Monday, November 9, 2026
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Pope Leo issues warning on democracy after Trump criticism

The first U.S. pope, writing to participants of a Vatican meeting about the use of power in democratic societies, said democracies remained healthy only when they were rooted in moral values

International News via Reuters:

Pope Leo warned of the risk of democracies sliding into “majoritarian tyranny” on Tuesday, in a letter issued by the Vatican two days after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the pontiff on social media.

The first U.S. pope, writing to participants of a Vatican meeting about the use of power in democratic societies, said democracies remained healthy only when they were rooted in moral values.

“Lacking this foundation, (democracy) risks becoming either a majoritarian tyranny or a mask for the dominance of economic and technological elites,” said Leo in the letter.

The text, released as the pope was undertaking an ambitious, 10-day tour of four African countries, did not directly address the U.S. or name any specific democracies.

Trump sharply criticized Leo as “terrible” on Sunday night, after the pope had emerged in recent weeks as a growing critic of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Leo told Reuters on Monday that he planned to keep criticizing the war, despite Trump’s comments.

In Tuesday’s letter, the pope said the Catholic Church taught that power could not be seen as an end in itself “but as a means ordered toward the common good”.

“This implies that the legitimacy of authority depends not on the accumulation of economic or technological strength, but on the wisdom and virtue with which it is exercised,” said Leo.

The pope also urged leaders in democratic societies to avoid any temptation to hoard power.

“Temperance … proves essential for the legitimate use of authority, for true temperance restrains inordinate self-exaltation and acts as a guardrail against the abuse of power,” he said.

Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alex Richardson

Narraway Holds Fast as Redlands Classic Enters Final Act

Bermuda’s Nicholas Narraway remains firmly in contention for a top-ten finish at the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic after navigating a chaotic and high-speed Downtown Criterium.

The fourth stage of the prestigious Californian race saw the peloton descend on a technical one-mile circuit, where ninety minutes of relentless racing tested the nerve and positioning of the general classification contenders. In a discipline often defined by high-speed crashes and tactical maneuvering, Narraway showed impressive maturity to keep his podium ambitions alive.

Representing Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway was tasked with staying toward the front of a bunch that refused to let any breakaways stick. The pace was unforgiving from the starting gun, yet the Bermudian managed to stay out of trouble as the laps ticked down. By the time the pack entered the final sprint, Narraway was part of a massive lead group of 94 riders who all recorded the same time as stage winner Jim Brown.

While Narraway was officially ruled across the line in 67th place, the collective timing proved vital. Brown took the stage victory in 1:30:54, but the lack of time gaps among the main field means the top of the leaderboard remains unchanged heading into the final stages.

In the general classification, Narraway maintains his impressive ninth-place position with a combined time of 6:07:27. He currently sits just 59 seconds behind the overall leader, Eric Brunner.

With less than a minute separating Narraway from the summit, the pressure now shifts to the final day of racing. The Bermudian will be looking to capitalize on any tactical openings to move up the order after what has already been a standout performance on the international stage.

Poise and Precision: Carreiro Leads the Way at Bermuda Dressage Challenge

Bermuda’s National Equestrian Center was the backdrop for a weekend of technical excellence as the island hosted the Regional Caribbean Dressage Challenge alongside a local Mini Dressage fixture.

Under the bright skies at Vesey Street, the discipline of dressage—often described as horse ballet—took center stage. Competitors navigated the rigorous demands of the regional event, where the partnership between horse and rider is scrutinized for rhythm, suppleness, and accuracy.

In the Junior division of the regional event, Lila Readdy emerged as the standout talent. Riding Edelweiss, Readdy demonstrated a composed performance that earned the pair a winning score of 57.8%. Her victory underscores the growing depth of youth talent within the Bermudian equestrian community.

The Adult division saw an equally impressive display from Vee McKey. Partnered with Happy Dance, McKey produced a fluid and harmonious test that was reflected in the judges’ cards. Their score of 67.4% was enough to claim the top spot in the adult category, showcasing years of elite preparation.

However, the headline performance of the weekend came from the local ranks during the Mini Dressage Challenge. Kelsie Carreiro, riding Sunrise Surprise, delivered a masterclass in precision that captivated those in attendance. Carreiro’s performance was not only the peak of the local competition but also represented the highest mark across the entire weekend of action.

