Dr. Carika Weldon, founder of CariGenetics told media how her work has been inspired by her family ties
CariGenetics has officially announced the naming of its clinical lab in honour of its founder’s late grandmother, Marie V. Gibbons, marking a major step forward in the organisation’s continued mission to advance medicine on island.
Here’s more.
Charles’ address came on the second day of a four-day state visit to the U.S. during a tense time in relations between the two countries
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the U.K. and the U.S. will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy, at a time of deep divisions between the two long-time allies over the war with Iran.
“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries,” Charles told U.S. lawmakers during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla.
Charles’ address came on the second day of a four-day state visit to the U.S. during a tense time in relations between the two countries, after U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for what Trump says is his lack of help in prosecuting the Iran war.
“I come here today with the highest respect for the United States Congress – this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms,” Charles said.
Trump has said Starmer, who has won some plaudits at home for not joining the Iran offensive, was no Winston Churchill, while he belittled a later offer of military assistance to defend allies in the region.
Before his speech Charles met with top Republican and Democratic lawmakers after a morning visit to the White House with Camilla that included a closed-door meeting between the king and Trump. The events are part of a visit to the U.S. designed to underscore ties forged between Britain and its former colony over the 250 years since American independence.
The king was only the second British sovereign to address the U.S. Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to both houses in 1991.
TRUMP UNDERSCORES FRIENDSHIP
Earlier, during a ceremonial outdoor reception at the White House, Trump stressed the friendship that has evolved between Britons and Americans since their days as adversaries during the War of Independence and the “wounds of war” it caused.
“The soldiers who once called each other Redcoats and Yankees became the Tommies and the GIs who together saved the free world as brothers in arms and brothers in eternity,” the president said in a reference to World War Two as hundreds of guests gathered on the South Lawn with the Washington Monument in the distance.
After escorting the king and queen to their limousine for departure from the White House, Trump told reporters, “It was a really good meeting. He’s a fantastic person. They’re incredible people and it’s a real honor.”
Addresses to joint meetings of Congress are generally reserved for the closest U.S. allies or major world figures. The last was by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in July 2024.
As tensions between the two countries have grown over the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran, an internal Pentagon email suggested Washington could review its support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Christian Turner, had said that the only “special relationship” the U.S. has is with “probably Israel” and that he disliked the phrase because it is “quite nostalgic” and it has a “lot of baggage about it.”
Asked about the report, a foreign office spokesperson said Turner was making “private, informal comments” to a group of teenage British students who visited the U.S. in early February. “They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position,” the spokesperson said.
TRUMP CRITICAL OF ALLIES
Trump’s administration has repeatedly criticized many of the U.S.-led military alliance’s other members for not offering more assistance to U.S. operations against Iran and pressed European countries into sharing more of the financial burden for supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
While written on the advice of the British government, much of the language and tone in the speech came from Charles himself, a Buckingham Palace source said.
Charles’ visit comes after a gunman tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday that was attended by Trump, his wife, and much of his cabinet. They were rushed to safety by law enforcement.
Asked earlier at the White House how she was doing following the incident, Melania Trump replied: “Very well, thank you.”
Tuesday night’s state dinner will be the first at the White House since Trump had the East Wing torn down to make way for his planned ballroom. The East Wing for decades has been the official entrance for guests arriving for state dinners and other functions, and with the area now a construction zone, they will have to take a different route into the building.
Charles presented Trump with a framed facsimile of the 1879 design plans for the president’s Resolute Desk, the originals of which are in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.
The Resolute Desk, located in the Oval Office, was created from the timbers of the British exploration ship HMS Resolute and presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria.
Trump gave the king a facsimile of a 1785 letter by John Adams, describing his reception by King George III as the first U.S. ambassador to Britain at St. James’s Palace and their mutual pledges of friendship following American independence.
Reporting by Nandita Bose and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Michael Holden and William James in London; Writing by Daniel Trotta, David Morgan and Tim Reid; Editing by Scott Malone, Timothy Heritage, Alistair Bell, Rod Nickel
London’s High Court ruled guitarist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell effectively signed over their rights to The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s albums and rejected the claimants’ arguments that streaming was not covered by a 1966 deal
International News via Reuters:
Sony Music Entertainment on Tuesday defeated a London lawsuit claiming performers’ property rights in relation to Jimi Hendrix’s classic 1960s albums, which the label had warned could have caused chaos for the music industry.
London’s High Court ruled guitarist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell effectively signed over their rights to The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s albums and rejected the claimants’ arguments that streaming was not covered by a 1966 deal.
