Sunday, November 1, 2026
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EU extends sanctions against Myanmar by a year

The measures include asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo for 105 individuals and 22 entities

International News via Reuters:

The European Union on Monday extended its sanctions against Myanmar until at least May 2027, in an effort to maintain pressure on the country’s military rulers more than five years after their coup toppled an elected government.

The measures include asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo for 105 individuals and 22 entities. They were first imposed after the February 2021 military coup and the subsequent crackdown on dissent.

“The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the actions taken by the Myanmar military since the 2021 coup,” the EU Council said, citing what it described as continuing grave human rights violations and widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

It called for an end to all violence and the release of people who have been arbitrarily detained.

Earlier this month, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was elected as president of Myanmar after an election denounced by Western governments as a sham to perpetuate military rule.

The United Nations says at least 3.6 million people have been displaced since the coup, and the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has verified nearly 8,000 killings and close to 31,000 arrests, with more than 22,000 people remaining in detention.

The EU said it continues to withhold direct financial assistance to the administration and to suspend any aid that could be seen as legitimising the military leadership.

Reporting by Alexander Chituc, editing by Bart Meijer

UK retail sales tumble by most in over 40 years, CBI survey shows

The CBI’s monthly retail sales volume measure dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, its lowest reading since the series started in 1983

International News via Reuters:

British retailers reported the broadest year-on-year decline in sales in more than 40 years as the Iran war raised households’ inflation fears, a survey from the Confederation of British Industry showed on Monday.

The CBI’s monthly retail sales volume measure dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, its lowest reading since the series started in 1983, as 77% of firms reported sales were down compared with a year ago while only 9% reported an increase.

“Some retailers reported that weak consumer confidence was weighing on spending in April,” the employer organisation said.

Expectations for May also darkened, dropping to -60 from -49, the gloomiest outlook since March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the economic impact of the Iran conflict becoming clearer, firms will be looking to government to recognise that easing cost of living pressures depends on tackling the cost of doing business,” CBI economist Martin Sartorius said.

The CBI called on the government to stop new employee rights legislation from boosting employers’ costs too much, reduce their property taxes and lower electricity bills.

The survey was based on response from 61 retail chains collected between March 26 and April 14.

The decline in the CBI figure was steeper than in other data since the U.S and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil exports.

Britain’s longest-running consumer confidence survey, from GfK, sank to its lowest since October 2023 this month while a CBI survey of manufacturers showed the lowest optimism since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Monday’s retail survey showed less of a decline in a related question – which asked retailers if sales were good, bad or normal for the time of year. That measure fell to -32 in April from -23 in March, and was last lower in June 2025.

Reporting by David MillikenEditing by William Schomberg

FTSE 100 edges higher as energy, banking stocks power gains

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.2% to 10,393.85 points by 1005 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 also climbed 0.2%

International News via Reuters:

London’s FTSE 100 edged higher on Monday as gains in energy and financial sectors offset losses in consumer staples and mining stocks, with investors turning their attention to pivotal central bank meetings due later this week.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.2% to 10,393.85 points by 1005 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 also climbed 0.2%.

• Energy stocks led the sectoral gains, surging 1% as oil majors BP and Shell both advanced about 1%.

• Prospects for peace in the Middle East dimmed over the weekend, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating that Iran would need to initiate contact if it sought to negotiate an end to their escalating two-month conflict.

• The banking sector also gained alongside aerospace and defense stocks, climbing 0.5% and 0.9% respectively.

• Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures climbed 2.4% to $107.84, reigniting inflation concerns and prompting traders to eliminate expectations for interest rate reductions across economies this year.

• All eyes are now on the Bank of England, which is widely expected to maintain current interest rates later this week, while attempting to assess the mounting economic challenges facing Britain amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

• Market participants will also closely monitor forthcoming policy decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank for further direction.

• On Monday, UK’s consumer staples faced pressure, with supermarket chain Sainsbury falling 3% after Goldman Sachs’ double downgrade on the stock.

• Precious metal miners retreated 0.3% as gold prices edged lower

• Among other movers, Premier Inn owner Whitbread advanced 1.7% after The Times reported the company’s plans to divest numerous hotel properties and return 1.5 billion pounds ($2.03 billion) to shareholders.

• Meanwhile, space technology investor Seraphim Space Investment Trust plummeted 11.6% following its announcement to raise up to 350 million pounds ($473.83 million) through a placement of new ‘C’ shares at 100 pence each.