By recording an overall high score of 68.85%, Carreiro and Sunrise Surprise claimed the ultimate honors between the two challenges. The result served as a perfect conclusion to a weekend that celebrated the meticulous nature of the sport and the enduring strength of Bermuda’s equestrian programs.

Lumina Festival bridges wealth gap with free programme

The Lumina Festival has announced The Playbook, a free financial literacy and wellness programme targeting Black men aged 18 to 45, beginning Monday, April 20

The Lumina Festival has launched a free, 10-week financial education programme — called The Playbook — aimed at Black men aged 18 to 45. The programme is supported by the Centennial Foundation and covers financial literacy, investing, budgeting, and holistic wellness.

Sessions run weekly from 6 to 8.30pm, with locations rotating between Warwick Workmen’s Club on Mondays, Southampton Rangers Sports Club on Tuesdays, and North Village Community Club on Wednesdays. A total of 45 spots are available, with 15 seats at each venue.

Each session is divided into two one-hour blocks. The first is an investing workshop — called The Trading Floor — led by full-time professional trader and CEO of Signature FX Mandela Fubler. The second alternates between budgeting and personal finance instruction from qualified accountant Sylvia Taylor, and holistic wellness guidance from fitness trainer Cervio Cox.

Zach Wilson, CEO and Founder of The Lumina Festival, said: “Our mission at Lumina Festival is to bridge the gap between financial literacy, culture, and community. Bermuda is considered one of the wealthiest countries on paper, yet our young, Black men are the ones most often impacted by the economic, social, and cultural challenges we’ve been facing as a country.”

Mr. Wilson added: “We recognise that you can’t just build wealth without being taught how, and the financial moves you make between the ages of 18 to 45 can make or break your financial future.”

Fubler, who was born in Bermuda and is now based in London, practised law for seven years before transitioning into financial markets. He said the programme would cover how financial markets function, the basics of stocks and commodities, asset correlations, and risk management.

“Financial literacy shouldn’t be a privilege,” Fubler said. “I’ve spent more than 20 years learning and building my understanding of how global financial markets operate. I realised most people around me never had access to that knowledge — not because they couldn’t handle it, but because no one made it accessible to them.”

Taylor, who will lead the Budgeting 101 component, said: “Everyone should have access to clear, practical information that empowers them to build stronger financial habits and improve their overall financial well-being.”

Cox, who is spearheading the wellness segment — titled Built Different — said: “I do not doubt that this event will empower our Black men and will introduce or reintroduce each of them to the possibilities within reach.”

Kian Butterfield, President of Warwick Workmen’s Club, said the club was proud to be partnering with The Lumina Festival. “We believe the course is a great opportunity for young men to gain knowledge needed to navigate today’s world,” he said.

Interested participants should register via the form at luminafest.com/playbook. Those wishing to volunteer can also apply through the same page. For further information, contact info@luminafest.com.

Media release supplied by The Lumina Festival.

Bristol & West Reclaim National Crown as Minors Shines in Birmingham

Dage Minors played a vital role in a dominant team performance as Bristol & West Athletics Club were crowned champions at the English Road Running Association National Road Relay Championships.

The prestigious 12-stage event, held at the historic Sutton Park in Birmingham, brought together the elite of British club distance running. On a day that showcased the depth of national talent across the men’s 12-stage and women’s 6-stage relays, it was the West Country outfit that proved untouchable, clocking a collective time of 3:16:49 to secure the title.

Minors, a seasoned middle-distance specialist, was entrusted with the fourth leg of the relay. Tasked with navigating the undulating 5.424-kilometre circuit, the Bermudian produced a gritty and tactical display. Clocking a time of 16:51 for his lap, Minors demonstrated the strength that has made him a mainstay on the international circuit.

When Minors crossed the line to hand over the baton, Bristol & West sat in eighth place. His effort proved to be a crucial platform for the second half of the race, as the team systematically picked off the lead pack to eventually surge into the gold medal position.

The victory marks a significant return to the top for the club, who have long been a force in the national road running scene. Following the race, Minors took to social media to celebrate the collective resilience of the twelve-man squad.

