A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is positively reviewing Pakistan’s request for a two-week ceasefire
International News via Reuters:
Pakistan, a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, on Wednesday requested that U.S. President Donald Trump grant a two-week extension to a deadline he imposed on Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is positively reviewing Pakistan’s request for a two-week ceasefire. The White House said Trump is aware of Pakistan’s proposal, saying a response will come.
“To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X.
Sharif’s comments come after Trump, in a social media post that shocked world leaders, said that “a whole civilization will die tonight”
Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) in Washington – 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Tehran – to end its blockade of Gulf oil or see the U.S. destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran.
Sharif urged “all warring parties” to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks “to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war”.
He added that diplomatic efforts to settle the war peacefully were “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future”.
Sources told Reuters on Tuesday that talks between the U.S. and Iran were at risk of being derailed following Tehran’s attacks on Saudi Arabian industrial facilities.
Pakistan has been the main go-between for proposals shared by Iran and the United States, but there has been no sign of a compromise.
Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Franklin Paul, Cynthia Osterman and Alistair Bell
The 15-member Security Council voted 11 in favor of the resolution presented by Bahrain, with two against – China and Russia – and two abstentions
International News via Reuters:
China and Russia on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. resolution encouraging states to coordinate efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the measure biased against Iran, while Washington’s ambassador to the world body called on “responsible nations” to join the U.S. in securing the waterway.
The 15-member Security Council voted 11 in favor of the resolution presented by Bahrain, with two against – China and Russia – and two abstentions.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened that “a whole civilization will die tonight” as Iran showed no sign of accepting his ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening, Washington time.
Oil prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran at the end of February, unleashing a conflict that has run for more than five weeks while Tehran has largely closed the strait that was previously the route for about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.
“The draft resolution has not been adopted, owing to the negative vote of a permanent member of the Council,” Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said.
U.S. AMBASSADOR CONDEMNS THE VETOES
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, condemned the Russian and Chinese vetoes, saying they marked “a new low” when Iran’s shutting of the Strait was preventing medical aid and supplies reaching humanitarian crises in the Congo, Sudan and Gaza.
“No one should tolerate that. They are holding the global economy at gunpoint. But today, Russia and China did tolerate it. They sided with a regime that seeks to intimidate the Gulf into submission, even as it brutalizes its own people.”
Waltz said Iran could choose “to reopen the Strait, to seek peace and to make amends.”
He added, “But until then and afterwards, we call on responsible nations to join us in securing the Strait of Hormuz, protecting it, ensuring that it remains open to lawful commerce, to humanitarian goods, and the free movement of the world’s goods.”
France deplored the vetoes.
“The aim was to encourage strictly, purely defensive measures to provide the security and safety for the Strait without spiraling towards escalation,” its U.N. ambassador, Jerome Bonnafont, said.
RUSSIANS AND CHINESE SAY TEXT WAS BIASED
Russia and China said the resolution was biased against Iran, and China’s U.N. envoy Fu Cong said adopting such a draft when the U.S. was threatening the survival of a civilization would have sent the wrong message.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Russia and China were proposing an alternative resolution on the situation in the Middle East, including maritime security.
Iran’s U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani praised the Chinese and Russian moves, saying “their action today prevented the Security Council from being misused to legitimize aggression.”
Iravani added that the U.N. secretary-general’s personal envoy was currently en route to Tehran to pursue consultations.
China and Russia used their vetoes even though Bahrain had significantly weakened its draft after China opposed authorizing force.
The draft submitted to a vote dropped any authorization of the use of force. An explicit reference to binding enforcement, included in an earlier draft, was also left out.
Instead the text strongly encouraged states “to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz.”
It also said such contributions could include “the escort of merchant and commercial vessels,” and endorsed efforts “to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Barbara Lewis and David Gregorio
Bermuda’s swimmers continued their XXXIX Carifta Aquatics campaign to a resilient close in Martinique, with Rory Shepherd securing his second podium finish of the meet on the third final night of action.
In a high-caliber 13-14 Boys 200m Individual Medley final, Rory Shepherd produced a masterclass in tactical execution. Fighting through a dense field, he touched the wall in 2:22.42 to claim a magnificent silver medal, adding to his earlier backstroke success. Teammate Dominic Wright followed closely with a strong fifth-place finish in 2:26.41.
