An analyst said BMW confirmed on the call its 5-7% auto margin for both the second quarter and the full year
International News via Reuters:
Shares in BMW climbed on Thursday after the German automaker held a well-received pre-close earnings call.
Shares in the German premium carmaker were up 4.4% at 1359 GMT.
An analyst said BMW confirmed on the call its 5-7% auto margin for both the second quarter and the full year.
This is “a strong signal – particularly as the guidance was maintained despite ongoing tariff pressures and a challenging situation in China”, Pal Skirta, an analyst at Metzler Equities, said.
Bernstein analysts echoed this sentiment, noting that the guidance was maintained despite a mid-three-digit million-euro impact from tariffs, which they said helped to assuage some nervousness in the market.
BMW was not immediately available for a comment.
The group holds two investor days next week and releases its quarterly results on July 31.
Earlier on Thursday, the company reported a modest increase in second-quarter deliveries, as growing demand in Europe offset a slump in China, with the U.S. market showing resilience.
Reporting by Danilo Masoni, Amir Orusov, Christina Amann, editing by Samuel Indyk
‘Pink cocaine’ is a synthetic party drug typically made from a dangerous mixture of ecstasy and ketamine
The package containing pink cocaine that was seized at L.F. Wade International Airport. Photo supplied
Press release:
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) have confirmed the first interdiction of a dangerous new drug known as, “Pink Cocaine”, at L F Wade International Airport. The illicit substance was detected during a routine Customs screening.
The BPS Drug Unit is actively investigating this incident.
One individual has been arrested in connection with this importation. However, it is believed there are other conspirators involved and they are now actively being sought.
Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Police Drug Unit on 247-1773, Acting Detective Inspector (ADI) Mark Raposo on 717-2487 or call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. You may also use the police community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.
“Pink Cocaine”, is a synthetic party drug typically made from a dangerous mixture of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and ketamine. It often appears as a bright pink powder and is marketed in party settings to unsuspecting users. The combination of these substances can lead to severe health risks, including heart failure, seizures, and even death.
ADI Raposo, Officer in Charge of the Drug Unit, issued a strong warning to the public. “This drug is dangerous and unpredictable. The quantities of MDMA and ketamine, which is highly potent even in small amounts, used to produce pink cocaine are usually unknown. To make matters worse, pink cocaine can also be mixed with other substances, some of which may be toxic or even lethal. This means users are putting themselves at significant risk. We urge the public to stay alert to the dangers posed by this drug and to avoid using it. That is the only way to protect against the potentially fatal side effects associated with its use.”
The public are urged to be especially vigilant in social spaces, such as clubs, bars, and party type events. Be mindful of your surroundings, never accept unknown substances.
“The Police Service and the Customs Department are reminding the public never to agree to import or transport packages on behalf of others, particularly when the contents are unknown. Individuals who import items into Bermuda are legally responsible for those goods, and attempting to bring in prohibited or undeclared items, even unknowingly, can result in arrest, prosecution, and the permanent seizure of the goods.
Customs officers are highly trained to detect suspicious packages, and all imports are subject to inspection. Border security is a shared responsibility, and members of the public are urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious requests or activities related to overseas shipments.”
“We continue to see instances where individuals are approached to bring packages into Bermuda without knowing what’s inside. This is extremely risky and can have serious legal consequences,” said Collector of Customs of Department of Customs. “If you did not pack it, do not carry it. The consequences are not just personal. They affect the safety and security of our entire community.”
The BPS and Bermuda Customs in conjunction with the Government Analyst remain committed to preventing the trafficking of illegal substances into our island home and continue to work with our international partners to achieve this.
4 Bermudians compete in the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid
Archer Robin Selley takes aim competing amongst the world’s elite in Madrid
Four Bermudian archers have travelled to Madrid, Spain, to compete in the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 4. This event marks the final World Cup of the season before the highly anticipated championships in September, providing a crucial opportunity for the island’s archers to test their skills against the global elite.
Flying the Bermuda flag are Robin Selley, Jaydon Roberts, Camerin Pickering, and Bernard Wade III. These athletes are well-known figures in Bermudian archery, consistently representing the island at international events. Their participation in Madrid reflects Bermuda’s commitment to developing its talent in the sport.
