The new app, available globally on devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later, opens directly to a Reels feed — a nod to what Instagram calls ‘lean-back entertainment’
International News via Reuters:
Instagram launched a dedicated iPad application on Wednesday, placing its short-form video feature Reels at the center of the redesigned interface as parent company Meta intensifies competition with TikTok.
The app addresses longstanding complaints about Instagram’s iPad experience, which previously required using a scaled-up iPhone version with blurry visuals and missing features.
The new app, available globally on devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later, opens directly to a Reels feed — a nod to what Instagram calls ‘lean-back entertainment’ — with Stories pinned at the top and one-tap access to messaging.
Reels, which accounts for more than 20% of time users spend on Instagram, represents a central pillar in Meta’s strategy to boost engagement across its platforms in the competitive short-form video market.
The iPad app adds a Following tab with multiple viewing options, including recommended posts, content from mutual followers and chronological feeds. Users can reorder feed options to prioritize preferred content.
The interface supports multitasking layouts that show messages and notifications side by side, and lets comments expand without interrupting video playback.
The app is available for free on Apple’s App Store. Instagram said an optimized version for Android tablets will be released soon.
Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid
Campaigners to present call for Nature Reserve status to Government tomorrow
The campaign to safeguard Southlands National Park continues to grow in momentum, with more than 5,000 people signing a petition to halt development in the greenspace.
Bermuda Broadcasting understands that tomorrow, Thursday, September 4, the petition will be handed to Government on the steps of Sessions House at 1:30 pm. Public Works and Environment Minister Jache Adams, is set to receive it on behalf of the Government.
According to the petition description: “Southlands National Park Reserve—affectionately known as “The Green Lung of Bermuda”—is a sanctuary of biodiversity and natural beauty, offering refuge to Bermuda’s wildlife and a tranquil escape for both residents and visitors. Yet, recent and proposed developments along the southern coast and northern woodlands of this cherished reserve are threatening its very essence.”
“The ongoing expansion has already led to significant habitat loss, endangering native and endemic species that rely on this ecosystem to survive.”
Today, Nekorrah commented quote: “Southlands means something different to everyone. For some, it’s a peaceful refuge; for others, a space for families to connect with nature. But for all of us, it represents Bermuda’s natural heritage — and we’re dangerously close to losing it.”
Campaigners are urging the Government to immediately stop development plans within the park and move to give Southlands Nature Reserve status, describing it as both an environmental and moral obligation to future generations.
The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) and higher gusts, was located about 165 km (105 miles) off Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination
International News via Reuters:
Lorena intensified into a hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific Coast and could bring life-threatening flash floods as it moves toward the Baja California Peninsula, authorities said on Wednesday.
The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) and higher gusts, was located about 165 km (105 miles) off Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Lorena, a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is expected to leave heavy rainfall in the Baja California peninsula and “will bring the risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of higher terrain,” NHC said in a statement.
Mexico’s government issued storm warnings and watches for Baja California Sur, home to major tourist destinations such as Los Cabos.
The Mexican national water commission, Conagua, urged residents to take extreme precautions in affected areas, according to its latest report.
Rapid strengthening is forecast through Wednesday night, according to NHC, while a fast weakening is expected later on, with Lorena possibly softening back into a tropical storm by Friday.
The hurricane is moving northwards at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour and its center is expected to move parallel to the west coast of the Baja California peninsula until Thursday night when it should approach the shore.
Reporting by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Louise Heavens, Natalia Siniawski and Mark Porter
Smith and King set out rival visions ahead of party conference
Two OBA constituency neighbours will duel for the party’s top position, after Jarion Richardson announced he would be stepping down earlier this summer.
Ben Smith, who has served as Deputy Leader since 2023, says he plans to lead the Opposition with “a boldness that is needed to change the trajectory of Bermuda and her people.”
While, Robert King, who entered politics after Michael Dunkley’s retirement, winning both the Smith’s North by-election in May 2024 and this year’s general election, pledges to “deliver the determined leadership Bermuda deserves.”
Mr. Smith is currently the Shadow Minister of Education and Sport, and MP for Constituency 8, Smith’s South.
The party once described him as a “son of the soil” and “passionate about a better Bermuda for all, regardless of race, social status or gender.”
Outside of politics, he’s also Bermuda’s national swimming coach and co-owner of Nonna’s Kitchen.
Mr. Smith says Bermuda needs an Opposition that is more than a watchdog – “a team that develops real solutions, communicates them clearly, and earns the confidence of the public.”
He says a stronger Opposition would focus on three priorities: political readiness with costed policies ready to roll out, deeper community engagement, and diverse representation.
He argues the Opposition cannot simply wait for voters to “vote for change,” but must prove its readiness now.
Mr. Smith adds: “I believe in a stronger, smarter, and more connected OBA. A party that is prepared to govern is a party that can transform Bermuda.”
