The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.6% as of 0921 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 fell 0.5%
International News via Reuters:
London’s FTSE 100 advanced on Monday, lifted by gains in mining and energy stocks tracking higher commodity prices, though sentiment remained shaky as the Middle East war entered its fifth week.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.6% as of 0921 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 fell 0.5%. Both indexes however, were on track for firm monthly losses. * Rio Tinto rose 3.5%, providing the biggest boost to thebenchmark index after the mining giant said operations at threeof its four Pilbara iron ore port terminals have resumed afterTropical Cyclone Narelle swept through Western Australia’sPilbara region. * The Middle East conflict showed no sign of easing, withthe Israeli military saying that Iran launched multiple waves ofmissiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched fromYemen for only the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began. * Energy stocks climbed 1.4% to a record high as crude oilprices remained elevated, with Brent crude headed for a recordmonthly rise. [O/R] * Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves will urge G7counterparts to avoid unilateral measures such as new tradebarriers during the Iran war, warning they could worsen energyinsecurity and disrupt global supply chains. * The travel and leisure sub-index fell 1.1%, on pace fordouble-digit monthly losses as the Iran war raised fuel-costfears and disrupted key flight routes, threatening profits. * Meanwhile, British mortgage approvals rose by more thanexpected last month and consumer credit grew at a faster pacethan in January, Bank of England data showed on Monday, ahead ofa potential hit from higher borrowing costs caused by the Iranwar. * A domestic fourth-quarter GDP rating and U.S. jobs reportfor March will be released later this week.
Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli
Bermuda international Eva Frazzoni and her AFC Sudbury teammates suffered a devastating afternoon at Champion Hill, as a 1-0 defeat to Dulwich Hamlet confirmed their relegation from the FA Women’s National League.
The result marks a somber conclusion to a challenging campaign for the Suffolk side, who were unable to preserve their fourth-tier status. Despite Frazzoni’s consistent influence in midfield, the narrow loss in South London leaves Sudbury facing a regrouping period in the regional divisions next term.
It was a far more celebratory afternoon at The Den for K’shaela Burch-Waldron, who made her long-awaited return to the Sutton United line-up. In a physical encounter against the Millwall Lionesses, the Bermudian provided a vital boost as the U’s secured a gritty 2-2 draw. Burch-Waldron’s presence in the backline was instrumental in absorbing late pressure to earn a share of the spoils.
In the East Midlands Regional League, Jasmine Spence continued her clinical form as Newport Pagnell Town dismantled Dunton & Broughton 5-2. The highlight at Willen Road arrived in the first half when Spence unleashed a precise free-kick from just outside the area, curling the ball into the back of the net to keep Newport firmly in the promotion hunt.
The Bermudian duo of Keunna Dill and Trinae Edwards were also at the heart of the action for FC United of Manchester. In a tense 1-1 draw with Bolton, the pair provided the tactical discipline required to hold the high-flying visitors to a stalemate at Broadhurst Park.
Finally, Aaliyah Nolan and her Bradford City teammates braved treacherous conditions at Ponteland to secure a vital 2-0 victory. On a waterlogged pitch, Nolan’s tireless work rate helped the Bantams break down a stubborn defense, ensuring Bradford remain the pace-setters in the North East Regional League as the title race enters the home straight.
The plight of Timmy, who is thought to measure 12 to 15 metres in length, shows the difficulty of freeing such creatures given their size
International News via Reuters:
A young humpback whale named Timmy by rescuers was struggling to find its way out of shallow bays off the Baltic coast of Germany on Sunday morning, after a week-long ordeal that has put its survival in doubt.
The plight of Timmy, who is thought to measure 12 to 15 metres in length, shows the difficulty of freeing such creatures given their size, with rescuers using dredging equipment and boats to guide the whale back onto a long route to the Atlantic.
After days of efforts to free the animal, rescuers are now hoping the whale will manage to make it out on its own.
“The whale is quite weak. We’re still hopeful that it will pull through,” Daniela von Schaper, a marine expert at Greenpeace, told Reuters.
