The ban, which supporters say is crucial to Europe’s green ambitions, is up for review in the second half of 2025
International News via Reuters:
The CEO of Mercedes-Benz criticised the European Union’s plan to ban CO2-emitting vehicles from 2035 in a media interview on Monday, joining a chorus of voices calling the target into question as it comes up for review this year.
The ban, which supporters say is crucial to Europe’s green ambitions, is up for review in the second half of 2025, with critics saying it would handicap European carmakers already struggling with weak demand, Chinese competition and disappointing electric vehicle sales.
“We need a reality check. Otherwise we are heading at full speed against a wall,” Mercedes CEO Ola Kaellenius told the Handelsblatt business daily of the 2035 goal, adding that Europe’s car market could “collapse” if it goes ahead.
Kaellenius argued that consumers would simply hurry to buy cars with petrol or diesel engines ahead of the ban.
Currently serving as head of the European auto lobby ACEA, the German auto boss has instead called for tax incentives and cheap power prices at charging stations to encourage the switch to electric cars.
“Of course we have to decarbonise, but it has to be done in a technology-neutral way. We must not lose sight of our economy,” Kaellenius said.
Reporting by Rachel More, Editing by Miranda Murray
The pound was last little changed against the dollar at $1.3458 after earlier touching $1.3476, its highest since July 25
FILE PHOTO: Pound Sterling notes and change are seen inside a cash resgister in a coffee shop in Manchester, Britain, Septem,ber 21, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
The pound was steady on Monday after earlier hitting a more than two-week high against the dollar, before job market and growth data later in the week that could take on more importance after the Bank of England’s close decision to cut rates on Thursday.
The pound was last little changed against the dollar at $1.3458 after earlier touching $1.3476, its highest since July 25.
The BoE last week lowered the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 4%, but the nine-person, rate-setting, Monetary Policy Committee was split, with four members voting to keep interest rates unchanged.
The BoE has eased rates at a slower pace than the European Central Bank, tending to favour a rate cut about once per quarter since it kicked off its easing cycle in the middle of last year, due to worries about sticky inflation.
ING FX strategist Francesco Pesole believes that incoming data will take on a greater importance for the outlook for monetary policy following the BoE’s decision last week.
“I think there will be quite a lot of data-related volatility in sterling,” Pesole said.
“The Bank of England signalled that there’s a stronger case for a slowdown in the pace of easing, and markets are quite torn on whether they should keep that rate cut in December.”
Economists polled by Reuters expect Tuesday’s data to show the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.7% in the three months to June. Preliminary growth data, released on Thursday, is expected to show GDP slowed to 0.1% in the second quarter from 0.7% in the first quarter.
“Soft data will cause markets to price a higher chance of a Bank of England interest rate cut by year end, weighing on GBP/USD in our view,” said Samara Hammoud, currency strategist at CBA.
Money market futures imply about an 80% chance that the BoE cuts interest rates again by December’s meeting.
The pound was little changed at 86.53 pence per euro and 198.7 yen.
Israel has faced accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and from human rights groups over its devastating military assault in Gaza
International News via Reuters:
London’s Metropolitan Police arrested more than 466 people at a protest on Saturday against Britain’s decision to ban the group Palestine Action, the force said.
British lawmakers banned Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation in July after some of its members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged planes as part of a series of protests. The group accuses Britain’s government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
Protesters, some wearing black and white Palestinian scarves and waving Palestinian flags, chanted “hands off Gaza”, and held placards with the message “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”, video taken by Reuters at the scene showed.
Israel has faced accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and from human rights groups over its devastating military assault in Gaza.
Israel denies the accusations and casts its offensive as self-defense after a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.
The Reuters video showed demonstrators who had gathered in Parliament Square by the Houses of Parliament being carried away by police. The crowd chanted “shame on you” at the police.
In a post on X, the police force said it had arrested 466 people for supporting a proscribed organisation.
It also arrested eight people for other offences including five arrests for assaults on officers. The police said no one was seriously injured.
The ban makes it a crime to be a member of Palestine Action, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The co-founder of the group, Huda Ammori, last week won a bid to bring a legal challenge against the ban.
Reporting by Suban AbdullaEditing by Mark Potter, Barbara Lewis and Nia Williams
Critics in Mexico argued that the shoe uses the name of the southern Mexican state
International News via Reuters:
Mexico is looking for footwear giant Adidas to pony up after a Mexican-American designer, Willy Chavarria, working with the firm launched a shoe inspired by a traditional Indigenous sandal, authorities said on Friday.
