fleet.
“Three years ago, BermudAir was an idea founded on the belief that Bermuda deserved an airline of its own and that there was an opportunity to build something genuinely different. Today, we have a growing airline, an exceptional team, our own ground operation in Bermuda, an expanding network, a strong and growing customer base, world-class customer satisfaction scores and a dedicated freighter on the way,” said Mr Scott.
“None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary support we have received from our employees, customers, shareholders, partners and the wider Bermuda community. As proud as we are of what has been achieved during our first three years, we are even more excited about what comes next.”
For more information about BermudAir, routes, flight schedules, holiday packages, career opportunities and more, visit www.flybermudair.com.
Officials say the site will house 60 beds for patients deemed medically fit for discharge but have not yet secured appropriate long-term care
Channel House will be redeveloped into a temporary housing facility for patients fit for discharge from the hospital, to alleviate pressures on the Bermuda Hospital Board’s acute care wing.
Housing and Municipalities Minister Zane DeSilva told media this morning at the Southside location that the new facility will accommodate 60 beds, with adjoining amenities for patient care.
He said the project is expected to be completed for use within 15 to 18 months, following design changes and construction work to repurpose the “underutilised” site.
Funding for the project will cost between $8-$10 million and is budgeted for this fiscal year, Minister DeSilva added.
Health Minister Kim Wilson said the property is a “major step forward” in providing care to those medically fit for discharge in the “right setting”.
Channel House will be operated by the Department of Health, where staff will provide rehabilitation services and other care to patients.
Minister Wilson reiterated that Channel House would be for temporary placement while family members arrange alternative long-term care in the community for their loved ones.
The site came under BLMC management in 2023 and was made available for government use.
In April last year, then Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Diallo Rabain green lit the site to be redeveloped into a seniors’ residential facility. This overruled the planning department’s rejection due to the plan lacking ground-floor commercial activity in a mixed-use zone.
According to planning documents, the three-storey building was meant to undergo interior renovation to build 45 bedrooms, fitted to house 57 seniors.
Minister Wilson said today that Channel House was chosen instead of MWI, which had originally been earmarked as a 30-bed facility for patients medically fit for discharge.
BHB Acting CEO Judy Richardson was also on hand for today’s news conference in support of the redevelopment.
The Ministries of Health and Education are encouraging parents and guardians to register children with asthma on the 2026/27 Bermuda Student Asthma Registry.
The online registry supports local asthma healthcare providers, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education by helping them track students with asthma and ensure appropriate support is in place throughout the school year.
Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, emphasized the importance of annual registration “Each September, we ask parents to take a few minutes to update their child’s information so we can give every student with asthma the very best support. A child’s health needs can change, and registering each year ensures our asthma specialists have the most accurate, up to date details. When we work together, we can help our students enjoy a healthy, confident, and active school year.”
The registry is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) Asthma Education Centre, and Open Airways, a Bermuda-registered charity. All information submitted is held in strict confidence.
“We want every student to feel confident and supported throughout the school year, and that includes making sure children with asthma have what they need to stay healthy and fully engaged in learning,” said Minister of Education, Diallo Rabain, JP, MP. ‘By registering, parents help us create safer, more responsive school environments where every child can thrive.”
“Students who have had asthma education and have discussed new guidelines with their doctors, have the best inhalers and are using optimal technique, should be able to participate in all school and sporting activities and should not need to be absent from school due to asthma!” said the Department of Health School Asthma Nurse, Debbie Barboza.
“An analysis of the 2025/26 information shows that there is still much work to be done to teach students, parents and teachers how to best keep students with asthma healthy.”
2025/26 Student Asthma Registry Findings
“Our collaborative team of health providers is working with the primary aim of ensuring every child with asthma receives the proper guidance and assistance they need to have a healthy and successful school year,” said Asthma & COPD Educator, Nicola MacDougall, from Open Airways.
If your child has asthma, or you suspect they might, please add their information to the 2026/27 Bermuda Student Asthma Registry today: https://bit.ly/2026BermudaStudentAsthmaRegistry
For further information, contact Nicola MacDougall at educ@openairways.com.
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Hannah Emmerson, longtime organiser of the Bermuda Sandcastle Competition, to host the beloved community event in 2027, a year that also marks BUEI’s 30th anniversary.
