Governor Andrew Murdoch was given a tour of the docks in Hamilton
Governor Andrew Murdoch has been given a tour of the City of Hamilton Port Facility and Cruise Ship Terminal.
In a post on social media, Government House stated: “Huge thanks to those who facilitated the Governor’s tour – a reminder of his days working in dockyards in Portsmouth and Devonport in the UK – and to the workers and organisations that keep these facilities running smoothly. “The port facility is a critical part of Bermuda’s logistical supply chain, with security measures in place to satisfy international standards.”
When the competition starts on Saturday August 9th Bermuda’s U19 men’s squad to face tough competition in Atlanta
Bermuda’s Under-19 men’s cricket team is in Atlanta, Georgia, is gearing up to compete ICC Americas Final Qualifier for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in India.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s tournament kickoff, Bermuda Cricket Board’s Executive Director, Cal Blankendal, says the high level of competition will provide invaluable experience for the island’s rising talent.
Six members of Bermuda’s Under-19 national cricket squad featured in this year’s Cup Match Classic—valuable experience, says Cal Blankendal, as they prepare for the international stage.
While the 2025 edition of the Classic was overshadowed by several incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct, Blankendal believes the high-pressure environment offered important lessons ahead of World Cup qualifying.
From the football pitch to the pickleball court, Bermuda’s athletes are making headlines both at home and overseas
The CONCACAF Women’s Championship draw is set for Wednesday, August 20th… Nathan Trott makes a strong debut for Cardiff City… and Imani Phillips and Gary Perry shine at the English Open in pickleball. Details below in today’s Sports Round-Up
The Seabird 1’s pilot had failed to notify relevant authorities about an emergency situation at sea
International News via Reuters:
Italy has grounded a reconnaissance plane used by a German migrant rescue charity, in the first use of tighter regulations for such aircraft, the NGO said.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) confirmed on Friday that the Sea-Watch group’s Seabird 1 plane had been placed under administrative detention.
It said it acted after being informed by the Italian coastguard that the Seabird 1’s pilot had failed to notify relevant authorities about an emergency situation at sea.
Sea-Watch called the aircraft’s detention “a new escalation in the Italian government’s fight against civilian human rights observation in the Mediterranean”.
Italy has temporarily halted dozens of charity rescue vessels, and last year passed a decree allowing similar measures against charity-operated aircraft.
The tighter regulations for rescue vessels and planes, which are used to spot boats in distress, were brought in under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who in the past accused charities of cooperating with traffickers to bring in more migrants.
The government said the crackdown was necessary to ensure better coordination with authorities and avoid abuses. Charities say the measures seriously limit their capacity to operate, putting migrants’ lives at risk.
Sea-Watch said it was considering legal options against the grounding of its plane and had deployed another monitoring aircraft to continue its work.
Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri and Alvise Armellini;Editing by Helen Popper
KKR had said earlier in the day that it met with Assura’s board in recent days to lobby in favour of its own cash takeover offer
International News via Reuters:
British healthcare real estate investor Assura said on Friday that it maintains its support for a takeover bid by Primary Health Properties despite rival suitor KKR urging it to back its competing offer.
Assura said it was urging its shareholders to vote in favour of PHP’s $2.4 billion acquisition offer over the KKR-led bid with Stonepeak Partners.
KKR had said earlier in the day that it met with Assura’s board in recent days to lobby in favour of its own cash takeover offer.
The U.S.-based private equity firm and PHP were locked in a months-long battle for Assura before its board backed PHP’s higher bid in June.
KKR said a number of factors had since changed, including a decline in the share price of both companies, which has in turn raised the premium of its own cash offer.
PHP in a separate statement welcomed Assura’s reaffirmation of support for its bid.
Britain’s competition regulator also said on Friday it was looking into a possible probe into the PHP and Assura deal if it goes through.
Reporting by Charlie Conchie and Prerna Bedi; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Joe Bavier
Vance, who has previously criticised Britain and its governing Labour Party, landed in London before heading to Chevening
International News via Reuters:
Britain and the United States may disagree about how to address the crisis in Gaza but they share a common goal in resolving it, Vice President JD Vance said as he met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday in southern England.
Vance, who has previously criticised Britain and its governing Labour Party, landed with his wife Usha and their three children in London before heading to Chevening, the large country residence used by the British foreign minister in Kent.
The visit comes amid increased attention on Vance’s foreign policy views as he emerges as a key figure in President Donald Trump’s administration and his possible pick as successor.
Asked about Britain’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state, Vance said the U.S. and Britain had a common objective to resolve the crisis in the Middle East, adding: “We may have some disagreements about how exactly to accomplish that goal, and we’ll talk about that today.”
Vance reiterated that the U.S. had no plans to recognise a Palestinian state, saying he did not know what recognition actually meant, “given the lack of a functional government there”.
Britain, by contrast, has taken a harder stance against Israel, declaring its intention to recognise a Palestinian state along with France and Canada to put pressure on Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu over the continuing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Close to Chevening House, a small group of protesters had gathered, some waving Palestinian flags and one holding up a sign showing a meme of Vance. Other protests are also planned during the visit.
Asked by a reporter about Trump’s suggestion this week that Vance was his likely heir apparent for the 2028 presidential election, the vice president said his current focus was to do a “good job” for Americans.
“I’m not really focused even on the election in 2026, much less one, two years after that,” he said, referring to the midterm election next year.
FISHING TRIP
Earlier on Friday, Vance and Lammy went fishing in the lake behind Chevening House, appearing relaxed in blue button-down shirts and sharing a laugh.