The island’s endurance specialists also tested their mettle over the meet’s longest distances. Katherine Wheddon led the Bermudian charge in the 15-17 Girls 1500m Freestyle, finishing fifth in 19:17.94, while Dominic Wright narrowly missed another podium with a fourth-place finish in the 13-14 Boys 800m.
The championships concluded with the grueling 800m Freestyle Relays, where Bermuda’s senior girls’ quartet battled to a credible fourth. In the senior boys’ equivalent, the team of Logan Jones, Gabe Maranzana, Noah Maranzana, and Connor Hupman combined to finish sixth.
Switching from Associate membership to Full Membership is an eight-fold increase in cost – from just under $280-thousand a year to $2.28-Million. In the Green Paper, Government says this is “a fraction of the national budget committed to unlocking high-value benefits currently unavailable to us”.
A key risk is that consumers and businesses, who experienced runaway prices only four years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, may quickly adjust their own expectations
International News via Reuters:
Euro zone inflation expectations are at risk of rising more quickly than in the past and the European Central Bank must be ready to raise interest rates swiftly if signs of persistent price pressures emerge, ECB policymaker Dimitar Radev said.
Surging energy costs prompted by the Iran war have already pushed inflation well above the ECB’s 2% target and policymakers are now debating whether to tighten policy to prevent this increase from becoming embedded in the price of other goods and services, setting off a self-reinforcing price spiral.
“The balance of risks has shifted in an unfavourable direction,” Radev, head of Bulgaria’s central bank and one of the newest members of the ECB’s Governing Council, told Reuters in an interview.
“While the baseline remains our reference, the likelihood of a more adverse scenario has increased, particularly in light of the energy shock and the elevated level of uncertainty,” he said, referring to the three economic scenarios – adverse, baseline and severe – outlined by the ECB last month.
A key risk is that consumers and businesses, who experienced runaway prices only four years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, may quickly adjust their own expectations, demanding higher prices and wages, and setting off an inflation spiral, which then proves costly to extinguish.
BEHAVIOURS HAVE CHANGED
“Recent inflation developments appear to have increased the responsiveness of expectations, meaning that pass-through from new shocks can occur more quickly than under normal conditions,” Radev said.
His comments echo warnings from a host of other policymakers who have stopped short of explicitly calling for rate hikes but have said the ECB needs to stand ready to pull the trigger.
For now inflation expectations are holding at the ECB’s target and second-round inflation effects are not visible in data such as the March inflation reading, which showed a jump on energy but signalled slowing price pressures for services.
But the ECB cannot take such a benign outcome for granted because the environment is fragile and prone to quick changes, Radev said.
“If the shock persists and begins to affect wages, margins and expectations, the cost of inaction would increase,” he said. “In such a situation, acting in a timely manner would be the more prudent course.”
This risk is a key reason why financial markets have priced in more than two interest rate hikes from the ECB this year, with the first expected in June.
Radev said it was too early to say whether the ECB would have enough data by the time of its April 30 meeting to make a call but it would have sufficient data to allow for a more concrete and structured policy discussion.
The bank will be especially attentive to various measures on inflation expectations, underlying price figures, sentiment indicators, energy price developments and, most importantly, signals regarding the length of the Iran war and its effects.
While the 2022 experience could make consumers more edgy, Radev also acknowledged that the euro zone entered this crisis from a better position since interest rates are already higher, and inflation expectations are anchored.
The big risk now is that governments start implementing subsidies that could potentially add fuel to the fire, he added.
The Iran war has forced the shutdown of at least 12 million barrels per day – about 12% of world supply – from the Middle East due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz
International News via Reuters:
European and Asian refiners are paying record high prices of near $150 a barrel for some crude oil grades, far exceeding prices for paper futures, highlighting the worsening supply crisis from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
The Iran war has forced the shutdown of at least 12 million barrels per day – about 12% of world supply – from the Middle East due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, Brent oil futures reached $119.50 a barrel last month, the highest since 2022 although still short of the 2008 record high of $147.50. The nearby Brent contract is for June delivery.
Competition for supply from Asian and European refiners to replace disrupted Middle Eastern oil flows has helped to drive up the prices of replacement crudes for more immediate delivery, such as those in Europe and Africa.
As a result, some crudes are hitting records already. The outright price of North Sea Forties crude reached $146.09 a barrel on Tuesday, according to LSEG data, above the 2008 level and an all time high.
