Unite, which represents more than 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers at Airbus, said 90% of members voting in a ballot had chosen industrial action
International News via Reuters:
Thousands of Airbus workers in Britain will go on strike for 10 days starting next month over a demand for better pay, threatening to disrupt production of aircraft wings, trade union Unite said on Wednesday.
Unite, which represents more than 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers at Airbus, said 90% of members voting in a ballot had chosen industrial action, which will go ahead unless the European planemaker presented an improved pay offer.
Unite said the strikes, planned for September 2-3, 10-11 and other dates yet to be determined, from September 15, could disrupt wing production for Airbus’s commercial and military aircraft programmes and delay deliveries.
However, Airbus said: “We are not currently concerned about the impact on year end deliveries.”
The planemaker also said it had made a “competitive and fair” pay offer in 2025 following previous pay increases totalling more than 20% in the last three years, in addition to a 2,644 pounds ($3,569) bonus payment in April.
“Our priority remains to find a resolution together with the trade union that ensures the long-term competitiveness and success of Airbus in the UK,” Sue Partridge, Airbus UK’s country manager for commercial aircraft, said in an emailed statement.
Unite said it had asked Airbus for a pay offer that reflects rising inflation and cost of living. Data published earlier on Wednesday showed British inflation had reached 3.8% in July – its highest in 18 months.
“Airbus is generating billions in profit; workers deserve a fair deal,” Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said. “Our members are simply seeking fairness not favours.”
($1 = 0.7409 pounds)
Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Catarina Demony
Loss of ice is increasingly harming wildlife including emperor penguins, who breed on the ice, and krill, which feed below it
International News via Reuters:
Rapid loss of Antarctic sea ice could be a tipping point for the global climate, causing sea level rises, changes to ocean currents and loss of marine life that are impossible to reverse, a scientific study published on Thursday said.
The paper in the journal Nature aimed to describe in previously unseen detail the interlocking effects of global warming on the Antarctic, the frozen continent at the planet’s South Pole.
“Evidence is emerging for rapid, interacting and sometimes self-perpetuating changes in the Antarctic environment,” it said.
The study gathered data from observations, ice cores, and ship logbooks to chart long-term changes in the area of sea ice, putting into context a rapid decline in recent years.
“A regime shift has reduced Antarctic sea-ice extent far below its natural variability of past centuries, and in some respects is more abrupt, non-linear and potentially irreversible than Arctic sea-ice loss,” it said, referring to melting at the North Pole.
Changes are having knock-on effects across the ecosystem that in some cases amplify one another, said Nerilie Abram, the study’s lead author.
A smaller ice sheet reflects less solar radiation, meaning the planet absorbs more warmth, and will probably accelerate a weakening of the Antarctic Overturning Circulation, an ocean-spanning current that distributes heat and nutrients and regulates weather.
Loss of ice is increasingly harming wildlife including emperor penguins, who breed on the ice, and krill, which feed below it.
And warming surface water will further reduce phytoplankton populations that draw down vast quantities of carbon from the atmosphere, the study said.
“Antarctic sea ice may actually be one of those tipping points in the Earth’s system,” said Abram, a former professor at the Australian National University (ANU) and now chief scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division.
Reining in global carbon dioxide emissions would reduce the risk of major changes in the Antarctic but still may not prevent them, the study said.
“Once we start losing Antarctic sea ice, we set in train this self-perpetuating process,” Abram said. “Even if we stabilise the climate, we are committed to still losing Antarctic sea ice over many centuries to come.”
Reporting by Peter Hobson; Editing by Kate Mayberry
As part of a plan to revive U.S. manufacturing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had said on Tuesday the government wants an equity stake in Intel in exchange for cash grants
International News via Reuters:
Intel is in talks with other large investors to receive an equity infusion at a discounted price, CNBC reported on Wednesday, just days after the chipmaker got a $2 billion capital injection from SoftBank Group.
The report, which cited people familiar with the matter, did not name the potential investors. Intel, whose shares fell 7%, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
As part of a plan to revive U.S. manufacturing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had said on Tuesday the government wants an equity stake in Intel in exchange for cash grants approved by the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Lutnick was also exploring government stakes in other chipmakers in exchange for CHIPS Act grants, which aims to spur factory-building in the U.S., Reuters later reported.
SoftBank’s investment was at $23 per Intel share, a slight discount to Monday’s closing price of $23.66.
