Pfizer sued Poland and Romania in late 2023 in a Belgian court to force the two countries to comply with a contract signed between the European Commission and Pfizer for the delivery of a set number of vaccine doses over several years
International News via Reuters:
A Belgian court on Wednesday ordered Poland and Romania to take delivery of 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion) worth of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and BioNTech in a case brought by the U.S. drugmaker three years ago.
Pfizer sued Poland and Romania in late 2023 in a Belgian court to force the two countries to comply with a contract signed between the European Commission and Pfizer for the delivery of a set number of vaccine doses over several years, the court said.
Poland refused in April 2022 to comply with the contract, citing the evolution of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a possible abuse of dominant position by Pfizer. Romania later took the same step.
The Brussels court rejected those arguments and ordered Poland and Romania to take delivery of the vaccine doses and pay Pfizer.
Poland was ordered to take delivery of Pfizer vaccine doses worth 1.3 billion euros, while Romania was ordered to take 600 million euros’ worth.
“Poland intends to pursue all legal remedies available to it to amend this ruling and defend its interests,” its Health Ministry said in a statement. The ruling requires a detailed analysis regarding its implementation, and the financial and practical aspects, it added.
Pfizer said it expected both countries to pay.
“This decision reflects the importance of the contractual obligations that underpinned a successful European pandemic response, which was built on the principle of solidarity between Member States,” it said in a statement.
During the most acute phase of the pandemic, the European Commission and EU governments agreed to buy huge volumes of vaccines, mostly from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, amid fears of insufficient supplies.
As the pandemic abated, some EU countries pushed for a reduction IN the number of vaccines being ordered to cut the expense.
Pfizer and Moderna, another top supplier of COVID vaccines to the EU, have agreed to postpone some deliveries, though that was not considered enough by Poland and Romania.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk blamed his predecessor Mateusz Morawiecki for the setback.
The Romanian government said it did not have an official announcement on the ruling and so could not comment.
($1 = 0.8614 euros)
Reporting by Inti Landauro and Bhanvi Satija; Additional reporting by Alan Charlish and Luiza Ilie. Editing by Mark Potter and Toby Chopra
Trump also said he would state in the speech, which is due at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT on Thursday), that he was considering withdrawing the U.S. from the NATO alliance
International News via Reuters:
The United States will end its war on Iran fairly soon and could return for “spot hits” if needed, President Donald Trump told Reuters on Wednesday, hours before he was scheduled to make a primetime address to the nation.
Trump also said he would state in the speech, which is due at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT on Thursday), that he was considering withdrawing the U.S. from the NATO alliance.
Asked when the United States would consider the Iran war over, Trump said: “I can’t tell you exactly … we’re going to be out pretty quickly.”
U.S. action has ensured Iran will not have nuclear arms, he said: “They won’t have a nuclear weapon because they are incapable of that now, and then I’ll leave, and I’ll take everybody with me, and if we have to we’ll come back to do spot hits.”
TRUMP SAYS HE IS CONSIDERING QUITTING NATO
Global oil supplies are expected to be hit twice as hard this month as in March, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, underlining the urgent need for an end to the conflict Trump began with Israel on February 28.
Trump said separately on social media that Iran had asked for a ceasefire but that he would not consider it until Tehran ceased blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a major fuel shipment route. Iran denied any such request.
Two security sources from Pakistan, which is mediating in the conflict, earlier told Reuters Islamabad had proposed a temporary ceasefire to both sides but had not heard back from either.
Trump signalled on Tuesday he could wind down the war in two to three weeks even without a deal and scaled up threats to pull the U.S. out of the NATO defence alliance if European states did not help stop Iran threatening the waterway.
In his remarks to Reuters, Trump said he would express his disgust with NATO for what he considers the alliance’s lack of support for U.S. objectives in Iran. He said he is “absolutely” considering an attempt to withdraw the United States from NATO.
European states took pains to appear unruffled and France’s junior army minister Alice Rufo said operations by NATO in the Strait of Hormuz would be a breach of international law.
JET FUEL AND DIESEL SHORTAGE EXPECTED TO HIT EUROPE SOON
Trump’s comments underscored growing unease about a conflict that has killed thousands, spread across the region and caused unprecedented energy disruption.
International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol said the main issue so far from Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz was the lack of jet fuel and diesel that was already a problem in Asia and would hit Europe in April or May.
Businesses around the world are struggling, with cosmetics and tea among the latest sectors to report difficulties.
Washington had threatened to intensify operations unless Tehran agreed to not pursue nuclear weapons or uranium enrichment and to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” program there was potential for a “direct meeting at some point” and the U.S. could “see the finish line”.