Vance joked to reporters that the “one strain on the special relationship” between Britain and the U.S. was that all his children had caught fish but that the British foreign minister had not.
“Before beginning our bilateral, the Vice President gave me fishing tips, Kentucky style,” Lammy said in a post on X.
The pair have developed a warm friendship, bonding over their difficult childhoods and shared Christian faith, according to two officials familiar with the relationship.
“I have to say that I really have become a good friend, and David has become a good friend of mine,” Vance told reporters, sitting beside Lammy.
After spending two nights in Chevening with Lammy, the Vances will travel to the Cotswolds, a picturesque area that is a popular retreat for wealthy and influential figures, from footballers and film stars to media and political figures.
Vance has championed an America First foreign policy and once said last year’s election victory for Lammy’s centre-left Labour Party meant Britain was “maybe” the first “truly Islamist” country with a nuclear weapon.
Lammy once called Trump a “far right extremist” and a “neo-Nazi” but since coming to power has brushed off his remarks as “old news”.
Vance’s trip will include several official engagements, meetings and visits to cultural sites and a likely meeting with U.S. troops, a source familiar with the planning said.
Trump, who travelled to Scotland for a private visit, is also scheduled for a historic second state visit to Britain next month.
Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and UK bureau;Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Lincoln Feast, Sharon Singleton and Alison Williams
Eleven planes, 12 helicopters and 170 firefighters were deployed around Keratea, 30 kilometres southwest of the capital
International News via Reuters:
A wildfire killed at least one person and burned houses and farmland in a town outside Athens on Friday as Greek firefighters struggled to contain a series of blazes at the start of what is forecast to be several days of gale-force winds.
Eleven planes, 12 helicopters and 170 firefighters were deployed around Keratea, 30 kilometres southwest of the capital, and residents were called to evacuate, the fire brigade said.
Much of the area has seen barely a drop of rain in months. Wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour fanned the fire, setting olive tree orchards alight. Images on local media showed houses engulfed in flames.
Firefighters discovered the body of an elderly man in a burned-out structure in Keratea, Greek Fire Brigade Spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said during a briefing
“The fire is advancing. In some places only aerial firefighting is being possible,” Yiannis Schizas, a member of the Civil Protection in the area, told SKAI TV.
“There is too much wind. It is becoming a mess,” he said.
High winds are expected through the weekend and beyond.
In the touristy island of Kefalonia, in western Greece, a wildfire was out of control, burning forests and farm land, authorities and local media said.
Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed “a wildfire hotspot” by scientists, with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate, prompting calls for a new approach.
Parched southern France is currently facing its worst wildfire in decades.
Reporting by Ivana Sekularac, Daria Sito-Sucic and Edward McAllister; Editing by Mark Porter
The Bermuda Olympic Association is proud to announce the individuals who will be carrying the Bermuda flag at the opening ceremony of the Junior Pan Am Games in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Both athletes have distinguished themselves through outstanding performances and unwavering dedication to their sport. Elijah Daley, a rising star in Bermudian swimming, has consistently shattered national records while representing Bermuda internationally. Robin Selley, known for her tenacity and leadership, has demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment in Archery and beyond.
Bermuda Olympic Association President Peter Dunne shared, “Tomorrow evening our team will be led into the ceremony by two young athletes who represent the potential in all of Bermuda’s athletes. Robin and Elijah will experience the rare opportunity to be carrying our flag at a major multi-sport games; an honor for them and a moment of pride for the entire team.”
Chef de Mission, David Thomas remarked, “I am incredibly proud to announce Robin Selley (Archery) and Elijah Daley (Swimming) as our flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games. These two remarkable athletes exemplify the spirit and excellence of Team Bermuda. It will be a proud moment for our entire delegation to see them lead us into the stadium at the opening ceremony and another milestone occasion, as Bermuda continues to make its mark on the international stage”.
The ASU2025 Junior Pan American Games will take place on August 9th to 23rd, 2025, and will feature the participation of more than 4,000 athletes from 41 countries, with Bermuda competing in Archery, Cycling, Swimming, Rugby, Sailing, Golf and Athletics. Games Coverage will be streamed via https://www.panamsportschannel.org/, kicking off with the Opening Ceremony Saturday August 9th at 7pm.
For team updates, competition schedules and behind-the-scenes content, follow the Bermuda Olympic Association (@nocbermuda) on social platforms Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and X.
The aim is to foster a global sense of solidarity against the backdrop of geopolitical violence
An activism group sought to remind residents today about the power of advocacy and solidarity.
It came 55 years after members of the Black Beret Cadre gathered at Nellies Walk and circulated flyers protesting the fact that the UK Government of the day had announced its decision to sell weapons to South Africa – reportedly defying UN Sanctions.
According to Imagine Bermuda, “the flyers explained that the Apartheid Regime employed racist policies, reinforced by their police and military; citing the Sharpeville Massacre of 1959 when 79 South Africans, peacefully protesting the Pass Laws, were killed.”
The group marked the 55th anniversary of the 1970 protest on the steps of City Hall this afternoon, where its founder Glenn Fubler recounted his involvement in the campaign. Speaking to current events, he maintained that there are instances that “parallel the circumstances of apartheid” in 2025, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict.
He also used the opportunity to cite other examples in Bermuda’s history where residents have banded together in global solidarity for various causes.
A press release issued by Imagine Bermuda added: “Here in 2025 the Human Family is experiencing war, genocide, divisiveness on steroids and unprecedented chaos; to the benefit/profit of a ‘Clique’. Our own history has shown that fostering Global Solidarity provides ordinary people with the Light to navigate the Night.”
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