Retailer Mia Chambray and tech consultant Michael Branco have today been contesting a city councillor position for the Corporation of Hamilton.
They were busy greeting voters at the municipal election polling site at St. Paul’s AME church Centennial Hall on Victoria Street this afternoon.
The seat was left vacant by the death of the lawyer and councillor Larry Scott in early June.
City retailer Mia Chambray, owner of Cassine on Reid Street, is looking to take the next step up into public service.
Mrs. Chambray, who is carrying the family torch as a Hamilton based entrepreneur, says the City needs more boutiques, cafes, more opportunities for vendors markets especially around Christmas plus greater collaboration between city businesses.
She said, “I’ve really appreciated everybody’s time to come [spend] 2 to 5 minutes to speak with me. Tell me their concerns, tell me positive and negative things they love about the city or would like to see improved.
“The general consensus is people want more parking always – more parking. More draw to offices; people renting office space – bring people in.
More residents in the City and generally more vibrancy in the City…”
Business owner and tech consultant Michael Branco is returning a second time to run for a seat having lost by five votes to Mr. Scott in the last city council general election in 2019.
“I’m actually quite happy to see that between my efforts and Mia’s efforts that we’ve had a steady stream of voters come out. So it may not be low voter turnout and I’m up against a really good candidate. So, I think it could go either way.
Mr. Branco is seeking to continue the work of addressing homelessness in the city and finding ways to help business grow.
He added, “On one hand, if I’m successful then the city gets a techy and finance person with a lot of business experience. And if I’m not successful, they get Mia who has retail and small business experience and she’s a fresh face; a fresh voice.
“Either way I think its good for the City.”
Around 378 business ratepayers are registered to vote in today’s by-election.
Community leaders reflect on a turning point in Bermuda’s history, with celebratory events to follow
A group of community members, including the Mayor of Hamilton and a former politician, gathered yesterday to reflect on the impact of the Theatre Boycott, more than six decades after the historic event.
A media release issued by Glenn Fubler stated:
“We are here formally launching the celebration of the 66th Anniversary of the Success of the Boycott. The mindful actions of ordinary people opened movie theatres, restaurants and hotels in the first instance. That same momentum eventually ended formal segregation/apartheid and was key in establishing the right to vote.
“The effective strategy developed by the Progressive Group set the stage. Those that rallied around Church, Wesley & Queen streets sustained the flame of that peaceful protest, effectively opening Bermuda.
“The success of the Boycott demonstrated the potential of collaboration occurring across generations. The 1940’s campaigning of the Bermuda Workers Association provided a foundation for progress in later decades. Efforts by activist in the early 1950’s – such as the protest at the Bermudiana Hotel Theatre proved to be exemplary. Other groups helped to ‘till the soil’, which allowed us – as the collective Bermuda – to grow towards our better selves.
“Thus, the theme: “Open Hearts, Open Minds” offers us encouragement to reflect in appreciation for ‘those on whose shoulders we stand’. As we respond by reaching out to others in our families, neighbourhoods, island and world, we enhance both ourselves and our community.”
Below is the full press conference featuring remarks from John Barritt, former United Bermuda Party government minister; Charles Gosling, Mayor of Hamilton; and 99 year-old Izola Harvey, a member of the group that led the boycott.
Upcoming events to mark the anniversary:
Wednesday, July 2 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Interactive Gathering at Cathedral Hall Special guest Rev. Kingsley Tweed will share “nutshell” recollections of his role as the ‘Voice’ of the Boycott Rally. He will also perform piano and song.
Facilitation Team for the Interactive Dialogue: Nekesha Holdipp, Sandy Butterfield, Darius Richardson, and Glenn Fubler
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Harbour Night Celebration Music Presentations: Ed Christopher and Willard Burch Theatre Boycott Skit: Ensemble includes Kathy Kawaley, Michelle Cooper, Nikita Robinson, Leighton Rochester, Richie Latham; coordinated by Rotimi Martins
Bermudian creator and writer Hafiz Shakur is known for his popular local series Hustlerz Paradise, which debuted as a web series in March 2019.