($1 = 0.7387 pounds)

Reporting by Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber

White House dinner shooting prompts scrutiny of Trump security arrangements

Two former Secret Service agents and three senior U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday that federal agents appeared to carry out their plan to protect the president effectively on Saturday night

Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, lies on the floor after being detained by law enforcement personnel, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026, in this screengrab from a video. Bill Frischling/ CQ Roll Call/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. VERIFICATION Reuters was able to verify the location from flooring, lights, television, and windows that match corroborating footage. Reuters was able to confirm the date from file data. The armed man fired at a Secret Service agent, an FBI official told Reuters. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

International News via Reuters:

U.S. law enforcement officials are reassessing security arrangements after a gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, raising questions about how he was able to get so close to an event attended by President Donald Trump, cabinet members and lawmakers.

Two former Secret Service agents and three senior U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday that federal agents appeared to carry out their plan to protect the president effectively on Saturday night, stopping the alleged gunman before he reached the basement level of the Washington Hilton, where Trump was set to speak.

But the fact that some attendees could hear the shots fired at a Secret Service agent underscored vulnerabilities, the officials said, even after a pair of assassination attempts against Trump during the 2024 campaign had already prompted stronger measures around the president’s security.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. 

The most obvious lesson from the incident, the former law enforcement officials said, is that security personnel may need to expand the protective perimeter around the president at large public venues, even if that leads to public inconvenience.

Some of the U.S. officials noted the security perimeter at Trump’s rallies is often much more expansive than the one that was established on Saturday night.

At Saturday’s dinner, guests were required to pass through magnetometers, or metal detectors, to enter the ballroom but needed only a ticket to access the hotel itself. Several people tried to enter using last year’s ticket, according to a person with direct knowledge of the event’s planning.

Officials said the California man who allegedly sprinted past security, armed with multiple weapons, appeared to circumvent even that basic step by checking in to the hotel in the days before the event.

EXPAND THE PERIMETER

Bill Gage, who served on the Secret Service’s Counter Assault Team for six years and is now executive protection director for the SafeHaven Security Group, said post-incident reviews will likely focus at least in part on pushing the magnetometers farther out to expand the outer perimeter.

The Secret Service, Gage said, “is going to have to find a way to better secure large hotels that may inconvenience the hotel goers and the hotel.”

He also said the Secret Service would need to do a better job coordinating the evacuation of other administration officials.

Several law enforcement bodies, from the U.S. Marshals to the Diplomatic Security Service, spirited away attendees after the shooting, highlighting how the complex web of those charged with protecting different VIPs can lead to seemingly uncoordinated responses.

While Trump was whisked off stage just over 30 seconds after the last shots were fired, according to a video and audio analysis conducted by Reuters, it took at least 100 seconds for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to leave the room and around 150 seconds for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to exit.

Don Mihalek, a former senior Secret Service agent who has worked previous correspondents’ dinners at the Washington Hilton, said securing the sprawling site has long posed challenges.

“I’m sure the service is going to go back and re-look at the set-up there, and probably push out the perimeter some more now, because of what happened,” Mihalek said.

Trump himself said at an impromptu news conference late on Saturday that the Washington Hilton was “not a particularly secure building.”

During the first assassination attempt against Trump, which took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, law enforcement officials were criticized for failing to set an effective security perimeter. That omission allowed a gunman to get a clean line of sight at the then-candidate, who was clipped in the ear.

“I EXPECTED SECURITY CAMERAS AT EVERY BEND”

Among those who were critical of the event’s security posture was the shooter himself, who mused in a written manifesto, first reported by the New York Post, about how lax security appeared to be.

“Like, I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo,” the California man wrote. “What I got (who knows, maybe they’re pranking me!) is nothing.”

Conservative influencers and officials, including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, quickly took to X to say the incident showed why Trump should move ahead with construction of a ballroom on White House grounds. 

A federal judge ordered a halt to the ballroom’s construction in late March, saying the project was unlawful without congressional approval, although a federal appeals court later stayed that injunction.

One of the U.S. officials said he was anticipating a review of security around the president and his cabinet, and possibly some changes. A second U.S. official noted that security of some cabinet members had been increased when the Iran war began in February.

Reporting by Jana Winter, Gram Slattery and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Milan Pavicic; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Ethan Smith

UK PM Starmer to discuss Iran war impact with Bank of England

“Tomorrow I’m chairing a meeting of Cobra on the impact (of the war), bringing in people from the Bank of England, so that you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis,”

International News via Reuters:

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host representatives from the Bank of England on Tuesday at a meeting of the government’s emergency response committee focused on the impact of the war in Iran.

“Tomorrow I’m chairing a meeting of Cobra on the impact (of the war), bringing in people from the Bank of England, so that you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis,” Starmer said on Monday in a speech to trade union members.