The whale, whose gender has not been established, was named after Timmendorfer Strand, the white sandy beach on Germany’s resort-filled Baltic coastline where it was first spotted on a nearby sandbank on Monday.
Repeated rescue attempts have failed since, with Greenpeace and its partners documenting an animal in severe stress with skin irritation and fishing gear entangled in its mouth.
There were brief glimmers of hope over the weekend, when the whale managed to free itself twice before running into difficulty again.
Humpback whales are not native to the Baltic Sea. While uncommon, large whales are spotted in the region every couple of years, according to von Schaper.
Conservationists say disrupted migration routes and human influence play a role in whale strandings around the world, though animals can also lose their way while searching for food.
“Some of them find their way out again, others unfortunately do not,” von Schaper said.
In the celebration that opens the holy week leading up to Easter for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the pontiff called the conflict “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be used to justify any wars
International News via Reuters:
Pope Leo said on Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of blood”, in unusually forceful remarks as the Iran war entered its second month.
Addressing tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, the celebration that opens the holy week leading up to Easter for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the pontiff called the conflict “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be used to justify any wars.
“This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo, the first U.S. pope, told crowds in brilliant sunshine.
“(Jesus) does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood’,” he said, citing a Bible passage.
Leo did not specifically name any world leaders, but he has been ramping up criticism of the Iran war in recent weeks.
During an appeal at the end of Sunday’s celebration, the pope lamented that Christians in the Middle East “are suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict” and may not be able to celebrate Easter.
The pope, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and said on Monday that military airstrikes are indiscriminate and should be banned.
Some U.S. officials have invoked Christian language to justify the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that initiated the expanding war.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has started leading Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, prayed at a service on Wednesday for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”.
In his homily on Sunday, Leo referenced a Bible passage in which Jesus, about to be arrested ahead of his crucifixion, rebuked one of his followers for striking the person arresting him with a sword.
“(Jesus) did not arm himself, or defend himself, or fight any war,” Leo said. “He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence. Rather than saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross.”
Reporting by Joshua McElweeEditing by David Goodman
Under French law, suspects in terrorism cases can be held in custody for up to 96 hours, with further extensions possible under judicial oversight
International News via Reuters:
French authorities have arrested two more suspects over a foiled attack on Bank of America’s Paris offices, the country’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said on Sunday.
“Two further individuals were taken into police custody last night as part of the investigation launched on March 28, 2026 into the offences committed against Bank of America,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement to Reuters. The custody of the first suspect arrested on Saturday, a minor, has been extended, it added.
Under French law, suspects in terrorism cases can be held in custody for up to 96 hours, with further extensions possible under judicial oversight.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said on Saturday it had opened an investigation into attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means, as well as the manufacture, possession and transport of an explosive or incendiary device.
Asked about possible sponsors, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez pointed to suspicions involving Iran but said no conclusion had been reached.
“In this type of conflict, you have a number of Iranian services that are likely to carry out actions such as these through proxies… There is a significant suspicion, but it is for the investigation to determine,” he said.
The Iranian embassy in France declined to comment on Nunez’s remarks.
The probe has been assigned to the Paris police judicial unit and France’s domestic intelligence agency.
Nunez said police intervened in the early hours of Saturday morning in Paris’ 8th arrondissement after a patrol assigned to protecting sensitive sites spotted two individuals placing and attempting to ignite an improvised explosive device outside the bank.
Officers moved in and arrested one suspect at the scene while the second fled, Nunez told BFM TV late on Saturday.
“One individual was trying to light an improvised explosive device made with a container likely containing hydrocarbons and a crude ignition system, while another was filming,” Nunez said.
He added that the device, though rudimentary, could have been lethal, and that officers prevented it from being ignited.
Nunez said the individuals appeared to be “common-law” offenders acting as paid intermediaries, in what he described as a known modus operandi involving proxies recruited to carry out such attacks.
He said authorities had identified similarities with incidents in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Norway, where improvised devices targeted sites linked to U.S. interests.
Reporting by Mathieu RosemainEditing by Christina Fincher
The plans could involve raids by Special Operations and conventional infantry troops, the Post reported
International News via Reuters:
The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The plans could involve raids by Special Operations and conventional infantry troops, the Post reported. Whether President Donald Trump would approve any of those plans remains uncertain, according to the Post.