Mr. Shakur recently wrapped his second feature film, Blood on the Crown, which is inspired by the historical events of the 1970s that led to the 1977 riots.
With an all-Bermudian production team, Mr. Shakur emphasizes the opportunities this creates for local talent. The premiere of Blood on the Crown will take place on July 26th.
Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death
International News via Reuters:
The choice of a successor to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists, is a matter of riveting interest not only for followers of his religion, but also China, India, and the United States, for strategic reasons.
The Nobel peace laureate, who turns 90 on Sunday, is regarded as one of the world’s most influential figures, with a following extending well beyond Buddhism.
HOW WAS HE CHOSEN?
Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death.
The 14th Dalai Lama, born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in what is now Qinghai province, was identified as such a reincarnation when he was just two years old.
A search party sent by the Tibetan government made the decision on the basis of several signs, such as a vision revealed to a senior monk, the Dalai Lama’s website says. The searchers were convinced when the toddler identified belongings of the 13th Dalai Lama with the phrase, “It’s mine, it’s mine”.
In the winter of 1940, Lhamo Thondup was taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of today’s Tibet Autonomous Region, and officially installed as the spiritual leader of Tibetans.
HOW WILL HIS SUCCESSOR BE CHOSEN?
In his book “Voice for the Voiceless”, released in March 2025, the Dalai Lama said his successor would be born outside China.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in northern India since 1959, after fleeing a failed uprising against the rule of Mao Zedong’s Communists.
He wrote that he would release details about his succession around the time of his 90th birthday. On Monday, addressing a gathering in Dharamshala, he said: “There will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas”. He did not elaborate.
In a speech in 2011, the Dalai Lama also mentioned how highly enlightened Buddhists can “manifest an emanation before death”. Some experts have speculated that it might mean the Dalai Lama possibly suggesting he could train a successor in his lifetime, but Tibetan officials say that is unlikely.
“He has said this institution will carry on, which means his incarnation will be born,” said Dolma Tsering Teykhang, the deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile.
“Our Dalai Lama will be reborn, and the institution will carry on.”
The parliament-in-exile, based in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, like the Dalai Lama, says a system has been established for the exiled government to continue its work while officers of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation will be charged with finding and recognising his successor.
The current Dalai Lama set up the foundation in 2015 to “maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama” with regard to his religious and spiritual duties, it says on its website. Its senior officers include several of his aides.
WHAT DOES CHINA SAY?
China says its leaders have the right to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, as a legacy from imperial times. A selection ritual, in which the names of possible reincarnations are drawn from a golden urn, dates to 1793, during the Qing dynasty.
Chinese officials have repeatedly said the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be decided by following national laws that decree use of the golden urn and the birth of reincarnations within China’s borders.
But many Tibetans suspect any Chinese role in the selection as being a ploy to exert influence on the community.
It is inappropriate for Chinese Communists, who reject religion, “to meddle in the system of reincarnation of lamas, let alone that of the Dalai Lama,” the Buddhist leader has said.
In his book, he asked Tibetans not to accept “a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China,” referring to the country by its official name.
Beijing brands the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for keeping alive the Tibetan cause, as a “separatist” and prohibits displays of his picture or any public show of devotion towards him.
In March 2025, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the Dalai Lama was a political exile with “no right to represent the Tibetan people at all”.
China denies suppressing the rights of the Tibetan people, and says its rule ended serfdom in, and brought prosperity to, a backward region.
WHAT ROLE COULD INDIA AND THE U.S. PLAY?
Apart from the Dalai Lama, India is estimated to be home to more than 100,000 Tibetan Buddhists who are free to study and work there.
Many Indians revere him, and international relations experts say his presence in India gives New Delhi some kind of leverage with rival China.
The United States, which faces rising competition from China for global dominance, has repeatedly said it is committed to advancing the human rights of Tibetans.
