Bermudian squash standout Taylor Carrick suffered a heartbreaking exit in the opening round of the $6,000 EMCS Tortola Classic 2026 after a marathon battle in the British Virgin Islands.
The tournament, hosted at the Tortola Sports Club, saw Carrick drawn against the United States’ Tad Carney in what would prove to be the most grueling match of the opening day. Both players showcased incredible fitness and tactical depth in a contest that spanned 63 minutes of high-intensity play.
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum from the first serve. Carney took the early advantage with a clinical opening frame, but Carrick responded with trademark resilience to level the score.
First Set: Carney asserted his authority early, taking it 11-6.
The Response: Carrick found his rhythm in the second, reversing the scoreline with an 11-6 win of his own.
The Lead: Building on that momentum, the Bermudian dominated the third set 11-4 to put himself within one game of the second round.
Despite being on the brink of defeat, Carney refused to fold. The American powered through a one-sided fourth set, winning 11-3 to force a winner-takes-all decider.
In the final frame, both players traded blows in extended rallies, but it was Carney who managed to maintain his composure during the critical closing points. He secured the set 11-6, bringing an end to Carrick’s campaign in the British Virgin Islands.
Bermuda’s elite female golfers have seized total control of the 46th Kitty Michael Invitational, ending the opening day at the summit of the leaderboard after a masterclass in challenging conditions.
Navigating the treacherous trade winds of the Old Quarry Golf Course, the ten-player squad—led by Captain Tracy Burgess and Vice Captain Maria Harris—distanced themselves from the international field to claim first place in both the Gross and Net Team Events. It was a performance defined by collective depth, with the entire roster, including Valerie Nearon, Tracy Nash, and Ann Symonds, contributing to the dominant display.
Tracy Burgess: Set the pace in the Gross Division with an authoritative eight-over par 80, featuring three birdies and nine pars.
Maria Harris: Topped the Net Division at even par, recovering brilliantly from a quadruple bogey to maintain her individual lead.
Lesley Wollmann: Cemented the net team advantage with a sharp three-over par 75, highlighted by a remarkable five birdies.
Ann Symonds: Bolstered both totals, carding a gross 88 and a net 77, including four birdies in the net category.
As the tournament progresses, Bermuda carries significant momentum into the final rounds. Their clinical execution under pressure has established them as the firm favourites to secure the overall title at this prestigious international showpiece.
Bermuda’s Aeziah Divine came within a heartbeat of a podium finish as the 2026 ZYN British Superbike Championship season roared into life with a high-drama finale.
Riding for Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing, Divine secured a brilliant fourth place in the R&G MOTO4 British Cup after a 12-lap charge defined by heavy attrition across the field. In a finish that required a second glance at the timing screens, Divine crossed the line in 21:41.082—finishing just 0.067 seconds shy of the third-place spot.
While Ryan Frost took the race victory, Divine’s performance was one of the standout stories of the weekend. He navigated a chaotic contest, engaging in a relentless battle with George Bowes as the pair surged through the field into the podium fight.
Reflecting on the intensity of the final outing, Divine praised his team for providing the “perfect bike” to compete at the sharp end of the grid.
“There were many crashes throughout the entire race,” Divine said. “I worked hard to stay focused… We had a very close race all the way to the line. It ended with me taking 4th—just 0.067 seconds off the podium.”
Despite missing out on the champagne by a fraction, the result marks a powerhouse start to the 2026 campaign for the young rider.
Sprinter Norre Robinson enjoyed a breakthrough day at the Warhawk Classic, clocking a career-best time to secure qualification for two major international championships.
Representing Louisiana Tech at Brown Stadium, Robinson delivered a powerhouse performance in the Men’s 200m dash to finish in second place overall.
However, the headlines belonged to the clock. Robinson crossed the line in a blistering 21.12 seconds, a lifetime best that carries significant weight for his international aspirations.
The time officially sees Robinson dip under the required marks for both the World Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
His performance adds further depth to Bermuda’s traveling contingent for the Commonwealth Games, marking him as one of the island’s most promising rising talents on the collegiate circuit.
Health Ministry is in contact with international health authorities and are actively monitoring developments
The Ministry of Health is aware of reports of hantavirus infections linked to the Dutch‑flagged ship MV Hondius, which is currently near Cape Verde.
The Ministry’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit is watching the situation closely. Bermuda’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shaun Ramroop, is in contact with international health partners, including the UK Health Security Agency, to make sure Bermuda receives timely updates.
At this time, there is no known risk to Bermuda. The ship has not visited Bermuda during this trip, and there are no suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus on the island.
Dr. Ramroop said the Ministry is prepared: “We are in continuous communication with international health authorities and are reviewing all available information. Right now, the risk to Bermuda is low, but our systems are ready to detect and respond quickly if anything changes.”
