It appears that second-time PLP leadership contender Curtis Dickinson wants to move on from the contentious nature of the 2022 contest
“I’m about looking forward, not backwards.”
This was Curtis Dickinson’s response when asked about his previous criticism of Premier David Burt’s leadership.
Ahead of the PLP Leadership Election in October 2022, in which Mr Dickinson failed to unseat the leader, he said that Premier Burt had not only failed to reverse the damage of OBA policies, but compounded it.
Yesterday, Mr Dickinson confirmed months of speculation when he announced his intention to run against Jason Hayward in October’s internal election.
Each media outlet was only allowed one question following the announcement. Responding to Bermuda Broadcasting, it appeared that Mr Dickinson wanted to leave 2022’s “very difficult campaign” in the past.
The roar of a capacity crowd and the blur of flying batons defined a historic night of athletics as the 17th Annual Schools’ Relay Classic concluded at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. Under the floodlights, the island’s finest young sprinters produced a spectacle of speed that saw long-standing records fall by the narrowest of margins.
The headline performance belonged to the Saltus Grammar Middle School girls’ quartet. Leydi Raynor, Jasmine Reid-Rubaine, Amaya Davis, and Zahra Goodchild provided a masterclass in baton exchanges, shattering a nine-year-old record in the 4x100m preliminaries with a blistering 51.10 seconds. They proved it was no fluke in the final, dipping under the old mark again to secure gold in 51.50 seconds.
The middle school boys’ title provided the night’s most dramatic finish, resulting in a rare dead heat. Saltus Grammar and Whitney Institute could not be separated, both finishing on 18 points to share the championship trophy. In the senior ranks, The Berkeley Institute showcased total dominance, racking up a maximum 20 points in the boys’ division to leave their rivals in the wake.
In the primary school ranks, Warwick Academy emerged as the force to be reckoned with. Their girls’ team secured their division with 18 points, propelling the school to the top of the overall primary standings with 29 points. Port Royal Primary also tasted glory, taking the boys’ title with a total of 16.
As the floodlights dimmed, the overall trophies were split between the island’s sporting powerhouses. Warwick Academy reigned supreme at the primary level, Saltus Grammar’s record-breaking exploits secured them the middle school overall title with 38 points, and The Berkeley Institute was crowned senior overall champions with a total of 34 points.
The sun-soaked sands of Cul de Sac provided a backdrop of high drama and eventual disappointment for Bermuda’s beach volleyball elite, as both pairings saw their 2026 ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball campaigns come to a close in Saint Lucia.
In the Men’s Division, Benjamin Barnett and Sean Tucker were forced to navigate a grueling morning. After a physical 2-1 defeat in their final pool match against St. Kitts & Nevis, the Bermudian duo showed immense resolve to secure a Quarter-Final berth. However, they met a formidable wall in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Julian Bristol and Elkreen Morton. In a match of razor-thin margins, Barnett and Tucker fell in straight sets, 21-17, 21-17, to exit the competition.
There was similar frustration for Hailey Trott and Kayley Hamilton in the Women’s Division. Facing a clinical Dominica side in a must-win Pool A fixture, the Bermudian pair struggled to break through a resilient Dominican defense. A 21-18, 21-13 defeat confirmed their exit before the knockout stages, bringing a premature end to a campaign that had promised much after a strong opening day.
While the Gombey Warriors leave Saint Lucia without silverware, the exposure to the region’s top-tier talent provides vital momentum. With the international summer window looming, Bermuda’s focus now shifts to refining the tactical breakthroughs needed to turn these narrow margins into podium finishes.
Bermuda’s Aeziah Divine experienced the full spectrum of motorcycling’s highs and lows as the 2026 ZYN British Superbike Championship roared into life at Oulton Park this weekend.
Representing Fibre Tec Honda-By MLav Racing, Divine’s season began with a display of blistering pace that was cruelly interrupted by mechanical misfortune. After an explosive start in Race 1, carving through the field to 12th, his bike succumbed to a technical failure on the eighth lap while he was locked in a fierce battle for position.
