Police press release: Detectives are renewing their appeal for information in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Jason Mello, who was fatally shot on Bandroom Lane, Pembroke, around 7:35pm on Friday 19th August 2016. It has now been nine years since Jason’s tragic death. Investigators believe the gunman wore a full face visor helmet and heavy dark coloured winter clothing, which would have stood out on a warm August evening. The suspect is thought to have:
Parked a motorcycle higher up on Bandroom Lane,
Walked down to where Mr. Mello was shot multiple times,
Fled the scene on the motorcycle, heading out through the St. Monica’s Road area.
Police urge anyone with information no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to come forward. You can remain anonymous.
Detective Inspector Dean Martin 717-2074
Serious Crime Unit 247-1739
Speak to a police officer you trust
Or call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline (anonymous) at 800-8477
Detective Inspector Dean Martin said: “There is someone out there who knows the person responsible for Jason Mello’s death. With the assistance of the public, we have been able to solve many serious crimes, or receive vital information that has advanced historical investigations. We urge you to come forward. Even small pieces of information can lead to justice. Please, help us bring closure to Jason’s loved ones.”
Switzerland’s foreign ministry said the country currently has observer status of the IACCC and had been invited by Britain to become a full member
International News via Reuters:
Switzerland is considering joining a British-led international task force targeting kleptocrats and recovering stolen assets, it said on Tuesday, as it seeks to shake off its reputation as a haven for dirty money.
British foreign minister David Lammy discussed the International Anti-Corruption Coordination with the Swiss government during a visit earlier this month, according to a UK government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Switzerland’s foreign ministry said the country currently has observer status of the IACCC and had been invited by Britain to become a full member.
“In this context, Switzerland is currently examining various options for its future cooperation with the IACCC. No decision has yet been made on this,” it said in a statement.
Joining the task force would allow Swiss authorities to share intelligence and work more closely with other countries on major investigations targeting dirty money.
Lammy told Reuters earlier this week that Switzerland was “a key partner in the fight against illicit finance and corruption” and its participation in the IACCC would be “invaluable”.
Switzerland, the world’s largest manager of offshore wealth, has tried to shed its image as a safe haven for illicit funds and has recently taken steps to improve transparency, including proposing stricter rules on beneficial ownership.
The IACCC task force was launched in 2017 and is hosted by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA). It brings together enforcement bodies from countries including the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to share intelligence and coordinate investigations.
Since it was founded, it says it has identified 1.8 billion pounds in suspected stolen funds, and frozen 641 million pounds of assets.
Britain has ramped up its efforts to tackle illicit finance since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has positioned itself as a leader in the global fight against kleptocracy, but still faces its own challenges on that front.
The NCA estimates that over 100 billion pounds ($135.32 billion) is laundered through or within the UK each year, often via British-registered corporate structures.
($1 = 0.7390 pounds)
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti in LondonAdditional reporting by Dave Graham in ZurichEditing by Frances Kerry and Christina Fincher
Bermuda’s Ajani Robinson claimed two medals and a top-five finish at the recent World Jump Rope Championships in Japan, which he described as his most successful outing yet.
The rising star, who attends William Peace University, earned two medals in the International Open Tournament (IOT) and finished fifth in the wheel finals after a strong third-place performance in the preliminaries.
Robinson’s commitment to the sport was also highlighted by his work off the competition floor, where he served as both an on-site and video replay judge throughout the event.
Speaking after the championships, Robinson revealed that the experience had a profound impact on his passion for competing. “In the past, I’ve felt my passion as a competitor start to diminish, however, this Worlds lit that fire right back up,” Robinson said. “I feel that passion again and I know I’m not even close to being done. I can’t wait to come back 10 times stronger.”
Bermudian cyclist Conor White represented his Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team in the prestigious 2025 Beaumont Trophy One Day Cycling Road Race, which is part of the Lloyds Bank British Cycling National Road Series. The challenging race, which is a key fixture on the British calendar, covered a distance of 182km and attracted a strong field of competitors.
White finished the demanding course in 56th place, crossing the line with a time of four hours, 14 minutes, and 48 seconds. He finished just over three minutes behind the race winner, Dylan Hick, who clocked a winning time of 4:11:44.
The race marks another valuable competitive experience for White as he continues his season on the British cycling circuit.
In a historic moment for Bermudian cricket, a mother and daughter were part of the umpiring team for the Eastern County’s second-round match between Bailey’s Bay and Cleveland County.
The landmark occasion saw Precious Smith make her second appearance on the field, while her mother, Wendy Woodley, served as the Third Umpire. The match marked the first time a mother-daughter duo have officiated together in the competition’s long history.
Smith had already etched her name into the history books in the first round when she became the first-ever female umpire in the competition’s 121-year history. Her appointment, along with her mother’s role, marks a new chapter for the prestigious competition, continuing a trailblazing trend for female officials in local sport.
