Carnival is upon us.
One of Bermuda’s biggest cultural festivals is well underway.
There is a full line-up of events for Heroes Weekend, with some exciting new additions in store.
Carnival in Bermuda’s communications ambassador, Zoe Simmons, shares what to expect.
19-year old male died following multivehicle collision on Tuesday
Bermuda Police Service Press Release
The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm that a 19-year-old male motorcyclist hospitalised following a multivehicle road traffic collision that occurred around 9:26 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, has succumbed to his injuries.
The incident involving three motorcycles and a motorcar near the junction of Church Lane and North Shore Road, Pembroke.
Officers attended the scene and observed an unresponsive male with a serious head injury, lying on the roadway. They immediately began life saving measures and continued to do so until the arrival of an ambulance which conveyed the injured male to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
He was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, with his condition deemed critical. Sadly he was pronounced dead today, Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The other two motorcycle riders and a passenger on one of those bikes sustained non-life threatening injuries and conveyed to hospital for assessment.
The male motorcar driver and his female passenger, did not appear to be injured.
An investigation into this incident has now commenced and anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Milton Hill on 515-2481 or via email at, mjhill@bps.bm
This marks the third road fatality for the year.
Data presented by the Chamber of Commerce also shows Airbnb and derelict properties are not a big contributor to housing shortage
More than half of the dwellings in Bermuda are under rent control, according to data presented by the Chamber of Commerce, with more than three quarters of apartments under rent control.
Area with lots of rent control properties are also where developers don’t tend to build.
Marico Thomas, Chamber President, and Steven McGuiness, Co-Chair of their Economics Committee, presented a data deep dive today showing that there are a lot of pieces to the housing puzzle.
We need to go about solving the puzzle, says Mr Thomas, because we need at least 2,500 more dwellings to house a necessary increase in our working population…
If you think the takeoff of Airbnb and properties being left derelict has contributed heavily to the housing shortage – think again.
Chamber of Commerce data indicates that vacation rentals and uninhabitable properties are not big pieces in the housing puzzle…
Some Government members had pushed back against the Chamber’s previous estimates that our population has fallen to around 57,000 or lower, since that appears to contradict the fact that we don’t have enough housing.
However, the Chamber’s data indicated that the average number of people in a household has decreased, making it entirely possible to see a simultaneous drop in both the population and the availability of housing…
In tonight’s news at 7pm…
CEO Adam Scott says new route is a ‘natural extension’ of BermudAir’s growth in Canadian markets
BermudAir celebrated its new direct service from Montreal this afternoon.
Upon the aircraft’s arrival at the airport, it was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. Inside the arrivals hall, passengers were greeted with the lively sounds of steel pan drums.
The occasion marked the grand finale of BermudAir’s inaugural launch series to key destinations over the past few months.
Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir, said that following the airline’s successful entry into Canadian markets, Montreal was a “natural extension.”
Meanwhile, Isabelle Ramsey-Brackstone, Canadian Honorary Consul General in Bermuda highlighted the long-standing ties between Montreal and our island, describing them as a “natural link” with much to offer on both sides.
Solid rounds for the women on day two of Kitty Michael Invitational
Flying the flag with pride: The Bermuda team is well-positioned heading into the final day of this prestigious event
The Bermuda team competing in the 45th annual Kitty Michael Golf Invitational delivered a dominant performance on Day Two at the El Conquistador Golf Club in Puerto Rico, with Bermudian golfers leading the charge.
The team, led by Captain Linda Down and Vice Captain Tracy Burgess, put in an impressive collective effort, showcasing their talent on the international stage.
The second round saw a remarkable display from the Bermudian contingent, particularly at the top of the individual leaderboard. Carine Brule shot the best score of the day, an excellent 7-over par. Not far behind, Tracy Burgess and Katrin Burnie both recorded solid 9-over par rounds, securing the top three daily scores for Bermuda.
These strong individual performances have significantly impacted the overall standings. Tracy Burgess now leads the overall individual competition at 18-over par, having posted back-to-back 9-over par rounds. Carine Brule sits just one stroke back in second place at 19-over par.
The strong showing on Day Two highlights the depth of talent within the Bermudian team and positions them well heading into the final day of the prestigious Kitty Michael Golf Invitational.
Comets will be racing on Monday
Boat users should use extra caution on Monday
File photo
Press release:
The Director of Marine and Ports Services has issued an advisory to all mariners regarding the Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Mariners are urged to exercise caution and provide ample clearance to the racing comets, ensuring minimal wake in their vicinity.
The race will commence at 11:00 a.m. in the Great Sound near the West End Sailboat Club. Competitors will navigate eastward along the North Shore, with the event concluding approximately three hours later in St. George’s Harbour, near the East End Mini Yacht Club.
63-year-old Warwick resident Norman ‘Sonny’ Bell was found dead in the Lagoon Park area in Sandys on 2 June
Investigators are treating the recent death of 63-year-old Norman ‘Sonny’ Bell as ‘suspicious’ following an autopsy determining the cause of death.
However, during a media briefing today at the Hamilton Police Station, Acting Superintendent Jason Smith could not give specific details in to the death of Mr. Bell.
His unresponsive body was found by a member of the public on 2 June and was last seen in the Warwick area on the previous day, according to police.
Police said they are currently reviewing several CCTV camera footage to trace the movements of Mr. Bell as part of their investigation.
Police are now appealing for any information on the whereabouts of Mr. Bell leading up to his death to contact Detective Sergeant Shannon Trott on 717-2152.
First loss for Bermuda team on their Dominican Republic tour
The Bermuda men’s national basketball team has suffered their first defeat on their development tour in the Dominican Republic, falling 69-66 to local club team Club Million in a hard-fought encounter.
