Bermuda Walls Bailey’s Bay Project wraps with community celebration
It’s a wrap! The Bermuda Walls festival came to a close this Sunday but artists say they’ve left a lasting impression. The family-friendly event brought the community together to celebrate Bailey’s Bay history through public art while showcasing the creativity of local artists.
Kendal Trott ventured to the new Bailey’s Bay art mural to catch up with some of the artists involved with the project.
King Charles arrives in US for state visit amid differences over Iran war
The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles’ reign, marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence from British rule
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day trip, welcomed by self-proclaimed royal fan Donald Trump even as the U.S. president has differed with the British government over the Iran war.
The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles’ reign, marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence from British rule, and is the first to the country by a British monarch in two decades.
Charles and Camilla touched down at Joint Base Andrews where they were greeted by diplomatic, state and federal officials as well as senior members of the British embassy and accepted flowers from the children of British military families stationed in the United States.
They proceeded to the White House, where they were greeted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who exchanged kisses on the cheek with the king and queen while the president shook their hands. The four stood briefly for photographers before retreating inside for a private tea.
The week’s schedule also includes a Tuesday address to Congress, a lavish state dinner at the White House and a Wednesday stop in New York City. The Washington events take place with much of the capital city still on edge following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting on Saturday.
DIFFERENCES OVER IRAN
While Trump is an unabashed fan of the British royal family who regularly describes Charles as a “great man,” he has had differences with the British government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer is hoping the visit will shore up the future of the two allies’ “special relationship,” which is at its lowest point since the Suez Crisis in 1956.
The long-planned visit has become enmeshed in a political spat between the two countries over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which led Trump to voice deep displeasure with the British government for failing to support the offensive.
SEPTEMBER 11 REMEMBRANCE
The 77-year-old king, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, on Tuesday will become the second British monarch to address the U.S. Congress.
The royals will then head to New York City where they will commemorate those killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary, while the queen will also mark the centenary of children’s stories featuring Winnie the Pooh.
The trip concludes in Virginia with the king meeting those involved in conservation work, a nod to his half-century of environmental campaigning.
Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner, said the visit would underscore the shared history, sacrifice and common values between the two countries, adding that the approach would be a very British one: “Keep calm, carry on.”
While Trump has in recent days eased his criticism of Britain over its response to the Iran war, an internal Pentagon email set out how the U.S. could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for its lack of support, further straining ties.
One issue Charles will try to avoid during his visit is the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Royal sources have said it was not possible for the royal couple to meet any victims of Epstein during the tour, as some have requested, to avoid impacting any potential criminal cases.
Charles’ brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose reputation and royal standing have been destroyed by his links to the late U.S. sex offender, is facing police inquiries over his connections. The former Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.
Reporting by Suzanne Plunkett and Jacob Bogage in Washington; Additional reporting by Michael Holden in London; Editing by Scott Malone, Nia Williams and Daniel Wallis
Britain’s lifetime smoking ban set to become law
Lawmakers last week approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which introduces a rolling age restriction permanently barring anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 from buying cigarettes
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s plans to ban future generations from buying cigarettes will become law this week, ushering in a policy still overshadowed by questions over how effective it will be in stopping smoking.
Lawmakers last week approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which introduces a rolling age restriction permanently barring anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 from buying cigarettes.
Due to receive royal assent – the final stage of the legislative process – this week, the laws also tighten rules on vaping and other nicotine products, particularly around marketing and display.
GRADUAL CHANGE, DIVIDED VIEWS
In London, people were split on whether it would work.
“I think it’s important to ban it for teenagers and young kids,” 21-year-old student Minola Slaveschi said on Monday. “There’s just way too many at the moment vaping and smoking on the streets.”
Harry Jordan, a 23-year-old tennis player, said people would find another way to access the products and that it would not solve the issues.