A cloudburst is a rare phenomenon where more than 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falls within an hour in a small area
International News via Reuters:
Rescue workers on Tuesday recovered more bodies from a mountain village in northwest Pakistan where flash floods triggered by a cloudburst brought down homes and buildings, bringing the death toll there to at least 20, the local district commissioner said.
The toll contributed to a total of 358 deaths in the floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since Friday – more than 200 of them in the worst hit district of Buner.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority says 30 children are among the dead.
A cloudburst is a rare phenomenon where more than 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falls within an hour in a small area, officials say. Authorities have warned of more rains to come in two spells of monsoon until September 10.
In Buner, there was more than 150 mm of rain within an hour on Friday morning. A massive downpour from another cloudburst struck near Gadoon in the mountains of Swabi district, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday.
District Commissioner Nisar Khan said that as well as the death toll there increasing from 11 on Monday, several residents remained missing from the remote village.
“We are utilising all available resources, including heavy machinery such as excavators, to recover the missing bodies,” he said.
The raging flood water came down from the mountains and swept away the houses, he said.
The intense rain has claimed lives and spread destruction in several northwestern districts, with most people killed in flash floods, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
More relief equipment including tents, blankets, electric generators, pumps, medicine and rations have been sent to the flood-affected areas, the National Disaster Management Authority said on Tuesday.
It said the torrential rains and flooding this monsoon season have killed 695 people across Pakistan since late June.
Reporting by Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar; Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Alison Williams
Government issues storm-season energy checklist to help households navigate Hurricane Erin with greater security and affordability
As Bermuda prepares for Hurricane Erin, the Ministry of Home Affairs is reminding residents of several steps they can take to conserve energy, reduce risk to household appliances, and lower electricity costs.
Today the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, said, “Preparation includes securing windows and stocking supplies, and it is also about reducing system load, protecting your home’s infrastructure, and ensuring that your household can recover quickly if outages occur. These measures consider cost and preservation.
“To assist residents, the Department of Energy is reissuing its Storm-Season Energy Checklist, a practical reference guide to help households navigate the storm with greater security and affordability. These measures are especially critical for seniors, renters, and families relying on backup generators or limited power systems. These practical actions can help reduce the risk of power loss, minimise system stress, and preserve critical appliances during storm events. Preserving energy at the household level helps protect the wider grid.”
As a reference the Department of Energy’s storm season energy household checklist includes the following tips:
Before the storm (24 hours ahead):
Replace lights with LED bulbs (free from post offices)
Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
Unplug idle electronics (TVs, game consoles, microwaves, phone chargers)
Set A/C between 68° – 72° F or on dehumidifier mode early in the day
Install or set timers on water heaters to reduce usage during peak hours
Check flashlights and battery-operated fans
Wash and dry clothes now to reduce power draw later
Charge all devices and backup power sources fully
Before a storm arrives:
Unplug all major appliances (fridge last)
Ensure all external plugs are weather-protected or disconnected
Reduce fridge and freezer temperature in advance to preserve food longer
Turn off water heater at the breaker (especially for electric models)
During and after the storm:
Use appliances only if power is confirmed stable or on backup
Do not reconnect large appliances until utility service is restored and stable
Report downed lines or suspicious energy issues to BELCO
Preparedness begins at home. For more resources and storm readiness materials, visit: www.energy.gov.bm
As a reminder, please stay abreast of official updates from the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) by visiting www.gov.bm/news and by following the Government’s social media platforms.
Carney won on a promise to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump but has since moderated his approach
International News via Reuters:
The leader of Canada’s official opposition Conservatives, Pierre Poilievre, secured a return to Parliament and a chance to grill Prime Minister Mark Carney over U.S. tariffs, staging a comeback after unexpectedly losing his seat in an April election.
Unofficial results from Elections Canada on Tuesday showed Poilievre had easily won a special election on Monday in the parliamentary constituency of Battle River-Crowfoot in the western Canadian province of Alberta, a Conservative stronghold.
Poilievre, who accuses the Liberal government of botching its handling of U.S. relations, will be able to confront Carney when the House of Commons returns on September 15.
Carney, who took over as prime minister in March, secured a strong minority government in April’s federal election, while Poilievre lost the Ottawa-area seat he had held for 21 years.
Carney won on a promise to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump but has since moderated his approach even as Washington imposed more tariffs.
“Mark Carney has been failing. He’s failed, he’s backed down, he’s made concession after concession vis-a-vis the Americans,” Poilievre told a press conference last Thursday.
Carney, however, is in no immediate danger politically. Although the Liberals fell three seats short of a majority in April, they should be able to rely on the support of smaller parties to survive confidence votes.
A Nanos Research poll earlier this month put the Liberals at 44% popular support compared with 33% for the Conservatives.
Carney has pulled the Liberals more to the center and Poilievre will find it harder to draw a sharp contrast, said pollster Nik Nanos, CEO of Nanos Research.
