Apple overhauled its App Store rules to comply with the EU order to scrap its technical and commercial curbs on app developers
An Apple logo is seen at the entrance of an Apple Store in downtown Brussels, Belgium March 10, 2016.
International News via Reuters:
Apple took a challenge against EU regulators to Europe’s second highest court on Monday after they fined it 500 million euros ($587 million) earlier this year for breaching landmark rules aimed at curbing the power of Big Tech.
The European Commission in a decision in April said the iPhone maker’s technical and commercial restrictions that prevent app developers from steering users to cheaper deals outside the App Store breached the Digital Markets Act.
Apple, which had previously said it would seek legal redress, filed its lawsuit on Monday, the deadline for doing so. “Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission’s decision – and their unprecedented fine – go far beyond what the law requires,” the company said in a statement. “As our appeal will show, the EC is mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users. We implemented this to avoid punitive daily fines and will share the facts with the court.”
Last month, Apple overhauled its App Store rules to comply with the EU order to scrap its technical and commercial curbs on app developers in order to avoid daily fines of 5% of its average daily worldwide revenue or about 50 million euros per day. The EU competition watchdog is seeking feedback from app developers before deciding whether to accept the changes or demand more. ($1 = 0.8522 euros)
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Barbara Lewis
Officials said on Saturday that more than 850 people had been rescued
International News via Reuters:
Search teams plodded through mud-laden riverbanks and flew aircraft over the flood-stricken landscape of central Texas for a fourth day on Monday, looking for dozens of people still missing from a disaster that has claimed at least 78 lives.
The bulk of the death toll from Friday’s flash floods was concentrated in the riverfront Hill Country Texas town of Kerrville, accounting for 68 of the dead, including 28 children, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha.
The Guadalupe River, transformed by predawn torrential downpours into a raging, killer torrent in less than hour, runs directly through Kerrville.
The loss of life there included an unspecified number of fatalities at the Camp Mystic summer camp, a nearly century-old Christian girls retreat on the banks of the Guadalupe where authorities reported two dozen children unaccounted for in the immediate aftermath of the flooding on Friday.
On Sunday, Leitha said search teams were still looking for 10 girls and one camp counselor, but he did not specify the fate of others initially counted as missing.
As of late Sunday afternoon, state officials said 10 other flood-related fatalities were confirmed across four neighboring south-central Texas counties, and that 41 other people were still listed as unaccounted for in the disaster beyond Kerr County.
Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, predicted the death toll would rise further as floodwaters receded and the search gained momentum.
Authorities also warned that continued rainfall – even if lighter than Friday’s deluge – could unleash additional flash floods because the landscape was so saturated.
State emergency management officials had warned on Thursday, ahead of the July Fourth holiday, that parts of central Texas faced the possibility of heavy showers and flash floods based on National Weather Service Forecasts.
CONFLUENCE OF DISASTER
But twice as much rain as was predicted ended up falling over two branches of the Guadalupe just upstream of the fork where they converge, sending all of that water racing into the single river channel where it slices through Kerrville, according to City Manager Dalton Rice.
Rice and other public officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, vowed that the circumstances of the flooding, and the adequacy for weather forecasts and warning systems would be scrutinized once the immediate situation was brought under control.
In the meantime, search and rescue operations were continuing around the clock, with hundreds of emergency personnel on the ground contending with a myriad of challenges.
“It’s hot, there’s mud, they’re moving debris, there’s snakes,” Martin said during a news briefing on Sunday.
Thomas Suelzar, adjutant general of the Texas Military Department, said airborne search assets included eight helicopters and a remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper aircraft equipped with advanced sensors for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Officials said on Saturday that more than 850 people had been rescued, some clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain across the region, about 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio.
In addition to the 68 lives lost in Kerr County, three died in Burnet County, one in Tom Green County, five in Travis County and one in Williamson County, according to Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was activated on Sunday and was deploying resources to Texas after President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the Department of Homeland Security said. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and planes were aiding search and rescue efforts.
SCALING BACK FEDERAL DISASTER RESPONSE
Trump, who said on Sunday he would visit the disaster scene, probably this coming Friday, has previously outlined plans to scale back the federal government’s role in responding to natural disasters, leaving states to shoulder more of the burden themselves.
Some experts questioned whether cuts to the federal workforce by the Trump administration, including to the agency that oversees the National Weather Service, led to a failure by officials to accurately predict the severity of the floods and issue appropriate warnings ahead of the storm.
Trump’s administration has overseen thousands of job cuts from the National Weather Service’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed, former NOAA director Rick Spinrad said.
Ahead of Friday’s floods, the Weather Service office near San Antonio, which oversees warnings issued in Kerr County, had one key vacancy – a warning coordination meteorologist, who is responsible for working with emergency managers and the public to ensure people know what to do when a disaster strikes.
