The government accused the United Nations of making baseless assertions and stating falsehoods in the report
International News via Reuters:
Burkina Faso has declared United Nations regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata over a U.N. report alleging violations against children in the West African country, a government spokesperson said on Monday.
Burkinabe authorities were neither involved in the preparation of the U.N. report, titled “Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso”, nor informed of the study’s conclusions before publication, he said in a statement.
The government accused the United Nations of making baseless assertions and stating falsehoods in the report, without citing relevant investigations or court rulings.
There was no immediate response to requests for comment from U.N. officials in Geneva and New York.
Violence fuelled by a decade-long battle against Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State has worsened in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries seized power in a series of coups from 2020 to 2023.
The U.N. has in the past condemned what it says have been killings, abuses and abductions of children in the Sahel regional conflict as well as the recruitment of child soldiers.
Writing by Anait Miridzhanian in Dakar and Emma Farge in Geneva; editing by Hugh Lawson and Mark Heinrich
Traders pared bets on a cut at the Fed’s September 16-17 meeting after producer price inflation was hotter than expected in July
International News via Reuters:
The dollar gained on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump prepared to host talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, and traders pared bets on a September rate cut before a speech on Friday by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday before holding talks with the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO, the White House said.
The European leaders were heading to Washington to show solidarity with Ukraine and to press for strong security guarantees in any settlement of the war in Ukraine.
Traders are also focused on Powell’s appearance later this week at the U.S. central bank’s annual economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for any new indications on whether a rate cut is likely next month.
Powell has said he is reluctant to cut rates on expectations that Trump’s tariff policies will lead to higher inflation this summer.
Traders pared bets on a cut at the Fed’s September 16-17 meeting after producer price inflation was hotter than expected in July. They had ramped up bets on a cut after consumer price inflation data for last month showed limited pass through from the trade levies.
Fed fund futures traders are now pricing in a 85% probability of a September rate cut, after last week briefly fully pricing in a move.
Powell is unlikely to lock himself into a monetary path before seeing August’s round of data.
“I don’t think that he can be definitive after being so cautious for so long. But I do think he has a clear opening on the labor market,” said Lou Brien, strategist at DRW Trading in Chicago.
“If the labor market weakens, he can move on that without having to wait for inflation, and that has historically been the way the Fed goes. They talk tough on inflation. They react to the labor market. The last jobs number was weaker than expected, the revisions were weaker than expected, and that makes it more than one report,” Brien said.
The euro was last down 0.21% on the day at $1.1673. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar strengthened 0.46% to 47.85.
Sterling weakened 0.1% to $1.3538.
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin fell 1.66% to $115,764.
Reporting by Karen Brettell, Additional reporting by Jaspreet Kalra, Editing by Sonali Paul, William Maclean, Toby Chopra and Timothy Heritage
Bermuda’s Under-14 Girls’ national team put in a determined performance to secure a commanding victory over hosts Trinidad in their second match of the 2025 Caribbean Football Union Challenge Series.
The game started as an open contest, with both teams creating chances. The deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage time when Alva Tucker’s clever pass found Mia Daponte, who beat the advancing goalkeeper to give Bermuda a crucial 1-0 lead at the break.
The second half continued to be a hard-fought affair, but Bermuda’s defence remained resolute, denying the Trinidadian forwards any clear opportunities. The team’s hard work paid off in the 69th minute when a free-kick from Avery Taylor found its way into the back of the net, doubling Bermuda’s lead and sealing a well-deserved victory.
Bermudian athletes delivered a series of strong performances on Day Seven of the Junior Pan American Games, with sailor Sebastian Kempe claiming the island’s second medal of the games after a superb silver-medal finish.
Sailing
Kempe secured his medal in the ILCA7 Fleet after a day of three races. Despite a challenging start with an 11th-place finish, he mounted a strong comeback by winning the next race and finishing third in the final one, holding on to the second-place position he started the day with.
In the ILCA6 Fleet, Nicole Stovell finished eighth overall with 36 net points, showing consistent improvement throughout her races.