The main driver of prices such as that of Forties is “panic” over supplies, said Adi Imsirovic, a veteran oil trader. “When there is a real, physical shortage, people are not thinking about July delivery – June loading and hence June futures prices – but oil NOW.”
The price of Forties and many other cargoes around the world is linked to the physical crude benchmark called dated Brent which is trading almost $20 higher than the price of Brent futures for June delivery according to LSEG data because it reflects the price of cargoes for immediate delivery.
“At the moment, the market is scrambling for prompt, refinery-usable barrels, and stress is appearing first in the part of the benchmark that is closest to the immediate physical problem,” Morgan Stanley analysts said in a report.
Oil price benchmark publisher S&P Global Energy Platts assessed the price of dated Brent on April 7 at $144.42, surpassing the previous record high of $144.22 reached in 2008, a Platts spokesperson said. Using the Platts dated Brent figure would put the price of Forties, and many other physical cargoes, well above $150.
Prices of refined products in Europe were close to record highs on Tuesday.
Jet fuel prices in Europe hovered at $226.40 a barrel, close to a record high hit in mid-March, LSEG data shows. Diesel prices were still shy of their record highs hit in 2022, standing at $203.59 a barrel on Tuesday.
Additional reporting by Seher Dareen, editing by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Alistair Bell
Bermuda’s sprinting sensation Miles Outerbridge fell agonizingly short of a historic sprint double on the final evening of the 53rd Carifta Games, as the curtain came down on a memorable championship in Grenada.
After his record-shattering gold in the 100m, all eyes at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium were fixed on the Under-20 Boys 200m final. Outerbridge, who had qualified after breaking a 49-year-old national junior record in the heats, appeared poised for a rare double. He powered off the bend in contention for the top step but was pipped in the final strides by Jamaica’s Sanjay Seymore, who clocked 20.63. Outerbridge recorded a blistering 20.67 to secure a magnificent silver, cementing his status as one of the region’s most exciting prospects.
While the sprinters provided the fireworks, the final session tested the resolve of the island’s distance runners. In the Under-20 Boys 5000m final, Gianluca Bortoli produced a gritty, disciplined performance against a formidable field. Navigating twelve-and-a-half laps in the heavy evening air, Bortoli crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 16:11.83.
Bermuda returns home with a bolstered medal haul and a new national hero in Outerbridge, whose record-breaking exploits provided the defining narrative of the 2026 Games.
The Devil’s Isle Shakespeare Company is casting for its upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, offering opportunities for those interested in acting and the arts. Auditions will take place this Saturday, with roles available for those looking to gain experience both onstage and behind the scenes. We spoke to Seamus Miller, Film and Artistic Director, and Quincee Dill, Artistic Associate, who shared more about what they’re looking for and how to get involved.
City of Hamilton employees have been formally recognised after completing an internationally accredited leadership qualification
The City of Hamilton is proud to announce that six City employees have successfully completed the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management, an internationally recognised qualification designed to strengthen workplace leadership skills.
The employees were formally recognised at this month’s meeting of the full Council and include Sanitation Driver Donald Whitfield, Gardener Marcus Ming, Sanitation Foreman Keith Gumbs, Parking Attendant Administrator Jordan Darrell, Parks Foreman Tir-Rel Woodley, and Sanitation Labourer Larance Durham (absent from photo).
The ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management is designed to build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to lead effectively in today’s workplace. Over the course of 13 weeks, participants developed core leadership and management capabilities that support stronger team performance, improved decision-making, and greater personal effectiveness.
The programme covered a broad range of topics tailored to first-line supervisors and aspiring managers, including Understanding Leadership, Leading and Motivating a Team Effectively, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Developing Themselves and Others, Giving Briefings and Making Presentations, and Managing Risk in the Workplace.
These modules equipped participants with practical tools to lead with purpose, communicate effectively, navigate workplace challenges with confidence, and better understand the laws and regulations that influence safe and effective operations.
The programme’s Bermuda College lecturer, Erwin Lightbourne, said: “These individuals showed remarkable resilience and commitment, stepping outside their comfort zones to grow as leaders while balancing full-time roles. Their achievement is truly well deserved.”
Mayor Charles Gosling said: “I am always inspired when people choose to invest in themselves and continue growing, no matter what stage of life or career they are in. Taking that next step not only strengthens their own potential, but also enriches the entire organisation and the community we serve.”
