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EU stands in solidarity with Czech Republic after cyberattack blamed on China

EU member states have increasingly been the target of cyber attacks from China in recent years

FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

The European Union stands in solidarity with the Czech Republic, after the Czech Republic identified China as being responsible for a “malicious cyber campaign” at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The European Union and its Member States, together with international partners, stand in solidarity with Czechia regarding the malicious cyber campaign that targeted its Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a statement.

EU member states have increasingly been the target of cyber attacks from China in recent years and China should do more to prevent them, the European Union added on Wednesday. 

Kallas said the EU condemned these attacks, which she said were contrary to internationally agreed norms on how states should behave in cyberspace. 

“We call upon all states, including China, to refrain from such behaviour,” she said. “States should not allow their territory to be used for malicious cyber activities.”

Kallas said the EU was ready to take further action if needed to prevent, deter or respond to malicious behaviour in cyberspace.

Reporting by Andrew Gray and Bart Meijer;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta

Pope Leo appeals for Gaza ceasefire, laments deaths of children

Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV gestures on the day he holds a general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

International news via Reuters:

Pope Leo appealed on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza, and called on Israel and Hamas militants to “completely respect” international humanitarian law.

“In the Gaza Strip, the intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers who hold tightly to the bodies of their dead children,” the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

“To those responsible, I renew my appeal: stop the fighting,” said the pope. “Liberate all the hostages. Completely respect humanitarian law.”

Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, also appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer

UN labour body cuts global job forecast amid economic slowdown

Some 53 million jobs are projected to be created by the end of 2025

A view of an illustration outside a wood flooring sales office next to an employment agency in Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

The United Nation’s agency for labour on Wednesday cut its global employment forecast for job growth this year to 1.5% due to a worsening global economic outlook and trade tensions.

Some 53 million jobs will be created this year, that is seven million less than previously thought as economic growth predictions were lowered to 2.8 per cent, from 3.2 per cent, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a report.

“Economic uncertainty has been high in 2025, shaped by ongoing conflicts, geo-economic realignments, and trade-related disruptions,” the report said.

Some of the 84 million jobs across 71 countries that are linked to U.S. consumer demand are increasingly at risk of disruption due to trade tensions, the ILO said. Jobs in Canada and Mexico have the highest share of jobs exposed, it added.

“If geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions continue, and if we do not address fundamental questions that are reshaping the world of work, then they will most certainly have negative ripple effects on labour markets worldwide,” said the ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Madeline Chambers

Germany proposes rent control extension to dampen housing costs

Germany’s property sector hit hard times in 2022, as higher interest rates made borrowing costly

A commuter train passes by the skyline with its financial district ahead of the European Central Bank?s (ECB) governing council meeting later this week in Frankfurt, Germany, October 25, 2021. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

The German government on Wednesday proposed a law to extend rent controls in an effort to make housing more affordable, following through on a key pledge of the new coalition government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The measure, which extends the price controls by another four years through 2029, is fiercely opposed by property industry executives.

The rules, first introduced in 2015, cap new rentals in urban centres to 10% above comparable rents in the area. 

“Housing must not become a luxury good,” Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said in announcing the law proposal.

It is one of several measures that the new government is planning as it confronts a housing shortage for Germany’s growing population, spurred in part by immigrants from Ukraine and Syria.

Germany’s property sector hit hard times in 2022, as higher interest rates made borrowing costly. That resulted in falling prices, and it tipped some property firms into insolvency.

It has also put a strain on construction, making it hard for Germany to reach a self-imposed goal of building 400,000 apartments a year to alleviate the housing shortage. 

Rolf Buch, CEO of Germany’s largest landlord Vonovia, called the rent controls counterproductive.

“This extension of the rent brake will deeply unsettle investors and put further obstacles in the way of new construction,” the ZIA property industry association said last week.

Data showed last week that the number of apartments completed in 2024 was 251,900, down 14.4% from 2023 and far off the government goal.

Germany needs to construct 320,000 new apartments each year by 2030 to keep up with demand, a study in March showed.