“People are going to smoke regardless,” Mehmet, a shopkeeper in east London, told Reuters, standing in front of a row of brightly coloured vapes.
The bill raises the legal age for buying tobacco by one year, every year, starting with people born in and after 2009, meaning affected age groups face a lifetime ban.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the public health charity that has long pushed for tougher tobacco controls, estimates smoking among 16- and 17-year-olds is already low and says that will make the policy easier to phase in.
“The genius of this policy is that it starts small, but gains impact over time,” Hazel Cheeseman, ASH’s chief executive, said. It could prevent a “large amount of death” over decades, she added.
Government modelling suggests smoking rates among the affected age groups would eventually fall close to zero, easing pressure on Britain’s health system and pushing smoking into older generations.
CHOICE IS ‘IMPORTANT TO ME’
The tobacco ban does not cover vapes, but the law gives ministers wide powers to regulate flavours, packaging, product names and point-of-sale displays, measures the government says are intended to deter under-18s and non-smokers.
Cheeseman said those controls were central to making the generational ban work.
But some young adults remain uneasy about the principle of a permanent age divide, and not being able to choose for themselves.
“I get the idea of making it harder for young people to get tobacco,” said Cosi Wider, a 23-year-old assistant film producer who quit smoking. “But to have the choice to do it or to not do it, I feel like that’s quite important to me.”
Writing by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Andrew Heavens
South Sudan says 14 killed in plane crash near Juba
The aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation, lost communication while flying from Yei to Juba International Airport, the aviation authority said in a statement
International News via Reuters:
A plane crashed southwest of South Sudan’s capital Juba on Monday, killing all 14 people on board, the country’s civil aviation authority said.
• The aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation, lost communication while flying from Yei to Juba International Airport, the aviation authority said in a statement.
• It said the plane took off at 0915 local time and lost contact at 0943. There were 13 passengers and a pilot onboard, including two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese nationals.
• Preliminary reports suggested the aircraft may have crashed in bad weather, particularly low visibility, the statement said.
Writing by Vincent Mumo NzilaniEditing by Keith Weir
UK public inflation expectations retrace in April, Citi/YouGov survey shows
Short-term inflation expectations fell to 5% in April from 5.4% in March, while long-term expectations eased to 4.2% from 4.5% a month earlier, according to the survey published on Monday
International News via Reuters:
Britons’ short-term and long-term inflation expectations fell in April, in a surprise reading from a monthly survey by YouGov for U.S. bank Citi, which said the data did not give the Bank of England a strong basis for a more hawkish policy position.
Short-term inflation expectations fell to 5% in April from 5.4% in March, while long-term expectations eased to 4.2% from 4.5% a month earlier, according to the survey published on Monday.
The numbers are likely welcome news for the Bank of England as it monitors the fallout from the Iran war.
While the public are poor predictors of inflation, the BoE watches their expectations carefully for signs that price pressures are becoming permanently embedded in the mindset of the public, which could in turn influence interest rate decisions.
“We think there is still a compelling case to look through the volatility in these series for now until the volatility eases and the trend becomes clearer,” the Citi/YouGov report said.
‘LITTLE BASIS YET’ FOR MORE HAWKISH POLICY
It said that the big spike in March – when the inflation expectation for the year ahead marked the biggest monthly increase in more than 20 years – could have been due to a spike in fuel prices driven by the war in Iran, describing it as “anomalous”.
The April figures suggest inflation expectations are retreating as oil prices, and in particular future prices, drop to slightly lower levels, the report said.
It added that the trend would likely resume its downward path eventually, assuming an orderly return to energy markets over the coming months.
“So long as the volatility is explicable, and the expectations appear to be both moderating and anchored, we think there is little basis yet to use this data as a convincing argument for a more hawkish policy position,” the report said.
Reporting by Muvija M and David Milliken; Additional reporting by Andy Bruce; Editing by Daniel Wallis
Fort Hamilton reopens after major upgrades
Fort Hamilton has officially reopened following a series of upgrades aimed at modernizing the historic site while preserving its character.