The person who served in that role for decades was among hundreds of Weather Service employees who accepted early retirement offers and left the agency at the end of April, media reported.
Trump pushed back when asked on Sunday if federal government cuts hobbled the disaster response or left key job vacancies at the Weather Service under Trump’s oversight.
“That water situation, that all is, and that was really the Biden setup,” he said referencing his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. “But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it, either. I would just say this is 100-year catastrophe.”
Reporting by Sergio Flores and Evan Garcia in Kerrville, Texas. Additional reporting by Marco Bello and Sandra Stojanovic in Comfort, Texas; Rich McKay in Atlanta; Alexandra Alper, Tim Reid and Deborah Gembara in Washington; Nathan Howard in Morristown, New Jersey; Ryan Jones and Bhargav Acharya in Toronto; Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; and Nathan Layne in New York; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Will Dunham and Diane Craft and Stephen Coates
Oil and gas stocks weighed on the index, dropping 2.6%, with energy giant Shell losing almost 3%
Signage is seen outside the LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) headquarters in Paternoster Square, London, Britain, April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
London’s main stock indexes were mixed on Monday as investors focused on corporate updates and a three-week delay in higher U.S. tariff rates, alongside progress on trade agreements.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 was flat by 0910 GMT, while the domestically oriented midcap index rose 0.2% after ending the previous week in the red.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington was close to several trade agreements and would notify other countries of higher tariff rates set to go into place on August 1, a delay from the July 9 deadline.
Oil and gas stocks weighed on the index, dropping 2.6%, with energy giant Shell losing almost 3% after trimming its second-quarter outlook for integrated gas division and liquefied natural gas production ahead of full results.
Other oil companies also came under pressure with oil prices slipping after OPEC+ hiked output above expectations in August. BP was down 1.9%. Diversified Energy, Harbour Energy and Ithaca Energy all fell over 1% on the midcap.
Among individual stocks, miner Ferrexpo slid 1.7% as iron ore production fell after the discontinuation of Ukraine’s value-added tax refunds reduced operations.
Electricals retailer Currys fell 6.2% and led midcap losses, after an RBC downgrade.
Online trading platform Plus500 was among the top gainers on the FTSE 250 after positive second-quarter results.
Weir Group was the top gainer on the blue-chip after Citigroup raised its rating and price target.
On the data front, Halifax data showed that British house prices stagnated in June from the previous month following the increase in tax on property transactions from April.
In other news, British finance minister Rachel Reeves is set to announce a 28.6 million pound ($39 million) investment into a carbon capture project, which is expected to create jobs in central and northern England.
($1 = 0.7325 pounds)
Reporting by Twesha Dikshit; Editing by Vijay Kishore
23-year-old man arrested in connection to murder investigation, Health Ministry reports uptick in COVID-19 cases, Premier David Burt attends CARICOM conference in Jamaica plus the latest in sports news
Health Minister Kim Wilson said members of the public should take sensible precautions
Coronavirus. Photo: Centre for Disease Control
Full press release from the Government of Bermuda:
The Ministry of Health is alerting the public to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases identified through routine surveillance.
“This uptick serves as a reminder that the virus continues to circulate in our community. COVID-19 has not gone away, and we are seeing a noticeable rise in cases”, explained Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “We are reminding the public to take sensible precautions, particularly to protect our seniors and those with underlying health conditions. Let’s continue to look out for one another.”
The Ministry is encouraging the public to:
Stay home if you are feeling unwell: Anyone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms should avoid public settings and contact with others.
To help protect those at greater risk, such as older adults, people with chronic conditions, or individuals with weakened immune systems, wearing a mask in crowded indoor places or when visiting loved ones can provide an added layer of care and consideration.
Practice regular handwashing and cover your coughs and sneezes: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
Stay current with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses if eligible: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, designed to target the JN.1 variant is available by appointment at the Hamilton Health Centre (278-6460) or through your healthcare provider.
Test, isolate, and inform others: Antigen tests are available for purchase at pharmacies. Testing is available through your healthcare provider for those who need confirmation or documentation. If you test positive, stay home, follow current isolation guidance, and inform your close contacts.
OUTBermuda held its annual Pride Parade yesterday at Victoria Park, filling the city with vibrant colour, music, and celebration.
Crowds gathered to enjoy the festivities, which included powerful community moments and a standout performance by international music star Crystal Waters.
Executive Director Joshua Samuels encouraged all to embrace the spirit of pride, unity, and visibility.
Veteran house recording artist Crystal Waters headlined the festivities at Victoria Park on Saturday
Crystal Waters performs at Bermuda Pride celebrations on Saturday at Victoria Park. Photo: Jasmine Patterson
Crystal Waters drew a large crowd to the stage at Victoria Park on Saturday as part of Bermuda Pride week celebrations, hosted by OUTBermuda.