In the Men’s Recurve Division Qualification Round, Camerin Pickering led the Bermudian contingent, finishing in 89th place with a score of 623. Jaydon Roberts followed closely in 94th position with a score of 615, while Bernard Wade III placed 98th with a score of 596. These scores position them for the upcoming elimination rounds.
In the Women’s Recurve Division Qualification Round, Robin Selley finished in 80th position with a score of 583.
While the qualification rounds are always a tough test against the world’s best archers, the presence of four Bermudian athletes at this level of competition underscores the island’s dedication to the sport. This World Cup stage offers invaluable experience as they continue their preparation for future international championships, aiming to climb the world rankings.
Bermuda U19 Rugby Face Early Setbacks at RAN XVs Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago
Bermuda’s Under-19 Men’s Rugby team endured a tough start to their 2025 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Men’s U19 XVs Tournament campaign, falling to defeats in both of their opening matches on Day One.
The tournament, hosted by Federación Méxicana de Rugby at FC Total, saw Bermuda, ranked second coming into the event based on last year’s performance, face a challenging schedule from the outset.
In their opening match on Wednesday, July 9th, against the host nation, Mexico, Bermuda fell by a score of 10-0. Despite their strong regional ranking, the Bermudians were unable to breach the Mexican defence, succumbing to a disciplined home side.
Bermuda then faced the Cayman Islands in their second match of the day. Unfortunately for the islanders, they were once again kept scoreless, as they were defeated 22-0. This result marks a difficult start for the team, as they look to build momentum and improve their standings in the pool play.
The RAN Men’s U19 XVs Tournament features a pool play format across Wednesday and Thursday, with 40-minute matches, before culminating in 70-minute finals on Saturday. Bermuda will need to regroup swiftly as they face Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica on Thursday, July 10th, aiming to turn their fortunes around in this critical regional competition.
BHB cites rising emergency visits and delayed discharges as COVID-19 adds pressure
The hospital has today moved to Alert Level 3 due to overcrowding.
While the Bermuda Hospitals Board notes an increase in admissions, many patients who are medically fit for discharge remain in hospital.
Chief of Nursing Judy Richardson said: “Currently, 36 patients who could be discharged are still in acute care beds, while 21 admitted patients wait in Emergency for those same beds. In some cases, there are no appropriate community placements for these patients. For others, the delay stems from a situation at home.”
Chief of Staff Dr Anna Neilson-Williams added: “Unfortunately, the people who really need the acute care beds are not receiving them. Patients boarding in Emergency are cared for by the ED team in tandem with additional nurses and a hospitalist from the inpatient units, but we recognise this is not an ideal situation for the patient, the family or the staff.”
The Emergency Department is also under pressure, evident on Monday, when 115 people attended, the highest number in a single day this year, according to BHB.
The average attendance is between 85 and 87 patients per day.
Acting Chief of Emergency Dr Ranjini Patton said: “Generally, almost half of patients who come to Emergency are low acuity, meaning they could be helped by their family doctor or go to one of the urgent care centres. We see patients in order of acuity, so those who are low acuity will wait much longer than patients who require emergency care.”
In addition, rising levels of COVID-19 circulating in the community are compounding the strain on hospital admissions.
Doctors are reminding residents to take an antigen test from the pharmacy if they suspect they have Covid, and to contact their primary care physician for advice if unwell.
Mrs Richardson said patients are more vulnerable to infections such as Covid, flu and colds – and that all visitors are expected to wear a mask while at the hospital.
“If you are sick – even if you think you might be sick – protect our patients and staff by not visiting until you are well again,” she added.
If you have Covid and need to seek emergency care, the hospital asks that you call ahead, so precautions can be taken to ensure you are cared for away from other patients and visitors.