Rugby
The Bermuda rugby team took to the field for their final matches, finishing in eighth place. They fell to a narrow 12-10 defeat to Mexico in their 5-8 place playoff match, with tries from Aiden Kendall and Dante Noel-Simmons. In the 7th-8th place playoff, Bermuda was defeated 24-10 by Trinidad, with Noel-Simmons and Nyindae Smith scoring the tries.
Cycling
In cycling, Charlotte Millington competed in the Girls’ Road Race, finishing 32nd with a time of 2:52:08. She crossed the line just 49 seconds behind the winner.
Monique Bailey are Simone Fox honoured for their outstanding service and critical contributions to the Government’s year-end audit processes for fixed assets
Government press release:
The Government of Bermuda is pleased to announce that Monique Bailey, of the Ministry of Public Works Headquarters, and Simone Fox, of the Accountant General’s Department, have been named the recipients of the July Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA).
Both Ms. Bailey and Ms. Fox are being honoured for their outstanding service and critical contributions to the Government’s year-end audit processes for fixed assets, achievements that led to the completion of deliverables for the Consolidated Fund two months ahead of schedule.
As the Ministry of Public Works’ Accounts Officer and primary contact for fixed asset data, Monique Bailey demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of complex asset reporting requirements. She ensured all relevant asset information was submitted accurately and on time, resolved system anomalies, and produced audit-ready continuity schedules, significantly streamlining what is traditionally a time-consuming process.
As the fixed asset specialist supporting all government departments, Simone Fox delivered exceptional results through strong coordination, follow-through, and strategic process improvements that reduced follow-up time. She ensured timely submission of quarterly returns, accurately set up assets in the E1 system, ran depreciation, identified and corrected anomalies, and prepared continuity schedules for audit while successfully reconciling fixed asset categories with the Government’s financial statements.
“Ms. Bailey’s and Ms. Fox’s work are shining examples of what excellence in public service looks like,” said the Premier of Bermuda, The Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP. “Their dedication and professionalism have not only improved the efficiency of Government operations but have set a great example for collaboration across departments. I extend my congratulations to both of them for being recognized.”
Echoing this sentiment, Cherie-lynn Whitter, Head of the Public Service, remarked: “Monique and Simone exemplify the values we strive to uphold; collaboration, accountability, and a pursuit of excellence. Their leadership, attention to detail, and proactive approach made a measurable difference in the Government’s financial reporting process, and we are proud to recognise their accomplishments.”
The PSEA is a programme that recognises a group or individual within the Public Service who has made significant achievements in service delivery in the last 60 days.
The European Union and the United States struck a framework trade deal in late July with many key details yet to be clarified
International News via Reuters:
Germany said on Monday that the United States would have to follow through on agreed lower tariffs on Europe-made cars before a wider agreement on trade can be finalised in writing.
“In particular, car tariffs must be reduced quickly as agreed. We are also aware of the considerable burden on the export-orientated economy. … Our role here is to continue to fully support the European Commission in this process,” a German government spokesman said in a press conference.
The European Union and the United States struck a framework trade deal in late July with many key details yet to be clarified.
Reporting by Ludwig Burger, editing by Rachel More
14 rookies on the path toward a career of “service, discipline, and purpose”
Recruits put on a scenario-based demonstration. Images supplied.
Government press release:
The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) last week celebrated the achievements of 14 recruits who have successfully completed the BFRS Foundation Course.
The certificate presentation ceremony took place at the Hamilton Fire Station on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, in front of family, friends, BFRS officers, and dignitaries.
While this milestone marks the end of the recruits’ initial training phase, it is also the beginning of the next stage of their professional journey.
The foundation course is the first step towards becoming fully qualified firefighters and emergency medical technicians in Bermuda.
Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, participated in presenting the awards alongside Chief Fire Officer Dana Lovell and congratulated the recruits, stating: “Today is more than the end of your training. It is the beginning of a career of service, discipline, and purpose”.
“You have been through weeks of demanding training physically, mentally, and emotionally, and you have proven that you have what it takes to wear this uniform”.