Chavarria, who has been hailed in the United States for his work bringing Latino issues to light – including his controversial collection touching on the alleged gang members locked up at El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison – recently dropped the “Oaxaca Slip On” shoe, a sneaker sole topped with the weave of Mexico’s huarache sandals.
Critics in Mexico argued that the shoe uses the name of the southern Mexican state, a major manufacturer of the traditional leather sandals, while Chavarria’s design is manufactured in China and Indigenous artisans received no credit or benefit from the multinational firm.
“Big companies often take products, ideas and designs from Indigenous communities,” Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her morning press conference. “We are looking at the legal part to be able to support them.”
Deputy Culture Minister Marina Nunez confirmed that Adidas had contacted Oaxacan officials to discuss “restitution to the people who were plagiarized.”
The dispute is the latest by Mexico to protect its traditional designs from global fashion firms, having previously lodged complaints against Zara-owner Inditex and Louis Vuitton.
Chavarria said in a statement on Saturday that he was “deeply sorry that the shoe was appropriated in this design and not developed in direct and meaningful partnership with the Oaxacan community.”
His approach fell short of the respect the community deserved, he said, stating that his intention had always been to “honor the powerful cultural and artistic spirit of Oaxaca and its creative communities,” the statement added.
Adidas did not respond to a request for comment.
Chavarria, born in the United States to an Irish-American mother and a Mexican-American father, had told Sneaker News in a prior interview that he had intended to celebrate his cultural heritage through his work with Adidas.
Reporting by Raul Cortes; Editing by Kylie Madry, Anna Driver and Mark Porter
The March 2026 event will integrate climate programming
Press release:
The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) announced that the fifth annual Bermuda Risk Summit will take place from 9–11 March 2026 at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, with a significant strategic shift: the BDA will integrate its standalone Climate Summit into the Risk Summit platform, uniting two of its most high-impact event brands under one expanded global forum.
This evolution reflects the realities of today’s risk landscape, where environmental exposures, capital deployment, geopolitical pressure, and regulatory shifts are deeply interconnected. By embedding climate-related themes into the broader risk agenda, the BDA aims to sharpen focus, increase relevance, and deliver even greater value to the international (re)insurance, risk, life, and investment community.
“This is about being responsive to the market and deliberate in our positioning,” said Kendaree Burgess, Managing Director of the BDA. “We’re seeing clear signals that capital markets and corporate leaders want integrated solutions — not siloed conversations. This move reflects Bermuda’s strengths: we are expert, agile, and attuned to the geopolitical and economic forces shaping risk worldwide.”
Since its launch in 2022, the Bermuda Risk Summit has become a cornerstone of the global risk calendar, drawing senior leaders from across (re)insurance, ILS, life, capital markets, regulation, and advisory. As geopolitical risks and economic decoupling fuel uncertainty for global insurers, Bermuda continues to offer rare stability — underpinned by a robust regulatory framework and trusted jurisdictional standards.
Insurers and asset managers increasingly view Bermuda as a critical hub for capital innovation — including private credit, insurance-linked securities, and alternative structures such as sidecars — especially as inflationary pressure and rate volatility persist. The 2026 event will build on this momentum, offering a deeper lens on capital optimisation, resilience, and integrated risk strategy.
Secure your spot now — early bird rate of $495 ends 5 September 2025.
A man’s body was discovered on Fentons Drive in Pembroke today.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Karema Flood told media that the Bermuda Police Service received a report from a member of the public who found the man unresponsive outside a residence at around 1:50 pm.
An on-call doctor attended the scene and confirmed the man’s death.
Acting DCI Flood said an investigation has been launched, and an autopsy will be conducted in due course.
Update, 8:10 pm: Police issued the following witness appeal/advisory
Shortly before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, 2025, police received a report of a male found unresponsive outside a residence on Fenton’s Drive, Pembroke.
Officers responded and secured the scene. An on-call doctor later attended and subsequently pronounced the male, dead.
At this stage, foul play has not been ruled out. A full investigation is now underway.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Acting Detective Inspector, Anneka Donawa, on 717-2250 or via email at, adonawa@bps.bm, call 295-0011. Alternatively, please submit any information via the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm<https://portal.police.bm/>.
You may also speak with any police officer you know or call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477.
The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a video circulating on social media in which certain allegations are made about this matter.
While we understand emotions are running high, we urge the public not to be influenced by unverified claims and to allow police to conduct their investigation without interference.
We are also aware of an image of the deceased being circulated in a similar manner. Please, be considerate of the family of the deceased. Should you receive that image, do not forward it on and instead delete it from your devices.