“I have to level with you about Iran, because the truth is, the economic consequences could still be with us for some time,” he added, citing fuel as one example of where prices have risen already.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, Writing by William James; Editing by Kate Holton

Global stocks steady; oil climbs on stalled peace talks

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose almost 3% to touch a more than three-week high of $108.5 a barrel at one point in the session, stoking inflation worries

International News via Reuters:

Oil climbed on Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks pointed to further disruption in Middle East energy exports, while global stocks held steady at the start of a busy week of tech earnings reports and central bank decisions.

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose almost 3% to touch a more than three-week high of $108.5 a barrel at one point in the session, stoking inflation worries and prompting traders to all but price out rate cuts in developed markets this year.

MSCI’s All-World index was a touch higher, while Europe’s STOXX 600 dipped around 0.2%. In Asia, markets in Tokyo and Seoul rose to trade around record highs, riding a fresh wave of AI-fuelled optimism, while Wall Street futures fell.

“It is an incredibly busy week ahead. Not only are we going to have inevitably another round of geopolitical headlines all over the place, we’ve also got five policy decisions across the G10, we’ve got five of the ‘magnificent 7’ (tech giants) reporting, and I think by market cap it’s about 45% of the S&P giving us results this week,” said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone.

While a ceasefire has frozen most fighting in the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran two months ago, markets remain focused on the shuttered Strait of Hormuz, crossed by barely any ships carrying cargoes of oil and gas.

The outlook for peace talks remains uncertain.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran only had to call if it wanted to negotiate an end to the war. Iran’s foreign minister landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin.

Goldman Sachs analysts lifted year-end Brent oil price forecasts to $90 a barrel from $80, basing the expectation on a June-end return to normal for Gulf exports.

“Non-linear price increases are likely if inventories drop to critically low levels, which we have not seen in the last few decades,” they warned in a note.    

RATES AND HYPERSCALERS EARNINGS

Equity investors tried to look past the oil shock, with renewed attention on the tech sector and the artificial intelligence trend that some view as unstoppable. 

“AI is something that people are very optimistic about and very much considered a winner,” said Mike Seidenberg, senior portfolio manager for Allianz Technology Trust.

“It’s the top of the portfolio.”

Intel’s forecast last week for second-quarter revenue exceeding Wall Street expectations set off the latest round of buying, pushing the total value of the chipmaker-heavy stock markets in Taiwan and South Korea above that of Germany.

U.S. tech earnings due in the coming week include reports from 44% of the S&P 500 by market cap.

Capital expenditure plans will be in focus for firms such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta Platforms, set to report on Wednesday, while Apple will report a day later.

Major central banks are expected to keep policy on hold this week, including the U.S. Federal Reserve – at what will likely be its last meeting with Jerome Powell in the chair.

The European Central Bank and Bank of England are also set to keep policy unchanged, but their tone and outlook could challenge market pricing for rate hikes later this year.

The first central bank to meet, however, will be the Bank of Japan, which is expected on Tuesday to keep its short-term policy rate steady at 0.75%.

In currencies, the dollar was broadly steady on Monday, with the euro at $1.1746 and the Japanese yen pinned just below the crucial 160 level. 

Reporting by Sophie Kiderlin in London and Tom Westbrook in Singapore; Additional reporting by Dhara Ranasinghe in London; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Thomas Derpinghaus and Gareth Jones

Sterling edges up vs dollar with Middle East, BoE in focus

The greenback rallied during the Iran conflict, benefiting in March from safe-haven flows as the U.S. is less exposed than Europe – including Britain – to the adverse effects of surging oil prices

International News via Reuters:

Sterling edged up against the dollar on Monday as markets focused on geopolitics amid uncertainty over a possible U.S.-Iran deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while awaiting the Bank of England policy meeting later this week.

The greenback rallied during the Iran conflict, benefiting in March from safe-haven flows as the U.S. is less exposed than Europe – including Britain – to the adverse effects of surging oil prices, given the region’s heavy reliance on oil imports. The dollar edged lower on Monday and hopes for a deal are still alive.

Sterling was 0.08% higher versus the dollar at $1.3544. Against the euro, it fell 0.1% to 86.70 pence.

Politics remained in focus as Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing scrutiny for appointing Labour veteran Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S.

“The pound has been supported by the hawkish repricing of BoE rate hike expectations encouraged by further evidence of stronger UK growth momentum at the start of this year while underlying inflation pressures remained uncomfortably high at the start of the energy price shock,” said Lee Hardman, senior currency economist at MUFG.

In local and regional elections on May 7, the Labour Party looks set to suffer large losses at the hands of the populist Reform UK party led by Brexit veteran Nigel Farage.