The singer/songwriter and recording artist performed a medley of her greatest hits from the 1990s including dance hits, “100% Pure Love” and “Gypsy Woman.”
Other performances in support of Bermuda Pride came from Bermudians artists Hana Bushara, DJ Korie Minors, Chrissy Dior, Aalai and dance crew, Rated E.
Drag performer Ariel also entertained the audience with a rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way.”
Joshua Samuels, OUTBermuda’s Executive Director made a plea for the community to embrace education on queer issues and matters that impact the LGBTQ+ community in Bermuda and for increased visibility to foster inclusion.
Mr. Samuels made a rallying call before the Pride Parade for young persons struggling with mental health and their sexuality to seek help and support from the charity which envisions, ‘a Bermuda in which LGBTQ+ Bermudians and residents are free from the harmful impacts of discrimination and stigmatization.’
The attendees later marched through the City of Hamilton returning to Victoria Park late afternoon.
They played key roles in bringing to fruition units at Harmony Hall that provide housing for 12 Bermudian families
Blake Lambert, left, with Dimitrius Richardson Photo supplied
Statement by Christopher Famous, Chairman of the Bermuda Housing Corporation
Often, far too often we are told or fed negative stories about Bermudian men. Today, let us change that narrative. Part of the mandate of Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) is to give opportunities to Bermudian skilled craftsmen. In doing so, it is not simply providing a job but more so allowing them to create homes that will last a lifetime or more. In essence, a way for them to leave their legacy. Blake Lambert, in the white shirt, is one such individual who has dedicated his life to designing projects around Bermuda, managing the job from start to finish and handing them over for hundreds of Bermudians to call a place home. Without a doubt, one of his greatest projects has been helping to mentor the young man in the blue shirt, Mr. Dimitrius Richardson, a student of architecture, who has had a passion for design for most of his life. Together these two brought to fruition 12 units at Harmony Hall which provide housing for 12 Bermudian families. skilled management brought the project in under budget. So, for those who say Bermudians cannot do it. These two have proven that is not true. If or when you see them along the way, please tell them thanks for all that they do for Bermuda. Respice Finem.
Acting Minister of Transport and Tourism, Culture and Sport, Diallo Rabain presented the awards to 25 elite athletes
25 of Bermuda’s elite athletes from across 15 different sports, Cabinet Office. Photo: Government of Bermuda
Full press release from the Government of Bermuda:
On 3 July, the Department of Sport and Recreation held the 2025 Elite Athlete Sponsorship Presentation at the Cabinet Office, where Minister Diallo Rabain, acting Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, presented cheques to some of Bermuda’s most outstanding athletes.
The event celebrated the achievements and dedication of 25 elite athletes across 15 different sports, who were awarded a combined total of $154,500 to support their training and international competition efforts.
The funding is provided through the Government’s Elite Athlete Sponsorship Programme, which is aligned with the Bermuda National Sports Policy.
This initiative supports Goal 2.1 of the policy: to increase Government funding for high performance athletes and teams by 30 per cent.
The programme ensures that top-performing athletes are given the financial support they need to excel on the world stage, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to sporting excellence.
Among the recipients were swimmers Emma Harvey, Jack Harvey and Elijah Daley; cyclist Kaden Hopkins; para-athlete Jessica Lewis; and boccia athlete Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, who received the highest individual award of $12,000.
The Elite Athlete Sponsorship Initiative is an essential part of Bermuda’s broader effort to strengthen its international sporting presence while inspiring young athletes across the island.
Neville Grant will be the new chief executive of the Bermuda Bankers Association (BBA) appointed July 1.
Mr. Grant will succeed Geoff Scott who will be stepping down on July 31st after 2 and half years in the role.
Neville has more than a 30-year business career, which includes a number of senior roles with HSBC
both locally and internationally, being the former General Manager of Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and, most recently, being the former CEO of Bermuda Commercial Bank.
Neville also currently sits on several boards and committees including Fortitude Re and the Centennial Bermuda Foundation – Economic Participation Committee.
Mr. Grant said: “The BBA plays a pivotal role in outlining the full range of benefits provided by the banking sector in Bermuda. In addition, the BBA will also continue to create community awareness on key financial matters, relating to banking, along with training and development for all stakeholders.”
“As we continue to see ongoing changes in the regulatory and legislative environment along with increased innovation in financial services, it remains critical that the BBA effectively manages these changes for the benefit of all Bermudians and the banking industry in general. I look forward to carrying on the BBA’s mission to maintain resilient local banks.”