Lumina Festival aims to bring experts, entrepreneurs and students together to tackle wealth gaps and empower financial futures
Press Release – Bermuda’s first Financial Literacy Summit
The Lumina Festival, a social enterprise bridging the worlds of finance and culture, will host Bermuda’s first, one-day Financial Literacy Summit on Friday, Sept. 26 at The Shed in Dockyard.
The ticketed event is aimed at tackling growing wealth disparities across the island and providing those at various stages in their financial journey with a plan and a renewed purpose—whether a student, a budding entrepreneur or a professional trying to figure out where their money is going.
It will feature panels, workshops, and interviews with financial experts, local millionaires, and successful entrepreneurs including headline speaker 19Keys.
“I created the Lumina Festival to give everyday people a platform to get answers about financial literacy education that a lot of us were never given in Bermuda,” co-founder Zach Wilson said.
“Lumina is about shining a light on people and places typically unseen. We’ll be having real conversations and getting to the root of things to cultivate real change. While being informed, I also wanted to create a space where people are still entertained and feel seen.”
Wilson and Cameron Capers founded The Lumina Festival in 2024. This will be the organization’s inaugural event.
Other event speakers will include:
● Neville Grant, CEO of Bermuda Bankers Association, former CEO of Bermuda Commercial Bank
● Shantel DeShield, Founder/Owner of Pocket Change BDA
● Mandela Fubler, full time investor, CEO of Signature FX
And more.
The Lumina Festival is also seeking sponsors to support the attendance of 300 high school and Bermuda College students. “We want to inspire and empower a younger generation through people who look like them and identify with their stories,” Wilson said.
Press Release – Bermuda’s first Financial Literacy Summit
Tickets are available at luminafest.com and ptix.bm starting at $150 for general access and $225 for VIP access. Prices will increase on July 31.
Following the summit, guests can mingle with like-minded individuals and event speakers at a VIP Happy Hour from 5 – 7 p.m. A special invite-only event featuring live local and international artists will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Follow @theluminafestival on Instagram for updates. For more information and general inquiries, email support@luminafest.com.
Robert King urges community cooperation with police following Friday night gun violence at Southampton Rangers Sports Club
The following statement was issued by Shadow National Security Minister Robert King.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Friday night’s shooting at the Southampton Rangers Club. My thoughts are with those affected.
Our community has already endured far too much violence and death this year. We have grown numb to the all too frequent reports of shootings and violent crime.
The police can’t solve all these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice alone.
Public safety depends on all of us. If you see something that doesn’t look right or know something about a crime, say something. Your information—no matter how small it may seem—can help prevent further harm.
Please provide information to the Police Service on 295 0011 or Crimestoppers on 800 8477.
I also urge families affected to reach out to local counselling services for support.
Ten local startups embark on six-month program to accelerate growth and development
Image supplied
Press release:
The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) officially launched the 7th cohort of the Enterprise Bermuda Incubator (EBI) program with an orientation evening on Thursday, July 24th, 2025, at the North East Hamilton Incubator Hub. This year’s cohort includes 10 new businesses beginning a six-month journey focused on growth and business development.
The Enterprise Bermuda Incubator supports local entrepreneurs in the early stages of their businesses, typically operating for two years or less. Participants will benefit from comprehensive resources, including BEDC’s educational courses, complimentary office space, international learning opportunities, assigned Business Development Officers, mentorship, and access to professional services such as marketing, accounting, legal, and web development.
Erica Smith, Executive Director of BEDC, welcomed the new cohort, stating, “We are excited to welcome our 7th cohort to the Enterprise Bermuda Incubator program. Over the next six months, each entrepreneur will have access to the tools and resources needed to effectively grow their business. BEDC remains committed to providing the necessary support and guidance to help each participant achieve success, and we look forward to seeing their progress and accomplishments.”
Kelsea Williams, Communication & Development Officer and EBI Lead, also greeted the entrepreneurs, saying, “This program is designed specifically to help entrepreneurs effectively develop their businesses. BEDC will guide and support you throughout your journey, and we are eager to see how your businesses grow during this time.”
6th cohort graduate Janée Pitt, Owner of Tassel Bermuda, shared her experience of the program: “The Enterprise Bermuda Incubator was a game changer for Tassel Bermuda. I got to learn from incredible international mentors who helped me lay the foundation for my business, connect with other local entrepreneurs to swap ideas, share wins, and navigate setbacks together.”
She continued, “I was even able to network with retailers I might never have met otherwise. It gave me the confidence, tools, and community I needed to grow, not just as a business owner, but as an entrepreneur. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.”