Reporting Christian Kraemer and Tom SimsEditing by Madeline Chambers and Bernadette Baum

UK grocery inflation hits highest level in 15 months, says Kantar

Grocery sales over the four weeks, meanwhile, rose 4.4% year-on-year

Apples and fresh fruits are seen on sale at a Tesco Extra supermarket in Cheshunt, Britain, March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville

International news via Reuters:

British grocery price inflation jumped to 4.1% for the four weeks to May 18, its highest level since February last year, adding to pressure on consumers already facing higher household bills, data from market researcher Kantar showed on Wednesday.

The figure compared to grocery inflation of 3.8% in last month’s report and reflects the cost of supermarkets’ higher payroll taxes and an increase in the national minimum wage, which came into effect in April.

Industry researcher the Institute of Grocery Distribution has forecast that food inflation could hit nearly 5% this year.

Grocery sales over the four weeks, meanwhile, rose 4.4% year-on-year.

“Households have been adapting their buying habits to manage budgets for some time, but we typically see changes in behaviour once inflation tips beyond the 3% to 4% point as people notice the impact on their wallets more,” said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.

Kantar said prices were rising fastest in chocolate confectionery, suncare and butters and spreads and were falling fastest in pet food and household paper products.

Market leader Tesco continued its strong sales run with growth of 5.9% year-on-year over the 12 weeks to May 18. Number two player Sainsbury’s sales were up 4.7%, Kantar’s data showed.

Number three Asda remained the industry laggard with sales down 3.2% and a 90 basis points loss of market share over the year. However, its performance was its best since May last year.

Discounters Aldi and Lidl achieved their strongest combined growth since January 2024 at 8.4%, while online supermarket Ocado marked a full year as Britain’s fastest growing grocer, with sales up 14.9%.

Despite enduring a cyberattack, Marks & Spencer’s sales rose by 12.3%, Kantar said.

UK supermarkets’ market share and sales growth (%)

Market share Market % change in 

12 wks to 18 share 12 sales 

May 2025 wks to May (yr-on-yr) 

19 2024 

Tesco 

28.0 27.6 5.9 

Sainsbury’s 

15.1 15.1 4.7 

Asda 

12.1 13.0 -3.2 

Aldi 

11.1 10.8 6.7 

Morrisons 

8.4 8.6 1.1 

Lidl 

8.1 7.6 10.9 

Co-operative 

5.3 5.4 0.6 

Waitrose 

4.6 4.6 4.0 

Iceland 

2.2 2.3 1.9 

Ocado 

1.9 1.7 14.9 

Source: Kantar

Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Paul Sandle and Joe Xavier

Bermuda Tonight – 27 May 2025

In tonight’s news…

  • Firearm seized during search of Happy Valley Road residence
  • Fines for parking in disabled spots without proper authorisation
  • OBA Shadow Finance Minister says Government’s Tax cuts are not cutting it
  • Reunion of former Robert Crawford all-boys school students

Armed police search properties on Court Street

Large police operation in the execution of a warrant; no confirmed arrests

Armed police entered at least two properties on Court Street on Tuesday evening.

The large police operation included multiple officers carrying firearms. Court Street was cordoned off between Angle Street and Elliot Street, plus the section of Angle Street between Court and Princess Streets.

A police spokesperson said the operation was the execution of a warrant in relation to an ongoing investigation. However, we have not received confirmation of any arrests made.

Police out in numbers on Court Street (photo by Bermuda Broadcasting)

The operation began around shortly after 5pm as police vehicles, including unmarked cars and a truck, poured onto Court Street.

The area was blocked off for approximately two and a half hours.

Around 6:40pm, several armed police were seen entering two different properties on Court Street.

However, no arrests were seen, and it is unclear if Police found who or what they were looking for.

Police began to leave the scene around 7pm.

We reached out to the police for more information. A police spokesperson subsequently said, “with the investigation at a very sensitive stage, it would not be prudent to provide any further information at this time.”