Hantavirus is usually spread from rodents to people through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or dust that has been contaminated. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, tiredness, cough, or trouble breathing. In some cases, the illness can become serious. Person‑to‑person spread is uncommon. International investigations are ongoing.
Bermuda’s public health systems remain in place to detect and respond to any health concerns. All vessels arriving in Bermuda must continue to submit a Maritime Declaration of Health. Any reports of unusual illness on board will be checked by Port Health before the vessel is cleared to enter. Healthcare providers have been alerted to watch for possible symptoms of hantavirus.
People travelling to affected areas should avoid contact with rodents, wash their hands often, and seek medical care if they develop symptoms. They should also tell their healthcare provider about any recent travel.
Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, encouraged calm and awareness: “While this situation is unfolding far from our shores, we are taking every precaution to ensure Bermuda remains protected. Our public health teams are actively monitoring developments, and we will continue to keep our community informed with clear and timely updates.”
The Ministry will continue to review new information and will update the public if the risk changes or if any action is needed. The public is encouraged to rely on official Ministry updates.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
From May 5 – 7, a Bermuda delegation will attend Consensus 2026 in Miami
The Premier and Minister of Finance of Bermuda, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, will travel to Miami, Florida, from May 5 – 7, 2026, to lead a Bermuda delegation to Consensus 2026, the world’s largest and most influential annual gathering for the digital assets and blockchain industry, organised by CoinDesk.
The delegation will include officers from the Government of Bermuda and representatives from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), and Bermuda-based firms.
Bermuda’s participation in Consensus is an opportunity to strengthen Bermuda’s position as the leading jurisdiction for regulated digital assets and financial innovation – just as Bermuda is recognised for leadership in insurance. The conference brings together more than 20,000 attendees from over 100 countries, including institutional investors, business executives, financial regulators, and government officials, offering global visibility and direct engagement with the ecosystem shaping the future of digital finance. Bermuda has a long-standing relationship with the Consensus conference and the BDA has been a sponsor since 2018, where the Premier first announced Bermuda’s Digital Asset Business Act (DABA).
During Consensus, Premier Burt will participate in a fireside chat with Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase. The session will highlight the partnership between Coinbase and the Government of Bermuda, progress on the island’s on-chain economy initiative, and how the “Bermuda Triangle” model of government-regulator-industry collaboration has created a blueprint for responsible digital finance regulation.
The Premier will meet with other major partners, including Stellar, Kraken, and Franklin Templeton, in addition to holding meetings with digital finance companies exploring DABA licensing, institutional operators evaluating Bermuda for fund domiciliation, tokenisation, or stablecoin-related activities.
In addition the Premier will speak at the “Bermuda Reception” hosted by the BDA, bringing together industry leaders across the digital assets sector.
Commenting on the visit, Premier Burt stated, “Consensus is the industry’s most important annual gathering, and Bermuda’s continued presence underscores our commitment to building the world’s first fully on-chain national economy. Since announcing this initiative at Davos in January, we have been working closely with leading digital asset companies, including Circle and Coinbase, to help us execute this vision. Miami provides an opportunity to deepen these partnerships and bring more digital finance companies to Bermuda.”
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Funds seized through criminal activity are being redirected to support youth programmes and community services
Photo from L to R: Zoah Fox, Tawana Lee, Director of PHC Majorette and Drum Corps, Zyah Fox, Bettyann Nolen, Assistant Director of PHC Majorette and Drum Corps, A’bbee Curtis, Premier David Burt, MP Lawrence Scott, MP Denis Lister III, Minister Alexa Lightbourne, Shawnette Smith, President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Rosette Simmons of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and MP Neville Tyrrell.
The Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, presented grants awarded from the Confiscated Assets Fund (CAF) to three community organisations supporting youth development and social services.
He was joined by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, along with MP Neville Tyrrell, MP Lawrence Scott, and MP Denis Lister II.
The recipients were the Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) Drum and Majorette Corps, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Teen Services.
Each organisation received $12,500 as part of the Government’s continued effort to reinvest seized funds into programmes that strengthen communities and expand opportunities for Bermuda’s youth.
Premier Burt said, “Community organisations are cornerstones of our society. They are where young people find mentorship, where our culture and traditions are maintained, and where essential services reach those who need them most. Through grants from the Confiscated Assets Fund, the Government is taking the proceeds of criminal activity and redirecting them into programmes that serve and strengthen our community. Each of the organisations recognised today is doing meaningful work, and I am proud that this Government can continue to support them in that work.”
Tawana Lee, Director of PHC Drum and Majorette Corps, said, “Our goal is to sustain a tradition that has been part of our culture for many years. We are grateful to be recipients of the Confiscated Assets Fund grant and will use these funds to support our 2025 and 2026 goals and objectives.”