“Poilievre needs to articulate what he learned from the last federal election and how his government would be different than a Carney government,” he said via email.
At the start of the year the Conservatives looked set for a crushing election victory over the Liberals of then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who were far behind in polls after more than nine years in power.
But Liberal fortunes soared after Trudeau announced he was stepping down and Trump began threatening Canada with tariffs and annexation.
Poilievre secured about 80% of the vote, according to Elections Canada.
Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Caroline Stauffer and Edmund Klamann
Though it operated for just 15 years, from 1931 to 1947, the Bermuda Railway played a significant role in shaping the island’s transportation history
Government press release:
The Bermuda Post Office is proud to announce its third release of new commemorative stamps celebrating the legacy of the Bermuda Railway, affectionately known as the “Rattle and Shake.”
Though it operated for just 15 years, from 1931 to 1947, the Bermuda Railway played a significant role in shaping the island’s transportation history. It continues to influence its landscape through the beloved Bermuda Railway Trail.
The new stamp, featuring stunning photography by Margaret Fox, Laurie Zuill, and Colin Hassell, showcases the scenic beauty of the Bermuda Railway Trail—a network of paths that now trace the former railway’s route. From winding coastal views to quiet forested stretches, the imagery reflects how this once vital mode of transport has transformed into a national treasure for walkers, joggers, and nature lovers.
The Railway Trails stamps will be available for purchase starting August 21st, 2025. The prices are $4.10 for the complete set of stamps and $7.00 for the First Day Cover. Orders may be prepaid for collection or mailing on the day of issue at the Bermuda Post Office or any of its sub-post offices.
No bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday morning
People travel by a boat as search and rescue operations continue following a boat accident, in a place given as Sokoto State, Nigeria, in this handout image released on August 17, 2025. National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria/Handout via REUTERS
International News via Reuters:
At least 25 people have been rescued and 25 others are still missing two days after a boat carrying about 50 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State, emergency services said on Tuesday.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 25 people were still unaccounted for and presumed dead. No bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday morning, the agency said in a statement.
The vessel, which was transporting women, children, and motorcycles to Goronyo market, a hub for food produce in the region, overturned on Sunday, officials said.
Boat accidents are common in Nigeria during the rainy season, due to poor safety regulations and overloaded vessels. Authorities blamed Sunday’s accident on overloading and poor road infrastructure, which forces many residents to rely on water transport.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by strong water currents from a nearby dam, said Zubairu Yari, chairman of Goronyo local government.
Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; writing by Ben Ezeamalu; editing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and William Maclean
The euro and sterling rose about 0.2% each to $1.1686 and $1.3524, respectively
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
The dollar dipped against major peers on Tuesday as markets assessed the outcome of a summit between leaders from the U.S., Europe and Ukraine, while awaiting policy cues from an annual Federal Reserve symposium later this week.
The euro and sterling rose about 0.2% each to $1.1686 and $1.3524, respectively. The Swiss franc rose 0.3% and the Japanese yen ticked higher as well.
U.S. President Donald Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday that the United States would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in any deal to end the war with Russia.
Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday’s gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin.
The developments did little to give clear direction to foreign exchange markets while European equities gained and oil prices slid on Tuesday.
Given that European energy costs are relatively low and undisrupted, developments related to the Russia-Ukraine war are unlikely to be major market movers, said Samy Chaar, chief economist at Lombard Odier.
Many investors are away for summer holidays in the northern hemisphere contributing to thinner market liquidity. Analysts at MUFG reckon that if the talks prove successful in ending the conflict in Ukraine, it could provide more support for European currencies that have already outperformed this year.
JACKSON HOLE WATCH
On the macro front, markets are awaiting the Federal Reserve’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole for any clues on the likely path of interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to speak on the economic outlook and the central bank’s policy framework.
Powell is not expected to lock himself onto a monetary path before seeing August’s round of data even though money market expectations of a rate cut next month remain above 80%, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
“The market is expecting signs that a cut in September is a done deal. I am not sure the market is going to get that,” Chaar said.
The minutes of the Fed’s July meeting are due later on Wednesday and could offer insight into policymakers’ thinking about the trajectory of interest rates albeit the meeting took place before a weak labour market report prompted markets to price in cuts more aggressively.
“With inflation essentially stuck over the past year, the tariff passthrough that we still expect, and the labor supply story keeping the unemployment rate historically low, we still think there is a strong case for the Fed to remain on hold,” analysts at BofA Global Research said in a note.
Cryptocurrencies were an exception to the otherwise mellow mood in markets, with bitcoin falling about 1% to notch a third straight day of declines after hitting a record high last week while ether was down 1.2% as well.
Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra and Gregor Stuart HunterEditing by Shri Navaratnam, Kim Coghill, Sharon Singleton and Hugh Lawson
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