The Trump administration has deployed U.S. Marines to the Middle East as the war in Iran stretches into its fifth week, and also has been planning to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne to the region.
Reporting and writing by Christian Martinez; Editing by Sergio Non and Chizu Nomiyama
Bermudian poet, cultural ambassador, and founder of Bermuda Voices, Tiara S. Webb, made history as the first-ever regional guest invited to participate in Kingston Poetry Week 2026, held from March 14–22, 2026, delivering a powerful series of performances, academic engagements, and youthfocused programming across the island.
Her participation spanned national television, higher education, and major literary stages, marking a defining moment in her creative and cultural trajectory and signaling the expansion of Bermudian literary voices into the wider Caribbean.
Webb was featured on Smile Jamaica, a national talk show broadcast on Television Jamaica (TVJ), where she shared reflections on Caribbean storytelling and delivered a live poetry performance to a national audience.
A central pillar of her engagement was a three-day academic residency at The Mico University College, delivered in collaboration with Jaiku Poetry Jamaica. The program explored poetry as both craft and embodied practice and included:
A masterclass, “Page vs Stage: The Body as Text”
A panel discussion with faculty and students, “Voicing Selves: Poetry as Confession or Protest”
A culminating poetry reading and interactive session
Across these engagements and additional sessions throughout the week, Webb connected with over 100 students and young creatives, guiding participants in creative expression, storytelling, and voice development.
The impact of her residency was formally recognized in a proclamation from The Mico University College, which described the collaboration as:
“an exhilarating and intellectually enriching experience that reawakened our collective imagination to the profound power of poetry… inviting participants to encounter poetry not merely as text, but as a living, breathing force.”
The proclamation further noted Webb’s ability to hold audiences “spellbound” and affirmed the experience as one that “liberated tongues, hearts, and spirits,” underscoring the transformative impact of her work.
As part of the program’s youth engagement, Webb facilitated a poetry workshop for students for Manning School of Westmoreland at Kingston Creative, many of whom had experienced significant loss following Hurricane Melissa.
Inspired by a dub poetry session earlier in the week, she introduced students to the form through a collaborative exercise, dividing 32 participants into small groups. Each student contributed a single line, selected a speaker, and used their bodies as instruments to create rhythm and sound, bringing dub poetry to life through collective voice and movement.
Their continued commitment to expression indicated the role of creative practice as a tool for resilience, healing, and voice.
Earlier in the week, Webb delivered a standout performance at a live jazz and poetry showcase at the Pegasus Hotel, where her original works Arrival and The Answer is in Bermuda received a rousing response and marked a moment of deep connection with Caribbean audiences.
This engagement builds on relationships formed at CARIFESTA XV and positions Webb as an emerging cultural bridge between Bermuda and the wider Caribbean literary community.
“This experience was an initiation. Not just into performance, but into the responsibility of voice: how it is carried, how it is shared, and where it must go next. That work is now expanding into schools across Bermuda.”
Building on this momentum, Bermuda Voices will now expand into schools across Bermuda, with a focus on creative writing, storytelling, and student voice development. The program is designed to support literacy, emotional expression, and cultural identity through immersive workshops and school-based engagements.
Enquiries are now open for schools and organizations in Bermuda and across the Caribbean interested in hosting workshops, assemblies, and extended creative programs.
To connect or request further information, please contact: bermudavoices@outlook.com
As the founder of Bermuda Voices, Webb continues to cultivate spaces for writers and storytellers to develop their craft, deepen their voice, and share their work in community, now with a growing regional presence.
The OBA says that they support tourism, but history will show that support is not forthcoming when PLP policies are in play.
It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.
The OBA often speaks in support of tourism, while at the same time questioning and undermining the investment and work required to grow the industry under PLP administrations.
Whether it’s creating doubt about developers and developments or pushing back on positive progress there is a definite pattern. The totality of their actions and approach sends the wrong signals to investors at a time when Bermuda is rebuilding momentum and bringing investment back.
