AGP Executive Report

Digital Infrastructure: Government welcomed Google’s Nuvem and Sol subsea cable landing at Annie’s Bay, calling it a major boost for Bermuda’s digital infrastructure, resilience and future jobs. Public Safety & Consumer Affairs: Home Affairs warned residents about a rise in online rental scams, urging people to verify listings, avoid sharing ID/banking details, and insist on in-person viewings. Housing & Planning: The Development Applications Board refused a change of use for Bermudiana Beach Residences due to parking and density concerns, with an appeal option to the planning minister. Economy & Labour: Minister Jason Hayward said Bermuda’s economy expanded for a second straight quarter in Q4 2025, while exempt company numbers fell below 10,000 as corporate tax took effect. Non-Profit Pay Rules: The Non-Profit Alliance released guidance on non-profit salary “pay guardrails,” citing staffing strain and pay gaps versus the public sector. Education & Environment: Google-backed upgrades at the Bermuda Zoological Society add tablets, drones and underwater cameras, alongside the Aquarium 100 Campaign breaking ground for BAMZ redevelopment. Community & Culture: Bermuda Police Constable MacNab became the first female police dog instructor after UK training; and the RBR is inviting all ranks to a July 11 60th anniversary barbecue.

Google Subsea Cables Landing: Government welcomed Google’s Nuvem and Sol subsea cable systems landing at Annie’s Bay, with Premier David Burt calling it a major boost for Bermuda’s digital infrastructure, resilience and competitiveness. Local Governance & Housing: A town hall is set for June 11 on proposed affordable housing at Tommy Fox Road and Channel House, with residents invited to ask questions and shape next steps. CARICOM Membership Debate: OBA MP Dwayne Robinson renewed calls for a referendum before any move to full CARICOM membership, arguing the PLP has been unclear on costs, benefits and constitutional realities; an online petition has also topped 1,500 signatures. Consumer Protection: The public was warned about online property rental scams, including fake listings using stolen photos and pressure for deposits or personal banking details. Transport Updates: Ridesharing officially launched across Bermuda, while the ministry said fast ferries Resolute and Serenity are getting replacement radar navigation screens. Economy & Third Sector Pay: Economy Minister Jason Hayward reported a second straight quarter of expansion in Q4 2025, and the Non-Profit Alliance flagged pay gaps and staffing strain in Bermuda’s third sector. Workforce Training: Bermuda College and Google launched free online career and digital skills scholarships for 500 residents through 2027. Business Appointments: The Fidelis Partnership named Alex Rossiter to lead portfolio analytics and risk allocation, and expanded Greg Bowman’s ceded reinsurance analytics role.

Economy Update: Minister Jason Hayward is holding a press conference today to brief the public on Bermuda’s economic outlook. Housing Debate: In St David’s, residents are being urged to look beyond “more housing” and focus on whether proposed developments at Tommy Fox Road and Channel House deliver the right long-term community outcomes. Caricom Membership Pushback: A PLP MP, Alexa Lightbourne, says the CARICOM consultation has closed and promises answers in a White Paper, while another letter warns Bermuda should carefully weigh full membership given its distinct economic position and concerns about costs and “open borders.” Workforce Skills: Bermuda College and Google have launched free online training with 500 scholarships through 2027, covering cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing, AI essentials and more. Transport Update: The fast ferries Resolute and Serenity are back in service after receiving replacement radar navigation screens, with sales of older vessels continuing. Community & Youth: Bermuda Is Love is offering two paid summer internships (July 13–24) focused on advocacy on housing, food stability and justice issues. Royal Events: Bermuda will mark King Charles III’s official birthday with a Front Street parade on Saturday, with traffic restrictions in place. Sports & Representation: Swimmers Elijah and Elan Daley qualify for the Commonwealth Games, joining Emma and Jack Harvey.