Sony had argued at last year’s trial that the case could have prompted a slew of lawsuits from session musicians and backing vocalists laying claim to lucrative streaming royalties had the claimants been successful.
Sony and lawyers representing the claimants, two companies to which Redding and Mitchell’s purported rights were assigned, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit concerned The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s three studio albums “Are You Experienced”, “Axis: Bold As Love” and “Electric Ladyland”, released in 1967 and 1968.
The recordings helped usher in the psychedelic music age and made Hendrix a rock superstar before his death in London in September 1970, aged 27.
The descendants of Redding and Mitchell, who died in 2003 and 2008 respectively, had assigned any rights they might have had to two companies which sued Sony in 2022.
They sought a declaration that they owned a share of the sound recording copyrights of, and performers’ property rights in, the three Jimi Hendrix Experience albums.
Sony’s lawyers argued that in 1966 the band signed away the rights to exploit the recordings “by any method now known or hereafter to be known”. They also cited releases agreed by Redding and Mitchell to drop lawsuits in the early 1970s.
Judge Edwin Johnson ruled in Sony’s favour and dismissed the lawsuit, saying in a written ruling that the deal Redding and Mitchell signed “was not limited to any particular methods for the delivery of music”.
Reporting by Sam Tobin;Editing by Alison Williams
A man opened fire with a shotgun at a branch of Greece’s EFKA social security agency, wounding an employee in the leg, police said
International News via Reuters:
Police arrested an 89-year-old suspected of wounding five people in two separate gun attacks in Athens on Tuesday, the Greek citizens’ protection ministry said.
A man opened fire with a shotgun at a branch of Greece’s EFKA social security agency, wounding an employee in the leg, police said.
The gunman then travelled by taxi to a court building, where he fired several shots inside, lightly wounding four female court clerks, according to police, court officials and the judiciary employees’ union.
The gunman left the shotgun at the scene, along with letters addressed to newspapers, and fled on foot, media reported.
During the arrest, a second weapon was found, local media reported. Media identified the suspect as a garbage collector from the Athens area.
Police have not commented on a possible motive.
The man was arrested in a hotel in Patras, some 200 km from Athens.
Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alex Richardson and Alison Williams
The BOJ kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.75%, but a rare 6–3 split – the widest since Ueda took office – fueled expectations of a possible rate hike as early as June
International News via Reuters:
The dollar firmed on Tuesday as risk‑off flows driven by the Iran war offset a brief rally in the yen following the Bank of Japan’s most divided policy decision under Governor Kazuo Ueda.
The BOJ kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.75%, but a rare 6–3 split – the widest since Ueda took office – fueled expectations of a possible rate hike as early as June. The yen initially strengthened but reversed course after Ueda’s press conference dampened the growth outlook, leaving it little changed at 159.65 per dollar and 186.90 per euro.
Three dissenting board members – Junko Nakagawa, Hajime Takata and Naoki Tamura – voted to raise the policy rate to 1.0%, citing sharply rising inflation risks stemming from war‑related energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with his top national security aides on Monday. But a U.S. official said later that Trump was unhappy with the proposal because it did not address Iran’s nuclear programme.
The euro was down 0.11% at $1.17085. The dollar strengthened 0.51% to 0.79 against the Swiss franc. The U.S. dollar index snapped a two-day losing streak to trade 0.2% higher at 98.66.
“We’re having the traditional risk-off correlations since the Iran war – a rise in oil prices, a stronger dollar, higher U.S. yields, lower Fed rate cut expectations, and lower gold,” said Eugene Epstein, head of structuring for North America at Moneycorp in New Jersey.
Brent crude rose 2.8% to settle at $111.26 per barrel. The benchmark S&P 500 index was down about 0.5%. U.S. Treasury yields were mostly higher, with the yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes up 1.7 basis points to 4.354%. Spot gold fell 1.84% to $4,596.50 an ounce.
FED TRANSITION IN FOCUS
Attention is also turning to the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting that ends on Wednesday. It is widely expected to be Jerome Powell’s last as head of the U.S. central bank. Senator Thom Tillis on Sunday lifted his hold on the confirmation of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as Powell’s successor after the U.S. Justice Department ended its criminal investigation into Powell.
Warsh is expected to advocate for rate cuts, though surging energy prices linked to the Iran conflict could make other members of the central bank’s policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee cautious.
“It’s not a meeting where rates policy is on the front burner, but the FOMC assessment of the economy may improve,” said Steve Englander, global head of G10 FX research at Standard Chartered in New York. “The inflation picture is improving very slowly at best and could be an emerging issue for Warsh to deal with” when he takes office.