The irony is that our PLP Government has had to provide remediation to their failed Morgan’s Point Development while ensuring a complicated Fairmont Southampton project is actually realised for the benefit of our country.
Tourism supports thousands of Bermudian families and is the bedrock of our heritage. It is an industry that runs on confidence from Bermudians, visitors, airlines, hotel partners, and investors. That confidence comes from consistency. Mixed messages slow that down and make the work even harder. Only clear commitment and steady leadership can grow this industry.
Yet despite the erratic commentary and inconsistent commitment displayed by the Opposition, we are working to strengthen Bermuda’s tourism product, increasing our presence in key markets, and supporting growth across the industry.
Bermuda needs commitment on tourism, not idle chatter designed to distract, divide, and dismantle progress.
Bermuda’s overseas contingent experienced a weekend of high drama and contrasting results as league campaigns reached a critical juncture across the English football pyramid.
Willie Clemons enjoyed an afternoon to remember at Flannery Stadium as his Leiston FC side secured a vital 1-0 victory over Banbury United. In a tightly contested Southern League Premier Central clash, Leiston demonstrated defensive resilience to claim all three points and maintain their mid-table momentum.
There was similar joy on the road for Kane Crichlow, whose Chelmsford City FC side produced a professional display to edge past Chippenham Town. Playing at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, the Clarets secured a narrow 1-0 win in the National League South, with Crichlow providing his trademark energy to help his side navigate a testing away fixture.
The most dramatic comeback of the day belonged to Ajani Burchall and Wimborne Town. Facing a daunting two-goal deficit at the Honeycroft grounds, Wimborne showed remarkable character to turn the match on its head and defeat Uxbridge. The victory keeps their promotion aspirations alive following a spirited second-half revival.
However, it was a more somber afternoon for Keziah Martin and Justin Donawa at Edgar Street. Martin faced a reunion with his former employers, Buxton FC, but there was to be no fairytale result as Hereford FC succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the National League North. The result leaves Hereford looking for a quick response as they aim to consolidate their position in the play-off hunt.
Milan Butterfield also tasted defeat as Halesowen Town fell 2-1 to Real Bedford at the Ledger Stadium, while Coolridge Fubler’s Binfield FC suffered a narrow 1-0 loss on the road at Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League. Elsewhere, the Bermudian pair of Aunde Todd and Brighton Morrison were on the wrong side of a clinical 3-0 scoreline as Badshot Lea struggled against Tooting and Mitcham United.
In the afternoon’s stalemate fixtures, Ayleal Dill and Southwell City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with South Normanton Athletic. Zhani Burgess experienced an identical scoreline with Quorn FC, as they shared the spoils with Stratford Town in an end-to-end Southern League encounter at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The City of Hamilton is pleased to announce that Fort Hamilton has officially reopened to the public and is once again available for event bookings, following extensive renovations and archaeological investigations.
Over the past two years, the City has undertaken a comprehensive restoration programme at the fort, focused on infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability, and heritage preservation. Works completed include:
Major upgrades to electrical and water infrastructure to support daily operations and future events, including a new high-voltage power vault and a 36,000-imperial-gallon water tank
Installation of a new covered public terrace designed to harvest rainwater, alongside site-wide trenching to support upgraded power, potable water, irrigation, and data services
Improved accessibility through the installation of an ADA-compliant access ramp
Extensive archaeological investigations, expert analysis of artefacts, and detailed 3D topographic survey work to document and protect the site
Ongoing environmental restoration, including removal of invasive plant species, new planting initiatives, and the recovery of historic stonework
Repairs to historic stonework and roofs of existing buildings to preserve the Fort’s structural integrity
Installation of a memorial plaque honouring the late George Ogden, former City Parks Superintendent, for his role in shaping the Fort’s landscaped grounds
“Fort Hamilton is one of the City’s most significant heritage assets, and this restoration was carefully designed to balance preservation with practical improvements,” said Patrick Cooper,
City Engineer and Chief Operating Officer. “The work completed over the past two years ensures the Fort remains structurally sound, accessible, and fit for purpose, while honouring its history. Much of this initial phase focused on essential infrastructure and preservation work that strengthens the Fort behind the scenes. These foundational upgrades, many of which are not immediately apparent to visitors, were critical to ensuring the site’s long-term sustainability, safety, and functionality. The City has intentionally approached the restoration as a phased programme, with future phases expected to include enhancements to internal facilities such as the kitchen and additional visitor-facing improvements over time.”