The City of Hamilton says the renovations included improvements to electrical and water infrastructure…opening the door for more events and public use at the popular landmark.
Qian Dickinson spoke with the City’s Chief Operating Officer and City Engineer, Patrick Cooper, about the scope of the work, the cost, and what this means for the future of Fort Hamilton.
Student showcase to support growth of the arts in classrooms
Young creatives take to the stage during the Department of Education’s Spring into the Arts festival
Following the successful launch of the Spring into the Arts festival, the Department of Education invites the public to keep the momentum going as the celebration moves into its regional “Family of Schools” showcases.
Under the 2026 theme “One World, Many Stories,” students from 26 public and private schools are preparing to share their unique narratives through dance, drama, music, and visual art. The festival, which celebrates a legacy of visionary leadership from former Educators such as Mr. Dale Butler, Dr. Joseph Christopher, and Dr. Shangri-La Durham-Thompson, continues to serve as the island’s premier platform for young creatives.
The Minister of Education, The Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, attended the first showcase and applauded the talented students representing the islands’ senior schools. Minister Caesar said, “Spring into the Arts reminds us what’s possible when our young people are given the space to create, express, and be heard. ‘One World, Many Stories’ reflects the richness of voices across our school communities, and these showcases offer a special opportunity for students to share who they are through their art. I encourage everyone to come out, support our students, and enjoy the creativity and talent that continue to flourish in our schools.”
The community is encouraged to support their local student artists at the following upcoming events:
- Central Family of Schools Showcase: Thursday, April 30
- West Family of Schools Showcase: Thursday, May 7
- East Family of Schools Showcase: Thursday, May 28
Event Details:
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Ruth Seaton James Center for Performing Arts
- Admission: $5 (cash only)
“Each family of schools brings its own unique energy to the stage,” stated Commissioner of Education, Mrs Kalmar Richards. “By attending these showcases, the public isn’t just watching a performance; they are supporting the growth of the arts in our classrooms. Part proceeds from ticket and raffle purchases go back into the arts programs of participating schools.”
The festival is made possible by the support of generous community sponsors, including The Waterfront Group, The Phoenix Stores, Grotto Bay Beach Resort, PSSST by Kara’s Kitchen, and Card Your Yard Bermuda. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in raffles with prizes provided by these partners, with all proceeds benefiting school art departments.
For more information on the Spring into the Arts series and to see a full list of participating schools, please visit www.moed.bm
Media release and images supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Mirrors Programme seeks volunteer life coaches
The opportunity enables you to have a direct impact on young people’s lives
The Mirrors Programme is excited to launch the 2026/27 Community Programme Leadership Academy (CPLA), formerly known as the Coaching for Success Community Programme. More than just a mentorship opportunity, this performance coaching programme is a catalyst for personal transformation. We are seeking 45 dedicated volunteer adult Life Coaches to join this initiative, with 20 matched with young people in the CPLA and the remainder supporting the in-house restorative programme.
Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, stated, “Investing in our youth is investing in the future of Bermuda. Becoming a Life Coach with the Mirrors Programme offers an opportunity for members of the community to contribute to the development of our young people, having a measurable impact through helping them to realise their potential and become the leaders and changemakers of our future.”
The journey begins with a 2.5-day Volunteer Life Coach training in September, followed by a Matching Day where coaches meet their assigned young person. The programme then continues over eight months, from October 2026 to May 2027, with weekly coaching sessions and monthly experiential activities.
For nearly 20 years, Mirrors has demonstrated a strong track record of creating positive change in the lives of Bermuda’s youth. This year’s theme, ‘Transform Your Perspective’, reflects its commitment to helping young people reshape their outlook and achieve their full potential. The programme combines personal and academic goal-setting, leadership development, character-building and engaging activities, including partnerships with community organisations such as Toastmasters International.
