Bermuda’s young footballers are gearing up for a significant international challenge. The Bermuda Football Association has officially announced their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championship.
This prestigious tournament, running from August 2nd to 10th, will provide a vital platform for Bermuda’s Under-15 squad to test themselves against international opposition. The fifth edition of the championship will be jointly hosted by Costa Rica, Aruba, and Curaçao.
Bermuda has been drawn into Group E of League B, setting up exciting encounters against regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and Antigua & Barbuda. The competition format includes a group stage, followed by a knockout phase for the top teams in each league.
Bermuda’s Group E schedule sees them face Antigua & Barbuda on Monday, August 4th, followed by a clash against Barbados on Tuesday, August 5th, and a final group game against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday, August 6th. All kick-offs are scheduled for 12 noon Bermuda time.
The BFA views this as a crucial opportunity for their young talent to gain invaluable international experience. CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the tournament’s vital role in developing the region’s youngest players.
This championship offers a golden chance for Bermuda’s rising stars to showcase their abilities and learn from different footballing cultures. Football fans across the island will be eagerly anticipating their progress come August.
It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Bermuda’s volleyball teams competing at the prestigious 2025 USA Volleyball Open National Championship in Denver, Colorado.
The Devil’s Isle Women’s squad continued to face a tough challenge on day two. They endured another three matches, unfortunately all ending in straight-set defeats. They fell to the Chicago Coast, then the SHOG Dogs, and finally Blono Elite. While the results haven’t gone their way, the experience gained against this level of competition will be invaluable for their development.
However, it was a more positive day for the Ace Boyz Men’s team. They carried their momentum from day one, starting with a confident straight-sets victory over the Scrubs. They followed that up with another impressive straight-sets win against Sets in the City. This strong showing highlighted their attacking quality and teamwork.
Unfortunately, their winning streak came to an end in their final match of the day against Fog Canada. In a closely fought encounter, the Ace Boyz narrowly lost the first set and eventually succumbed in the second.
Despite the late setback, the Ace Boyz will take encouragement from their two earlier victories, proving their ability to compete at this high level. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be looking to learn from their experiences as the tournament in Denver continues.
Bermudian cyclist Conor White has completed the demanding 2025 Tour de la Manche, a gruelling five-day stage race across the Normandy region of northern France.
The final stage saw the riders tackle a significant 152.2-kilometre route between Donville-les-Bains and Granville. White, representing the Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team, finished strongly, clocking a time of 3 hours, 42 minutes, and 17 seconds. The stage victory went to James Hartley, who completed the leg just 23 seconds ahead of White in 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 54 seconds.
Over the entire five-stage race, White demonstrated consistent effort and resilience. He finished in 36th place overall with a total time of 13 hours, 34 minutes, and 19 seconds. The overall winner of the 2025 Tour de la Manche was Léandre Huck, who was clocked at 13 hours, 32 minutes, and 7 seconds, placing White just 2 minutes and 12 seconds behind the champion after five tough days in the saddle.
White’s strong finish on the final stage of such a demanding race underscores his endurance and competitiveness on the European cycling circuit. His overall placing in the top forty provides valuable experience and a positive platform as he continues his season.
The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association has announced their hotly anticipated Davis Cup team, ready to represent the island in the fiercely competitive Americas Group III competition.
The prestigious week-long event will unfold in the vibrant city of San Jose, Costa Rica, starting on June 9th. The exclusive Costa Rica Country Club, with its top-tier hard courts, will be the battleground. For the third year running, Bermuda faces a significant challenge, up against nations often ranked considerably higher in the Americas, potentially including players within the world’s top 300. The Group III lineup includes Aruba, Bolivia, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Venezuela, and hosts Costa Rica.
The teams will be split into two groups, all vying for that coveted promotion into Group II. Leading the charge for Bermuda this year is a familiar face, with Ricky Mallory Jr. returning as Captain, taking over from Steve Bean.
The 2025 Bermuda team is a dynamic mix of youth and experience. Spearheading the team is Trey Mallory, fresh off a triumphant Division I conference win, showing fantastic form. He’s joined by Daniel Phillips, another strong collegiate player. Completing the quartet are Bermuda’s established number one, Tariq Simons, and the skilled number two, Jack Keyes.
Crucial support will come from team physio and former Davis Cup player Jenson Bascome, along with a dedicated group of Bermuda supporters. The team departs for Costa Rica on June 5th, allowing time to adjust before the intense competition begins. The BLTA has expressed their full confidence in the team’s ability to compete, show true Bermudian spirit, and make the island proud.
The event will be followed by a celebration in the school’s courtyard
MSA is excited to announce its 2nd annual 5k Color Me Run/Walk, which will take place on Friday, May 30, starting at 6:00 PM. The event will be followed by a celebration in the MSA Courtyard. As participants walk or run each mile, they will be dusted with a different (washable) color, adding to the fun and excitement!