City CEO Dwayne Caines said: “Completion of this certificate reflects a readiness to apply stronger leadership practices in the workplace, contribute more effectively to organisational goals, and help cultivate a positive team culture. These graduates have demonstrated commitment, discipline, and a clear willingness to grow as leaders.”
Mr. Caines added that moments like these reinforce the pride he has in the City team, noting that returning to an academic environment is no small undertaking, particularly to achieve a qualification of such international rigour.
The City congratulates all six employees on this outstanding achievement and commends their commitment to professional growth, leadership development, and continued excellence in public service.
Endeavour’s latest Maritime Career Springboard Programme equipped nine Bermudians aged 16 and older with hands-on experience, skills development and industry exposure
Media release and images supplied.
Endeavour, a Bermuda-based charity that engages diverse youth in hands-on learning through sailing, has partnered with The Bermuda College Athora Division of Professional and Career Education to provide young Bermudians with maritime training, employability skills and career development opportunities.
The Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme offers Bermudian youth aged 16 and older with hands-on experience, skills development and industry exposure, preparing them for future careers in the maritime industry. Since 2018, 92 young Bermudians have completed the programme, with more than 70% now employed or continuing their education – many in the maritime sector.
From January 12 to February 27, nine Bermudians aged 16 to 25 – three females and six males – successfully completed the seven-week programme. The group represented a diverse range of academic and career stages, including three high school students, one from CedarBridge Academy who is dual-enrolled at The Bermuda College; one from The Berkeley Institute; and a G.E.D. student from the Adult Education School. The cohort also included high school and college graduates, as well as current college students.
Notably, five participants were first introduced to sailing through Endeavour’s STEAM Education through Sailing Programme, a five-day immersive learning experience offered to all students in Bermuda ages 11-12 years old. Of those, three advanced to complete Endeavour’s Graduate Programme, and two furthered their skills development through Endeavour’s Assistant Instructor Programme, then volunteered their time to support younger students.
The programme continues to be accessible to participants of all experience levels, welcoming both advanced sailors and those with little to no prior sailing background. Notably, one participant advanced from Endeavour’s No Limits Sailing Programme, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Eighteen-year-old Derek Ingram Jr. has made history as the first graduate of the No Limits Sailing Programme to progress into the Springboard Programme. Derek began sailing with Endeavour in 2017 and, over the course of nine years, developed his confidence and skills through the initiative.
Through hands-on training, certifications, and mentorship, participants gained practical skills and valuable insight into maritime careers. All members of the 2026 cohort reported increased awareness of industry opportunities and greater confidence in pursuing careers in the sector.
Derek shared about his experience: “I enjoyed exploring various businesses within the marine industry, and l have learned how different parts of the marine sector work together—from sailing and boat handling to safety procedures and the importance of maintaining equipment. I especially enjoyed learning about The Department of Marine & Ports Services and its ferry operations, which gave me a real appreciation for how the industry works together.”
Noah Astwood, 18, said: “Through this programme, I’ve strengthened my confidence, sailing and teaching skills, while opening my eyes to the many careers in Bermuda’s maritime industry. The mentorship and networking opportunities have inspired me to pursue my goals with purpose and determination.”
Roger Dill, 25, said: “The programme helped me understand how to begin a career in the maritime industry and what to expect. I especially valued the career days and certifications, which will support my future path.”
A key milestone this year was that the programme was delivered entirely by alumni, demonstrating the strength of Endeavour’s development pathways and inspiring participants to envision their own success.
“Each Springboard graduate has shown extraordinary dedication, and we are inspired by all they have achieved,” said Jah-Shon Smith, Endeavour East Chief Instructor. “Their growth, driven by commitment and hard work, is remarkable. We are particularly encouraged by their enthusiasm for exploring career paths, building connections, and embracing new experiences. Their success is a testament not only to their efforts but also to the guidance and support of their coaches, mentors, teachers, and families who supported them along the way. We can’t wait to see the incredible futures they will create and what they will accomplish next.”
Jennifer Pitcher, Endeavour’s Executive Director, said “The maritime sector offers a world of exciting career opportunities—from marine engineering and vessel navigation to marine conservation, diving operations, boat handling and so much more. Through strong partnerships with Bermuda’s marine organisations, we are proud to provide Bermudian youth with hands-on training, mentorship, and career guidance to help shape the next generation of maritime professionals. We are immensely proud of each Endeavour Maritime Springboard Graduate and inspired by their achievements. We wish all our graduates the very best in their future endeavors.”