Caricom Referendum Push: An online petition has topped 1,500 signatures urging Bermuda to hold a referendum before committing to full Caricom membership, with organisers saying it’s a major national decision and calling for more details on potential impacts. King’s Birthday Parade: Bermuda will mark King Charles III’s official birthday with a Front Street parade on Saturday, featuring the Royal Bermuda Regiment, police units, sea cadets and junior leaders; traffic restrictions will be in place. Housing Decision: The Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation has overturned a Development Applications Board rejection and granted temporary planning permission for modular housing at Boaz Island for four years, with strict conditions and an expiry/possible renewal. Public Safety Update: Police lifted a school lockdown in Pembroke after checks found no evidence to substantiate reports of gunshots near Victor Scott School. Youth & Community: Government House hosted a record 27 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award recipients, while Support Public Schools says supporters bought $17,300 in school supplies for public schools. Finance & Business: Marex says its planned Bermuda redomiciliation helped it complete an oversubscribed $500m hybrid notes offering; Walkers also published a white paper noting Bermuda’s stablecoin licensing approach. Sports & Culture: Danté Leverock joined Bermuda’s national football coaching staff; and Waves returns June 13 at Admiralty House Park with Machel Montano headlining.

Cricket & Governance: The ICC has endorsed a plan to bring back a Global Qualifier for Associate nations, which could mean Bermuda faces a tougher, longer route to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup; the Bermuda Cricket Board declined comment. Housing & Planning: Minister Diallo Rabain has overturned a Development Applications Board rejection and granted four-year, time-limited planning permission for “strictly limited” modular capsule units at Boaz Island, framed as a housing emergency pilot with conditions and an expiry/renewal pathway. Finance & Ratings: S&P has revised Butterfield’s outlook to negative, warning capital could weaken after its planned US$1.794bn acquisition of CIBC Caribbean, with integration risk cited. Public Safety: Police say a Pembroke school lockdown was lifted after checks found no evidence supporting reports of gunshots. Community & Culture: WAVES returns June 13 at Admiralty House Park with soca star Machel Montano headlining. Civic Debate: A petition is calling for a referendum on whether Bermuda should apply for full CARICOM membership. Sports & Travel: BermudAir says it sees “good demand” for more non-stop Caribbean routes, including plans to add aircraft by year-end and pursue service to Britain within three years.

Caricom Referendum Push: An online petition is urging Bermuda’s Government to hold a public referendum before committing to full membership in Caricom, arguing the public should have a say on long-term impacts. Public Safety Update: Police lifted a Victor Scott School lockdown after checks found no evidence to substantiate reports of suspected gunshots in Pembroke. Healthcare Policy: The Bermuda Hospitals Board says it will phase out outside requests for lab tests that can’t be done locally, limiting overseas processing to orders from BHB physicians or government clinics. Mental Health Online Safety: The Ministry of Health launched #ChatSafe Bermuda, localised suicide and self-harm guidance for youth on social media, with school workshops planned from November. Finance & Regulation: The Bermuda Monetary Authority outlined its proposed regulatory framework for asset tokenisation, aiming for “substance over form” and a technology-neutral approach, with comments due by 30 June. Regional Appointments: Samuel Brangman Jr was reappointed secretary-general of the Caribbean Postal Union and received a leadership award. Leadership Loss: Former Premier Sir John Swan has died at 90, with tributes highlighting his long political career and business influence.

