AGP Executive Report

BMA Leadership Shake-Up: The Bermuda Monetary Authority has appointed Mesheiah Keane as chief operating officer and Graham Collier as chief technology officer, aiming to keep supervision streamlined and resilient in a fast-moving digital era. Court Watch: In Supreme Court, the trial has begun over the 2011 fatal shooting of Randy Robinson, with prosecutors describing him as caught in gang violence and the accused denying premeditated murder. Education Dispute: Port Royal Primary School shut for the day due to insufficient staff, with questions lingering over whether it’s tied to an ongoing teacher dispute involving the education minister. Weather & Safety: Heat is building again, with storms expected to return tomorrow; a new Bermuda-focused weather platform, Wopnin, has launched with marine and tide info. Local Life: The City of Hamilton set Bermuda Day trash-collection changes, and the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby is seeing a handover as Gina Tucker steps down for Melissa Looby. Sports: Elan Daley says she intends to swim for Bermuda again, provisionally selected for the CAC Games.

CITA Consultation: Bermuda’s Corporate Income Tax Agency has opened a public consultation on proposed changes to the Corporate Income Tax (Administrative) Regulations 2025 and new regulations to support the Tax Credits Act 2025, with submissions due by June 3. Bermuda Day Logistics: Household waste collection is shifting for the holiday—Friday pickup moves to Saturday, May 23—while recycling stays on its usual alternating schedule and the Tynes Bay drop-off remains open Friday 9am–noon. Space & Satellites: Home Affairs has launched a consultation on licensing ground-based earth stations, aiming for an internationally aligned framework with spectrum, equipment and cybersecurity requirements. Local Culture & Community: Harbour Nights returns to Front Street Wednesday, May 20, and the Bermuda Piano Festival runs June 16–20 at Masterworks. Sports & Safety: A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a Devonshire collision with a bus; traffic is diverted and witnesses are urged to call 211.

Space & Telecom: Bermuda has opened a public consultation on licensing ground-based Earth stations, aiming to grow its satellite economy with a two-tier authorisation model, spectrum rules, and cybersecurity obligations. Road Safety: Speed cameras are being tested now, with lawmakers told they’re targeted to be operational by September, using licence-plate recognition and electronic ticketing. Education Dispute: Port Royal Primary School shut for the day due to insufficient staff, with questions still swirling over whether it’s tied to a wider conflict involving the education minister. Bermuda Day Logistics: Trash collection is adjusted for the holiday, with household pickup shifted and recycling dates unchanged. Local Business & Tech: Ignite Bermuda is beta-testing Spark AI, a free WhatsApp-accessible business coach for entrepreneurs. Environment & Culture: A new ocean film programme screens tonight in Hamilton, while officials continue pushing the Marine Spatial Plan to protect 20% of Bermuda’s marine waters.

Electoral Reform Push: Bermuda’s electoral reform is moving from talk to structure, with government confirming an Electoral Reform Working Group is ready to be formally appointed after months of consultation—aimed at voter access, election-day administration, campaign finance transparency, and stronger oversight. Electricity Policy Consultation: The Ministry of Home Affairs holds a public meeting today (May 18) in Hamilton on the proposed National Electricity Sector Policy 2026, with consultation open until May 21. Rideshare Rollout: Rideshare applications are extended beyond the original deadline, with permits now offered on a first-come, first-served basis up to 150. Environment & Plastics: OBA’s Linda Smith backs the Single Use Plastics Act in principle but warns against rushed rules that could drive unnecessary costs or poor replacements. Sports & Community: Team Bermuda claimed honours in Florida’s Thunder On Cocoa Beach; ABIR reopens its internship pipeline with Amelia Othman returning as a junior analyst; and the Sea Cadets’ Sponsored Row and Trashathon is underway to hit a $20,000 goal. Weather: Expect lingering cloud to clear, warm conditions around 24°C, and a very high UV index.

Royal & Community Spotlight: Princess of Wales’ solo Italy visit is being read as a signal for her Royal Family role, with a clear focus on early childhood education. Sports: Cayman beat Bermuda 52-12 in a Rugby Americas North test, while Bermuda’s Jamin Hodgkins and Logan Jiménez both picked up standout results in overseas club action. Local Life & Events: WindReach’s Walk & Roll runs this morning, and the Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament continues at WER Joell Tennis Stadium. Power & Infrastructure: BELCO says recent outages were driven by an underground cable fault and storm damage, including a waterspout in St David’s. Government & Business: The new Government digital portal is now live, and Minister Hayward met entrepreneurs to shape Bermuda’s Entrepreneurship Blueprint. Weather: Bermuda’s forecast calls for thickening high cloud and warm conditions, with northeasterly winds.