“We wish to thank the public for their cooperation and understanding during this exercise.”

Photo supplied

Tuesday Sports Round-Up

BBC Sports

Surprise revelations from the 2025 Bermuda Half Marathon Derby champions, a big move for Bermudian footballer Kane Crichlow, and local basketball action tips off at a brand-new venue. These stories and more in the BBC Tuesday Sports Round-Up

Bermuda Day Parade Highlights

2025 Bermuda Day Parade

Friday was a vibrant celebration of culture, colour, and community as the island came alive for our traditional Heritage Day festivities.We leave you now with highlights from the 2025 Bermuda Day Parade.

BBC Radio News: Tuesday Evening – 27 May 2025

Today’s 5pm evening radio newscast aired on Power 95, Inspire 105 and Ocean 89

Police officers seize loaded firearm during home search; public put on alert by the City of Hamilton warning against the misuse of parking bays for the disable and 23 year-old man wanted by police in connection an ongoing investigation plus sports.

Thompson Named Trojans Director of Methodology

Football

Somerset Cricket Club, a name synonymous with sporting heritage in Bermuda, are taking significant steps to revive their football fortunes. Following a period that has fallen short of their high standards, the club has announced the appointment of Kenny Thompson to the newly created role of Director of Methodology. This strategic move comes after a thorough analysis of the recent 2024/25 season. 

The club believes that now is the opportune moment to put this crucial piece of the puzzle in place, with the clear aim of re-establishing “Silver City” – the nickname for Somerset – as a perennial powerhouse in Bermudian football. 

Richard A Scott, the President of Somerset Cricket Club, Inc., expressed his delight at the appointment, stating, “We are indeed pleased that Kenny has accepted the appointment, and we look forward to his indelible mark – a renowned scholar, teacher and master of the game, being etched in the annals of SCC Football history.” 

The driving force behind this move has been Football Chairman Dennis Lister III, who, in collaboration with Director of Football Danvers Seymour Jr and the Football Committee, worked diligently to convince Thompson to make a “return home.” 

Kenny Thompson is no stranger to Somerset Cricket Club. While he has spent many years involved in footballing matters east of the club’s 6 Cricket Lane address, his roots run deep at SCC. He was a prominent and dynamic midfielder for the Trojans, Somerset’s football team, throughout the 1980s and 90s. 

The club is clearly excited about the professional flair and acumen that Thompson brings to this new role. Football Chairman Dennis Lister III believes that this appointment will yield significant benefits in the long term, describing it as an investment in the future success of the team. 

As the 2024/25 season has recently concluded, Somerset Cricket Club are now firmly focused on a robust pre-season in preparation for what they hope will be a profitable and successful 2025/26 campaign and beyond. The club is clearly delighted to have secured the “football intellectual capital” of Kenny Thompson as they embark on the road to re-establishing “Silver City” at the pinnacle of Bermudian football. 

A significant appointment as Somerset look to reignite their footballing prowess. We’ll have more updates from the local football scene as the new season approaches.

BUEI Young Reporters for the Environment earn international recognition

Screenshot

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute’s Earth Reporter program is making waves as a youth-driven environmental advocacy initiative. 

Designed to inspire young people to explore and report on local environmental issues through creative media, the program includes summer camps and participation in the international Young Reporters for the Environment competition. 

This year marked a notable success for the BUEI team, as Ms. Summer Wood, Head of Education at BUEI, explained.

https://vimeo.com/1088139449/c1ecb0064c

This year, the Young Reporters for the Environment Sigmas group celebrated a significant achievement as their final video, created in collaboration with instructor Kendal Trott, of Bermuda Broadcasting, was shortlisted for the Young Reporters for the Environment International Jury competition, selected among 62 entries. 

Centered on the theme of ecosystem restoration, the project stood out for its creativity and message. Here, students Noah Twidale and Hunter Roy share their experiences and reflect on the opportunities that emerged from this recognition.

https://vimeo.com/1088139503/58d5eff8b0