This investment will come through issuance of common stock. Based on Intel’s market capitalization at the close of trading on Monday, it would have represented a stake of just under 2%.
Intel has struggled to compete after years of management blunders left it with virtually no foothold in the booming artificial intelligence chip industry dominated by Nvidia.
Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Shilpi Majumdar
Golfer Daniel Augustus has begun his campaign at the Caddy Club Challenge 2025, a Tier 2 series event held at the Moseley Golf Club in Birmingham.
Augustus, competing in the second tournament of the series, shot a first-round score of 2-over par 72. This series offers players a crucial opportunity to climb the rankings and earn a spot on the HotelPlanner Tour.
During his round, Augustus carded two birdies and 12 pars, but his score was impacted by four bogeys. He will be looking to build on his opening-day performance in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
The sanctions against eight individuals and entities also target the infrastructure behind A7A5, a rouble-pegged stablecoin launched in Kyrgyzstan
International News via Reuters:
Britain on Wednesday sanctioned financial networks it said were being used by Russia to evade existing Western sanctions, including Kyrgyz crypto networks, as it ramps up pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
The sanctions against eight individuals and entities also target the infrastructure behind A7A5, a rouble-pegged stablecoin launched in Kyrgyzstan which Britain said had moved $9.3 billion in four months.
“If the Kremlin thinks they can hide their desperate attempts to soften the blow of our sanctions by laundering transactions through dodgy crypto networks – they are sorely mistaken,” British sanctions minister Stephen Doughty said.
The measures follow talks in Washington earlier this week between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Ukraine conflict.
Britain’s sanctions targeted a Luxembourg-based firm and four Kyrgyz entities including Grinex LLC and Old Vector LLC, linked to the infrastructure behind A7A5.
It also sanctioned three people it said were involved in supporting Russia’s financial infrastructure, including one linked to a Kyrgyz bank used to pay for military goods, another accused of helping evade sanctions and a third cited for providing services to the Russian state-owned Promsvyazbank.
The U.S. also sanctioned Grinex and Old Vector last week, citing their roles in facilitating sanctions evasion and supporting illicit crypto activity.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar
Six Bermudian players were in action across the UK, with a mixed bag of results for their respective clubs.
In Sky Bet League One, goalkeeper Nathan Trott and his Cardiff City teammates travelled to take on AFC Wimbledon. The game looked to be heading for a scoreless draw until a late winner in stoppage time. Isaak Davies scored for the Bluebirds, and Trott was on hand to deny an AFC Wimbledon equaliser with a crucial late save to help his team secure all three points.
Elsewhere in League One, Nahki Wells was once again sidelined through injury as his Luton Town side edged Wigan Athletic 1-0 at home.
In the FA Women’s National League Cup Group Stage, Camryn Lines and her Bridgwater United Women FC teammates were in action away at Bristol Rovers WFC. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned in the 17th minute due to floodlight issues, with no goals scored.
In non-league action, Harry Twite and his Loughborough Student FC teammates went down to a 3-0 defeat at home to Carlton Town FC in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.
Meanwhile, in the National League North, Keziah Martin, Deniche Hill, and their Buxton teammates were beaten 2-1 by Hereford FC at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium.
Sprinter Caitlyn Bobb delivered a superb performance on Day Nine of the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay, winning her 400-metre semi-final in a time of 52.83 seconds on a rain-soaked track.
Competing in Heat 2, Bobb’s commanding display saw her cross the line first, with her time proving to be the fastest of all qualifiers across both semi-finals.
Her victory secures a prime position in the upcoming final and sets her up as a strong contender for a medal at the prestigious event.
Tropical storm watch in effect as forecaster track Hurricane Erin, objectors to Southlands redevelopment project hold rally, track and field star Caitlyn Bobb in medal contention at Junior PanAm Games plus more from the sports desk
Bermuda’s Under-14 Girls’ national football team secured a valuable draw in a dramatic finish against Aruba in their third match of the 2025 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series. The result keeps Bermuda in second place in Tier I Group B.
Both teams entered the game with three points, tied behind leaders Jamaica. Bermuda started slowly, with Aruba dictating the early pace and creating several chances. However, the Bermudian goalkeeper and defence held firm, and the teams went into the break scoreless.