The Bermudian side demonstrated strong control and maintained a lead for most of the game. However, the final five minutes proved decisive, as the host team unleashed an 8-0 run to pull ahead and ultimately secure the narrow victory.
Despite the loss, several Bermudian players put in strong individual performances. Camron Basden led the scoring for Bermuda with an impressive 19 points. Caelin Peters chipped in with 10 points, and Malachi Scott also reached double figures with 10 points.
The close nature of the game against a local club side from a strong basketball nation like the Dominican Republic suggests a competitive spirit from the Bermuda team. While disappointed with the result, the squad will undoubtedly take valuable lessons from this challenging encounter as their development tour continues.
Opposition says underfunding of the prison service could have dire consequences
Robert King: “We need to take meaningful action now.”
Statement by Robert King, Shadow National Security Minister:
The recent attacks on correctional officers at the Westgate Correctional Facility are unacceptable.
These officers have a difficult job working in a highly stressful and dangerous environment and it is imperative that they receive the requisite services for their physical and emotional health.
Incarcerated persons, especially those whom have chosen to make the necessary changes in attitudes and beliefs that will support a good and simple life, also face similar risks to their health and safety.
They too must receive all services necessary to increase their chances of success, including educational/vocational opportunitites and treatment for substance use disorders, violent and sexual offending, intimate partner violence, anger and emotional management, criminal attitudes and beliefs and conflict resolution and restorative justice.
The issues concerning the operations of Westgate Correctional Facility have been repeatedly communicated and documented by officers on the front line, incarcerated persons, the Prison Officers Association, staff and myself.
The physical plant is in a state of disrepair and yet there is no sense of urgency to fix the problems.
There has been chronic problems with the plumbing that has resulted in the facility not having no hot water, and at times, no water at all.
As was highlighted recently by an inmate “Behind the Walls” in a letter to the editor, $400,000 was earmarked for educational and rehabilitative services. The money was spent on upgrades to the kitchen facility and a few months later the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilkerson, toured the Westgate facility and posed for a photo opportunity in front of the recently purchased kitchen equipment.
A press release said the new equipment was installed in support of culinary classes at the facility. However, as the inmate explains, there are no culinary classes being offered at Westgate, and there have not been any classes offered since before the pandemic. As the inmate explains: “the truth is that the kitchen at Westgate was — and still is — in a state of disrepair and that the equipment that was purchased was necessary in order to keep the facility running.”
This is unacceptable. Corrections officers and inmates need immediate, concrete action – not photo ops.
Officers have identified the need for equipment to improve safety, in particular cell phone jammers and drone nets to prevent cellphones, drugs and weapons from entering the facility. The Department of Corrections is critically short of officers, which results in many working overtime and burning out because of mental and physical exhaustion. This has the knock on effect of a deterioration of safety protocols and the ability to conduct regular and random sweeps to clear the facility of phones, weapons, drugs and other contraband.
The Government has underfunded Corrections by more than $7 million dollars that could have positively impacted on safety, service delivery and a reduction in reoffending.
The One Bermuda Alliance recognises that staffing is a primary need and that we do not currently have sufficient candidates for the positions. Bermuda cannot wait for the new uniform training school to provide staff, we must recruit trained officers from the UK using a similar approach to the Bermuda Police Service. We should also consider sending a Bermudian cohort overseas to work for a minimum of six months in maximum security prisons to get the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively operate a safe and results driven facility.
If we continue on our current course, lives will be lost, on both sides. We know what we must do and instead of empty promises and witnessing the further deterioration of the system we need to take meaningful action now.
– Robert King is the OBA MP for Constituency 10, Smith’s North
Resilient tennis team serves up a crucial win
An impressive start puts Bermuda in a strong position in Group A
Bermuda’s Davis Cup team has kicked off its Americas Group III competition with a stunning 2-1 victory over host nation Costa Rica in their Group A opener.
The highly anticipated clash at the Costa Rica Country Club saw Bermuda deliver a resilient performance to secure a crucial win on the opening day.
Bermuda took an early lead, with Daniel Phillips staging a remarkable comeback in his singles rubber. After losing the first set, Phillips battled back to defeat Christian Felipe Winstead 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in a marathon match lasting almost three hours, securing Bermuda’s first point. Costa Rica then drew level after Trey Mallory fell in straight sets to Jesse Flores, bringing the tie to 1-1.
With the tie hanging in the balance, Phillips and Mallory teamed up for the doubles match against Flores and Winstead. The Bermudian pair delivered a dominant performance, securing a straight-sets victory, 6-2, 7-5. Their strong partnership sealed the 2-1 win for Bermuda, a significant upset against the host nation.
This impressive start puts Bermuda in a strong position in Group A as they continue their quest for promotion in the Davis Cup Americas Group III competition.
Betschart qualifies for U.S. Amateur regional stage after playoff drama
Oliver Betschart put in a clutch performance under pressure
Bermuda’s Oliver Betschart has advanced to the next stage of the USGA U.S. Amateur Qualifying, navigating a strong field and a tense playoff to secure his spot.
Competing at the KickingBird Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma, Betschart delivered an impressive round of 2-under par 68. From a challenging field of 117 players, only the top 11 were set to advance to the Regional Qualifier in San Diego on July 14th.
The day concluded with 12 players making the cut, necessitating a playoff for the final 11 spots. Betschart found himself among five players tied for the last four qualifying positions, setting up a high-stakes tiebreaker.
After a tense three-hour wait, Betschart maintained his composure and continued his strong play into the playoff, securing his spot in the next round. It was a clutch performance under pressure, marking a significant milestone on his road to the prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship. His round included four birdies, twelve pars, and just two bogeys.