Community members are encouraged to sign up to become a Life Coach. Information sessions are held every Wednesday from April through 17 June, or can be arranged for organisations upon request. To register, visit: bit.ly/mirrorsinfosession
For more information, call 294-9291 or e-mail mirrors@gov.bm.
Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
Archaeologists use AI to generate image of Pompeii victim
The AI-generated image, released by the Pompeii Archaeological Park on Monday, shows a man ducking for cover while holding a large bowl over his head, with a flaming Mount Vesuvius in the background
International News via Reuters:
Archaeologists in Italy’s Pompeii have for the first time used artificial intelligence to reconstruct the appearance of one of the victims of the volcanic eruption that destroyed the ancient Roman city nearly 2,000 years ago.
The AI-generated image, released by the Pompeii Archaeological Park on Monday, shows a man ducking for cover while holding a large bowl over his head, with a flaming Mount Vesuvius in the background.
It is based on the recent discovery of the remains of a male adult, just outside one of the southern gates of the city, which were lying next to a terracotta mortar that he presumably used as protection.
Archaeologists believe the man was killed by a shower of volcanic rocks, in the early hours of the second day of the eruption, while trying to escape towards the sea. He was also carrying a lamp and 10 bronze coins, the park said.
“If used well, artificial intelligence can contribute to a renewal of classical studies, illustrating the classical world in a more immersive way,” the head of the archaeological park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said in a statement.
The once-thriving city of Pompeii, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) south-east of Naples, was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, preserving buildings, objects and graffiti under metres of ash.
Rediscovered in the 18th century, it is now one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, and one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy, with 4.3 million visitors in 2024, according to the latest statistics.
Reporting by Alvise ArmelliniEditing by Keith Weir
At least four killed in train collision on outskirts of Indonesian capital
The collision took place in Bekasi rail station between a commuter line train and a long-distance train
International News via Reuters:
At least four people were killed when two trains collided in the city of Bekasi, adjoining the Indonesian capital Jakarta, late on Monday, officials said.
The collision took place in Bekasi rail station between a commuter line train and a long-distance train, the spokesperson of the commuter line operator Karina Amanda told Reuters, adding that “we are focusing on evacuating passengers and train crew”.
Four people had been killed and 38 people evacuated to nearby hospitals, said Anne Purba, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s railway operator, speaking on local broadcaster Kompas TV.
“Given that the evacuation is still ongoing, it is possible that the number of victims could continue to rise, but let us hope that the evacuation can be completed quickly,” the deputy speaker of the Indonesian parliament, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, told reporters at the site of the collision.
He said rescue officials were cutting through the wreckage to free at least six or seven people still found to be trapped inside.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, Karina said. Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri told reporters that the investigation into the incident was continuing.
Rescuers were seen using angle grinders to cut through the metal framework of train compartments in which commuters were trapped but seen alive.
At least 20 ambulances were seen at Bekasi station, Reuters witnesses said, with rescuers from Indonesia’s rescue agency also in attendance to help evacuate passengers.
Reporting by Ananda Teresia, Ajeng Dinar; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Alex Richardson and Keith Weir
Police rule out foul play in sudden death case
Officers from the Bermuda Police Service responded to a report of a woman found unresponsive in her Southampton home on April 11
Police have ruled out foul play in a sudden death investigation.
Today, the Bermuda Police Service said the woman was found unresponsive in her Southampton home on the evening of 11 April.
An on call doctor confirmed her death at the home.
A spokespeson confirmed, “following a thorough investigation and an autopsy performed by a forensic pathologist, it has now been confirmed that foul play was not involved.”
The BPS expressed condolences to the friends and family members of the deceased.
A spokesperson later confirmed with Bermuda Broadcasting that one person was arrested as part of the investigation prior to the result of the autopsy.
They said the male was “initially arrested in connection with the this matter pending the outcome of the autopsy.”