The annual sandcastle competition was founded by Nicky Gurret and has been managed by Ms. Emmerson since 2017. The event, which is a favourite amongst locals and overseas visitors alike, has been postponed for Labour Day weekend 2026, with plans for its return in 2027. Ms. Emmerson, who began competing in the competition in 2002, is partnering with BUEI to bring the event back next year, with BUEI taking on the administration and logistics while Ms. Emmerson continues to provide creative direction and leadership.
“I’m so thankful to have BUEI step in to help take this event to its next level. It’s the perfect merger between celebrating nature and our environment, and creative expression in sand. I’m so excited to see what BUEI can do with their team and wide range of resources focused on the event,” said Ms. Emmerson.
Ms. Emmerson will remain closely involved with the competition’s creative elements, continuing to lead sandcastle-building workshops, welcoming new and returning teams on the beach, and serving as a creative consultant with BUEI taking on all other facets of event coordination.
“BUEI is excited to partner with Hannah to bring this much-loved Bermuda tradition back in 2027,” said Traci Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of BUEI. “The Bermuda Sandcastle Competition is a natural fit with BUEI because it brings together creativity, community and an appreciation for the ocean and Bermuda’s natural environment. It gives people a fun and accessible way to connect, explore, discover and be inspired, while reinforcing the importance of caring for our ocean and environment, which sits at the heart of BUEI’s mission. Our role is to provide the organisational platform and resources to help this event thrive for years to come, while Hannah’s creative leadership remains an important part of its identity.”
Additional details regarding the 2027 Bermuda Sandcastle Competition will be announced next year.
About BUEI
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is a registered Bermuda charity #326 whose mission is to nurture an appreciation for the ocean around Bermuda and promote environmental stewardship through education, experiences and exploration.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises motorists that the ongoing single lane closure on Middle Road, between Garthowen Road and Leeson Lane, Devonshire, has been extended through Sunday, 6 September 2026, to accommodate repairs to a roadside retaining wall.
The road will fully reopen on Monday, 7 September 2026. Temporary traffic lights will remain in place to manage traffic through the affected area.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and use alternative routes via North Shore Road and South Shore Road.
The Ministry encourages the cooperation of the motoring public and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
The Bermuda Technical Institute might have closed its doors decades ago, but its legacy lives on.
Alumni are preserving its history — and calling for more dedicated technical and vocational training in Bermuda.
A gala and other events will boost their cause.
Katie Martin reports.
Statement from the Progressive Labour Party in response to MP Dwayne Robinson on the Integrated Resource Plan and energy policy:
Mr. Robinson’s statement is rich in outrage but poor in solutions.
The reality is that the Minister acted to ensure Bermuda gets an energy plan that delivers for consumers, not one that simply locks in costs and limits future opportunities. The Government has been clear that renewable energy remains a priority, alongside reducing electricity costs and strengthening regulatory oversight.
Bermudians deserve a responsible energy transition, not political soundbites designed to create uncertainty. The focus should be on securing the best outcome for families and businesses, not rushing through a process simply because the Opposition demands it.
It is also remarkable that Mr. Robinson has found time to lecture the Government on leadership while his own party is dealing with an internal crisis following Robert King’s announcement. Perhaps he should spend less time playing politics with Bermuda’s energy future and more time addressing the serious questions facing the One Bermuda Alliance.
This Government remains focused on delivering an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future for Bermuda. The Opposition remains focused on headlines.
Statement by Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Minister of Home & Community Affairs:
The National Electricity Sector Policy (NESP) 2026 has charted a course for the future of Bermuda’s energy. However, with the Minister of Home Affairs issuing a suspension of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2026, the investment window for implementing the objectives of NESP 2026 could be missed.
With the potential legality challenges of the IRP suspension instituted by the Minister, Bermudians need to receive a timeline on when the revised IRP 2026 will be finalized and when they can expect relief regarding their energy bills.
Bermudians continue to grapple with substantial electricity costs. The Government has committed to prioritize renewable energy in our resource mix. However solar customers have reported seeing increases of $250 and up on their Belco bills after making a large investment in solar panels, trusting that they were helping the island’s renewable energy goals and securing lower bills for their families. How will the Government renew the public sentiment in solar, when current users are considering removing their solar panels?
Meanwhile non-solar customers bear the brunt of maintaining the electrical grid and the fluctuations of energy consumption demands, waiting for the promised relief from the PLP government for the last 9 years and beyond.