Bermudian striker leaves Bristol City after five years
Nahki Wells – “a proven goalscorer with fantastic experience,” according to his new manager
Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield has strengthened his attacking options with the signing of experienced striker Nahki Wells. The 35-year-old arrives after five-and-a-half years of service at Bristol City where he scored 48 times in 237 appearances across all competitions for the Robins. Luton competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system. The Bermudian international frontman scored 10 times last term as City reached the Championship top-six, where his experience was invaluable to one of the youngest sides in the second tier. Wells was also named City’s PFA Community Champion in May 2025 having been nominated for his contributions to the local community. The scorer of 174 goals since he arrived in England from Bermuda when joining Carlisle in December 2010, Wells has a proven track record in front of goal. It was at Bradford that he first made his name. He hit 53 goals in 112 games across two-and-a-half seasons, helping fire the Bantams to promotion via the play-offs from League Two in 2012/13. A move to Huddersfield followed midway through the 2013/14 season where he continued his goalscoring touch. A total of 49 goals in 152 games in the Championship cumulated in promotion to the Premier League when the Terriers won the play-off final at Wembley in 2017. A move to Burnley in 2017/18 did not work out and the striker spent two seasons on-loan at QPR, scoring 20 Championship goals for the Hoops, before he moved to Bristol City in 2019/20 where he would go on to be a consistent performer in five-and-a-half seasons at Ashton Gate. Manager Matt Bloomfield said: “Nahki is a proven goalscorer, has fantastic experience and good leadership too. He’s someone with extreme know-how and a real desire to still go and score goals, a real desire to go and achieve something and a real desire to be a part of what we are building. “He is someone who is so highly thought of in the world of football. Some of the references I had about him were just incredible. “He is someone who is obviously really well-known and liked within the game, highly respected and someone with a real know-how in the penalty area, which is what we’re really pleased to be bringing into the building.”
Signing up to the code is voluntary, but companies who decline to do so will not benefit from the legal certainty provided to a signatory
FILE PHOTO: European Union flags fly outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
A code of practice designed to help thousands of companies comply with the European Union’s landmark artificial intelligence rules will focus on transparency, copyright, safety and security, the European Commission said on Thursday.
The comments came as the EU executive presented a final draft of the guidance, which will apply from Aug. 2 but will only be enforced a year later.
Signing up to the code is voluntary, but companies who decline to do so, as some Big Tech firms have indicated, will not benefit from the legal certainty provided to a signatory.
While the guidance on transparency and copyright will apply to all providers of general-purpose AI models, the chapters on safety and security target providers of the most advanced models.
“Co-designed by AI stakeholders, the Code is aligned with their needs. Therefore, I invite all general-purpose AI model providers to adhere to the Code. Doing so will secure them a clear, collaborative route to compliance with the EU’s AI Act,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said.
Starmer wants Macron to deliver on his promise of greater “cooperation and tangible results” on migration
International News via Reuters:
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will announce tougher migration controls on Thursday, capping a state visit when they agreed to deeper defence and nuclear cooperation in a more volatile world.
After hosting Macron for a three-day visit that included a carriage procession to Windsor Castle with King Charles and a state banquet, Starmer wants Macron to deliver on his promise of greater “cooperation and tangible results” on migration.
Starmer, who has faced challenges to his popularity since his election landslide last year, is working to address high levels of immigration, including asylum seekers arriving by small boats, to try to stem the growing influence of the Reform UK party, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.
Before the start of Thursday’s summit, Starmer, sitting next to Macron at his Downing Street office, said: “We all agree the situation in the Channel cannot go on as it is.”
“We’re bringing new tactics into play and a new level of intent to tackle illegal migration and break the business model of a criminal gang,” he said.
Macron said the two countries “shared the same resolve to fight against illegal criminal gangs, with strong coordination with other EU states.”
A British government source said Britain and France had agreed a deal on a “one in, one out” migrant returns scheme – which would see Britain deporting to France undocumented people arriving in small boats, in return for an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with UK family connections.
The government source said it would initially be limited, but could be scaled up. Local media reported that Britain would send back 2,600 people a year, a fraction of the more than 35,000 arrivals reported by the government last year.
More than 21,000 people have arrived on small boats this year, a record number.
‘MIGRATION PULL FACTORS’
The importance of the deal will be highlighted as a change in efforts to tackle migration by Starmer, who, like Macron, is facing domestic woes, but it was not clear whether the agreement would come with conditions or have a big impact.
The policy, which is similar to a scheme used by the EU and Turkey, carries risks for Macron from his right-wing political critics who may question why he has agreed to take back migrants wanting to live in Britain.
Macron had also called on Britain to address “migration pull factors,” suggesting that it should be harder for migrants in Britain to find work without legal residential status.
On Wednesday, Starmer’s office said the British leader had told Macron Britain was increasingly arresting undocumented workers to deter them from coming to Britain for jobs.
Underlining closer ties between the two countries since Britain left the European Union in 2020, the two leaders will strengthen their defence ties.
