The community crowded into King’s Square in St. George’s on Friday morning for what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see King Charles III in Bermuda.
Were you there, and did you meet him?
Did you meet The King?
Trump says he will raise tariffs on EU autos to 25%
The Trump administration last year imposed a 25% tariff on global automotive imports under a national security trade law, but reached a deal with the EU in August to lower those duties to a net 15%, inclusive of prior duties
International News via Reuters:
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would increase tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%, saying the bloc had not complied with its trade deal with Washington.
“Based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” he wrote in a social media post.
“It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF.”
Trump told reporters at the White House the higher tariff would force European car makers to move their factory production to the U.S. more quickly.
“We have a trade deal with the European Union. They were not adhering to it. So I raised the tariffs on cars and trucks to 25%, that’s billions of dollars coming into the United States, and it forces them to move their factory production much faster.”
SLOW IMPLEMENTATION
The Trump administration last year imposed a 25% tariff on global automotive imports under a national security trade law, but reached a deal with the EU in August to lower those duties to a net 15%, inclusive of prior duties.
In exchange, the EU agreed to eliminate duties on U.S. industrial goods, including autos, and accept U.S. safety and emissions standards on vehicles.
Although EU lawmakers advanced legislation in March to implement the tariff reductions, the process is not expected to be completed before June, as EU governments and the European Parliament negotiate final texts.
“President Trump’s behavior is unacceptable,” Bernd Lange, the chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, told Reuters.
“This latest move demonstrates just how unreliable the U.S. side is. We have already witnessed these arbitrary attacks from the U.S. in the case of Greenland; this is no way to treat close partners. Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and firmness, drawing on the strength of our position,” Lange said.
But a Trump administration official, asked to explain Trump’s move, said: “The EU has not complied with the autos deal after eight months.”
Shares of Ford Motor fell 2% after Trump’s announcement, while those of Stellantis were down 1.7%. General Motors shares dropped 1.1%.
Ryan Majerus, a former senior U.S. Commerce Department official who is now a partner with King & Spalding, said the president’s move also may be related to Trump’s frustration that some European countries had balked at supporting the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
“This is not going to sit well in the EU, and I’m not sure the administration cares, because they’re so incredibly antagonistic toward the EU,” Majerus said.
Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Susan Heavey, Gram Slattery, David Lawder, David Shepardson and Andrea Shalal; editing by Michelle Nichols and Paul Simao
UK’s FTSE 100 slips as losses in energy stocks and AstraZeneca weigh
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended 0.1% lower at 10,363.93 points, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.3%
International News via Reuters:
London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 closed slightly lower on Friday, dragged down by losses in heavyweight energy stocks and drugmaker AstraZeneca, while a looming UK public holiday thinned trade.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended 0.1% lower at 10,363.93 points, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.3%.
• AstraZeneca shed 3.1% after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted against recommending an experimental breast cancer treatment the drugmaker has said is central to its long-term growth ambitions.
• NatWest reported a 12% rise in first-quarter profit, but its shares fell 3.4% after the lender’s non-interest income was 7% below analysts’ forecasts.
• Heavyweight energy stocks Shell and BP were among the biggest drags on the blue-chip index, tracking weakness in crude oil prices.
• Tehran has submitted its latest proposal for negotiations with the United States, but it is unclear whether it can break a deadlock in efforts to end the Iran war.
• The gainers included Pearson, which rose 3.1% after the education company said demand for its virtual learning products drove a 4% rise in first-quarter underlying group sales.
• Consumer staples giant Unilever jumped 2.6% to hit a one-month high, while engineering company Rolls-Royce added 1.5%, extending gains a day after it reiterated its profit outlook.
• Spirits maker Diageo ended 0.7% higher. It had risen by as much as 2.8% after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was removing tariffs on UK-made whisky.
• The FTSE 100 clocked marginal weekly declines, taking its consecutive weekly losses to a third after mixed corporate earnings this week hit sentiment.
• Trading volumes on London exchanges were well below their 20-day moving average, as most markets across Europe were closed on Friday and Britain has a bank holiday on Monday.
Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; editing by Barbara Lewis
BP weighs potential exit from UK North Sea, Bloomberg News reports
The company is conducting an internal review of its UK upstream operations, which could fetch about 2 billion pounds ($2.72 billion) if sold fully
International News via Reuters:
BP is weighing a sale of some or all of its UK North Sea operations as part of a broader effort to cut debt and refocus on higher-return oil and gas projects, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The company is conducting an internal review of its UK upstream operations, which could fetch about 2 billion pounds ($2.72 billion) if sold fully, according to the report, which also said that the plans were not final and may not materialise.
BP did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Its shares closed down just over 2% on Friday amid broader market weakness stemming from Iran war negotiations, with the FTSE 100 0.1% lower.
Meg O’Neill took the helm as CEO last month as the group shifts money to shrinking its debt and refocusing investment in oil and gas projects where it expects better returns following an ill-fated foray into renewables.
In February BP said it would suspend buybacks.
BP operates five key production hubs in the major but ageing North Sea region, including the Clair oilfield, which is the largest on the UK continental shelf, according to its website.
Last year, the company sold its stake in some of the North Sea assets to project partners in a $232 million deal.
Other firms such as Chevron, Shell and TotalEnergies have either sold their assets in the basin or restructured their positions.
($1 = 0.7342 pounds)
Reporting by Unnamalai L in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva, Shailesh Kuber and Louise Heavens
New York archdiocese to pay $800 million to settle sex abuse cases
The settlement is second only to the $880 million deal reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024
International News via Reuters:
The Catholic Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million in a settlement with 1,300 sex abuse survivors, one of the largest payouts in a wave of lawsuits over clergy sex abuse in the United States.
The settlement is second only to the $880 million deal reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024. The Catholic Church has paid billions of dollars in settlements across the U.S. in the past several years, after New York and other states enacted laws that temporarily enabled victims of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits over decades-old crimes.
Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing abuse survivors, said that the settlement was a triumph that would end nearly six years of legal battles with the archdiocese and its insurers. The proposed settlement is subject to final documentation and full survivor agreement before it is complete, Anderson said.
In addition to the $800 million payment, the Archdiocese agreed to release documents pertaining to sexual offenders in the Church.
“It is far from full accountability, but it is a measure of responsibility,” Anderson said in a Friday statement.
The settlement will allow abuse survivors to litigate against the Church’s insurers for additional payouts.
The settlement is also notable in that it avoids a bankruptcy by the archdiocese. New York’s Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, and similar laws in other states have driven many large Catholic organizations to seek bankruptcy protection around the U.S.
In New York, every diocese except for the New York archdiocese and the Brooklyn Diocese has filed for bankruptcy to finalize similar settlements of sex abuse lawsuits.
The church and survivors began mediation in December before retired Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel Buckley, who also mediated the Los Angeles settlement. In a statement at the time, Cardinal Timothy Dolan acknowledged that sexual abuse of minors had been a shameful chapter of the Church’s past.
Reporting by Dietrich Knauth, Editing by William Maclean
Royal Visit 2026: King Charles in St George’s
The Royal visit began in St. George’s where crowds gathered to welcome His Majesty King Charles III
Masters School wheel away with historic win at 130th Penn Relays
The historic brick walls of Franklin Field bore witness to a milestone moment for New York’s Masters School, as their High School Boys’ 4x400m relay team captured one of the most prestigious honours in global athletics.
Competing at the 130th Penn Relays, the quartet of Henry Frasca, Mason Rosenblatt, Khair Parris, and Bermudian standout David Morris secured the coveted Penn Relays Wheel by winning the High School Boys’ Prep School division.
In a race defined by clinical transitions, the team stopped the clock at a stellar 3:21.71. The performance was not only enough to secure divisional gold but also etched itself into the record books as the second-fastest mark in the school’s history—missing the all-time record by just one second.
The magnitude of the feat was further highlighted by the overall standings. In a gargantuan field of more than 500 relay teams from across the US and the Caribbean, the Masters School finished 41st overall.
To “bring home the Wheel”—the iconic bronze plaque awarded to champions—is a feat rarely achieved by private school programs. As the team returns to New York, the 4x400m unit is now firmly established as the one to beat heading into the state championships.
Berkeley and Warwick share spoils in middle school basketball thriller
The Warwick Academy Gymnasium was transformed into a cauldron of noise this week as the Bermuda School Sports Federation hosted the Middle School Basketball Finals. In a night defined by tactical grit, The Berkeley Institute and Warwick Academy emerged as the big winners across three high-stakes encounters.