The route will guide our walkers and runners along Dundonald Avenue, Cedar Avenue, St. John’s Road, Pitts Bay Road, Serpentine Road, and Woodlands Road. We kindly ask motorists to exercise caution while passing, as many young families will be participating this year. Additionally, we have added a mini route of just over a mile for our younger participants.
The post-Run/Walk celebration will include bouncy castles, food trucks, and drinks available for purchase and donation. A DJ will be on hand to create a lively atmosphere. MSA is partnering with DeGraff’s Lunch Wagon and Kebobs on the Curve for this event. Several student groups will also be fundraising by selling snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and hot malasadas, along with fun party items and temporary tattoo body art. Furthermore, the MSA Alumni Association will host an adult juice bar.
We would like to extend our thanks to our title sponsor, Luso, for providing water for the stops, and to Bermuda Rentals for supplying the bouncy castles and equipment.
The group attended a reunion last month at Rustico in Flatt’s drawing several former classmates
Its been several decades since the former Robert Crawford all-boys school closed in Prospect but the spirit of the school lives on.
Several classmates attended a reunion at the Rustico Restaurant in Flatt’s last month to celebrate the good ol’ days and reflect on their lives as many inch towards retirement age.
We spoke with committee members to discuss the close bonds formed over the years and the importance of brotherhood.
De Couto: “…this may be the first Budget debate where no Ministers even tried to defend their own financial plan.”
Douglas De Couto Photo: OBA
Statement by Dr. Douglas De Couto, MP for Constituency 25, Warwick North East & Shadow Minister of Finance
Last Friday, Members of Parliament wrapped up their detailed debate on the Ministry of Finance’s budget. We heard from Premier Burt and Junior Minister Furbert about the Ministry’s spending plans, and had the chance to ask detailed questions. But as usual, some of the most important questions were the ones the Government didn’t answer at all. The lack of response started earlier, on May 9, when we presented the Opposition’s official reply to the Budget. This reply kicks off the General Economic Debate. Normally, Government MPs would speak up during this debate to defend the Government’s budget and economic performance. But this time, the Premier and Minister of Finance left halfway through our presentation, and didn’t return. After a few OBA MPs spoke in support of our reply, no Government Minister got up to defend their own budget. As far as I know, this may be the first Budget debate where no Ministers even tried to defend their own financial plan. A big part of this year’s Budget depends on the new Corporate Income Tax (CIT). It’s the start of a trend where Bermuda will rely more and more on taxes from international businesses. That’s why we focused many of our questions on the CIT—to judge how solid the Government’s estimates really are. While we got a few answers, many key questions were ignored. For instance, we asked: How many companies will actually be paying the CIT? This matters because if lots of companies are paying, we’re in a safer position. But if most of the tax is coming from just a few companies, we’re at risk. If even one or two of them leave or stop paying here, the Government’s income could take a big hit. The Premier said he was confident in the estimates, but didn’t — or wouldn’t — give a number. That’s a basic question, and it should be easy to answer. We also asked if an independent review had been done on the Government’s CIT projections. In finance and insurance, it’s standard to double-check major forecasts by having someone else review the numbers or even use a different approach. This helps confirm the assumptions and improves confidence. From what the Premier said, it doesn’t look like that was done. Lastly, we asked how the Government will decide how much of the CIT revenue to put aside in the “tax refund reserve fund” and how much to use for spending. This reserve is important because some of the tax collected might need to be refunded after companies file their 2025 returns in late 2026. Again, the Premier didn’t answer. We had hoped this debate would leave us feeling confident in the CIT forecasts and comfortable with the budget overall. Instead, the Government’s refusal to answer even basic questions raises more concerns than it resolves. I encourage you to ask your MP the same questions we asked — and see if you can get clearer answers.
Press release: CedarBridge Academy proudly recognised the outstanding efforts of its 16 Peer Leaders who have successfully led the Peer Forward Program throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. In partnership with Mirrors Bermuda, these dedicated students have played a pivotal role in inspiring their peers and fostering a strong college-going culture within the school community. The team comprises an equal number of students from S3 and S4, eight from each year group, who committed their time and leadership to organising school-wide initiatives focused on post-secondary awareness and readiness.
The primary aim of the Peer Forward Program is to increase the number of students applying to and enrolling in post-secondary institutions through peer-to-peer support and leadership. The program seeks to cultivate an enduring culture of academic ambition and opportunity by empowering students to guide and motivate one another.| The activities and campaigns they designed centred around three focus areas:
Connect (engaging with peers and building a college-going culture), Apply (supporting college and job application processes) and Financial Aid & Scholarships (providing valuable information on funding opportunities).