Why should Bermudians continue to pay more for Progressive Labour Party indecision and poor leadership in the energy sector? Bermuda’s energy transition to more renewable energy will require a lot of investment. How will we acquire the necessary investment if Government continues to shift its benchmarks and reserves the right to override a finalized IRP process?
Bermuda needs Belco to invest in utility wide solar to reduce customers’ exposure to external price shocks. Solar energy needs to be more widely accessible, such as plug in solar panels that are being utilized overseas.
The working population needs to increase so that the costs to maintain the electrical grid can be spread across more people, with less Ministerial interference in the IRP process.
I am happy to see the Minister’s proposal for the Regulatory Authority to be strengthened to better regulate in the consumers favour and to have more ownership over the IRP planning process. However, if the Minister retains the power to override our independent regulator, the process is not truly independent.
Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) today announced a major achievement for the Company, certification to the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety standard.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publishes International Standards developed by global experts covering nearly all industries around the world. ISO, which is based out of Switzerland, has members from 161 countries.
ISO 45001 is the globally recognised international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. It provides a framework for organisations to proactively manage workplace risks, prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, and continually improve overall safety performance.
Since 2010, BELCO’s integrated Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (OHSE) Management System has been registered the ISO 14001 Environmental Management standard and now the Company is also certified to the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety standard.
This certification places BELCO among a select group of organization worldwide and makes BELCO the only company in Bermuda to hold both ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
Mark Pacheco, Director Operational Support Services said: “This is a significant milestone for our Company. We are now the only company on island with both certifications. This demonstrates our diligent approach to OHSE management and commitment to continual improvement in these important areas. This certification is not an award for the OHSE team alone, but rather a reflection of the entire Company. It recognises everyone who influences safe behaviours, prioritises the implementation of safety controls, and genuinely believes in protecting our environment. It also demonstrates that, at every level of our organisation, we are committed to keeping our employees, contractors, and visitors safe when they interact with our operations, while consistently working to reduce potential impacts that our operations may have on the environment. I would like to thank all our dedicated employees who contribute to this success daily and continue to commit to the ongoing improvement and maintenance of BELCO’s integrated OHSE Management System.”
About ISO 45001:
ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It provides a framework for BELCO to manage risks and improve OH&S performance. The standard establishes criteria for an OH&S policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review. Key elements include leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal and regulatory compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement.
About ISO 14001:
ISO 14001 is the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The Standard provides BELCO with a framework to protect the environment and respond to changing environmental conditions in balance with socio-economic needs. BELCO’s certification to ISO 14001 reinforces the organization’s aim of contributing to the environmental pillar of sustainability. In addition to meeting legal obligations, the Standard helps BELCO to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and consistently manage its environmental responsibilities.
For more information about ISO, please visit www.iso.org.
From end-December, the EU Deforestation Regulation will require importers to prove their products weren’t made with raw materials from deforested land by, amongst other measures, tracing the materials back to the plot they were grown on
International News via Reuters:
The EU’s new anti-deforestation law will push many coffee firms to ensure all their products meet the bloc’s rules, not just those destined specifically for EU markets, according to a study by the non-profit Trase.
From end-December, the EU Deforestation Regulation will require importers to prove their products weren’t made with raw materials from deforested land by, amongst other measures, tracing the materials back to the plot they were grown on.
For coffee producers that ship most, but not all, of their coffee to the EU, Trase found it would often be less costly to extend EUDR-compliance across their entire supply chain, rather than running segregated EU and non-EU chains.
• The EU accounts for about 40% of global coffee imports, but according to Trase, firms that supply the bloc handle nearly 80% of the world’s coffee shipments.
• Coffee major JDE Peet’s ships 84% of its beans to the EU, while trading firms Louis Dreyfus and Neumann Gruppe ship 63% and 53%, respectively.
• “For such companies, extending traceability requirements across their supply (chains) may be most cost effective. This means the deforestation law could punch far above the EU’s weight,” said Trase.
• The EUDR has long faced criticism it will lead to segregated supply chains that cut small-scale farmers in remote, rural areas out of the lucrative EU market, with exporters loath to ship their beans to the bloc as they will have to trace them.
• The Trase study calls into question this critique.
• “The fact that many companies ship to both the EU and other markets suggests similar standards may be more easily adopted by those companies beyond the EU,” it said.
• Deforestation is the second leading cause of climate change after the burning of fossil fuels. The EUDR aims to end the 10% of global deforestation fuelled by EU imports.
Reporting by May Angel; Editing by Jan Harvey
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