“It was a frustrating end after such a strong start,” Divine admitted. “I had a great climb, so to take a DNF in the first race of the season is unfortunate, but it was no fault of the team.”
However, his raw speed was rewarded. Having clocked a new Personal Best in the 1:48s during the opening heat, Divine secured a prestigious 10th-place slot on the grid for Race 2. He capitalised on the opportunity with a resilient 12-lap performance, powering his Honda to a 10th-place finish in 21:54.722.
While he finished 31 seconds behind race winner Ryan Frost, the result marks a vital points-scoring finish in a world-class field. With his pace now firmly established, Divine heads to the next round with clear evidence he has the speed to challenge the championship’s elite.
Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda invites residents to discover the stories that have shaped Bermuda
As Bermuda enters Heritage Month this May, CURB (Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda) is proud to introduce an exciting new island-wide initiative, Keys to the Past: Discover Bermuda One Clue at a Time, launching on May 4.
Running over eight weeks through the end of June, the initiative combines storytelling, education, and adventure. Each week, participants will be given a clue, broadcast daily on The Daily Hour, leading them to a hidden key at a historically significant location somewhere across the island.
Participants who successfully find a key will win a prize and uncover the powerful story behind that site. Once a key is found, the winner will contact CURB, submit a photo from the location, and be invited to take part in a special on-site photo opportunity. Winners will be announced on The Daily Hour and across CURB’s social media platforms.
This initiative is about more than finding a key; it’s about discovering the stories that have shaped Bermuda. Each location represents a moment of courage, resilience, achievement, or change. We want participants to connect with these stories in a meaningful and lasting way.
Clues will continue to be read daily until each key is found, and if a key remains undiscovered, its clue will carry over alongside the next week’s challenge keeping multiple opportunities active at once.
The eight featured locations highlight significant moments and individuals in Bermuda’s history, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with the island’s cultural and historical landscape in a dynamic and memorable way.
How to Participate
Listen to The Daily Hour each day for the weekly clue
Open auditions will take place between 6 pm and 8 pm on Monday and Tuesday at the Daylesford Theatre
Do you want to be famous for 15 minutes?
The BMDS Charitable Trust is inviting all members of the public to audition for the six 15-minute plays that have been chosen for our 20th annual playwriting festival. 21 locally written plays were submitted and judged by an overseas panel of three experienced and award-winning playwrights, who chose six to be performed.
Open auditions will take place between 6 pm and 8 pm on Monday, May 4th and Tuesday, May 5th at the Daylesford Theatre in Hamilton. No previous theatre experience is necessary and there are lots of great roles – male and female – available for ages 14 years and up.
The shows will be performed at the Daylesford Theatre from June 4th to June 13th.
Audition information is available at www.bmds.bm and any questions can be sent to famous@bmds.bm.
Public given extra time to weigh in on National Electricity Sector Policy 2026
The Hon. Alexa N. H. Lightbourne, JP, MP, Minister of Home Affairs, issued an update on the National Electricity Sector Policy 2026 (NESP) consultation, and the steps taken to broaden public participation in the policy’s development.
On Thursday April 16, 2026, the Ministry opened the National Electricity Sector Policy 2026 (NESP) for public consultation, pursuant to the Electricity Act 2016, conveying the Government’s policy intent to update Bermuda’s electricity framework for the first time in over a decade, and to anchor the transition in affordability, reliability, and equity.
Submissions were invited through the Government’s public engagement portal at forum.gov.bm/en/projects/nesp-2026, with an original closing date of 5.00pm, tomorrow May 4, 2026.
Alongside the consultation, the Ministry signaled that engagement would extend beyond the formal submission window, recognising that durable energy policy requires sustained input from households, industry, civil society, and technical experts.