“Big effort from everyone today,” Minors wrote. “Successfully defended the national 12-stage road relays.”

The win reinforces Minors’ impressive form as he continues his 2026 campaign. For Bristol & West, the triumph at Sutton Park serves as a resounding statement of intent ahead of the summer track season, as they once again cement their status as the premier distance running club in the country.

OBA op-ed: Where is the Canine Advisory Committee Report?

OBA MP Robin Tucker has called for the government to address legislative reform on canine management

Full opinion from OBA MP Robin Tucker:

The Government confirmed in mid-June 2025 that the Canine Advisory Committee submitted its final report in December 2024 and that the report included significant recommendations to address the dangerous dogs and dog attack issue – yet those findings and recommendations still have not been shared with the public.

To date, there has been no update on when the associated legislative reform will be brought to Parliament.

For more than a year, the Government has spoken about strengthening dog‑control laws, improving enforcement, and introducing a ticketing system for minor infractions. Those commitments date back at least to January 2024, when the Ministry of Home Affairs said legislation would be tabled that summer.

That deadline passed with no meaningful progress shared with the public.  Despite repeated assurances that recommendations were “under active review,” to date, legislative updates have not been presented.  The responsibility for dog control then shifted to the Ministry of Public Works and Environment, and yet, still nothing.

If dog‑control reform is truly a priority for this Government, why after almost 18 months of receiving the Canine Advisory Committee report, hasn’t it  been tabled and why hasn’t the Government presented the long promised legislative reform? 

Or, at the very least given the public an update on its progress?

Bermudians and their pets deserve to be protected from dog attacks.  All necessary protections and guardrails must be in place before the next dog attack happens, not after an unfortunate incident.  So, I ask the Government, what were the Canine Advisory Committee Report findings and recommendations?  When will the Report be tabled and when can the public expect the long-awaited legislative reform needed to effectively address dog control as the Government promised in 2024?

Historically Black church vandalised during Easter Week

The Bethel A.M.E. Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvannia – led by a Bermudian pastor, was broken into leaving them without power and over $150k in damages

A historically Black church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvannia led by a Bermudian pastor was ransacked of copper pipes and HVAC units just before Easter observances.

The church has served the community for 190 years and are appealing to the community for help restore the damage.

The GoFundMe page, Help Restore Bethel A.M.E. can be found at  https://gofund.me/1b44bf67a.

Top Seeds Lay Down Marker as W.E.R. Joell Memorial Gets Underway

The W.E.R. Joell Memorial Tennis Tournament opened in clinical fashion on Monday, as the island’s top seeds dominated the early proceedings at the W.E.R. Joell Memorial Tennis Stadium.

In the Ladies A Division, Chloe McBrearty produced a statement victory. Facing Terceira Lee, McBrearty showcased superior baseline consistency and court coverage to secure a straight-sets win. After a competitive opening set ended 6-2, McBrearty moved through the gears to complete a flawless 6-0 sweep in the second, leaving her opponent with few answers under the afternoon sun.

The Men’s A Division saw equally ruthless performances across both qualifying groups. In Group One, Wayne Montgomery looked in mid-season form as he dismantled Hugh Seymour, dropping just a single game in a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Group Two was headlined by a masterclass from Tariq Simons, who recorded a “double bagel” 6-0, 6-0 win over Florez Mariano. In the same group, Zachary McGuire faced a sterner test against David Gravier but ultimately prevailed with a 6-4, 6-3 straight-sets win.

The Men’s B Division offered a mix of one-sided affairs and high-stakes drama. In Group Two, Will Britten eased past Florez Mariano 6-0, 6-2, while Darren Woods matched Simons’ earlier feat by securing a 6-0, 6-0 shutout against Osenotse Phenyo.

However, the match of the day undoubtedly came from Group One, where Adam Grasso and Riley Maybury played out a grueling three-set marathon. After dropping a tense opening set in a tie-break, Grasso showed immense mental fortitude to claw his way back into the contest. He took the second set 6-4 before holding his nerve in the deciding championship tie-break to win 10-7. Elsewhere in the group, Donn Trott maintained his composure in a tight first set to eventually overwhelm Chris Grasso, finishing with a 7-6, 6-0 victory.