Archaeological surveying and excavation formed a core component of the restoration initiative, designed to protect the site while supporting future upgrades. The project was undertaken by the City in collaboration with the Bermuda National Trust, and led by Florence Laino, Archaeological Project Manager for the City. The work aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan to enhance Hamilton’s heritage assets and deliver high-quality public spaces.
One of the most significant discoveries occurred ahead of the installation of the new water tank, where excavations uncovered the buried remains of the Fort’s 19th-century outhouse. Beneath a later concrete slab, archaeologists revealed an earlier floor surface, intact urinal structures, drainage systems, and deposits including clay tobacco pipes, slate fragments, fish bones and scales, buttons, and other artefacts. Among the finds were fragments of clay tobacco pipes from Ireland and the clay boot of what appears to be a toy soldier, offering rare insight into daily life at the Fort during the 1800s.
Situated on a hilltop along the eastern boundary of the City, Fort Hamilton offers panoramic views and is an ideal vantage point for enjoying Bermuda’s spectacular sunsets. Historically a British Garrison, the Fort later served as headquarters for the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps from the mid-1890s to the mid-1930s. In the decades that followed, the dry moat was transformed into lush tropical gardens, now accessible via a winding pathway.
Today, Fort Hamilton is an integral part of Hamilton’s parks network and features manicured gardens and lawns, spectacular views and is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. To book Fort Hamilton for an event, visit www.cityofhamilton.bm or contact the Venue Rentals Coordinator at venuerentals@cityhall.bm.
Statement by Shadow Finance Minister Dr Douglas De Couto:
During today’s motion to adjourn at the end of our Parliamentary session, the Premier tabled the report on the Premier’s, Ministers’, and Opposition Leader staff for fiscal years 2023/24 and 2024/25. By law, this report is to be tabled by the end of May each year for the prior financial year.
Until now, the most recent report tabled was in late 2020 for the 2019/2020 financial year. On December 12 last year, we wrote to the Premier requesting reports to the current date, so we are pleased to receive this report today.
However, we still look forward to the Premier producing the reports for years 2020/21 through 2022/23, also as required, and hope that he will provide these when Parliament resumes on 1 May.
The City of Hamilton advises the public that tree removal works will take place on Reid Street, just east of Court Street, in the vicinity of the former Canadian Hotel site, on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
The works will involve the removal of five trees (two White Cedars, one French Oak, one Mahoe, and one False Ebony) with operations scheduled to commence at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday.
To facilitate the safe execution of the works, parking spaces adjacent to the work site will be temporarily restricted. Traffic flow in the immediate area may be impacted, and motorists are encouraged to plan accordingly.
The trees identified for removal have caused significant disruption to the surrounding sidewalk and road surface due to root heaving, creating safety and maintenance concerns.
In keeping with the City’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its urban green spaces, the removed trees will be replaced with a selection of False Ebony and Mahogony trees. These will be installed alongside appropriate root guard systems to help prevent future infrastructure damage.
As part of the City’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, the removed trees will be repurposed rather than discarded. The wood will be air-cured through a process known as “flaking” before being crafted into bespoke street furniture, including benches and tables, many of which can already be seen throughout the City.
Once properly cured, the timber is transformed by the City’s in-house carpenter into handcrafted pieces. This programme, led by Parks Superintendent Steven DeSilva, has saved the City tens of
thousands of dollars in materials and labour costs in recent years while also reducing environmental impact.
Separately, the City recently completed the planting of eight new trees along King Street as part of its ongoing streetscape improvement efforts. These included a mix of False Ebony, Brachychiton, Mahoe, and Mahogany species, following earlier works in May 2025 to address similar sidewalk disruptions caused by tree roots.
The City thanks the public for their understanding and cooperation as these essential works are carried out to improve the safety, functionality, and appearance of Hamilton’s streets.
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