With the BoE widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged on Thursday, investor attention is likely to centre on a voting split and the tone of the central bank’s communication.

Analysts argued that expectations for roughly two rate hikes by September would likely only be sustained if a number of policymakers dissented in favour of holding rates steady.

“The pound has thus far been able to weather the fallout from the latest twist of the Mandelson affair, helped by resilient demand-side data releases and a somewhat smaller exposure to the energy shock relative to the euro zone,” Barclays said in a research note.

“That said, risks from a more expansionary fiscal policy after the May elections linger and we remain cautious.”

Data last week showed that British inflation rose to 3.3% in March from 3.0% in February, an increase partly linked to the initial price impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. 

Reporting by Stefano Rebaudo; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus

2 injured in serious 3-vehicle crash in Devonshire

Police statement:

There has been a serious road traffic collision involving a motorcar and two motorcycles on Middle Road, just east of the junction with Chaingate Hill, Devonshire.

Details are limited at this time, but it is understood two individuals have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and have been transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, for further treatment.

The collision scene is currently being processed and the roadway closed with traffic diversions at Middle Road and Chaingate Hill, as well as Middle Road and Hermitage Road.

Motorists are urged to approach these diversion points with caution and follow the instructions of police officers assisting with traffic flow.

Police update at 8.30pm:

The roadway has been reopened to regular traffic flow. Thank you for your patience and cooperation while the collision scene was processed.

Neurointervention specialist at ‘Docs for Dinner’

BHCS Press Release:

Bermuda HealthCare Services (BHCS) and Brown-Darrell Clinic will host their upcoming Docs for Dinner educational event on Tuesday, April 28, bringing together Bermuda’s medical community for an evening of continuing education, collaboration, and clinical insight.

The event will feature internationally recognised Neurointervention specialist Timo Krings, MD, PhD, FRCPC, of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, who also serves as Professor and Chair at UMass Chan-Lahey (UMass Chan Medical School).

Dr Krings will present on the topic: “What’s New in the Brain? Why Doctors Need to Know About Neurointervention”

The session will explore emerging advances in neurointerventional techniques and their implications for modern medical practice, offering attendees valuable insight into rapidly evolving treatment approaches for neurological conditions.

The evening will be held at BLU Bar & Grill in Warwick, with cocktails beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the presentation at 7:00 p.m.

This accredited continuing medical education (CME) activity, provided through Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, offers up to 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, reinforcing BHCS and Brown-Darrell Clinic’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical excellence in Bermuda.

Dr Ewart Brown, Founder and Executive Chairman of Bermuda HealthCare Services, emphasised the importance of continued medical learning:

“At Bermuda HealthCare Services, we believe that access to cutting-edge knowledge is essential to delivering world-class care right here at home. ‘Docs for Dinner’ is about more than education; it is about fostering a culture of collaboration and clinical excellence among Bermuda’s physicians. By bringing leading experts like Dr Krings to our shores, we ensure that our medical community remains at the forefront of innovation, benefiting every patient we serve.”

The Docs for Dinner series continues to be a key professional development initiative in Bermuda’s healthcare sector, offering a forum for physicians to connect with global experts and strengthen local networks.

Final-day flourishes for Bermuda’s footballing elite

Kenni Thompson. Photo supplied

From rain-soaked shootouts in Connecticut to stoppage-time clinical finishers in England, it was a weekend defined by high stakes and dramatic conclusions for Bermuda’s overseas professionals.

Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC emerged as the big winners in a soggy “Ocean State” derby. Despite dominating possession against Hartford Athletic, Smith’s side were forced to go the distance after a scoreless 90 minutes. Goalkeeper Koke Vegas proved the hero, following up a clean sheet in regulation with a decisive save in the penalty shootout to secure a vital extra point.

Across the Atlantic, Kenni Thompson brought the curtain down on her season in spectacular fashion. In a 4–2 victory for AFC Bournemouth against Watford, Thompson showed ice-cold composure to convert a 95th-minute penalty, marking the final goal of the Cherries’ league campaign.

In the NWSL, Leilanni Nesbeth helped Chicago Stars FC to a milestone 2–0 win over Boston Legacy, securing their first shutout of the season. The result was mirrored in the North East Regional League, where Aaliyah Nolan found the back of the net to help Bristol City Women dismantle Alnwick 4–0.

It wasn’t all celebrations, however. In Iceland, Nia Christopher suffered a 92nd-minute heartbreak as her FH Hafnarfjörður side conceded a late equalizer to draw 1–1. Similarly, Trinae Edwards saw her season end in defeat as FC United of Manchester fell 4–2 to Mancunian Unity.