In the second half, Bermuda dominated play, but the match came to life in the 70th minute when a free-kick for Aruba was saved by Bermuda’s goalkeeper, Kyra Simmons, only for the rebound to be put away by an Aruban player.
With three minutes of stoppage time indicated, Bermuda would find the all-important equaliser in the second minute of added time. A ball from the right found substitute Phoenix Williams, who fired a shot into the roof of the net to level the score and ensure the points were shared.
The Economic Development Department (EDD) approved a grant to give five Fintech students from The Berkeley Institute the opportunity to intern at Chubb and Paradise Mobile to gain real-life experience and to see how fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology improve the company’s effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace. The students include Musa Abdul-Jabbar, Shiloh Cruickshank, Natalia Dill, Zane Furbert-Tankard, and Dunnajai O’Mara.
Premier David Burt, JP, MP stated, “When the Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, and I visited The Berkeley Institute, we saw these students present fintech solutions that were practical and forward-thinking. Now, through their internships at Chubb and Paradise Mobile, five of them are building on that work, applying their skills to real projects, and gaining insight into how technology is shaping industries. These are the types of experiences that we want our young people to engage in to shape Bermuda’s digital future. This government is proud to invest in initiatives that create opportunities for young Bermudians. I thank the Economic Development Department for providing the grant that made this invaluable learning experience possible for these students.”
Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, MP stated, “In June, I spoke about preparing our students for jobs that do not yet exist. Seeing these young people now take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it in professional environments is what Signature Learning is all about, equipping our students with the skills, adaptability, and vision to thrive in the future.”
(Educator) Ms. Dee-AH Iris, Fintech Instructor at The Berkeley Institute, stated, “This is just one of the ways that Premier Burt and our government is keeping their commitment to ensuring that our young Bermudians advance in the Fintech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technology fields.” In the fall of last year the Economic Development Department was instrumental in the roll out of the Bermuda Coders initiative, making available multiple online courses in Digital Technology and Coding to both students and teachers. Berkeley’s Fintech students had 100% successful completion of the AI Fundamentals Certification.
At Paradise Mobile, the students received a comprehensive overview of their operations, including sessions on their vision and operating model, marketing approach, customer engagement processes, product strategy, and network operations. They also had the opportunity to shadow customer support and sales processes, observe frontline teams in action, and engage in discussions on how we design and deliver our services to customers in Bermuda. They have also been given hands-on practical project management experience. Nico Gonzalez, Chief Digital Officer at Paradise Mobile, “At Paradise Mobile, we’re deeply committed to supporting young Bermudian talent and helping to build a tech-savvy local workforce for the future. It’s been a pleasure working with such creative and driven students this summer and we’re excited to see how they’ll continue to innovate and grow. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make on Bermuda’s digital landscape.”
Natalia Dill, Intern at Paradise Mobile, “My summer internship at Paradise has been a truly rewarding and transformative experience. It opened my eyes to new fields, particularly within the tech industry-that I had never considered before. I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop valuable skills across several departments, from sales, technology, and marketing. The knowledge and growth I’ve gained here have made a lasting impact, and I’ll carry these lessons with me well beyond my time at Paradise.”
At Chubb, the students have been learning about Chubb’s digital business, which focuses on leveraging technology to enhance insurance offerings and improve customer experience across the globe. They have each built out insurance propositions which included a pitch deck, marketing plan, and rating algorithm for a sample eCommerce or Fintech platform addressing 3 audiences: the customer, the merchant/seller, and the platform itself. They’ve also been competing with the other interns on a Business Simulation, where they’re acting as the CEO for a digital insurance company, attempting to grow revenue, limit losses, and manage expenses by making strategic decisions in the face of adverse events. Patrick, “I was very impressed with the strategies that both Shiloh and Zane researched and implemented during the simulation. After four rounds which included several natural disasters, political unrest, and a world-wide cyber-attack, Zane is currently in the lead due to effective investments in risk management, reinsurance, and cyber security.” By the end of the summer, the students will have had the opportunity to explore new technologies and gain exposure to actuarial, claims, legal, and underwriting disciplines.
As stated by Maryem Biadillah, Acting Director of the EDD, “The EDD is pleased to find ways to create pathways for young Bermudians to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. Programmes like this internship give students practical exposure to real-world applications of emerging tech, ensuring that they develop the skills, confidence, and networks to not only compete, but also lead. In doing so, we strengthen Bermuda’s position as a hub for innovation and opportunity.”