Energy technology is evolving rapidly, and the National Electricity Sector Policy is intended to be a living instrument, updated consistently as viable options are presented and as the evidence base develops. Submissions received outside the formal window will be logged for consideration in policy refinement and in the regulatory instruments that follow.
The Ministry acknowledges the feedback received to date and the requests for additional time. As such, the Ministry has extended the NESP 2026 consultation by two weeks closing on May 21, 2026.
The Ministry will accept all submissions received during the extended period, and will remain open to policy proposals and technical contributions following the formal close. The Ministry will continue to update the policy as viable options are presented and will provide any additional updates in 6 months, as material evidence supports. It is important for the public to note that decisions on the regulatory framework, and on the specific technologies advanced for Bermuda’s electricity sector, remain with the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RA) as the statutory steward of the sector.
Minister Lightbourne said, “Energy technology is evolving rapidly, and Bermuda’s electricity policy must evolve with it. The Ministry will continue to refine this policy as viable options come forward, while the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda remains the statutory steward of the regulatory framework and the technologies advanced for the sector.”
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Clean energy, beach clean-up and youth programmes to feature during this weekend’s Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
Aerial view of the fleet led by ROCKWOOL Racing SailGP Team helmed by Nicolai Sehested and Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank helmed by Erik Kosegarten Heil on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG in Perth, Australia. Sunday 18 January 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 1 2026 Season. Photo: James Gourley for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP
SailGP, the most exciting racing on water, today unveiled its dynamic lineup of impact-driven initiatives to take place during this week’s Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix (May 9-10), reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability, clean energy innovation and meaningful community engagement.
Delivered in collaboration with Apex Group and local partners, the Bermuda event will showcase how sport can serve as a platform for environmental education, renewable energy adoption and social impact on the island.
Iona Neilson, SailGP’s Head of Impact, said: “Bermuda is a powerful example of how sport can move beyond competition to create real, lasting impact. This week, we’re not only racing at the highest level, we’re working alongside our partners and the local community to accelerate clean energy solutions, inspire the next generation and protect the natural environment that makes this event so special. From hands-on learning experiences to community action, these initiatives reflect what SailGP’s impact is all about, using our global platform to drive progress where it matters most.”
As title partner of the event, Apex Group is collaborating with Infinite Renewables and SailGP’s official energy provider Aggreko to bring clean power into the Race Stadium with a BW15 Mobile Turbine. A Portable Wind 101 interactive session will take place for SailGP athletes and stakeholders prior to racing, demonstrating how innovative, mobile solutions can deliver renewable energy directly into live sporting environments.
Extending beyond the Race Stadium, Apex Group is also partnering with Keep Bermuda Beautiful to host a community beach clean-up on May 7. Open to the public, the initiative supports Bermuda’s long-standing environmental legacy and invites fans and residents to take part in preserving the island’s natural coastline, which is SailGP’s racetrack for the weekend.
Breaking Boundaries in Bermuda, a thought leadership forum presented by Apex Group, will spotlight inclusion and leadership, featuring the voices of athletes and industry leaders, across a series of panels exploring high-performance sport, gender equity and next-generation pathways. The invite-only event will be held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.
Inspiring future generations remains a central focus for the global championship, with SailGP’s Next Gen Challenge reaching more than 1,600 students across 16 schools in Bermuda. Delivered in partnership with Endeavour, a Bermuda-based social impact organization, students ages 11–14 have designed and built F50 catamarans using recycled materials, and will also experience behind-the-scenes technical tours during race week. SailGP received entries from 58 youth and approximately 240 of the students will take part in SailGP Tech Site tours during race week.
SailGP will further engage the local community through a collaboration with the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), hosting a screening of its SPEED documentary on May 7. Welcoming up to 150 attendees, the free event will bring together community members, sailing enthusiasts and young people for an inside look at the cutting edge of the sport, followed by a panel discussion on SailGP’s innovation and community sailing initiatives. Admission is free, with guests encouraged to donate to support youth sailing and ocean stewardship efforts across Bermuda.