With many domestic seasons now concluded, the focus shifts to the post-season and summer recruitment, with Bermuda’s stars once again proving their worth on the global stage.

King’s U.S. visit to go ahead following talks after shooting

The U.S. State Visit by King Charles III will proceed as planned, after officials discussed if there would be any impact due to a shooting incident at a White House dinner on Saturday

Guests take cover after U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by Secret Service agents after a loud, unidentified noise, in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci / King Charles III, REUTERS/Phil Noble

(This article includes reporting by Reuters)

Buckingham Palace said on Sunday that the four-day trip to the United States by King Charles and Queen Camilla would go ahead as planned, following a shooting at a dinner attended by the President.

US President Donald Trump was rushed out of the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday evening, after a man opened fire on nearby security personnel.

U.S. authorities think the shooting likely targeted the President and administration officials.

King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are due to arrive in the United States on Monday for a four-day trip. Early on Sunday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said “a number of discussions” were being held to determine if the incident “may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit.”

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said that he was confident King Charles would be safe during this week’s visit to the U.S.

A palace spokesperson has now confirmed that, following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic, “we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned…

“The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow.”

Following the State Visit, the King is scheduled to fly to Bermuda on Thursday, marking his first visit to a British Overseas Territory as Sovereign. The programme of events for the Royal Visit runs for a full day on Friday, plus Saturday morning (view the programme HERE).

Bermuda Broadcasting reached out to Government for an update on any discussions concerning the Bermuda visit, following the shooting incident in Washington.

‘SURREAL SCENE’

A Buckingham Palace source told Reuters that King Charles and Queen Camilla privately reached out to U.S. President Trump and the first lady Melania Trump to express their sympathies after Saturday’s shooting incident.

During the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in the Washington Hilton hotel, a man fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint, before being tackled and arrested.

After shots were heard, Secret Service agents rushed President Trump, the first lady and other administration members out of the dinner.

The President told reporters at a briefing after the attack that the Secret Service agent who was shot was in “good shape” after being saved by his bulletproof vest. U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the officer had been released from hospital.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual event attended by journalists, which includes a speech by the President.

BELOW: Witnesses recount a ‘surreal scene’ after shots were fired at the White House press dinner (Reuters)

Bermuda to participate in Vaccination Week

Government of Bermuda Press Release:

Under the theme “Your choice makes a difference. Immunization for all,” Bermuda will participate in Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2026, taking place from 26 April to 1 May, 2026.

This year’s campaign places particular emphasis on MMR, HPV, and adult immunisations, underscoring the Ministry of Health’s commitment to ensuring that the public has access to clear, accurate, and trusted information about vaccines that protect the health of our community.

VWA is a Pan American Health Organization initiative that brings countries across the region together to strengthen public awareness of the importance of routine vaccination. Bermuda will mark the week with a series of activities and community engagement events designed to promote vaccine confidence, highlight key immunization messages, and support informed decision‑making.

“Vaccination Week allows us to engage directly with our community, answer questions, and ensure that people have reliable information about the vaccines that protect our children, families, and seniors,” said Minister of Health Kim Wilson. “Routine immunization remains one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illness, and we are committed to supporting the public with transparent, accessible information.”

As part of the week’s activities, the Department of Health’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) team will host a “Let’s Talk HPV” Panel Discussion and Vaccine Communications Feedback Expo on 27 April from 4 to 7 PM.

At 4 PM, community members and healthcare professionals are invited to review draft vaccine information pamphlets for six vaccines in Bermuda’s schedule. Participants will provide written feedback and join a short discussion to assess clarity, understanding, and confidence in the Expanded Programme on Immunization.

At 6 PM, a panel discussion will feature experts on HPV vaccination and HPV‑related cancers, including Dr. Chris Fosker, Medical Director at the Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre; Ms. Azuree Williams, Health Promotion, Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre; Dr. Kristen Woodward, Pediatrician at Edgewood Pediatric Centre; and Dr. Niall Uthman, Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Health.

Also joining the panel virtually is Dr. Tracy Evans-Gilbert, a consultant in Paediatrics, Tropical Medicine, and Public Health. She serves as a Senior Associate Lecturer in Paediatrics at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

Minister Wilson added, “We encourage the public to attend this panel discussion, ask questions, and learn more about how vaccines protect our community. Together, we can continue to build a healthier Bermuda.”

On Thursday, 29 April, the Department of Health will hold an EPI workshop on immunization best practice, rollout strategy, product training, and policy updates, bringing together Ministry of Health staff and partners to share updates, collaborate, and plan next steps.