Also in attendance for the presentation to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was Minister Lightbourne, who is a member of the organisation.
Ms. Shawnette Smith, president of Delta Sigma Theta, expressed her appreciation stating, “On behalf of the Bermuda Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., we would like to offer our thanks for the generous donation. This support helped make our Annual Children’s Reading Festival a great success and allows us to continue promoting the importance of literacy in Bermuda while continuing our other worthy programmes.”
MP Scott speaking to the legacy of Teen Services said, “My mother founded what is now Teen Services in 1967, grounded in the belief that young people should be supported, not abandoned. That work continues to shape how we support vulnerable young people today.”
And MP Lister II, echoed the sentiments and added, “My connection to Teen Services is also personal, as my mother, Miranda Lister, taught there in the mid-1990s and helped shape its early impact. It is a privilege to now support an organisation that has served our community across generations.”
Media release and image supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
The case has become a closely followed psychodrama in newspapers and on television, highlighting a potential failure of the Italian justice system
International News via Reuters:
Nearly two decades after 26-year-old office worker Chiara Poggi was found dead in her home in the small northern town of Garlasco, a case that once seemed closed has been reopened, reviving doubts about one of Italy’s most scrutinised murder investigations.
The case has become a closely followed psychodrama in newspapers and on television, highlighting a potential failure of the Italian justice system, and is back under the spotlight as the man convicted of the crime nears the end of his sentence.
Poggi’s student boyfriend, Alberto Stasi, was definitively convicted of her killing in 2015 and sentenced to 16 years in jail, apparently bringing the curtain down on a tragic story that had captivated the country from the start.
But prosecutors are now pursuing a new theory focused on Andrea Sempio, a friend of Poggi’s brother, raising the possibility that one of Italy’s most infamous murders may yet have another, very different ending.
On Wednesday, Sempio was called in for questioning after prosecutors revealed they now suspect that he was solely responsible for Poggi’s death — something he has denied.
His car was met by a scrum of reporters and shown live on television as it arrived for questioning in the city of Pavia. His lawyers said he would exercise his legal right not to respond to the investigators.
“(The case) has captivated Italy because the whole thing was clearly a travesty of justice,” said Gianni Riotta, a veteran Italian journalist who was head of state broadcaster RAI’s flagship news programme at the time of Poggi’s killing in August 2007.
“The trial was a circus. There were so many holes in the case, and yet they got a conviction,” he told Reuters.
DISPUTED DNA, PERCEIVED INVESTIGATIVE FAILINGS
The case has echoes of the infamous murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia in November 2007, for which two of the prime suspects, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted but ultimately acquitted and released on appeal.
Both cases revolved around disputed DNA evidence and highlighted perceived failures in the police procedures.
It was Stasi who called the police to say he had found Poggi’s body. He quickly became the focus of the investigation and was eventually charged.
He never confessed, the murder weapon was not found and no clear motive was established. Instead, the police case centred largely on forensic traces and disputed timelines about Stasi’s movements on the morning of Poggi’s death.
He was acquitted at his first trial and then again when the prosecution appealed. But Italy’s top appeals court ordered a retrial and he was ultimately convicted, dividing Italy in two over whether or not he was truly guilty.
Fast forward 11 years, and a new team of prosecutors has reopened the case after fresh forensic work raised questions, including a renewed focus on traces of male DNA found under Poggi’s fingernails, which investigators said was compatible with Sempio. Sempio had been cleared in earlier phases of the investigation, and he denies any involvement.
Police are also looking into allegations that Sempio’s family paid money to a prosecutor to help remove his name from the list of suspects — an accusation the family denies.
“People here keep on saying Italy has the best justice system in the world. Well, if that is true, how come we have ended up with this mess,” Riotta said.
Gov’t confirms families can now access the system and complete their summer camp registrations
The Government of Bermuda advises that the Camp Connect platform is now operational following earlier technical issues experienced at launch.
Technical issues have been addressed, and families can now access the system and complete their summer day camp registrations.
Registration remains open until 15 May, with the lottery scheduled for 25 May. Families can register by visiting: https://ebermuda.gov.bm/
Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, stated, “I can confirm that the Camp Connect platform is now running as intended.”
The Government advises that support is available for anyone experiencing difficulties. Users may submit a help ticket by emailing osshelp@gov.bm or calling 907-6767 for assistance during the operational hours of Monday to Friday, 10 am-6 pm.
The Government looks forward to a successful and enjoyable summer camp season.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Shares in the Danish drugmaker were up 5.8% at 0913 GMT and were on track for the biggest daily jump so far this year
International News via Reuters:
Novo Nordisk beat first-quarter profit forecasts and nudged up its full-year outlook on Wednesday, helped by stronger-than-expected sales of its new weight-loss pill as it seeks to close the gap with U.S. rival Eli Lilly.