U.S. lawmakers have previously said they would not allow China to influence the choice of the Dalai Lama’s successor.
In 2024, then U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet’s demands for greater autonomy.
Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Raju Gopalakrishnan
Day Two of Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association Championships
Bermuda’s promising young squash talents were back in action today for Day Two of the 2025 Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships in the Cayman Islands, delivering a mix of dominant wins and thrilling five-set battles. The prestigious tournament, which has brought together around 200 players from 24 countries across the region, immediately showcased its high-level competition. In the Boys Under 13 Division, top seed Mason Smith showcased his class, advancing confidently to the Final after a swift 16-minute victory over Finn Graham from Barbados in their semi-final clash. The youngest Bermudians on court also provided an exciting all-island match-up. In the Under 11 Boys Division, William Frith defeated Jonah Every 11-4, 11-1, 11-6 in a 17-minute contest, demonstrating the depth of talent emerging from Bermuda. The Under 19 Boys Bracket 2 saw Trinidad’s Nicholas Lequay involved in two gruelling five-set encounters against Bermudian players. First, Lequay edged Eli Carpol in a marathon 43-minute battle, prevailing 4-11, 11-4, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8. He then survived another intense contest, defeating Andrew Cox 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 14-12 in a match that lasted 44 minutes. In the Under 19 Girls Bracket 2 Division, Tyler Komposch was involved in two back-to-back five-set thrillers. She first secured a hard-fought victory over Sarrayah Yearwood from Barbados, winning 2-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9 in 36 minutes. However, Komposch then went down to Jamaica’s Elli Wilson in another 35-minute five-setter, with Wilson taking the match 11-3, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3. These results highlight the competitive spirit and developing skills of Bermuda’s junior squash players as they continue their pursuit of regional honours at the CASA Championships.
Bermuda PRIDE week 2025 takes place June 27th to July 6th
Full press release from OUTBermuda:
OUTBermuda is proud to announce the return of RenaissanceRe as a Rainbow Sponsor of Bermuda Pride 2025, deepening the company’s commitment to inclusion and equality in Bermuda.
A spokesperson for Bermuda Pride said: “Corporate support is vital to making Pride accessible, impactful, and sustainable.
RenaissanceRe’s ongoing sponsorship not only funds key programming, it sends a message to employees, families, and the broader community that LGBTQ+ people belong.”
Joshua Samuels, OUTBermuda Executive Director, added: “We appreciate having trusted, long-term partners like RenaissanceRe standing with us.
Their support helps ensure Pride continues to be a beacon of hope and empowerment for our community.”
Shannon Bender, EVP, Group General Counsel, RenaissanceRe said: “At RenaissanceRe, supporting Bermuda Pride 2025 reflects our commitment to fostering inclusion both within our organization and in the broader community. OUTBermuda’s programs empower LGBTQ+ individuals and ensure they feel safe, valued, and celebrated.
“By championing LGBTQ+ causes, we aim to break down barriers, create spaces where everyone can thrive, and build a resilient, vibrant Bermuda community.”
Bermuda Pride will take place June 29 – July 6, 2025, with a full week of events ranging from celebratory to reflective, including parades, panels, performances, and community initiatives.
Granting Bermuda status would NOT lower housing costs
MP Chris Famous: “ … What does the granting of Bermudian Status mean for working and middle class Bermudians …? It means that they will be faced with increased competition to purchase their first home. It means the prices go up, not down.”