Mr. Smith also acknowledged that trust in politics has eroded. If elected leader, he pledges to introduce a Public Accountability Pledge for MPs, including regular public reporting, open forums, and clear policy timelines.
He has also called for televising House of Assembly debates, saying Bermudians deserve to see their MPs at work.
Meanwhile, Robert King says “trust in politics has been broken,” and pledges to serve full-time as Opposition Leader if elected. Adding: “Bermudians don’t need more empty pledges – they need leadership that works full-time, rebuilds trust and delivers results.”
The party describes him as a seasoned criminal justice professional with more than 30 years’ experience working with at-risk youth and vulnerable populations in Bermuda and Canada.
Mr. King has also rolled out a 100-day action plan.
If elected, he says his first steps will be “putting people first” through a series of town halls and a monthly open house from the Opposition Leader’s office.
He also promises a refreshed communications strategy, mentoring for new MPs, professional development for candidates, and building the fundraising and volunteer machinery to win government. That includes creating a Youth Wing and a Women’s Commission within the party.
Mr. King adds, “I will be available, committed and focused on strengthening the OBA and preparing our party for the next election.”
Other conference candidates include Michael Fahy and Scott Pearman for Deputy Leader, and Victoria Cunningham, Geoffrey Faiella, and Jeremy Shrubb for Deputy Chair. William Soares will become Party Chairman by acclamation on September 6th.
Only one person survived the destruction of the village of Tarseen in the mountainous Jebel Marra area of the Darfur region, said the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army
An area is damaged following a landslide that destroyed the Tersin village, in the Marra Mountains area of Sudan September 1, 2025. Sudan Liberation Movement/Army/Handout via REUTERS
International News via Reuters:
An armed group that controls part of western Sudan appealed on Tuesday for foreign help in recovering bodies and rescuing residents from torrential rain, after it said at least 1,000 people were killed when a landslide buried a mountain village.
Only one person survived the destruction of the village of Tarseen in the mountainous Jebel Marra area of the Darfur region, said the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army.
SLM/A, which has long controlled and governed an autonomous portion of Jebel Marra, appealed to the United Nations and international aid agencies to help collect the bodies of victims, including men, women and children.
“Tarseen, famed for its citrus production, has now been completely levelled to the ground,” the group said in a statement. Continuing rains have made travel in the region difficult and could impede any rescue or aid efforts.
“Nearby villagers are overwhelmed with fear that a similar fate might befall them if the … torrential rainfall persists, which underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive evacuation plan and provision of emergency shelter,” the group’s leader, Abdelwahid Mohamed Nur, said in a separate appeal.
A statement by the U.N.’s resident coordinator put the death toll at between 300 and 1,000, citing local reports.
Arjimand Hussain, regional response manager for the development group Plan International, said the last 45 km of the route to Tarseen were impassable to motor vehicles and could only be negotiated on foot or by donkey.
Nine bodies were recovered by volunteers, said Abdelhafiz Ali from the Jebel Marra Emergency Room, who noted that the village had hosted hundreds of people displaced by fighting.
The SLM/A has remained neutral in the battle between the main enemies in Sudan’s civil war, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The two foes are fighting over control of al-Fashir, capital of North Darfur state, which is under siege from the RSF and has suffered famine.
Residents of al-Fashir and nearby areas have sought shelter in Jebel Marra, though food, shelter, and medical supplies are insufficient and hundreds of thousands have been exposed to the rains. Tawila, where most have arrived, is in the throes of a cholera outbreak, as are other parts of Darfur.
The two-year civil war has left more than half of Sudan’s population facing crisis levels of hunger and driven millions from their homes, leaving them especially exposed to the country’s damaging annual floods.
Sudan’s army-controlled government expressed its condolences and willingness to assist.
The prime minister of a newly-installed RSF-controlled rival government, Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, said he would be coordinating with the SLM/A on the delivery of aid supplies to the area.
Pope Leo sent his condolences and said he was praying for those affected, according to a Vatican statement.
Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; writing by Enas Alashray and Nafisa Eltahir; editing by Andrea Ricci, Stephen Coates, Peter Graff and Mark Heinrich
Freixe was fired due to an undisclosed relationship with a subordinate, exactly a year after he replaced Mark Schneider, plunging the Swiss food giant into turmoil
International News via Reuters:
Nestle staff complained in May about improper favouritism by former CEO Laurent Freixe towards an employee with whom they alleged he was romantically involved, a senior executive said on Wednesday, two days after Freixe was sacked.
Freixe was fired due to an undisclosed relationship with a subordinate, exactly a year after he replaced Mark Schneider, plunging the Swiss food giant into turmoil.
Chief Financial Officer Anna Manz said the relationship between Freixe and the employee, who has not been named, was first examined in an internal investigation following concerns raised via Nestle’s internal reporting system, called Speak Up.