The orientation event gave the new businesses an opportunity to meet the BEDC team, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and gain insights into the valuable resources and mentorship available.
The 2025 Cohort Includes:
Bradley De Silva – Energy Savers
Vanessa Bartley – ScarCare Studio
Azia Parris – The Sipping Lab
Ashlyn Young – Tradie Central
David Kharlos & Terai Wilson – The Pink Sand Confectionery
Vurnell Ball – Bermuda Sensory Company
Vanessa James – The Bottle Studio
Quayunte Watson – Gombey Isle
Lashuna Smith – Cognoscent and Co
Zativah Johnston – Piñata Paradise
As these entrepreneurs progress through the Enterprise Bermuda Incubator, BEDC continues its dedication to strengthening Bermuda’s small and medium-sized business sectors and fostering a robust future for local enterprises.
Lukashenko denies there are any political prisoners in the country
International News via Reuters:
The governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom condemned what they called ongoing repression and human rights violations in Belarus and accused Belarusian authorities of waging a campaign to shut down civil society, independent media and any form of political opposition.
KEY QUOTES
“We — Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom — stand united in condemning the ongoing repression and human rights violations,” the three countries said in a joint statement on Saturday.
“Thousands have been unjustly detained, subjected to torture, or forced into exile. These actions represent a flagrant breach of Belarus’ international law obligations and are a serious violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” they added, urging Belarusian authorities “to end their campaign of repression.”
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has led Belarus through more than three decades of authoritarian rule and was re-elected in January for a seventh five-year term.
Lukashenko crushed huge street protests in 2020 after an election the opposition and Western governments accused him of stealing, and all his leading opponents were jailed or forced to flee the country.
CONTEXT
Several hundred people convicted of extremism and other politically related offences have been released since mid-2024 in what analysts see as a bid by Lukashenko to ease his isolation from the West. However, human rights groups say nearly 1,200 are still behind bars.
Lukashenko denies there are any political prisoners in the country.
Australia, Canada and the UK said they welcomed the recent releases of several political prisoners in Belarus but added that they remain concerned by what they termed as continued arrests and persecution of individuals for exercising their human rights.
Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Mark Porter
All of the local departmental roads have been reopened, but the entrance into the wildfire zone is prohibited due to the risk of rekindling
International News via Reuters:
A wildfire in the southern French prefecture of Aude is not expected to be under control until late on Sunday, the regional chief firefighter said on French television.
The fire, which began Tuesday, is one of the largest recorded in France since 1949. Spread over 16,000 hectares (around 40,000 acres), it has led to one fatality, the injury of 19 firefighters and six civilians, and several dozen homes have been destroyed.
“The fire is contained but not controlled. We still have hot spots (…) until Sunday evening the fire will not be brought under control,” Colonel Christophe Magny told a news conference broadcast on BFM TV.
All of the local departmental roads have been reopened, but the entrance into the wildfire zone is prohibited due to the risk of rekindling, the local French prefecture said in a statement on Saturday.
French authorities have attributed the fire to the impact of climate change. An orange heatwave warning – the second highest warning level that encourages people to remain vigilant – is in effect for the department until midnight on Sunday, the prefecture said.
Before the fire began, the region’s wine growers had dug up an extensive area of their vineyards, which traditionally serve as a natural, moisture-retentive firebreak, as declining wine consumption and subsidies have reduced profits.
Reporting by Forrest Crellin and Claude Chendjou; editing by Barbara Lewis
19-year-old man shot in leg minutes after officers left Southampton Rangers Sports Club
Press release:
At around 9:18 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, police received a report of gunshots in the area of the Southampton Rangers Sports Club.
Officers attended and recovered forensic evidence confirming that a firearm had been discharged.
Shortly afterward, a 19-year-old man attended King Edward VII Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. His injury was not life-threatening, and he has since been treated and discharged.
An investigation is now underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact Acting Detective Inspector (ADI) Anneka Donawa on 717-2250 or by email at adonawa@bps.bm.
Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Smith, of the Serious Crime Unit noted, “Of particular concern is that this incident occurred approximately five minutes after police left the club, having conducted liquor license checks. We estimate there were between 15 and 20 patrons present at the time.”
“We are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have seen a man running from the club premises, immediately after the incident and who then got onto a waiting motorcycle ridden by another individual before leaving in an easterly direction. We urge anyone who may have witnessed this or any suspicious activity before or after the shooting, to get in contact with ADI Donawa as soon as possible.”
Information may also be shared through the anonymous community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm, or by calling the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477. Alternatively, you may share details with any police officer you know.
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