Shares in the Danish drugmaker were up 5.8% at 0913 GMT and were on track for the biggest daily jump so far this year.
Novo is banking on its pill to claw back ground lost to Lilly in the U.S. and offset intensifying price competition. Novo plans to launch the Wegovy pill in the first markets outside the United States in the second half of 2026.
Novo reported adjusted operating profit was 32.86 billion Danish crowns ($5.16 billion), above the 28.74 billion forecast in a company-compiled poll.
It slightly improved its full-year outlook, forecasting adjusted sales and operating profit declines of 4% to 12% at constant exchange rates, versus a previous range of minus 5% to minus 13%. Lilly last week raised its annual profit and revenue forecasts by a wider margin.
Under CEO Mike Doustdar, Novo is pinning its near-term recovery on the new pill after last year’s price cuts to its Wegovy injection squeezed margins.
But its window as the only oral obesity pill in the U.S. market closed in early April after Lilly won FDA approval for rival drug Foundayo, opening a new chapter in the battle between the two drugmakers.
“We have now been competing with our competitor for about a month…and so far, so good,” CEO Mike Doustdar told journalists on a call.
Total prescriptions for the Wegovy pill reached about 1.3 million in the first quarter and more than 2 million since its January launch, which Doustdar said made it the strongest GLP-1 launch by volume in the United States. He added the company was not seeing significant “drop-offs” of patients who had begun taking the new pill.
NOVO SEEKS TO REBUILD MOMENTUM
The results marked an early test of whether the Wegovy pill can revive growth at Novo.
Sales of the pill reached 2.26 billion crowns, nearly double analyst forecasts.
“The Wegovy pill is the clear bright spot of the day,” said Oskar Bernhardtsen, investment strategist at Saxo Bank, though he cautioned that the guidance upgrade was slightly less than what the market had hoped for.
Adjusted group sales came in at 70.06 billion Danish crowns in the quarter, above the 69.07 billion expected by analysts.
Novo has spent much of the past year on the defensive after disappointing trial results for its next-generation obesity pipeline, weaker than expected sales and a share price slide that has wiped more than $400 billion off its market value since its 2024 peak.
CFO Karsten Munk Knudsen told reporters the company’s market research showed patients were shifting away from the compounded obesity drugs that weighed on Wegovy sales.
The company also said more than half of Wegovy sales in the United States now came through lower-priced self-pay channels, up from just over 10% a year ago, as Novo sharpens its consumer focus to sell its medicines amid mounting price pressure.
Novo shares are down nearly 40% over 12 months, lagging Lilly’s roughly 18% rise, though the stock has edged higher since late March on optimism around the pill launch.
Novo says it has submitted its Wegovy pill to the European Medicines Agency and other regulatory authorities, without naming countries.
Reporting by Stine Jacobsen and Maggie Fick; Editing by Terje Solsvik, Louise Heavens and Elaine Hardcastle
The first U.S. pope will spend the last two days of the trip on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where he will meet with migrants and organizations dedicated to helping them
International News via Reuters:
Pope Leo will visit two of the Canary Islands, major entry points off Africa’s western coast for desperate migrants braving dangerous Atlantic waters to get to Europe, as part of a tour of Spain next month, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.
Leo, who has drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticizing the Iran war and the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies, is visiting Spain from June 6-12 in his first trip to a European Union nation outside Italy.
The first U.S. pope will spend the last two days of the trip on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where he will meet with migrants and organizations dedicated to helping them.
More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, often in makeshift dinghies, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras.
The pope comes to Spain as Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government has opened a one-year mass amnesty program, allowing an estimated 500,000 immigrants to apply for legal status.
Leo will also visit Madrid, where he will meet King Felipe and Queen Letizia and give addresses at the Royal Palace and the Spanish Parliament.
The pope will likewise travel to Montserrat in Catalonia, where he will visit with the historic Benedictine community, and Barcelona, where he will inaugurate the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia, the famed modernist basilica that has become the world’s tallest church.
Other planned events for the tour include a prayer vigil with young people, an outdoor Mass in Madrid’s landmark Plaza de Cibeles, and a meeting with the nation’s Catholic bishops.
The pope, who on Friday marks his first year leading the 1.4-billion-member Church, has grown more outspoken on the world stage in recent weeks.
During a four-nation Africa tour last month he forcefully decried the direction of global leadership and said the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”.
Spain is Leo’s fourth tour outside Italy after also visiting Monaco in March, and Lebanon and Turkey last year.
The pope will make another visit on July 4 to a port of call for migrants entering Europe, travelling to Lampedusa, an Italian island south of Sicily.
The choice to visit the island on the day the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence has drawn wide attention.
Reporting by Joshua McElwee, Editing by William Maclean
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