Both pledged to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles, now used in Ukraine, and signed an agreement to deepen their nuclear cooperation, which will say for the first time that the respective deterrents of both countries can be coordinated.
“As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today’s agreements take our partnership to the next level,” Starmer said in a statement.
The agreements come after both nations spearheaded a “coalition of the willing,” a group of countries that plan to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
The two leaders will both dial into a call of the coalition later on Thursday.
“We’ve seen these past few weeks wars, destabilisation of trade in our economies, and our ability to act jointly is a key success driver for us all,” Macron said via a translator.
Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Elizabeth Pineau, additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Muvija M; Editing by Alex Richardson and Bernadette Baum
The European Union’s Court of Justice (CJEU) is handling a dispute between Facebook owner Meta and the Italian communications authority AGCOM
International News via Reuters:
EU member states have the right to impose their own measures to strengthen the position of publishers in their dealings with large online platforms as long as these do not undermine freedom of contract, an adviser to the EU’s highest court said on Thursday.
The European Union’s Court of Justice (CJEU) is handling a dispute between Facebook owner Meta and the Italian communications authority AGCOM, over a fee the U.S. tech giant has to pay publishers in Italy for using snippets of their news articles.
Meta had questioned whether such national measures are compatible with rights already granted to publishers under the EU copyright legislation.
But CJEU Advocate General Maciej Szpunar said the rights the EU had intended to give to publishers went beyond only allowing them to oppose the use of their material if they were not paid for them.
“Their purpose is to establish the conditions under which those publications are actually used, while allowing publishers to receive a fair share of the revenues derived by platforms from that use,” he said.
“The limitations introduced pursue a public interest recognised by the EU legislature: strengthening the economic viability of the press, a key pillar of democracy.”
However Szpunar said the Italian regulator should keep in mind contractual freedom.
“The powers conferred on AGCOM – including the definition of benchmark criteria for determining remuneration, the resolution of disagreements and the monitoring of the obligation to provide information – are permissible if they are limited to assistance and do not deprive the parties of their contractual freedom,” he said.
The court, which usually follows the majority of recommendations by the advocate-general, will rule in the coming months.
The case is C-797/23 Meta Platforms Ireland (Fair compensation).
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Bart MeijerEditing by Tomasz Janowski
Swimming was dominated by Americans in Doha, winning eight gold out of 20 medals overall while China came second with seven gold from 11 medals overall
International News via Reuters:
World Aquatics chief Brent Nowicki is expecting to see swimming medallists from more countries than ever at the upcoming World Championships in Singapore, reflecting the sport’s growth outside its traditional power bases.
China claimed 23 gold medals out of a table-topping total of 33 in the previous edition last year in Doha, with United States well behind as the next most successful team bagging nine gold out of 23 medals overall across six sports.
Swimming was dominated by Americans in Doha, winning eight gold out of 20 medals overall while China came second with seven gold from 11 medals overall. However, 29 countries won swimming medals in Doha, resulting in the deepest medal table in World Aquatics Championship history.
“I think the sport’s really at that point where general dominance of individuals or countries is dissipating,” Nowicki told a press conference ahead of the World Championships in Singapore on Thursday.
“It’s getting thinner and we’re seeing, I think, much, much to the great work of the development of world aquatics and team, but also the national federations.
“We’re seeing more and more rising stars, and I think that’s a special thing. And so I expect to see more of that here. Will we see more than 30 world records? I don’t know. Will we see more than 29 medallist countries? Yeah, maybe. And maybe that’s what I expect.
“I think if we can pull that off, that would be a real testament to the growth of our sport. The growth our individuals, the growth through our national federations, an overall commitment from our coaches to really get the best out of the athletes that they possibly can be.”
The upcoming championships will notably miss one of Singapore’s own swimming heroes. Joseph Schooling, dubbed “Singapore’s Flying Fish” and the nation’s only Olympic gold medallist with two World Championship bronzes to his name, retired from competitive swimming in April last year at age 28.
The 2025 championships take place in Singapore from July 27 to August 3.
Reporting by Joseph Campbell, writing by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa;Editing by Christian Radnedge
Masdar and Iberdrola will each hold a 50% stake in the 1.4 gigawatt project
International News via Reuters:
Abu Dhabi’s state-owned renewable energy company Masdar and Iberdrola will invest 5.2 billion euros ($6.1 billion) in an offshore wind farm in Britain, they said on Thursday.