The drama peaked in the Junior Varsity Final, where Berkeley edged out hosts Warwick 22-20 in an overtime classic. Jacob Furtado proved the clinical edge for the champions with nine points, a feat mirrored by Warwick’s Liam Johnson. In a fitting tribute to the contest’s quality, both were named joint MVPs.
Warwick Academy found redemption in the Varsity Girls final, delivering a defensive masterclass to dismantle Saltus Grammar School 29-11. Led by MVP Jaime Cedenio’s 11 points and eight from Belle Burns, the hosts cruised to victory, though Saltus MVP Evie Hook earned plaudits for a resilient seven-point display.
However, the evening belonged to Berkeley, who secured a historic double by claiming the Varsity Boys title with a 35-28 win over Warwick. Troy Washington (12 points) and Ajani Carey (11) led the charge, while Micah Oliveira took home MVP honors. Despite the loss, Warwick’s Max Kimberley and Quinton Husbands were both recognized as MVPs for their spirited contributions.
The results cap a stellar season, highlighting a wealth of emerging talent as the focus now shifts to the summer sports calendar.
Vendor Applications for Digital Payment Market Opens
The Government of Bermuda today announced that local businesses are invited to apply for vendor spaces at the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum: Digital Payments Workshop & Market, taking place on May 14, 2026, at Pier 6. Interested businesses can apply for a vendor space here: https://bit.ly/DFFVendors.
The Government is also offering complimentary tickets for Bermudians to attend the workshop and market and receive up to $100 in digital assets to spend onsite, helping drive participation while giving businesses hands-on experience accepting digital payments. Bermudians can apply for complimentary tickets here: https://www.ptix.bm/Event/8791
The Digital Payments Market will be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and bring together more than 500 attendees for a Harbour Nights-style community event featuring local vendors, live entertainment, and hands-on digital payments activations. The market is expected to feature more than 30 local vendors. Local businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services while gaining practical experience accepting digital payments. The event is designed to help businesses explore payment options that can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and expand customer access.
The Digital Payments Workshop will take place before the market from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The workshop will provide a beginner-friendly introduction to accessing and using digital assets.
To help vendors prepare for the event, onboarding sessions will be hosted at the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation offices. These sessions will introduce the benefits of digital payments, help vendors set up digital wallets, and provide support so they can participate confidently in the market.
“The Government of Bermuda is proud to support local businesses as part of the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum: Digital Payments Workshop & Market,” said The Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP. “This event is about more than introducing residents to digital assets. It is about helping small businesses experience practical digital payments tools that can save money, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities for growth.”
Last year’s inaugural forum onboarded more than 400 residents to digital finance through a first-of-its-kind community airdrop using Coinbase wallets and the USDC digital dollar. This year’s event builds on that foundation by expanding participation for both residents and businesses, creating a real-world marketplace where digital assets can be used with local vendors.
The initiative forms part of the Government of Bermuda’s broader commitment to digital innovation, financial inclusion, and ensuring local businesses are equipped to participate in the future of finance. Complimentary government-supported tickets are limited, and available while supplies last.
DeSilva-Andrade remains defiant after pool play exit
The Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup has concluded in challenging fashion for Bermuda’s Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, as the 2025 Female Athlete of the Year suffered a third consecutive defeat to bring her individual campaign to a close.
Competing in her final fixture of BC1 Women’s Pool A, the world number seven faced off against Japan’s Hiromi Endo. Despite moments of tactical brilliance, DeSilva-Andrade was unable to disrupt the clinical rhythm of her opponent, ultimately falling to a 7-2 defeat.
The result followed a consistent but frustrating pattern for the Bermudian star; she managed to register exactly two points in each of her three pool matches but found herself on the wrong side of the scoreline against elite opposition.
Despite the results, DeSilva-Andrade remained remarkably composed when reflecting on her performance at the Maurice Richard Arena.
“So today I played my last game of this tournament,” she said. “No, it wasn’t the result I wanted, but it was a great game nonetheless. I pushed my opponent just as hard as she pushed me. I went into the match with good spirits and ended the same way.”
While she leaves Montreal without a win in the individual division, her resilience under pressure and high level of self-belief suggest that the form which earned her national honours is likely to return as she shifts her focus to the next international window.