Statement by Christopher Famous, PLP MP for Constituency #11, Devonshire East
Michael Fahy recently made public statements that the way forward to addressing costs of living is via the granting of Bermuda Status. When the OBA talks about “status,” they are talking about granting voting rights and property ownership privileges that directly impact our democracy, our economy, and the future of our people. For anyone following recent history, the granting of Bermudian status has long been rejected by the vast majority of Bermudian voters. Pressure on Housing Market For the purposes of the cost of housing, the claim that granting Bermuda status would assist in lowering costs of housing is farcical at best. The reality is that once granted status, persons are now entitled to purchase unlimited amounts of property, whether it is one unit or multiple units. During the recent session, held in the House of Assembly on June 27th, a question was posed to elected members of both sides of the house as to whether they can honestly say that the granting of Bermuda Status would assist in the cost of living and the cost of housing. Not one MP, either on the PLP or OBA side, would support the notion. So, what does the granting of Bermudian Status mean for working and middle class Bermudians in terms of affordability of housing? Simply put, it means that they will be faced with increased competition to purchase their first home. It means the prices go up, not down. So again, how does Micheal Fahy’s and the OBA’s proposal to give away Bermuda Status assist Bermudians seeking to rent or purchase their own home? Balance For clarity, the county does need population growth for a myriad of reasons. However, population growth is not the same as the granting of status. The OBA used to cite the Cayman Islands tax immigration policies and the granting of Status as examples that we should aspire towards. Fast forward, the newly elected Cayman Islands Government is now reversing many of those policies as this has led to born Caymanians being displaced from jobs, business opportunities and most of all the ability to afford housing in their own country. The PLP will not support any immigration policy that risks repeating the mistakes of our past. We believe in a thoughtful and balanced population strategy that brings home Bermudians living abroad, supports young families, and welcomes individuals who contribute to our economy without undermining the rights of our people.
Bermudian tennis player Daniel Phillips’ impressive run on the professional circuit has come to an end, as he fell in his third and final qualifying round match at the M15 Kayseri tournament in Turkey.
Phillips took to the court against his toughest test yet in the qualifying draw: the top seed, Ali Yazdani from Iran. Yazdani, currently ranked World No. 755, proved a formidable opponent. In a tightly contested encounter, Phillips battled fiercely through two sets of “give and take,” pushing his higher-ranked opponent all the way.
Ultimately, Yazdani proved just too strong, advancing to the main draw with a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 victory.
Despite the loss, Phillips can take significant positives from his performance in Kayseri. He secured his first two ATP Tour wins at this event and demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience throughout the qualifying rounds, building on the momentum from his recent Davis Cup successes. This experience against a top seed will undoubtedly prove valuable as he continues his journey on the professional tennis circuit.
Bermudian junior golfers Oliver Betschart and Sienna Mosquera have begun their campaigns at the prestigious North & South Junior Amateur Championship at Pinehurst, North Carolina, facing a challenging opening round.
In the Boy’s Field, Oliver Betschart carded a nine-over-par 79 in his first round, which places him in a tie for 59th position. His scorecard for the day included two birdies and seven pars, but these were unfortunately offset by eight bogeys and one triple bogey. Betschart will be looking to bounce back in the subsequent rounds to improve his standing in this highly competitive field.
Meanwhile, in the Girls’ Field, Sienna Mosquera ended the first round tied for 35th at four-over par. Her round featured three birdies and nine pars, alongside five bogeys and one double bogey. Mosquera, who has had recent success on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, will be aiming for a stronger performance in the coming days to climb the leaderboard.
Both young Bermudian talents are gaining invaluable experience competing on a grand stage at Pinehurst, a venue steeped in golfing history. Their resilience will be tested as they continue their pursuit in one of junior golf’s most significant events.
According to its Impact Report, the charity held more than 8,000 young learner experiences in 2024
Image courtesy of BZS
The Bermuda Zoological Society issued the following media release.
The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has published its 2024 Community Impact Report, showcasing the organisation’s continued work to build a stronger, more sustainable Bermuda. For nearly 50 years, BZS has blended science education with environmental stewardship to protect and restore island ecosystems. In 2024, BZS made a powerful and lasting impact through innovative STEM programmes, hands-on conservation efforts, and meaningful community engagement. From classrooms to coastlines, the following highlights showcase just some of the ways BZS is helping to build a stronger, more sustainable Bermuda: one classroom, one mangrove and one micro forest at a time.