Local Power Update: BELCO says two recent outage events were driven by an underground cable fault in the west and storm damage in St. David’s, where a waterspout hit the area—about 40 customers were left without power and roughly 900 homes were temporarily de-energised during repairs. Government Digital Push: Minister Diallo Rabain told the House the new government digital portal is now live, bringing services and official information into one organised site by topic, task and “life event.” National Security Readiness: Michael Weeks toured Warwick Camp to get briefed on Royal Bermuda Regiment readiness ahead of its UK overseas training, including work by the Coast Guard as boating and hurricane season approach. Road Disruptions: Temporary lane closures are planned on Middle Road near Fort Hill Road (May 16–18), and Mangrove Bay Road in Sandys will close May 25 for a community restoration ceremony. Sports & Community: The Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament runs at WER Joell through Thursday, while cricket clubs report delays in getting Omtex training balls for the T20 season. Weather: Sunday looks bright with thickening high cloud, NE light winds, highs near 24°C and UV around 10.

Cricket Disruption: Clubs say delayed Omtex training balls have forced some matches to use last season’s stock or pricier Kookaburras, with the Bermuda Cricket Board covering interim costs while insisting no complaints were received. Sports Community: The Kim Burns Memorial Pickleball Tournament runs May 16–Thursday at WER Joell, with 27 categories and 16-player draws honouring Burns’ legacy. Road Watch: Temporary lane closures hit Middle Road near Fort Hill Road (May 16–18, 7:30am–about 6pm) and Mangrove Bay Road in Sandys closes May 25 (5:30pm–9:30pm) for a restoration ceremony. Local Governance: Minister Jason Hayward’s BEDC “Chat and Chew” gathered entrepreneurs to shape the new Bermuda Entrepreneurship Blueprint. National Security: Minister Michael Weeks visited Warwick Camp as the Royal Bermuda Regiment prepares for overseas training in the UK. Business Brief: Walkers’ Bermuda finance team won Marine Money’s Export Credit Deal of the Year 2025 for a US$239.7m shipping loan.

Single-Use Plastics Law: MPs have passed the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, setting up phased restrictions rather than an instant blanket ban, with customs duty relief for alternatives and a consultation process to fill in the prohibited items list. Housing Costs: The House heard that landlord and tenant reforms are still moving, with a new consultation phase expected by June and revisions after that. Power & Weather: Belco blamed high winds for an East End blackout, with about 900 homes temporarily de-energised during repairs after damage in St David’s. Community & Culture: Hamilton formally welcomed Dr. Michael Branco as Mayor, while Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community marked International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia amid calls for safer schools and public life. Sports & Pride: Bermuda’s senior men’s team will play World Cup-bound Cape Verde in Hartford on June 6, and Bermuda Day parade grand marshals were unveiled.

Digital Finance Push: Bermudians got a taste of the future last night after an airdrop to new digital wallets, then rushed to a Pier 6 vendor market—though bad weather forced the main market to move to today (4pm–9pm). Caricom Membership Debate: At a West End town hall, residents questioned whether Bermuda should pay an extra $2 million for full Caricom membership, arguing the money could go to education, healthcare, or infrastructure, and saying the public has limited say. Murder Investigation Update: Police renewed calls for information in the April 2021 killing of Jordan Outerbridge, with detectives saying they’re confident people know what happened but no arrests have been made. Community & Culture: Bermuda Day preparations continue to build momentum, while OutBermuda says two-thirds of LGBTQ+ people don’t feel safe revealing their sexuality. Business Watch: Brookfield is deepening its Bermuda insurance footprint as it moves to combine its parent and wealth solutions businesses.

Digital Assets Oversight: Bermuda’s BMA is pushing an “embedded supervision” model for digital assets, aiming to bake regulatory checks into infrastructure in real time, with a consortium using Chainlink and KYC tooling plus local industry partners. Weather Disruption: Inclement conditions left hundreds without power—Belco reported 914 customers affected, mostly in St George’s—and the Orange Route ferry was suspended as strong winds and rain lingered. Local Governance: Bermuda Run, N.C. swore in its first female mayor, Rae Nelson, after the resignation of Mike Brannon. Tech for Visitors: Rize Technologies soft-launched Compass AI, a free Bermuda-only guide via website and WhatsApp for bus/ferry times, opening hours, events and more. Community & Environment: Volunteers helped create a micro forest at Fort William by removing invasives and planting native species. Sports & Culture: Bermuda College held its spring graduation, while HMS Trent’s visit included a 4-1 match loss to Bermuda Police Service.

Rideshare push hits the finish line: Bermuda’s Transport Control Department has cleared 33 of 41 rideshare permit applications, with about 30 more public service vehicle licences still to be processed—aiming to get roughly 71 vehicles on the road by June 10 to ease peak-season traffic. Digital finance goes operational: At the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum, the Stellar Development Foundation and Bermuda government said key payment and financial-services activity will move onchain to Stellar, while Near AI announced a partnership to deploy secure AI across public-sector services. Business and markets: IGI raised its quarterly dividend to $0.075 per share (up 50%), and the Bermuda Stock Exchange saw no trading, leaving the RG/BSX index at 3,548.61. Public safety and health: The Ministry of National Security launched “Healing Starts Here” under Stop the Violence, linking mental health and unhealed trauma to violence—especially among men and young people. Environment: DENR reported removing about 1,690 feral chickens in the past 30 days, with more contractors hired and avian flu checks underway.