World Ocean Day at Government House: A 20-foot humpback whale sculpture, “Whaleen,” made from 1,000+ pieces of Bermuda marine debris, is on display at Government House to mark 8 June, after shoreline clean-ups led by BUEI educator Hannah Horsfield. PLP Outreach in Paget: The Progressive Labour Party holds its “Central Committee On The Road” meeting at Paget Primary School at 6:30pm, with Attorney-General Kim Wilkerson and Youth/Seniors Minister Tinée Furbert attending alongside a Bermuda Road Safety Council presentation. BHB Lab Testing Policy: The Bermuda Hospitals Board updates its laboratory testing rules from 3 August 2026, limiting overseas processing to tests ordered by BHB physicians or Government clinics. Housing & Rentals Debate: In a housing column, Charles Leon O’Brien argues the crisis is also driven by landlord hesitation and floats a Guaranteed Rental Partnership-style approach. Tech & Regulation: A report says Starlink internet is already being used in Bermuda via workarounds despite not yet being formally approved by the Regulatory Authority. Ocean Governance Training: Applications are open for a 10-week Ocean Finance Education Lab for early-career Bermudians on climate finance and ocean governance. Government Contract Renewed: Bermuda has renewed a contract for special representative for the Middle East and Africa Alexia Hefti, with details on cost and hours not provided. Maritime Visit: Portugal’s tall ship NRP Sagres is set to arrive in Bermuda on 10–14 June for Portugal Day celebrations.

PLP Party Politics: The Progressive Labour Party is taking its “Central Committee On The Road” meeting to Paget Primary School on Monday (6:30pm), with a Road Safety Council presentation and appearances by Attorney-General Kim Wilkerson and Youth/Seniors Minister Tinee Furbert. Public Housing: The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities will hold June town halls (6:30–8:00pm) to discuss proposed affordable housing projects and gather resident feedback. Justice & Governance: Bermuda’s former Premier Sir John Swan’s final message has been released, urging people to “take care of this island” and “take care of each other,” as tributes continue to pour in. Environment: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams marks Earth Day and World Oceans Day, urging clean-ups, reduced single-use plastics, and support for marine habitat protection. Health & Youth: The Health Ministry launches #ChatSafe Bermuda with Simply Bloom, localising Orygen’s suicide/self-harm online safety guidance for families, schools and educators. Sports & Community: Bermuda faces World Cup debutants Cape Verde in a friendly in Connecticut, while local football coverage also notes Cape Verde’s 3-0 win over Bermuda in an earlier match. Maritime/Science: BIOS says advanced underwater vehicle tests (DeepVenture) will run in Bermudian waters this month alongside RV Atlantis and RV Atlantic Explorer. Crime & Safety: A “threatening telephone call” to Westgate Correctional Facility was reported to police, with precautionary measures taken and no further details released.

World Cup & Local Sport: Bermuda’s men’s team fell 3-0 to Cape Verde in a friendly in Connecticut, with interim coach John Barry Nusum calling it a major test ahead of the World Cup. Housing & Community Input: The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities is holding June town hall meetings on proposed affordable housing projects, with residents invited to ask questions and shape next steps. Youth Mental Health Online Safety: The Health Ministry launched #ChatSafe Bermuda, localising an Orygen-developed suicide/self-harm online guidance model for families, schools and educators. Environment Watch: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams urged residents to mark Earth Day and World Oceans Day, pointing to conservation wins like the recovery of the greater Bermuda land snail. Public Safety & Justice: A “threatening telephone call” was reported at Westgate Correctional Facility, with police investigating and precautionary measures put in place. Finance & Talent Pipeline: KPMG in Bermuda awarded three scholarships (accounting, captive/insurance, and Artex) to support local students into the financial services sector. Bermuda Politics in Mourning: Tributes continued for Sir John Swan, with coverage revisiting his legacy as premier and his role in Bermuda’s independence referendum era.

Bermuda Football: Cape Verde beat Bermuda 3-0 in a friendly in Connecticut, with Willy Semedo (33’), Garry Rodrigues (49’) and Nuno da Costa (90’+1) on target as Lewis captained the Gombey Warriors. Local Governance: The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities will hold June town halls (6:30–8pm) on proposed affordable housing projects, with residents invited to ask questions and give feedback. Public Safety: Westgate Correctional Facility received a “threatening telephone call” about staff safety on June 4; police were notified and precautionary measures put in place. Health & Youth: The Ministry of Health launched #ChatSafe Bermuda with Simply Bloom and Orygen to help young people, families and educators communicate safely online about suicide, self-harm and mental health. Environment: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams urged residents to mark Earth Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8), pointing to conservation wins like the return of the Bermuda land snail. Business & Talent: KPMG Bermuda awarded three scholarships (accounting, captive insurance and financial services) and tied them to mentoring and internships through its Lift Off Programme. Sports (Women’s): Bermuda’s women’s team routed Belize 4-0 in an international friendly, with Keunna Dill scoring twice. Aviation/Travel: BermudAir says it’s expanding beyond Bermuda with new winter routes from St. Pete–Clearwater to Turks & Caicos, Belize and Anguilla.