Unfolding over two action-packed days of racing (May 9-10), the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix will take place close to shore, giving fans a rare chance to experience the intensity of SailGP from just meters away on Bermuda’s iconic Great Sound. Twelve international teams will compete in identical high-tech F50 catamarans at speeds in excess of 100 km/h.
Limited tickets to this weekend’s Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix remain. Find out more at SailGP.com/Bermuda.
Iran had warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the strategic waterway after President Donald Trump said the United States would “guide out” ships stranded in the Gulf by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran
International News via Reuters:
Iran’s navy prevented “American-Zionist” warships entering the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, state TV reported, while the Fars news agency said two missiles had hit a U.S. warship near Jask island after it ignored Iranian warnings.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports, and there was no immediate response from the United States.
Iran had warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the strategic waterway after President Donald Trump said the United States would “guide out” ships stranded in the Gulf by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Trump gave few details of the plan to aid ships and their crews that have been confined to the vital waterway and are running low on food and other supplies more than two months into the conflict.
“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site on Sunday.
In response, Iran’s unified command told commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any movement that was not coordinated with Iran’s military.
“We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdollahi, head of the forces’ unified command, said in the statement.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran has blocked nearly all shipping into and out of the Gulf apart from its own since the start of the war, cutting off around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments and sending oil prices soaring by 50% or more. [O/R]
U.S. Central Command, which for its part is blockading Iranian ports to put pressure on Tehran, said it would support the rescue effort with 15,000 military personnel and more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, plus warships and drones.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” Admiral Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Andrew Goudsward, Lincoln Feast and Gareth Jones; editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kevin Liffey
The ship, carrying about 150 tourists from various countries, had departed Ushuaia, Southern Argentina, for Canary Islands about three weeks ago
International News via Reuters:
South Africa’s health ministry said on Monday that two passengers have died and a British national was in critical condition after a Netherlands-based cruise ship was hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus.
The ship, carrying about 150 tourists from various countries, had departed Ushuaia, Southern Argentina, for Canary Islands about three weeks ago.
Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov and Nilutpal Timsina;Editing by Bate Felix
The coast guard and police on Sunday boarded the Syrian-flagged Jin Hui in Swedish territorial waters
International News via Reuters:
The Chinese captain of a seized oil tanker with suspected Russian links has been placed under arrest on suspicion of carrying false documents and of violating laws on seaworthiness, a Swedish prosecutor said on Monday.
The coast guard and police on Sunday boarded the Syrian-flagged Jin Hui in Swedish territorial waters.
The captain, who was not named, will be interrogated on Monday, Senior Prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg said in a statement.
Authorities said the vessel was believed to belong to the shadow fleet, a clandestine network of vessels Russia has used to evade Western sanctions imposed on it in response to the Ukraine war.
As European nations have increased their efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet, Sunday’s arrest of the Jin Hui was Sweden’s fifth such action this year.
Russia has not commented on the latest action, but has previously condemned interceptions of its vessels as hostile.
It was not immediately known how the suspect responded to the ship’s seizure or the accusations against him.
The coast guard said the ship, whose destination was unclear and which was not thought to be carrying a cargo, figured on several sanctions lists, including those of the European Union and Britain.
Reporting by Terje Solsvik in Oslo and Jesus Calero in Gdansk; editing by Barbara Lewis
Videos on social media showed a large monster truck clearing an obstacle but failing to brake in time, causing the vehicle to veer off to the side and plow into spectators
International News via Reuters:
At least two people were killed and a further 37 were injured on Sunday after a monster truck plowed into crowds at an exhibition event in the southern Colombian city of Popayan, in the province of Cauca, the regional governor said.
Videos on social media showed a large monster truck clearing an obstacle but failing to brake in time, causing the vehicle to veer off to the side and plow into spectators.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the footage. A Popayan city official said one of the victims was a 10-year-old girl, according to Colombian newspaper El Espectador.
Reporting by Iñigo Alexander, Editing by Tom Hogue
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