TANKER HIT OFF QATAR, BLAZES IN BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT
Drones hit fuel tanks at Kuwait’s international airport, causing a big blaze, and authorities in Bahrain reported a fire at an undisclosed company facility from an Iranian attack.
Qatar said an oil tanker leased to state-owned QatarEnergy was hit by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters, but that there were no injuries or environmental damage.
An overnight strike hit Shahid Haghani Port, Iran’s largest passenger terminal, deputy regional governor Ahmad Nafisi told state media, calling it a “criminal” attack on civilian infrastructure.
Iran has fired repeatedly on Gulf countries, some home to U.S. bases, during the conflict, and is using the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas, as a bargaining chip.
Oil reversed earlier gains on Wednesday on Trump’s talk of an exit from the war. Asian, European and U.S. stocks rose.
Higher fuel prices are weighing on U.S. household finances before the November midterm elections, with two-thirds of Americans believing the U.S. should work to exit the Iran war quickly, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
HOUTHIS LAUNCH COORDINATED ATTACK
Iran reiterated on Tuesday it was ready to intensify attacks on U.S. assets and allies or reach a resolution, without saying how that could occur given the warring sides’ conflicting demands.
Its Revolutionary Guards have threatened to hit U.S. companies in the region including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing, from 8 p.m. Tehran time (1630 GMT) on Wednesday. Trump has said he was not concerned.
Iran said an air strike had killed one person, wounded another and damaged 32 residential units in the northwestern city of Tabriz and that 132 historical monuments had been damaged in 18 Iranian provinces since the start of the war.
Debris from Iranian missiles struck several areas in central Israel. Such debris has accounted for most of the 19 deaths in Israel so far but there were no reports of new fatalities.
In Iran, 3,492 people have been killed, including 1,574 civilians and 236 children, U.S.-based rights group HRANA said. Iranian Emergency Organization Jafar Meyadfar said 24 healthcare workers had been killed and 114 injured, Tasnim news reported.
Yemen’s Houthis said they carried out a missile attack on Israel along with Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon for the first time after joining the war in recent days. Israel’s military said air-defence systems were intercepting the threats.
In Lebanon, where Israel has stepped up an offensive, at least seven people were killed and 24 wounded in two Israeli strikes in the Beirut area, the Lebanese health ministry said. Israel said it was targeting two senior Hezbollah figures.
Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Costas Pitas, Martin Petty, Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Alison Williams and Keith Weir
Bermuda’s Kayla Bardgett produced a flawless display of horsemanship to help the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) clinch the IHSA Zone 5 Championship title.
In a high-stakes weekend featuring 31 colleges, the hosts delivered a clinical performance to secure their spot at the upcoming National Championships.
The spotlight fell on Bardgett in the Open Equitation on the Flat, where she faced a grueling field of the region’s elite riders. The competition tested technical limits, requiring riders to compete without stirrups before the top four were ordered to swap horses for a final evaluation.
Bardgett’s adaptability proved the decider. She was crowned Zone Champion, a result that guarantees her individual qualification for the IHSA Nationals—a feat reserved only for the top two riders in each zone.
The victory held extra significance for the Bermudian, marking her final competitive appearance in the ring she has called home for three years.
“Closing out my last time competing in this ring was an extremely emotional moment,” Bardgett said. “Every person, every push, and every bit of belief has led me to this.”
With the Zone 5 trophy secured, Bardgett and her SCAD teammates now shift their focus to the season finale. After dominating on home soil, the team heads to the National Championships as one of the favorites for national glory.
A fire risk has forced a recall action affecting up to around 700,000 Stellantis cars worldwide, including models from the group’s brands Peugeot, Citreon, Fiat and Jeep, the company confirmed on Wednesday
International News via Reuters:
A fire risk has forced a recall action affecting up to around 700,000 Stellantis cars worldwide, including models from the group’s brands Peugeot, Citreon, Fiat and Jeep, the company confirmed on Wednesday.* Notices issued by Germany’s KBA regulator on Tuesday saidmodels produced between mid-2023 and early-2026 should bechecked for a possible defect that can cause water to enter theengine compartment, potentially leading to a fire * The recall covers most of Stellantis’s brands, with AlfaRomeo and Lancia also affected * Stellantis said in a statement that customer safety was”at the core of its values” and said a free service to resolvethe issue would take around 30 minutes
Reporting by Rachel More and Giulio Piovaccari; editing by Matthias Williams
Bermudian freshman Norre Robinson continued his impressive start to the collegiate outdoor season, helping Louisiana Tech to a podium finish at the prestigious Clyde Hart Classic.
Competing at the home of Baylor University in Waco, Robinson anchored a strong day for the Bulldogs’ sprint unit with a starring role in the relays.