Ian Truran BBA chairman, said: “Neville succeeds Geoff Scott who has strengthened the Association and supported the banking sector in Bermuda over the last couple of years.” “We would like to thank Geoff for his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
“We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Neville and look forward to seeing the BBA continue to develop and grow, especially given Neville’s specific experience as a past BBA Chairman and BBA ExCo colleague.”
The BHB is seeking public feedback for their Vision 2030 Strategic Plan
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Paget. Photo: Bermuda Broadcasting Company
Full press release from the Bermuda Hospitals Board:
Bermuda Hospitals Board is creating a new Vision 2030 Strategic Plan and is asking the community to provide their thoughts and feedback in a short, online survey.
CEO & President Scott Pearman comments: “We’re asking you to take a few minutes to complete a short, anonymous survey. Your feedback will help us better understand what matters most to the people we serve and how we can improve the way we deliver care over the next few years.
“This feedback will be used along with internal surveys and groups, reviews of data and of our existing strategy. We know there are challenges, but we are excited about what the future could bring and look forward to sharing more as the strategy is developed.”
Mr. Pearman added, “There is an opportunity for members of the community to also volunteer to be part of in-person focus groups. Anyone interested can email OD@bhb.bm with their full name, and the email or phone number that they would like to be contacted with.
“However you’d like to participate, thank you for helping us build a better future for healthcare in Bermuda!”
Mosaic, which is headquartered in Bermuda, marks the fifth year of its summer internship scheme
Mosaic 2025 summer interns, from left: Sharuf Hossain, Jessica Bruton (Bermudian), Ellie Weber and Olivia Washington (Bermudian)
Press release: Mosaic Insurance has welcomed four university students to its offices in Bermuda, London, New York, and Chicago, as the specialty insurer marks the fifth year of its summer internship program. Some 17 students have participated to date in the program, which was launched in 2021, a few months after Mosaic opened for business. The latest cohort includes Olivia Washington, Jessica Bruton, Ellie Weber, and Muhammad Sharuf Hossain, who have dived into respective summer roles supporting Mosaic’s communications & marketing and cyber units, the latter its fastest-growing line of business. “We are excited to welcome our 2025 summer interns as part of our ongoing commitment to investing in the future workforce of Mosaic,” said Haviland Dunne, VP, Global HR Partner at Mosaic. “They have been integrated into our global teams and are working on impactful projects, gaining hands-on experience that will help shape their professional growth. Our interns bring new perspectives to our teams, and we aim to provide them with meaningful opportunities to grow and add value to our business.” Washington, a recent graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Professional Communications. At Mosaic’s corporate headquarters in Bermuda, she’s a Communications & Strategy Intern, supporting units across the company by developing underwriting collateral, press releases, social campaigns, videos, web content, and digital marketing projects. “It’s great working with experienced talent located around the world and learning about Mosaic’s unique model, its focus on smart risk selection, and its intentional partnerships,” said Washington. “Constantly learning and adapting to different teams’ priorities is giving me a solid foundational knowledge of the industry.” Bruton joined Mosaic London as a Cyber Underwriting Intern after recently completing her second year at Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, studying Global Development with a minor in Geography. Returning to Mosaic for a second year, she’s working closely with underwriters, supporting processes, carrying out data analytics, and managing a broker-engagement project. Weber is a Finance student at Providence College, RI, who recently completed a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she focused on business planning for entrepreneurs and start-ups. At Mosaic New York, she’s a Cyber Underwriting Intern, assisting the team with daily operations, including account analysis, organization and documentation. She also contributes to larger projects focused on team efficiency and marketing initiatives. Hossain holds an MBA and BBA in Banking & Insurance from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Data Science at Loyola University Chicago, IL. As a Data Science intern at Mosaic Chicago, Hossain’s technical knowledge supports Mosaic’s Cyber Team by developing and analyzing cyber-risk datasets, assisting predictive model development, and contributing to underwriting tool enhancements. He also works with Mosaic’s Data & Analytics Team, identifying and supporting the building of AI models for risk selection and data visualization. “I am honored to join Mosaic as an intern this summer and contribute to its cutting-edge reputation in cyber-risk underwriting,” said Hossain. “This opportunity allows me to apply my academic training in data science to real-world challenges and enhance my career through hands-on experience. I look forward to learning from industry leaders and supporting the development of impactful, data-driven solutions.”
About Mosaic Mosaic is a global specialty insurance agency with exceptional expertise, a focus on complex products, and a distinctive operating model. Our innovative structure allows deployment of different forms of capital in full alignment for the benefit of clients and partners. We currently underwrite for close to 30 other top-rated insurers alongside our own Lloyd’s Syndicate 1609—offering lead-line + syndicated capacity, custom service, and full claims-settlement authority across seven product lines in seven countries. We harness the heritage of Lloyd’s and benefit from the market’s global licenses and financial-strength ratings. Visit mosaicinsurance.com and follow us at @Mosaic1609..
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