Endeavour extends its appreciation to its marine partners and industry professionals, whose mentorship, expertise, and support provided invaluable hands-on learning and career exposure opportunities.
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo & Bermuda Zoological Society – Dr. Alex Amat & team
Bermuda Coast Guard – Captain Jeff Patterson & Sergeant Richardson
Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre – Scott Simmons & Peter Stickland
Department of Marine & Ports Services – J. Maquel Bailey, J. Maynard, J. Dyer & the rest of the crew
K.S. Watersports – Kevin Sousa
Ocean Sails – Stevie & Suzanne Hollis
Spar Yard Marine Solutions Ltd. – Mark Goodwin
Spirit of Bermuda & Bermuda Maritime Academy – David Goulbourne
Waterstart – JP Skinner, Anne Kermode & Phoebe Barboza
Teekay Tankers Ltd. – Angelique Burgess
In the programme’s final week, five participants earned their RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification, while another five gained hands-on experience through job shadowing with our marine partners. Special thanks to Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, Waterstart, Spirit of Bermuda, the Department of Marine & Ports Services, and Endeavour’s Maintenance Technician, Ian Morrell, for making these rewarding opportunities possible.
“Endeavour’s marine partners play a vital role in inspiring Bermudian youth,” said Brittany Siddle, Community Engagement Coordinator. “Through their guidance, industry insight, and encouragement, they empower Bermuda’s next generation of maritime professionals to pursue their goals with confidence, ambition, and determination.”
“As an accredited Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre, Endeavour offers internationally recognised certifications, equipping participants with transferable skills for careers across the marine industry and beyond,” said Olivia Reilly, Endeavour’s Operations Manager. “These include RYA Sailing Levels 1–3, RYA Powerboat Levels 1-2, Seamanship, Safety Boat, First Aid, VHF Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC), Safe & Fun Safeguarding, and for those interested in teaching sailing to youth, the RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification is also available. It opens doors to diverse pathways and exposes participants to exciting opportunities across the maritime industry.”
Karen Smith, Programme Coordinator of Bermuda College APACE, said: “Bermuda College is proud to partner with Endeavour in bridging the gap between education and industry. This programme exemplifies what becomes possible when academic institutions and community organisations align their strengths; we are able to meet the real and evolving needs of Bermuda’s maritime sector while creating flexible, accessible pathways for young people at every stage of their journey. By combining Bermuda College’s resources with Endeavour’s hands-on, experiential approach, we ensure that participants are not only workforce-ready but genuinely inspired to build careers right here in Bermuda.”
Mrs. Pitcher added, “Endeavour’s work is made possible through the generous support of our donors and partners. Special thanks to programme partners including The Bermuda College, The Berkeley Institute, and CedarBridge Academy, and all of the marine partners whose collaboration makes this programme possible. We’re deeply thankful to Endeavour’s donors including lead founding partner, Orbis Investments, as well as PwC Bermuda, Arch Capital Group Ltd., and the Centennial Bermuda Foundation. Thank you to Teekay Tankers Ltd. for supporting scholarships for the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme, and to Nicole Butterworth for dedicating her time and expertise to facilitate the Royal Yachting Association First Aid Course.”
Endeavour will host the tenth cohort of the Maritime Career Springboard Programme from Monday, January 11 to Friday, February 26, 2027. Eligible candidates must be Bermudian, aged 16 or older, able to commit to the full programme, and demonstrate a positive attitude with a strong willingness to learn.
Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, November 4, 2026, via email at education@endeavour.bm.
To learn more about Endeavour’s programmes, visit Endeavour.bm.
Sixteen people were injured and two of them were in critical condition
International News via Reuters:
A French high-speed train collided with a truck carrying military equipment at a level crossing near Calais on Tuesday, killing the train driver, the local prefecture and railway operators said.
Sixteen people were injured and two of them were in critical condition, the prefecture said. More than 200 passengers were on the train at the time of the crash and the truck was carrying a military pontoon, it said.
The train was travelling from Dunkirk to Paris when the incident occurred at around 7 a.m. near the town of Bully-les-Mines, railway operator SNCF said in a separate statement.
Local prosecutor Etienne Thieffry said the police had started an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter and were holding the civilian truck driver in custody for questioning.
SNCF said traffic had been interrupted on the line and the prefecture said it would remain closed until further notice.
Reporting by Inti Landauro and Sophie Louet; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Tomasz Janowski and Alison Williams
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