Robinson was entrusted with the crucial lead-off leg in the Men’s 4x100m relay. A clinical start and a clean exchange set the platform for the Louisiana Tech quartet, who clocked 41.04 seconds to claim third place.
The performance saw the Bulldogs hold their own in a high-caliber field featuring some of the South’s elite regional talent.
Earlier in the meet, Robinson tested himself in a crowded 200m field of over 40 sprinters.
Time: 22.16 seconds
Position: 29th overall
While the time was slightly slower than his wind-aided season opener in Baton Rouge, it provided a vital benchmark as the youngster adapts to the grueling demands of the NCAA outdoor circuit.
The freshman’s ability to deliver under pressure has seen him quickly become a reliable fixture for the Bulldogs.
With a relay medal now under his belt, Robinson’s focus shifts to refining his drive phase and top-end speed as Louisiana Tech prepares for the heart of the Conference USA schedule. On this evidence, the young Bermudian has plenty more to offer as the season reaches its peak.
Two in five acute care patients don’t need to stay at the hospital… As pressure on the Emergency Department builds, overcrowding once more highlights the need for more care in the community
About two in five patients occupying beds in the hospital’s Acute Care Wing could be cared for elsewhere.
That has been the case so far in 2026, according to a Bermuda Hospitals Board spokesperson, who stated: “Over the last three months, around 40% of the 90 beds in the KEMH acute care wing have been occupied by people who are medically fit to be discharged.”
Bermuda Broadcasting reached out to the hospital after a concerned resident cited growing numbers of patients waiting in the Emergency Department for beds.
The BHB spokesperson said that, as of Tuesday morning, “34 patients in the acute care wing were medically able to be discharged, with another six medically fit patients in other areas of the hospital – a total of 40 … That means the beds are not available for acutely ill patients who are admitted through the Emergency Department.
“These patients are cared for in Emergency while they wait for space to open up in the acute care units.”
Such circumstances mount pressure on an already beleaguered ED, which saw an average of 82 patients a day in March – up from 77 in March 2025, with five days exceeding 90 patients.
However, admissions for the first three months of 2026 are similar to 2025. The spokesperson says the public can help ease pressure on ED by only going there for emergency care, and seeing a family doctor or visiting Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre for less serious cases.
The comments from the hospital highlight a perrenial problem – the dearth of care outside of KEMH.
Last March, BHB was reported 40 fit-for-discharge patients left in the hospital, and one Emergency patient waiting five days for admission.
At that time, Chief of Staff Dr. Anna Neilson-Williams told Bermuda Broadcasting that the answers lie external to the hospital, and “what is needed is more facilities”. She added: “It’s likely that we may be facing this scenario again.”
A year on, the hospital spokesperson told us that about 60% of patients who are medically fit to leave are waiting for nursing home placements, which can be difficult in complex cases such as dimentia, and with young people who need long-term care.
“Other discharges are postponed until home care can be arranged or changes are made in the home to ensure a safe environment,” the spokesperson said. “In some cases, family members are not available, or they are unable or unwilling to take on the responsibility of home care.”
The hospital points to Government’s commitment to increase nursing home availability, plus funding for BHB to convert spaces for transitional care, as potentially easing pressure.
“This will allow us to move medically fit patients out of the acute care units, placing acutely ill patients from Emergency in the vacated beds.”
“Moving one long-stay patient out of an acute bed means multiple acute patients can be treated and discharged from the same bed over just a few weeks.”
Bermudian sailor Adriana Penruddocke produced a tactical masterclass on the Bay of Palma to storm into second place overall at the 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofía.
On a day plagued by erratic offshore winds, the Olympic sailor erased the memory of a frustrating Monday with a remarkably consistent triple-header in the ILCA 6 fleet.
After languishing in 63rd following the opening day’s solitary race, Penruddocke returned to the water with clinical intent. Her scoreline for the day—4th, 5th, and 2nd—leaves her on 11 net points, trailing only Ireland’s Evie McMahon in the overall standings.
In the ILCA 7 class, compatriot Sebastian Kempe faced a more turbulent afternoon. The young Olympic hopeful slipped from 26th to 32nd overall after a day of fluctuating fortunes.
Race 1: A solid 18th.
Race 2: Caught by a wind shift to finish 56th.
Race 3: A resilient 5th-place finish to stay within the mix.
With 52 net points, Kempe remains well-placed in a massive 1,100-strong international field, though he sits six spots lower than his overnight position.
Conditions remain the primary adversary in Mallorca. With the reliable sea breeze not expected until the weekend, both fleets spent hours waiting for raceable windows on Wednesday.
For Penruddocke, the challenge is now maintaining momentum at the front of the pack. For Kempe, the goal is a return to the top 20 as the regatta enters its high-stakes middle phase.