BZS 2024 Impact Highlights
Empowering Young Minds Through STEM Education In 2024, the BZS Schools Programme delivered an impressive 8,730 student experiences, making it one of the largest nonprofit STEM education providers in Bermuda. The programme reached every public school on the island, along with several private schools and the Bermuda Homeschool Network. As the first Signature Learning Partner, BZS played a key role in co-developing a cutting-edge STEM curriculum and teaching at CedarBridge Academy. A total of 6,198 public school students and 2,532 private school students took part in dynamic, hands-on science learning.
Dynamic Programmes That Build Science Skills
Students engaged with a range of exciting programmes tailored to different age groups and learning goals. BZS Ocean Education offerings included M2 Kids on the Reef, P2 Kids on the Beach, and S1 Food Webs. The BZS Living Classroom brought science to life through field-based learning for students from pre-school through senior school.
Meanwhile, the GASS (Generating Academic Success in Science) programme, including the Introduction to Science and Engineering Practices (ISEP), supported science learning across all school levels with a focus on skill development and confidence-building.
Impressive Student Outcomes
The impact of these programmes was clear in student outcomes. In 2024, 72% of P5 students showed gains in science knowledge, 77% improved their scientific literacy and 62% reported feeling more confident in their ability to do science. S1 students saw a 100% improvement in key science skills such as graphing, data interpretation and hypothesis writing. M2 students finished their programmes with a stronger appreciation for marine ecosystems, with 98% expressing strong support for ocean conservation. Across the board, BZS programmes not only enhanced understanding but also helped students believe in their ability to succeed in science.
Restoring Bermuda’s Ecosystems
Coastal Conservation: Reviving Mangroves
The BZS continued its mission to protect and restore Bermuda’s island environments, with major progress made in coastal conservation. In 2024, more than 1,000 red and black mangroves were planted across Trunk Island, Riddles Bay and Hungry Bay. These restored ecosystems help stabilise shorelines, reduce erosion and create critical nursery habitats for young marine species like fish and crabs. These thriving mangrove ecosystems have also improved water quality by enhancing natural filtration, which in turn supports healthier surrounding seagrass beds. Over 2,700 mangrove propagules have also been raised in nurseries to support ongoing planting efforts. The Aspen-BZS Red Mangrove Project, backed by over 200 volunteer hours, demonstrated how community involvement can drive ecological recovery. The ongoing work of Aspen and the Trunk Island Weekend Warriors continues to move Bermuda closer to restoring its coastal habitats to their natural state.
Micro Forests: Reclaiming Native Landscapes
The BZS Micro Forest Project is transforming how terrestrial restoration is done in Bermuda. Using the Japanese Miyawaki Method, and with the vision of Founding Donor RenaissanceRe, the support of Lead Partner HSBC and the continued support of our community partners, the project has now established 26 micro forest sites, covering 7,787 square meters and planting over 5,200 native trees and shrubs since 2021. These efforts boast a 92% plant survival rate, a strong indicator of long-term ecosystem health. The project combats the dominance of invasive species, replacing them with natives like Buttonwood, Jamaican Dogwood and rare plants such as Seven Year Apple and Yellowwood. With over 3,250 corporate volunteer hours and 2,000+ hours from dedicated Weekend Foresters, the community has played a vital role in this project. The BZS Micro Forest Project is not just restoring Bermuda’s natural heritage, it’s serving as a model for how science-led, community-driven restoration can create thriving, resilient environments.
Philippe Bacon, BZS President said “Inspiring young minds to explore, be creative and have fun while learning is at the heart of everything we do – and this year has been one of the most impactful yet for the BZS. From our record-breaking 8,730 young learner experiences to groundbreaking conservation and reforestation efforts, our 2024 Impact Report celebrates the progress we’ve made together. Thanks to the unwavering support of our members, donors and community partners, we continue to deliver transformative, hands-on programmes that spark curiosity and empower the next generation of scientists and conservationists. As we look ahead, I invite everyone to stay connected and proud of the difference we are making – for our youth, our island and our planet.”
To read the full Impact Report, please download the document here: http://bit.ly/43NXNis
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