Sterling fell 0.12% to $1.352. The Canadian dollar weakened 0.42% to C$1.368 per dollar, ahead of the Bank of Canada’s rate decision on Wednesday. Central banks in the euro zone and UK are also set to deliver decisions this week.
Bitcoin fell 1.08% to $76,145.40, while ether was flat at $2,292.25.
“We maintain a bearish USD outlook into this week’s central bank risk events as we look to the Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve rate decisions on Wednesday, followed by the Bank of England and ECB on Thursday. These meetings follow the BoJ’s hawkish hold, where the board delivered a 6-3 vote that was complemented by Governor Ueda’s stated intention to maintain a commitment to tightening,” Scotiabank analysts led by Shaun Osborne said in an investor note.
Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York and Sophie Kiderlin in London; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Paul Simao
UPDATE: Police report that Ms Albouy has been located.
Original Police Press Release: The Bermuda Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 26-year-old Bermuda National, Mya Albouy.
Ms. Albouy is described as being approximately 4’ 11” in height, thick build, dark complexioned with short hair.
She was last seen in the area of Boaz Island, around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, when she was riding a motorcycle headed in a westerly direction.
At the time she was wearing a pink or lilac coloured, short-sleeved top, grey leggings, a black baseball cap and no shoes.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 26-year-old Mya Albouy, is asked to immediately call the main police number, 295-0011, or 211.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Police Service.
The youth programme commemorates its 60th anniversary and honours outstanding cadets in annual prizegiving ceremony
Last week, the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps (BSCC) hosted its annual Prizegiving Ceremony, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Sea Cadets in Bermuda. The event celebrated the achievements, growth, and dedication of the island’s young cadets and junior cadets, as well as the volunteers and families who support them.
Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Simons, Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, served as the evening’s Guest of Honour. His presence underscored the long‑standing relationship between the Regiment and the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps, two organisations founded in the same year and united by a shared mission of developing Bermuda’s future leaders.
Speaking on his experience as the Guest of Honour for the event, Lt Col Simons was very enthusiastic about the Sea Cadet programme, saying, “Youth organisations like the Sea Cadets are really important in that they strengthen civil society and foster a sense of duty to serve one’s community. It was a privilege to speak to them and join in celebrating their accomplishments over the past year. I was both impressed and inspired.”
Indeed, the past year has been one of the most active and successful in recent BSCC history, marked by participation in major annual parades including the King’s Birthday Parade, Remembrance Day, HMS Jervis Bay, Midshipman Dale, and Pilot Jemmy Darrell commemorations, as well as community events such as the Unit’s annual sponsored row, trashathon, fish fry, and family bingo night.
As part of the Sea Cadet training programme, conducted throughout the year, Cadets also earned promotions in rank and earned qualifications in a wide array of skills, including drill, seamanship, catering, piping, and rowing, to name a few. In addition, the introduction of the new RNPCS uniform and updated training aids further modernised the Unit’s training. The Corps also made history as the first Overseas Sea Cadet Unit ever to participate in the National Trafalgar Day Parade in London, in October.
Most notably, this year saw a record‑breaking milestone with the largest ship’s company in more than 30 years. The Corps now boasts 32 Sea Cadets and Junior Cadets and is a diverse community group, representing 14 different schools from across Bermuda and achieving a 50% female/male cadet ratio for the first time.
“This is a wonderfully diverse, committed, and enthusiastic group of young people,” said Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Michael Frith, RNR, the Commander of the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps. “They show up every week, take on every challenge, and represent Bermuda with pride.”
The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of cadets at every level, from the Junior Division to the most senior cadets preparing for leadership roles. Recognitions included:
● TS Admiral Somers Leadership Award: Able Cadet Xavier Vezina
● Commanding Officer’s Award for Outstanding Commitment: Ordinary Cadet Christian Fox
● Commendations for Self-Discipline & Commitment – Ordinary Cadet Samuel Valles, Ordinary Cadet A’Lia German-Pitcher, and Cadet 1st Class Kayden Harvey
● Commendation for Respect & Loyalty – Ordinary Cadet Sophie Tindall
● Commendation for Courage & Commitment – Cadet 1st Class Aidan Taylor
● Commendations for Sea Cadet Core Values – Cadet Briyani Gibbons and Cadet 1st Class Soraiya Trott
● Merit Point Achievement – Attendance – Ordinary Cadet Samuel Valles
● Merit Point Achievement – Uniform – Ordinary Cadet Cyana Simons-Cyris
● Merit Point Achievement – Discipline – Ordinary Cadet Lexie Taylor
● Merit Point Achievement – Participation – Ordinary Cadet Lexie Taylor
The Commanding Officer closed the ceremony by thanking the dedicated Uniformed Volunteers, Unit Management Committee, Association Executive, and the families who make the programme possible. “We are a strong Unit and a strong Corps because of all of you,” he said. “This is what community can achieve.”
The Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps welcomes new volunteers and supporters to join its mission of developing Bermuda’s youth. Whether through mentoring, training, or helping with events, community members can play a vital role in shaping the island’s future leaders. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, email bermudaseacadets@gmail.com or tsadmiralsomers@hotmail.com.
Media release and images supplied by the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps.
A networking event for contractors will take place next Friday At Grotto Bay
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment will host an informal networking event on Friday, 8 May 2026, to support engagement between local contractors and prospective international bidders for the Swing Bridge Replacement Project.
The meet-and-greet will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Oleander Room at Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa.
The event is designed as a networking opportunity and will bring together local trade specialists with potential Swing Bridge General Contractors who are exploring participation in the project.
This initiative also reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Bermudians are positioned to benefit from the economic opportunities generated by major national infrastructure projects
The Ministry is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from a wide range of trades, including general and marine contractors, welding, electrical, hydraulic and air conditioning specialists, CCTV providers, crane and barge operators, scaffolding companies, concrete suppliers, asphalting providers, material testing firms, land and quantity surveyors, environmental consultants, structural designers, and shipping and logistics providers.
These Expressions of Interest are intended to support prospective Swing Bridge General Contractors in identifying and engaging qualified local subcontractors as part of their project planning.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said: “This event is about creating space for connection. We want to ensure that local contractors have the opportunity to introduce themselves, showcase their capabilities, and be part of the conversation as this major infrastructure project moves forward.”
“While the Government is facilitating this opportunity, we will remain removed from any direct discussions between parties.
“It is important that all participants approach these interactions with a clear understanding that attendance does not guarantee work, nor does it constitute any form of pre-qualification or endorsement.”
Both local contractors and international bidders are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence when exploring potential partnerships.
The Swing Bridge Replacement Project is a key infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity and supporting long-term development.
The Premier, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, welcomed the winners of the 2026 Verbal Victory Spelling Bee to the Cabinet Office on 24 April 2026.
The visit recognised the outstanding performance of this year’s top three winners:
The students were accompanied by their parents and Mr Robert Horton, Deputy Chairman of the Verbal Victory Spelling Bee Bermuda.
The 2026 Verbal Victory Spelling Bee finals were held on Sunday, 8 March 2026, at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.
The competition featured 13 finalists who advanced from the semi-finals held on 1 February 2026, progressing through multiple rounds with increasingly challenging and unfamiliar words.
The visit to the Cabinet Office provided an opportunity to recognise the students’ achievements.
Premier Burt congratulated the students and recognised the organisers, stating: “In an era when children are often absorbed by their computers and phones, it is especially important that we continue to value basic reading, writing, and spelling skills.
“I commend the excellence shown by these students and the organisers for bringing this competition back for a second year.”
Media release and images supplied by Government of Bermuda.
Bermuda Pacers Track Club, a long-standing track and field institution with more than 45 years of developing successful athletes from CARIFTA Games to the Olympics, is preparing to host its annual Schools Relay Classic 2026. The event takes place this Friday at Flora Duffy Stadium, with organizers encouraging the community to come out and support Bermuda’s young talent.
Our Kendal Trott spoke with Cal Simons, head coach of the Bermuda Pacers Track Club, who shared more details about the upcoming event.
New data from Narrative Research highlights the widespread reach of fraudulent activity on island
New research is shedding light on the scale of fraud in Bermuda.
According to Narrative Research Bermuda, one in six islanders has fallen victim to a scam.
In just the past couple of months, police have warned of two separate schemes – a phone scam where fraudsters pose as bank representatives, costing victims millions, and a WhatsApp scam where criminals impersonate you to solicit money from your contacts.
Margaret Chapman, COO and partner at Narrative Research, says the rise in cases prompted the company to survey the public.
Ms Chapman, says while the findings are concerning, there is a positive takeaway – nearly all residents are taking steps to protect themselves.
Other tips to stay safe include, avoid clicking suspicious links, never share personal details, and report any suspected scam activity to police.
Media release supplied by Narrative Research Bermuda.