The early results suggest a tournament that will be defined by both veteran experience and clinical execution. As the first round concludes, the focus remains on whether the top seeds can maintain this momentum as the competition intensifies.

Regiment soldiers trained to treat trauma in the field

Twelve members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) became better equipped to respond to emergency medical situations thanks to a course provided by St John Ambulance Bermuda.

A combination of hands-on and theory-based instruction was delivered to a group that included soldiers from the battalion’s medics section as well as its Coast Guard and Junior Leaders units.

St John Ambulance is one of the oldest charities on the island and teaches valuable life-saving skills through accredited training programmes.

At its base on Point Finger Road, RBR students took part in its certifying emergency medical responder course over two weeks.

Josh Correia, a St John Ambulance instructor and licensed paramedic, said that the programme taught the soldiers how to provide emergency treatment on the scene of an incident to help save a life.

He noted the soldiers’ “solid progression of skills” over the duration of the course.

“These students can now proficiently perform an appropriate medical and trauma assessment on both a simple trauma and a multi-system trauma casualty to provide the necessary care to get the patient, hopefully, to definitive treatment, such as a trauma surgery centre,” Mr Correia added.

“This course provides them with a solid framework of what they need to know in order to provide emergency care to help prevent further injury or death.

“Once they have this framework, they will be able to take that into the field and apply it to the different situations and scenarios that they may be exposed to.”

Included in the training were procedures for lifting and moving patients; CPR and airway management; bleeding, shock and soft tissue injuries; vehicle extraction and special rescue; and environmental injuries.

Students had regular opportunities to practise their skills throughout and were assessed by exams as the course concluded on Saturday, April 11.

Among the participants was Private Ryan Gibbons, an RBR medic, who thoroughly enjoyed the programme.

He reflected: “This is instrumental to what I want to do, and it makes me a better medic, it makes me a better citizen and more able to help in my jobs outside the Regiment and even among family.”

Pte Gibbons believes his ability to respond more competently in a real-life situation has increased as a result of the course.

“It helps that I was taught and coached by full-time medical responders,” he said. “The EMTs at St John have given an official knowledge base that makes me more confident.”

Private Stevontae Somersall-Ahknaton, a member of the RBR Coast Guard, said: “The possibility of me encountering somebody with a medical emergency is a little bit higher in my role, as I may have to respond to somebody in distress on the water. I now have increased confidence and knowledge around how to facilitate that.

“If I need to provide an emergency medical response to someone, that person can be confident that I have received the necessary training to do so.”

She highlighted how the course also provided her with skills that could be called upon in other areas of life.

“Anywhere I go – even as a mother with my child or at my work as a bar tender – I know that if something was to happen, I have the knowledge to assist,” Pte Somersall-Ahknaton said.

“I have grandparents and great aunties that are getting a little older and might need a little help or medical assistance, I am confident enough to assist them.”

Media release supplied by the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

Ministry makes enhancements to Shorelink app

Users can now see the direction buses and ferries are travelling, view all stops across the island, and receive real-time alerts for delays and cancellations

The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport has announced a series of improvements to the Shorelink App, aimed at improving clarity, reliability, and ease of use for passengers travelling by bus and ferry.

Directional indicators have been added to the live map for both buses and ferries, allowing passengers to see the direction of travel for each vehicle or vessel in real time.

All bus and ferry stops across the island have also been incorporated into the app. Passengers can now select any stop to view scheduled services for that location, with the map displaying all upcoming services associated with the chosen stop.

A cancellation and delay notification feature has also been introduced, providing timely updates to both internal teams and the travelling public when service disruptions occur. The notifications identify affected routes and stops, communicate the expected duration of the disruption, and, where available, provide the reason for the delay or cancellation.

The Ministry said the enhancements were a direct response to feedback gathered from operational teams and the travelling public since real-time tracking was first introduced.

The Shorelink app is available to download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda Department of Communications.

Inside Sports with Mike Wolfe & Ricky Mallory

This week on Inside Sports Nick & ‘Butchy B’ dive into the world of tennis with Mike Wolfe, President of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, and Ricky Mallory, the esteemed coach of Bermuda’s Davis Cup team. Discover the latest updates on Bermuda’s tennis scene, including the upcoming Davis Cup event and the challenges of nurturing young talent.