In addition to planning and executing these initiatives, Peer Leaders tracked and documented participation and outcomes. This included collecting data on S4 students’ college and university applications submitted, acceptance offers received, job applications completed, and scholarship applications submitted. The insights gathered have contributed to shaping a clearer understanding of the post-secondary landscape for CedarBridge Academy students.
To celebrate their achievements, the Peer Leaders hosted a year-end networking luncheon, where they had the opportunity to present their progress, share personal impact stories, and reflect on their transformative journey in the program. The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, attended the ceremony and commended the students for their leadership, initiative, and the tangible impact their work has had on their school community.
Minister Caesar shared, “ The Peer Leaders at CedarBridge Academy are to be commended for their dedication and commitment in the service to their fellow students. They have provided exemplary service and are trusted resources for their peers desiring to enrol in post-secondary institutions. Their support has impacted students navigating their future education journey.” “We are incredibly proud of our Peer Leaders and the positive example they’ve set,” said Kenneth Caesar, Principal of CedarBridge Academy. “Their passion and commitment have supported their classmates and strengthened our school’s college readiness culture in meaningful, lasting ways.” As the Peer Forward Program grows, CedarBridge Academy remains committed to providing opportunities for student leadership and empowering young people to shape their futures through education.
Britain has in recent years emerged as the global epicentre for scams and fraud
FILE PHOTO: Buses cross Waterloo Bridge as skyscrapers in the City of London financial district are seen behind, in London, Britain, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
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International news via Reuters:
Britain’s financial sector saw a record 3.31 million fraud cases in 2024, up 12% on the year before, according to data from industry body UK Finance released on Wednesday, as criminals responded to efforts to combat complex scams by ramping up high-volume, low-value attacks.
That increase led to a total of 1.17 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) being stolen in 2024, unchanged from the year before, as firms showed limited progress in combating a problem that accounts for 41% of all reported crime in Britain and which banks and regulators have said threatens financial stability.
Fraud “causes severe harm to individuals, society and our economy, as the stolen money goes to serious organised crime groups, both here and abroad,” said Ben Donaldson, managing director of economic crime at UK Finance.
Britain has in recent years emerged as the global epicentre for scams and fraud, Reuters reported in 2021, as criminals take advantage of super-fast payment channels, relatively light policing of such crimes and the prevalence of the world’s most widely used language, English.
Finance industry players have since then increased efforts to fight so-called authorised payment fraud, where people are tricked into sending money to criminals via social engineering techniques.
Awareness campaigns and technology that can flag fraud have helped reduce a form of scam that spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing measures drove more people online and into the clutches of scammers who often spoke with victims for days or weeks as they drained their funds.
Criminals in 2024 instead ramped up so-called remote purchase fraud attempts, often compromising one-time passwords to enable fraudulent purchases on e-commerce sites, the UK Finance data showed.
Yet the UK Finance data on reported fraud is just the tip of the iceberg, with fraud going chronically unreported by its victims, said Jim Winters, head of financial crime at Britain’s second-biggest mortgage lender Nationwide.
One in seven consumers in Britain is exposed to potentially fraudulent emails per day, but 43% of them would not report fraud if they were the victim or witnessed it, research from Nationwide showed.
($1 = 0.7389 pounds)
Reporting By Lawrence White; Editing by David Holmes
The Trump administration moved to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students
FILE PHOTO: Students walk on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Faith Ninivaggi/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants as the State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students, according to an internal cable seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the cable that the department plans to issue updated guidance on social media vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants after a review is completed and advised consular sections to halt the scheduling of such visa appointments.
The move comes as the Trump administration has sought to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfill his hardline immigration agenda.
Several hundred protesters, including Harvard University students and professors, demonstrated in support of foreign students at the Harvard campus on Tuesday, while also protesting Trump administration efforts to cut off funding to the university.
In the cable, first reported by Politico, Rubio said appointments that have already been scheduled can proceed under the current guidelines, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.
“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants,” the cable said.
A senior State Department official confirmed the accuracy of the cable.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on reports of the cable, but said the U.S. will use “every tool” to vet anyone who wants to enter the United States.
“We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce told reporters at a regular news briefing.
The expanded social media vetting will require consular sections to modify their operations, processes and allocation of resources, according to the cable, which advises the sections going forward to take into consideration the workload and resource requirements of each case before scheduling them.
The cable also advises consular sections to remain focused on services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas and fraud prevention.
Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.
Trump’s critics have called the effort an attack on free speech rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
A Tufts University student from Turkey was held for over six weeks in an immigration detention center in Louisiana after co-writing an opinion piece criticizing her school’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza. She was released from custody after a federal judge granted her bail.
Last week, the Trump administration moved to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. Those roughly 6,800 students make up about 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment.
The Republican president’s administration has moved to undermine the financial stability and global standing of the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university after it pushed back on government demands for vast changes to its policies.
Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis and Daphne Psaledakis; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Nick Zieminski and Lincoln Feast.
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