Violence Prevention: Bermuda’s government is rolling out a new “Healing Starts Here” campaign under its Stop the Violence strategy, with National Security Minister Michael Weeks saying the island can’t tackle violence without addressing the mental and emotional strain many men carry, including grief, trauma and pressure to “be strong.” Transport Update: The Transport Control Department has cleared 33 of 41 rideshare permit applications, but expects the total to rise to about 71 once remaining checks are finished—aiming to get more vehicles on the road by June 10. Police & Training: Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell is retiring after nearly 38 years, while BPS officers have been in South Korea for asset recovery training as Bermuda strengthens its financial crime and sanctions enforcement. Community & Events: Harbour Nights opening tonight is cancelled due to weather, with the summer kickoff moved to next Wednesday on Front Street; Kids’ Hour at BUEI returns Sunday with shells and hermit crab fun. Finance & Tech: Bitcoin Suisse says it has received Bermuda regulatory approvals to expand digital asset management and investment advisory services.

Digital Finance Push: Bermuda’s government says it will start moving payments and parts of financial services onto the Stellar network, aiming to cut legacy payment fees and let people use “digital dollars” for wages, merchant payments, government fees, and saving/investing in digital wallets. New Bank Revival: Jewel Bank is back in the spotlight with renewed plans for digital banking and a US dollar-backed stablecoin push after Genius Group bought a 9.9% stake, though the bank still says it isn’t operational yet. Privacy Rules Getting Real: Bermuda College will host a June 9 workshop on managing PIPA access requests, as organisations shift from planning to day-to-day compliance. Health & Community: International Nurses Day was marked at City Hall, while Youth Mental Health Week runs through May 16 with parent panels and wellness events. Marine Protection: DENR is calling for stronger penalties for illegal fishing as fishery wardens and coastguard support are planned. Local Culture: Harbour Nights returns today on Front Street with vendors and a fireworks show.

On-chain payments push: Bermuda says it will move parts of government payments and financial services onto the Stellar network, aiming to cut high legacy processing fees and support a “fully on-chain” national economy. Crypto regulation momentum: The BMA also granted Bitcoin Suisse’s affiliate a digital asset licence on a pre-operational basis, while Bermuda continues strengthening its crypto oversight ahead of FATF’s 2027 review. Local politics flashpoint: A petition on Change.org is calling for the reinstatement of a Port Royal Primary School teacher placed on administrative leave, after claims the Education Minister intervened in a student sports matter. Community & culture: Harbour Nights returns to Front Street tomorrow with vendors, entertainment and fireworks, and Bermuda marked International Nurses Day at City Hall. Business watch: Butterfield shares slipped 0.6% in New York, while the Royal Gazette/BSX index was unchanged.

Tourism Boost: Skydive Bermuda has completed its first test jumps from 13,000 feet over Dockyard, with plans to launch for locals and visitors once permits are secured. Public Safety Spotlight: A major U.S. child-exploitation operation in Riverside County led to 42 arrests tied to online distribution networks, including suspects from the wider region. Finance & Tech: Genius Group says its Bermuda-linked digital banking and stablecoin push is tied to its AI education business, pitching big growth ahead. Local Governance: The Free Democratic Movement accuses Government of “mixed messaging” on full Caricom membership and free movement. Community & Culture: Bermuda Police Service officers were honoured at the BOTs Women in Policing Awards, while Youth Mental Health Week continues with parent and youth-focused events. Sports: Bermuda’s Kole Hall scored in England’s Baller League, and the Bermuda Cricket Board defended its use of cheaper Omtex training balls in domestic T20s.

Top court ruling: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has dismissed three appeals by Greentree Holdings against a Sindh High Court decision in the TRG Pakistan shareholding dispute, clearing the way for Zia Chishti to regain influence over the company he resigned from in 2021. Child safety crackdown: In California, a yearlong operation targeting child sexual abuse material led to 42 arrests across Riverside County, including four local residents. Moody’s upgrade: Bermuda’s Government says Moody’s has lifted the island’s ratings to A1, citing improved fiscal strength tied to corporate income tax. Local governance & services: Stonecrusher Corner’s upgraded public boat ramp is now open for safer, more reliable access. Community & wellbeing: Raleigh Bermuda’s “Brave Conversations” on young people’s spending runs May 16, while Bermuda Is Love lists free May events including a PIPA access workshop at Bermuda College on June 9. Sports: Bermuda’s Senior Women’s Team will host Belize in two FIFA friendlies on June 4 and 7. Weather: Thunderstorm advisory is in effect this evening into tonight.