The Ministry of Economy and Labour stated that biometric collection is compulsory for work or study visas, visitor visas and all international students, including Bermudian students
Full media release from the Ministry of Economy and Labour:
The Ministry of Economy and Labour is pleased to announce an upcoming biometric collection session for Bermudians seeking Canadian Visas.
Specific identification criteria are mandatory for some individuals applying for a Canadian visitor visa, work or study permit, or permanent residency in Canada. It is also compulsory for all international students, including Bermudian students.
Thanks to an ongoing partnership with the Consulate General of Canada, biometric collection will take place in Bermuda on April 16-17th 2026.
The Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, said, “We remain committed to making essential services more accessible for Bermuda’s residents. This biometric collection session is an invaluable opportunity for those applying for Canadian visas and work or study permits to complete an important step in the process without the added burden of overseas travel. I appreciate the Consulate General of Canada’s continued collaboration in providing this convenient service, and I strongly encourage those eligible to take advantage of it.”
Biometrics Collection Details
Date: Thursday, 16th and Friday, 17th April 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm by appointment only
Location: Department of Immigration, 1st Floor Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament Street, Hamilton
Who Can Use This Service?
First, please make sure that you do need to give your biometrics.
You can use the service if you:
· Reside in Bermuda
· Have applied for a study or work permit, visitor visa, or permanent residency in Canada
· Have paid the biometrics fee (CAD $85 per individual; CAD $170 maximum fee per family applying at the same time)
· Possess a biometrics instruction letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Note: If you apply online for your study or work permit, or visitor visa and pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application, you can receive the biometrics instruction letter within 24 hours of applying. Please note that you have 30 days after receiving the letter to provide your biometrics.
How to Book an Appointment
To avoid long wait times, you must book an appointment in advance. To schedule your appointment, email CNGNYConsular@international.gc.ca and include your:
· Surname
· Given name
· Date of birth
· Phone number
· A copy of your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)
The Consulate General will respond to your email within two business days, beginning April 1, 2026.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
· Your valid passport or other travel documents
· Your Biometrics Instruction Letter
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Governor Andrew Murdoch took part in the annual picking of Bermuda Easter Lilies for the King
Full news statement from Government House:
Yesterday (March 31), His Excellency the Governor, Andrew Murdoch CMG, was delighted to take part in the annual picking of Bermuda Easter Lilies.
The beautiful lilies were grown at Windybank Farm and departed Bermuda yesterday evening to be delivered to Their Majesties today, in time for Good Friday.
The cherished tradition of sending Easter lilies has been in place for many decades and brings a small piece of Bermuda to the royal household every year.
This year, as part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, lilies will also be sent to Her Royal Highness The Duchesses of Gloucester, the RBR’s Colonel in Chief.
Government House extends a huge note of thanks to Malcom and Benn Smith for providing the flowers, as well as those at British Airways for their support in getting the flowers to their destination.
This week on Inside Sports, Nick Jones & Darren ‘Butchy B’ dives into an in-depth discussion with Bermuda’s Carting Association president Chris Smith and vice president Philip Correia. They share insights into the sport’s history, current state, upcoming events, and development programs, highlighting Bermuda’s vibrant motorsport scene and preparations for the upcoming CAC Games.
Join us for a lively discussion covering the upcoming CARIFTA Games and the world class athletes representing Bermuda We explore the significance of youth programs, international tournaments, and community support for sports growth.
He was speaking during a visit to Europe to deepen economic ties, advance partnerships in emerging technologies and push for what Washington calls a fair regulatory environment
International News via Reuters:
A senior U.S. State Department official said on Wednesday that European Union fines on U.S. companies are the biggest source of friction in transatlantic economic relations, singling out the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, which targets dominant tech platforms.
“The biggest single source of friction in the U.S.-EU relationship from an economic standpoint is the recurrent fines, very onerous punitive fines instituted on U.S. companies,” Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth Jacob Helberg said on a call with journalists.
Helberg said Washington was concerned by reports that another round of fines could be imposed on U.S. companies in the near future.
He was speaking during a visit to Europe to deepen economic ties, advance partnerships in emerging technologies and push for what Washington calls a fair regulatory environment. Helberg said he had had productive talks with the European Commission, including on European companies that play an important role in global supply chains, an area he said could offer scope for closer transatlantic cooperation.”I believe we would be moving a lot faster if we didn’t also have to simultaneously address the sources of friction that directly stem from the DMA,” he said.
Helberg said he would meet with executives at Dutch chip equipment giant ASML, Europe’s most valuable firm, on Thursday. He declined to answer questions on whether the U.S. government is satisfied with current U.S.-Dutch controls on ASML’s exports to China.
Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Ros Russell
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