The Minister also acknowledged the role of family and friends in the recruits’ success, stating: “Your encouragement, understanding, and sacrifices have been the quiet strength behind these recruits’ success. This achievement is yours as much as it is theirs. Without your support, many would not be standing here in uniform today.”
Chief Fire Officer Dana Lovell commended the recruits’ performance while emphasising the importance of the next stage in their development, highlighting that they have successfully completed an important first step, but that the journey is not over.
He emphasised, “Over the coming months, you will gain crucial work experience in preparation for your National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians test, and that step is every bit as important as the training you have just completed, and it will further define your readiness to serve.”
The foundation training covered various firefighting and emergency response skills, including fire ground operations, hazardous material handling, water rescue, road traffic collision response, and emergency medical care. Recruits also underwent rigorous physical training and academic testing.
The BFRS continues to align its training with UK Fire & Rescue Service industry standards, ensuring that Bermuda’s firefighters are equipped with internationally recognised qualifications and best-practice skills.
The BFRS is proud that, as part of their comprehensive training, all recruits are expected to earn the Skills for Justice Level 3 award, a UK qualification for professionals in various public and emergency services roles.
The Ministry of National Security reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the BFRS by recruiting and preparing more Bermudians for this vital public safety role.
The recruits are:
Ari Cannonier, Jayce Basden, Matthew Mello-Cann, Jacob Estis, Malik Joell, Tariq Sabir, Tarreko Wilson, Corey Torak, Nasir Ray-Georges, Jashon Poyer-Pitcher, Jamori Jones-Tyrell, Kimai Hendrickson, Benjamin Furquan and Azende Furbert.
Sterling was flat at $1.3547 on the day but has gained about 2% against the dollar over August so far
International News via Reuters:
Sterling treaded water against the dollar on Monday as investors focused on a pending meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from Ukraine and Europe as well as UK consumer inflation data due later in the week.
Sterling was flat at $1.3547 on the day but has gained about 2% against the dollar over August so far, helped by upbeat economic data and a hawkish rate cut by the Bank of England earlier in the month.
Britain’s consumer inflation data for July is due on Wednesday and analysts at Goldman Sachs reckon that the domestic macro backdrop will continue to be a key source of volatility for the currency’s performance versus European peers.
Goldman Sachs forecasts imply that core inflation in Britain edged down to 3.62% last month, from 3.66% in June and 9 basis points below the level implied by the Bank of England’s projections.
“Even with regional underperformance, though, we continue to expect sterling’s high beta to the Euro to support an upward path in GBP/USD,” analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a note.
On Monday, the euro was down 0.1% against sterling at 0.8624.
“We do think that the UK’s CPI data is going to come in a little hotter this week. That should temporarily support the pound but PMI (data) on Thursday should reverse that,” said Nick Rees, head of macro research at Monex Europe.
“We think you’re going to see increased divergence between the UK and euro zone economies.”
The major economic event for global markets this week will be the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s August 21-23 Jackson Hole symposium.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to speak on the economic outlook and the central bank’s policy framework on Friday.
Money markets are currently pricing in an 85% chance that the Fed will cut policy rates by 25 basis points next month.
Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra; editing by Mark Heinrich
It’s another night, another party at a hotel in Ibiza. The international clientele dances to the house beat while laser lights reflect on the curvy swimming pool and on a sea of sunglasses worn after dark at the open-air venue.
Many party-goers wear all-white; some show signs of altered perception. Ask those queuing outside this place and some of the Spanish Mediterranean island’s legendary nightclubs and they’ll say they’re spending a lot but the experience is worth it.
However, behind Ibiza’s clubbing scene and beaches a housing crisis has forced many locals and seasonal workers to share cramped apartments, commute from off the island or stay in tents and motorhomes in unauthorised encampments.
Ibiza’s problems reflect a broader issue in Spain, where a lack of affordable housing in cities and popular coastal destinations has sparked protests to demand rent controls and denounce overtourism. Activists accuse landlords of preferring short-term tourist lets to less-profitable extended leases.