“Back in May, we received a Speak Up through our internal channels alleging a romantic relationship with an employee and improper favouritism,” Manz told a Barclays investor conference.
The matter was investigated by the board, but no evidence was found, she said.
“And it was at that point that Laurent also made a personal statement stating that there had been no such thing,” Manz said, referring to the concerns about Freixe raised by whistleblowers.
But complaints continued to be made, Manz said, leading to a second, broader inquiry being launched with help from Swiss lawyers Baer & Karrer.
“And it was that that triggered information that led to the board believing that there had been a breach of conduct and that they needed to act to change the CEO,” she said.
Freixe, who had denied the relationship throughout the course of both investigations, was dismissed on Monday following a board meeting, and will not receive an exit package.
He could not be immediately reached for comment.
Investors and analysts have described the dismissal of the 39-year company veteran as a crisis of historic proportions at Nestle, traditionally seen as a pillar of the Swiss business establishment.
‘STRATEGIC, THOUGHTFUL LEADER’
Freixe was replaced by Nespresso boss Philipp Navratil. Manz said he will bring a fresh perspective to the company.
Navratil, 49, has spent 24 years at Nestle, mainly in its coffee business, and joined the executive board in January.
“He’s a really strategic, thoughtful leader. He’s also very pragmatic and executionally focused,” Manz said.
Nestle denied reports Manz’s appearance had been hastily arranged to present the company’s side of Freixe’s sacking to investors. The company said Freixe had also been due to attend the conference with Manz before his dismissal.
The company, famous for KitKat chocolate bars and Nescafe instant coffee, has been struggling since the tenure of Freixe’s predecessor Schneider, the first outsider to lead Nestle since 1922.
Some analysts accused Schneider of focusing too much on acquisitions and cutting spending in vital areas.
Schneider was fired in August 2024 following Nestle’s slow post-pandemic recovery, triggering what has become one of the messiest managerial periods in the 159-year-old company’s history.
Manz said Navratil’s quick appointment was possible because the Nestle board had already begun succession planning due to the fact that Freixe is 63.
Navratil would be present for Nestle’s third-quarter results on October 16, and would likely meet investors before then, Manz said.
Reporting by John Revill;Editing by Dave Graham and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
Public given more time to help shape energy policy as RA extends consultation deadline for its Integrated Resource Plan
Press release: The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RA) today announced that it has reopened the consultation period for the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to ensure that the voices and perspectives of the community are fully captured. The consultation, originally set to close on 29 August, will now remain open until 17 September 2025.
The IRP outlines Bermuda’s long-term energy plan, guiding the island’s approach to meeting its future electricity needs through a mix of resources, including renewable energy. It represents a critical framework to balance affordability, sustainability, and security of supply for the entire country.
Given the high level of public interest and discussion surrounding the IRP recently, the RA believed it imperative to extend the opportunity for feedback. By reopening the consultation, the RA hopes to reaffirm its commitment to transparency, accountability, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Donn Foggo, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement at the RA, stated: “At the RA, we place great importance on community feedback because every perspective helps shape the decisions that impact us all.” He continued: “I understand that, like many documents from the RA, the IRP can seem technical and may feel as if it is meant just for industry experts. However, The Integrated Resource Plan is about the future of Bermuda’s energy, a plan that affects all of us – our homes, businesses, and the energy we rely on every day. Your input is vital, and we can only reflect the views that are shared with us. Make sure your voice is heard now, to ensure that you are not left out of the conversation later.”
The RA remains committed to ensuring that the development of Bermuda’s energy sector reflects the priorities of the people it serves.
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About the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RA)
The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda is an independent regulatory body that oversees various sectors, including the Electricity, Electronic Communications, and Submarine Communication Cables sectors. The RA is committed to promoting competition, safeguarding the interests of residents and consumers, stimulating the Bermudian economy, promoting innovation, and fulfilling any additional functions as specified by sectoral legislation.
Incident allegedly occurred at home of a male complainant, in March
A Bermudian man has been arrested and charged with sexual assault by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest follows an investigation into events that allegedly took place in the early hours of March 17 in Wellington, Florida. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told Bermuda Broadcasting today that a sexual assault – with no physical force – allegedly took place at the home of a male complainant. The Bermudian man was arrested on the 26th of August and later charged and released on bond on August the 28th. We are not naming him for legal reasons. He is due to appear for a court hearing in the coming weeks.
There will be no bus or ferry services during the BIU meeting on Friday from 2 pm – 4 pm
The public is advised that due to a Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) membership meeting taking place Friday September 5, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., there will be an interruption in public services.
Specifically, there will be no bus or ferry services during this period. Members of the public are encouraged to seek alternative transportation arrangements during this time to avoid delays.
Other delayed services may include trash collection, parks, postal delivery, and other services.
All disrupted services will resume following the conclusion of the BIU meeting.
Please note the public transportation services that will be interrupted during this time:
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