Affordable Housing: The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities will hold two June town hall meetings (6:30–8:00pm) to discuss proposed affordable housing projects and take resident feedback. Justice & Corrections: A “threatening telephone call” was reported to Westgate Correctional Facility on June 4, prompting precautionary measures and a police investigation. Health & Youth Online Safety: The Health Ministry launched #ChatSafe Bermuda with Bermuda College and Orygen to help young people, families and educators communicate safely online about suicide, self-harm and mental health. Environment: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams urged residents to mark Earth Day and World Oceans Day, pointing to conservation wins and the Marine Spatial Plan. Maritime/Science: BIOS says a new deep-sea underwater vehicle, DeepVenture, will be tested in Bermuda waters this month, with RV Atlantis expected to dock June 11. Finance & Talent: KPMG in Bermuda awarded three scholarships for accounting, captive/insurance and financial services careers, supporting recipients through mentoring and internships. Politics in Mourning: Tributes continue for Sir John Swan, with commentary revisiting his political legacy and the independence gamble.

Aviation & Tourism Expansion: BermudAir’s founder Adam Scott says the airline is “moving capacity” to tackle Bermuda’s seasonality, unveiling a winter push that adds Turks and Caicos, Belize and Guatemala City while expanding Anguilla—routes that often bypass Bermuda and target underserved leisure city pairs. Affordable Housing Engagement: The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities will hold two June town halls (6:30–8:00pm) to brief residents on proposed affordable housing projects and take questions. Youth Mental Health Online Safety: Health Minister Kim Wilson launched #ChatSafe Bermuda with guidance for safer conversations online about suicide, self-harm and mental health, with school workshops planned from November 2026. Environment & Oceans: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams urged Earth Day and World Oceans Day participation, pointing to conservation wins like the recovery of the Bermuda land snail and renewed focus on marine protection. Public Safety Threat: The Ministry of Justice confirmed a “threatening telephone call” to Westgate Correctional Facility on June 4, with police investigating and precautionary measures put in place. Bermuda Remembers Sir John Swan: Tributes continue after the death of Sir John Swan, Bermuda’s longest-serving premier, with flags set to fly at half mast. International Science: BIOS says the DeepVenture submersible will be tested in Bermuda waters this month alongside Alvin and RV Atlantis. Sports: Bermuda women beat Belize 4-0 in an international friendly.

Passing of Sir John Swan: Bermuda is mourning Sir John Swan, the island’s longest-serving premier (1982–1995), with tributes from Premier David Burt and others noting his “common touch” and lasting political legacy, including his role in the 1995 independence referendum and a controversial 1989 remark during a Summary Offences Act debate. Public Safety & Justice: A “threatening telephone call” was reported at Westgate Correctional Facility on June 4, prompting police involvement and precautionary measures. Health Advisory: The Ministry of Health says Ebola risk to Bermuda remains low, with no confirmed cases and active monitoring as international travel continues. Emergency Preparedness: National Security Minister Michael Weeks urged residents to complete hurricane preparations early as the 2026 Atlantic season begins. Bermuda’s Football: The women’s national team beat Belize 4-0 in a friendly, while the senior men’s team lost 4-0 to Rhode Island FC in a warm-up. Bermuda Captive Conference: Delegates heard about Bermuda’s maritime liability reinsurance leadership and growing AI risk concerns, including calls for AI liability coverage via endorsements or captives. Business & Markets: Cedar Trace appointed Chris Wilson as managing director, and ShaMaran Petroleum began trading on Euronext Growth Oslo. Transport & Tourism: BermudAir announced major winter route expansion across the Caribbean, and Bermuda’s tourism ministry discussed airline capacity changes affecting Belize.