On Ibiza, nearly 800 people have resorted to living in makeshift settlements, according to local authorities’ figures from last year, which don’t include an estimated 200 who lived in shacks, tents and vans at the “Can Rovi 2” camp before being evicted last month.
“The island is paradise, the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. But it has a flipside,” said Jeronimo Diana, a 50-year-old water technician from Argentina who stayed at Can Rovi 2.
A normal monthly rent would swallow most of his 1,800-euro salary, Diana said.
Ibiza’s average rents peaked at 33.7 euros per square metre in July last year, a 23% rise from July 2023, data from property website Idealista shows. That translates to about 1,500 euros ($1,756) for a small one-bedroom apartment. Spain’s national minimum wage is 1,381 euros per month.
In one possible knock-on effect, Ibiza is seeing a growing shortage of teachers and health workers, according to regional government data. Some public servants commute from neighbouring Balearic islands Menorca and Mallorca.
Maria Jose Tejero, a 24-year-old emergency medical technician, said she shares a small flat with two housemates to make ends meet because the rent is twice her salary.
Crewing an ambulance at night sometimes makes her feel “like a babysitter”, Tejero said. “People come here, drink, take drugs and think life’s just a party when that life can also end.”
Deflated balloons litter a bar-lined street in popular tourist town Sant Antoni. Dealers discreetly inflate the balloons with nitrous oxide – laughing gas – selling the brief high for 5 euros a pop.
Lia Romero, a 28-year-old nurse from Spain’s Canary Islands who sometimes moonlights as a dancer at Ibiza’s club Amnesia, said she also shares a flat and can’t afford bar cover charges or dining out.
“Ibiza is all about posturing and displays of wealth,” she said, “leaving no room for ordinary people”.
According to the regional statistics institute, Ibiza received 3.28 million tourists in 2024, 76% from outside Spain, while the island’s resident population reached a record 161,485.
Jonathan Ariza, a mechanic and construction worker from Colombia who said he is seeking political asylum in Spain, lives in a trailer near the island’s main hospital.
“As long as tourists keep coming, there’ll be people willing to live in precarious conditions to be employed,” he said.
Alejandra, a 31-year-old Colombian with a residence permit, lives in a shelter managed by Catholic charity Caritas after failing to secure a rental. She said she slept in a tent with her 3-year-old son David until they were evicted.
Alejandra said she had a new hotel job and wanted to move out of the shelter, but worried about losing work “for being slow” as she raced to log the Social Security contributions required to renew her permit.
Social workers Gustavo Gomez and Belen Torres, who run the Caritas shelter, said landlords routinely discriminate against families with children and evict tenants to replace them with tourists during the more lucrative summer months.
Local authorities are cracking down on illegal tourist rentals, imposing fines that start at 40,001 euros on those who post them.
Vacation rental companies have agreed to automatically withdraw advertisements officials deem illegal instead of waiting for a slower judicial ruling, said Ibiza Council Vice-President Mariano Juan of the conservative People’s Party, which governs the wider Balearic region.
In Juan’s view, high demand and limited buildable land result in “absolutely illogical” rent prices on Ibiza.
At a national level, the centre-left government has pledged to triple the state housing budget and speed construction of social housing. But a 2023 law that introduced some rent controls has seen limited success, as many opposition-controlled regions decline to apply the rules given they have a high level of autonomy in housing policy.
National landlord lobby ASVAL rejects rent controls, arguing they shrink supply and raise prices. It says the best ways to bring down rents are public incentives and more construction.
Saray Benito, 32, said work as a contortionist and torch juggler at the famous Cafe del Mar is scarce in winter. Over 12 years in Ibiza, she said she has had to move 20 times and sometimes sleep on balconies.
Italian drag performer Eva Cavallini, who is famous in the LGBTQ-friendly La Virgen district near Ibiza Town’s port, lamented that soaring travel and accommodation costs dissuade other artists from visiting.
“Ten years ago, we were around 200. Now it’s just me – the only survivor here. If things keep going this way, the island is finished.”