The Bermuda Weather Service expect to upgrade the forecast to a Tropical Storm warning later today or tonight
Hurricane Erin pictured in the Atlantic Ocean as of Wednesday morning. Photo: NOAA/Bermuda Weather Service
A tropical storm watch is currently in effect as forecasters track Hurricane Erin.
The Bermuda Weather Service forecasts that Erin will be at its closest – 320 nautical miles to the North West of the island – on Thursday at 10pm, though this forecast is subject to change.
The BWS could upgrade to Tropical Storm Warning later today or tonight.
The Cat 2 system is currently tracking 486 nautical miles to our West South West, packing maximum winds of 85 knots with gusts to 105 knots.
Starting tomorrow, we could see tropical storm force winds, with life-threatening storm surges at sea.
“Seas continue to build – possible peaking near 12ft tonight – while hazardous swells and rip currents continue to develop from the south ahead of Hurricane Erin,” according to the BWS.
Acting National Security Minister Jache Adams this week said business will remain as normal – but he urged residents to make storm preparations.
A full Storm-Season Energy Checklist – a practical reference guide that aims to help households navigate the storm with greater security and affordability – can be found online at bbc.bm.
NAB Third Sector Spotlight: Focus Counselling Services
Images supplied
By Leslie Grant, Executive Director, Focus Counselling Services
Substance use disorder is one of Bermuda’s most urgent—and most under-addressed—public health crises. It destabilizes families, burdens health and justice systems, and leaves communities fractured. Yet we continue to treat it primarily through a criminal justice lens, focusing on punishment over prevention and incarceration over care.
One in three Bermudian households report living with someone who misuses alcohol or drugs. According to the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA), roughly 75% of Bermuda’s road fatalities are linked to substance use. These are not just statistics – they are symptoms of deeper trauma, unaddressed mental health needs and system failures that impact us all.
At Focus Counselling Services, we stand on the front lines of addiction recovery. Every day, we meet individuals who want to heal, parents desperate to protect their children and families searching for hope. We meet people who’ve been turned away from support because of stigma, criminal records, or lack of resources – and yet they still return, still try, still fight for a second chance.
Addiction is not a moral failing. It is a chronic, treatable health condition, often rooted in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and systemic inequality. Treating it as a moral failing or criminal issue only deepens the damage. But when we treat it with science, compassion and consistency, recovery becomes not just possible – it becomes powerful.
Evidence shows that for every dollar spent on addiction treatment, up to eleven dollars are saved in health and justice system costs. The return on investment is clear. This is not only a compassionate approach, but also fiscally responsible leadership.
To truly address addiction, Bermuda must lead with courage, connection and community-wide action. That means:
1. Ending the Stigma
Stigma kills. It keeps people silent and prevents them from accessing care. By promoting understanding and empathy, we can replace shame with support.
2. Investing in Prevention
Early intervention matters. We must invest in youth programming, mental health education, and safe, supportive environments that reduce risk factors and strengthen resilience.
3. Expanding Access to Care
Treatment options must be trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible to all. From outpatient counselling to long-term sober living and wraparound support, people must be able to get help when they need it, without shame or delay.
Supporting Reintegration
Recovery doesn’t end with discharge. We must ensure those in recovery can access housing, employment, education, and community support. Reintegration is a key part of lasting healing.
Focus Counselling Services has provided compassionate, evidence-based addiction support since 1994. Today, we are scaling up. Our new Root & Rise initiative blends evidence-based treatment, job training, environmental stewardship and community empowerment, all rooted in sustainability and healing. We are also expanding our youth programming and forging partnerships across the helping sector to ensure long-term impact.
Recovery is not a linear path. It takes time, patience, and collective effort. But every person who heals from addiction strengthens our island. They become mentors, parents, workers and leaders. They carry our community forward.
We call on Bermuda’s government to prioritize addiction in health and social policy. We ask employers to offer fair chance hiring. We urge schools and churches to speak openly about addiction and foster healing spaces. And we invite you – to learn more, donate, volunteer or simply offer someone the benefit of belief.
Because Bermuda cannot rise while addiction continues to pull us down. But with compassion, commitment, and community – we can heal, and rise. Together.
To support our work or learn more about Focus Counselling Services and the Root & Rise initiative, visitwww.focus.bm or contact us at 296-2196 / info.focus@focus.bm.
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