Aviation & Tourism: BermudAir keeps widening its Caribbean reach, announcing new nonstop service to Turks and Caicos and Belize from multiple U.S. cities, plus a direct Grand Cayman route, with tickets set to go on sale June 5—an effort to boost winter options for Bermudians and bring more visitors in. Public Safety: With the Atlantic hurricane season starting June 1, the Ministry of National Security is urging residents to finish household preparations now, warning that a “quieter forecast” still doesn’t mean Bermuda is safe. Health: Bermuda’s Ministry of Health says the risk of Ebola remains low, with no confirmed cases locally, but it’s monitoring closely and reminding travellers to check guidance. Government & Community: Bermuda marks International Archives Day on June 9 with an open house at the Bermuda Archives and a public talk by historian Dr. Linford D. Fisher. Sports & Society: Southampton Rangers lost Western Counties hosting rights, and its president calls the decision “deplorable and unjust,” citing concerns about safety and community treatment. Politics & Legacy: Bermuda mourns the death of Sir John Swan, with flags to fly at half mast and tributes from Premier David Burt.

Bermuda Captive Conference: California MGA Bamboo says it’s bringing its captive back to Bermuda after earlier redomestication to the US, citing Bermuda’s flexibility and operational advantages as it grows. AI & Governance in Captives: Asurion’s captive chief told delegates AI should boost underwriting and claims, but humans must stay accountable for key decisions. CCTV & Public Safety: Attorney-General Michael Weeks says public CCTV was operational during the May 24 Southampton Rangers shooting and helped lead to arrests, while admitting some cameras intermittently fail to save footage. Caricom Membership Concerns: A local lawyer warns full Caricom membership could undermine Bermuda’s immigration rules via a “possibly non-negotiable” treaty provision, calling for more consultation. Corrections Reform: A commentary piece argues the prison review ordered by Attorney-General Kim Wilkerson should now be acted on, not just reported. Tourism & Travel: BermudAir announced presales and new direct routes to Grand Cayman and Turks & Caicos, plus broader US network expansion this winter. Community Services: Parents trying to register for Camp Connect summer camps were told to wait on payments until technical issues are fixed. Sports & Defence: Royal Bermuda Regiment troops completed overseas training in the UK, including weapons and urban operations practice.

Public Safety & CCTV: National Security Minister Michael Weeks pushed back on “incorrect reporting” about the Southampton Rangers shooting, saying public CCTV was operational and secured, while admitting parts of the network can have intermittent saving failures. Education Reform: The Ministry of Education responded to Bermuda Union of Teachers criticism, saying teachers’ concerns on workload and implementation pace are being taken seriously and that reform aims to improve outcomes for students. Housing: A plan to shift Bermudiana Beach from tourism to residential is facing a likely refusal over parking shortfalls, including a deficit in visitor spaces and limits on car access for some units. Royal & Governance: The Governor postponed the King’s Birthday reception due to bad weather, with hopes to reschedule later this year. Community & Youth: A new community golf venue, “The Gate,” is set for a December opening, built via public-private partnership and including First Tee youth programmes. Captive Insurance: Minister Jason Hayward told the Bermuda Captive Conference that Bermuda’s edge is balancing innovation with internationally recognised regulation; Thomas McMahon received the Fred Reiss Lifetime Achievement Award, and captive owners were urged to run periodic “health checks.” Business & Travel: BermudAir announced major winter route expansion (including Turks & Caicos, Belize, Guatemala City, and Grand Cayman via Turks & Caicos) plus a move from Orlando International to Orlando Sanford for the season. Road Safety: Police reported serious injuries after a collision on Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke, and confirmed a separate fatal motorcycle crash in Smith’s.