($1 = 0.8542 euros)
Additional reporting by Horaci GarciaWriting by David LatonaEditing by Frances Kerry
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was flat after logging a second straight weekly gain on Friday
International News via Reuters:
European shares were little changed on Monday, with investors focussing on Ukraine and European leaders’ meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, following a Russia-U.S. summit that ended without an immediate agreement.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was flat, as of 0840 GMT, after logging a second straight weekly gain on Friday. Most regional bourses were also mixed with Germany’s blue-chip DAX dropping 0.4%.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet Trump along with other European leaders in a bid to draw out a peace deal that will not favour Moscow.
Trump met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday and agreed that a peace deal should be worked upon without a ceasefire.
Germany’s foreign minister urged for more pressure on Russia and aid for Ukraine ahead of the meet.
“The main thing for the European stock market would be any peace agreement and the exact shape doesn’t matter so much,” said Robert Schramm-Fuchs, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson.
“It’s more about ending the war which will bring some lost valuation back to the European market because we look at how Europe diverged from the U.S. over the course of 2022 as the war broke out and intensified.”
Investors also awaited a potentially key week for U.S. interest rate policy and will look for clues at the Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole symposium later this week, where Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers will talk economic outlook and the central bank’s policy framework.
Vestas shares jumped 16.4% and were the top gainer on the STOXX 600 after the U.S. Treasury released guidelines for the qualification of wind and solar subsidies offering clarity for projects through 2030.
Other renewables were also boosted, with EDP Renonvaveis surging 6.7%, while Orsted and RWE both gained more than 2% each.
Novo Nordisk jumped 4.5% after the drugmaker’ s weight-loss drug Wegovy received an accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a serious liver condition.
Defence stocks also rose, with Germany’s Rheinmetall and Renk gaining 2.9% and 3.5%, respectively, while UK’s Babcock was up 3.7%. RBC initiated the British engineering company at “Outperform”. Conversely, Commerzbank fell 3.7%, after Deutsche Bank cut the stock’s rating to “Hold” from “Buy”. Banks in the euro zone were under pressure and fell 1.5% after surging almost 60% this year.
Reporting by Twesha Dikshit and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich
The intense rain has claimed lives and spread destruction in several northern districts
International News via Reuters:
Heavy rain in northwest Pakistan halted rescue and relief operations for several hours on Monday before resuming in the northwest region where flash floods have killed over 300 people since Friday, officials said.
The intense rain has claimed lives and spread destruction in several northern districts, with most people killed in flash floods, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
In hilly areas, the rains caused flash floods as well as mud and rock slides that washed away houses, buildings, vehicles and belongings.
“It was like a doomsday scenario,” 24-year-old university student Sahil Khan told Reuters TV, describing the flash floods. “Everybody is scared. Children are scared. They cannot sleep.”
Buner district was the worst hit, with over 200 deaths.
Heavy rain in the flood-hit areas, including Buner, forced rescue teams to halt relief efforts for several hours on Monday, a regional government officer, Abid Wazir, told Reuters.
“Our priority is now to clear the roads, set up bridges and bring relief to the affected people,” he said.
Residents in Buner’s Bayshonai Kalay village panicked and ran to higher ground after a water channel that had earlier overflowed and caused major devastation started swelling with the fresh rain on Monday, according to Reuters witnesses.
Rescuers from local government, the disaster management authority and the army used excavator machines to clear the roads and streets from mud, fallen trees and electric poles.
Relief goods have been sent to the affected areas, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a recorded video statement on Monday.
Food, medicine, blankets, camps, an electric generator and de-watering pumps are included in the relief goods, the authority said in a statement.
Buner, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital Islamabad, was hit by a cloudburst, a rare phenomenon in which more than 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falls within an hour in a small area, officials said.
In Buner, there was more than 150 mm of rain within an hour on Friday morning, they said.
More heavy rain was expected across Pakistan until early September, officials said.
“The current weather system is active over the Pakistan region and may cause heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours,” the disaster management authority said on Sunday.
Torrential rains and flooding this monsoon season have killed 657 people across Pakistan since late June, it said.
Reporting by Akhtar Soomro in Buner, Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar; writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan
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