Under the agreement, Masdar and Iberdrola will each hold a 50% stake in the 1.4 gigawatt project, East Anglia THREE, they said in a joint statement, adding they were looking for other opportunities in clean energy.
Masdar is expanding into several countries in Europe, as well as in Asia and the United States, as parent company TAQA, which holds a 43% stake, seeks to boost its capacity to 150 gigawatts by 2030.
East Anglia THREE, located off Britain’s Suffolk coast, is expected to start operations in the final quarter of 2026 and help power 1.3 million homes.
CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said the project showed how cross-border partnerships can deliver “transformative impact at scale.”
Separately, the two companies said a 476 megawatt offshore wind farm project in Germany had been completed and connected to the power grid.
Masdar also has Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and UAE state oil company ADNOC among its shareholders.
It has invested in other renewable energy projects in the United Kingdom, such as the Dogger Bank South offshore wind project in the North Sea.
It has also invested about $200 million to buy a 49.9% stake in a solar portfolio controlled by Spanish power utility Endesa, and last year acquired Greece’s Terna Energy, Spain’s Saeta Yield and a 50% stake in U.S. renewable energy firm Terra-Gen.
($1 = 0.8520 euros)
Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Rachna Uppal and Jane Merriman
The conservative politician faces criminal charges of insurrection over his martial law decree
International News via Reuters:
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was back in a solitary jail cell on Thursday with basic food and a khaki prison uniform after prosecutors secured a new detention warrant over his bid to impose martial law last year.
The Seoul Central District Court’s decision to approve the warrant bolstered the special counsel investigation into allegations that Yoon’s move in December represented obstruction of justice and abuse of power.
The court said in a statement it granted the request because of concerns Yoon could seek to destroy evidence, returning him to confinement at the Seoul Detention Center where he spent 52 days earlier in the year before being released four months ago on technical grounds.
He moved back with his wife and his 11 dogs and cats to their 164 square metre (1,765 square feet) apartment in an upscale district of Seoul. The couple’s net worth is estimated at 7.5 billion won ($5.47 million), according to a government filing.
But Yoon will now be housed in a 10 square-metre solitary cell, have to wear a two-piece khaki-coloured uniform and sleep on a foldable mattress on the floor without an air conditioner, an official at the detention centre and media reports said.
With a heat wave gripping the country, Yoon will have to rely on a small electric fan that switches off at night, Park Jie-won, an opposition lawmaker who had been incarcerated there, said on a YouTube talk show.
The detention facility served a breakfast of steamed potatoes and mini cheese breads for inmates on Thursday, another official said.
The conservative politician faces criminal charges of insurrection over his martial law decree, which could carry a sentence of life in prison or death.
YOON SKIPS COURT HEARING
Hours after he ended up in jail, the court held a hearing on Thursday morning for his insurrection trial, but Yoon did not attend.
His lawyers told the court that he was unable to go to the hearing due to health issues, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
The Constitutional Court ousted Yoon as president in April, upholding parliament’s impeachment for the martial law bid, which shocked South Koreans and triggered months of political turmoil.
The special prosecution team launched its investigation after new leader Lee Jae Myung was elected in June, and has been looking into additional charges against Yoon.
The special counsel team, made up of more than 200 prosecutors and investigators, is now expected to speed up its probe into allegations, including whether Yoon hurt South Korea’s interests by intentionally inflaming tensions with North Korea.
The team plans to question Yoon on Friday, informing his wife and lawyers about his detention via letters, Park Ji-young, a deputy to the special counsel, told reporters on Thursday.
National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said Yoon’s detention should help in the mission to determine the truth behind the martial law crisis and restore democracy.
“No one is above the law,” Woo said in a Facebook post.
Yoon attended the court hearing on Wednesday on the detention warrant, wearing a dark navy suit and a red tie, but did not answer questions from reporters.
His lawyers have denied the allegations against him and called the detention request an unreasonable move in a hasty investigation.
More than 1,000 supporters rallied near the court on Wednesday, local media reported, waving flags and signs and chanting Yoon’s name in searing 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) heat.
In their warrant request, prosecutors said Yoon poses a flight risk, local media reported.
($1 = 1,371.9000 won)
Reporting by Joyce Lee, Ju-min Park, Urvi DugarEditing by Ed Davies, Cynthia Osterman, and Saad Sayeed
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
