Andrew Stevenson’s latest film combines years of whale research with a personal story told through the eyes of his daughters
A Bermuda filmmaker and whale researcher is delivering another powerful ocean story.
Andrew Stevenson’s latest documentary about humpback whales in the Sargasso Sea recently premiered at an international whale conference in Hawaii – alongside some of the biggest names in ocean science.
Now the film will have its exclusive premiere at home this week at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
WATCH more in the above report.
Tickets to Mr Stevenson’s latest film can be purchased online at PTix.
President Mamady Doumbouya, a former special forces commander, seized power in 2021 and won a seven-year term as president in December in a result contested by his opponents
International News via Reuters:
Guinea’s main opposition leader said “direct resistance” to the country’s coup leader-turned-president was now the only way to bring about change after the government consolidated its position by dissolving 40 political parties.
President Mamady Doumbouya, a former special forces commander, seized power in 2021 and won a seven-year term as president in December in a result contested by his opponents. Legislative elections are expected in May in the West African nation, which is rich in bauxite and iron ore.
Guinea’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization said in a decree late on Friday that 40 parties’ headquarters and local offices would be closed and use of their logos, acronyms “and other distinctive signs” would be prohibited.
The decree said the parties had failed to meet legal obligations such as filing financial statements; several of the dissolved political parties have protested, maintaining they had fulfilled all legal requirements.
In a video statement published on social media on Sunday, Guinea’s main opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo said “war has been openly declared” on Doumbouya’s challengers.
He called on Guineans to engage in “direct resistance”, without specifying what exactly that should look like. And he said political change would not happen through dialogue or democratic processes.
“The head of the junta and his malevolent clique want to rewrite the country’s history by erasing from the political landscape all forces likely to overshadow his nascent one-party state,” he said.
A government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Diallo is in exile outside the country, as is former President Alpha Conde, who Doumbouya toppled and whose party was also dissolved on Friday.
Guinea has a history of political violence, including during the 2020 election which Diallo said he had won. The December 2025 election was tightly controlled and unfolded without major security incidents.
Reporting by Guinea newsroom; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Philippa Fletcher
Industry groups say boosting transportation availability can reduce travel friction for visitors and support the local economy, while recognising taxi drivers’ role as frontline ambassadors
Joint Statement on Enhancing Ground Transportation for Bermuda’s Visitors, Residents & Businesses:
The Bermuda Tourism Authority, Bermuda Hotel Association, Skyport and the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce welcome initiatives that help ensure Bermuda delivers a seamless and enjoyable on-island experience. Reliable ground transportation is a vital part of that experience, and user feedback has consistently highlighted transportation availability, particularly during peak periods and late evenings, as an area where improvements would enhance satisfaction. Expanding transportation options through thoughtful innovation reflects the National Tourism Plan’s commitment to reducing friction in the travel experience to support Bermuda’s tourism economy.
At the same time, we recognise and value Bermuda’s taxi drivers as frontline ambassadors for our island. Visitors consistently rate their interactions with taxi operators very highly, and their professionalism, knowledge and hospitality are an important part of the Bermuda experience. We support efforts that enhance overall transportation availability for residents, businesses and visitors alike, whilst maintaining the important role that taxis play within Bermuda’s transportation network.
Minister Alexa Lightbourne promotes new supplier partnerships during virtual trade event connecting more than 60 U.S. companies with the local market
Images and media released supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, recently participated in the US Department of Commerce and US Department of Agriculture Virtual Trade Event: Market Opportunities for US Companies, convened in partnership with the US Consulate General Bermuda.
The engagement traces directly to Bermuda’s Cost of Living Summit, where US Consul General Antoinette Hurtado attended and pledged support to connect Bermudian businesses with expanded market opportunities. That commitment led to this engagement, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and US Department of Commerce to connect American companies with opportunities in the Bermuda market.
The pathway was also shaped by the private sector. Retailers and wholesalers, consulted as part of the Government’s ongoing affordability work, identified a persistent challenge: Bermuda’s market size makes it difficult to attract new suppliers and establish competitive supply relationships. The Minister’s response was to build a structure that made engagement possible regardless of market size.
By partnering with the US Consulate General and engaging US federal trade agencies, the Government created a structured entry point for American companies to understand Bermuda’s market, connect with the Bermuda Business Development Agency, and explore supply relationships with local partners. Over 60 US companies registered for the session.
During her presentation, Minister Lightbourne outlined the Government’s current affordability measures: duty relief across 33 essential goods, plans to expand that list, and the deliberate diversification of Bermuda’s import markets. She also addressed the modernisation of Bermuda’s milk legislation, an initiative under active review to improve food supply and expand consumer choice.
“We are leaving no stone unturned and exploring all available opportunities,” Minister Lightbourne said.
“We listened to what families are paying. We listened to what businesses cannot access. And we built a forum that serves both. Lower costs for Bermudians require more competition. More competition requires more suppliers. We are removing the barriers that have kept those suppliers away.”
Minister Lightbourne added, “Bermuda’s size has too often been treated as a ceiling. This partnership reframes it as an asset. We are a high-value, stable, strategically located market. Through the right partnerships and the right architecture, we can compete for supply relationships that benefit the entire economy. The private sector identified the problem. This Government built the bridge.”
The session also featured presentations from the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward JP, MP, and from BDA Managing Director Kendaree Burgess and Head of Business Development David Parker, who outlined Bermuda’s economic profile and the agency’s services for companies seeking to establish or expand their presence on the island.
Minister Hayward explained, “Bermuda’s long-term economic resilience depends on deepening our trade relationships and giving local retailers direct access to expanded US product offerings and retail distribution deals.
“This engagement demonstrates that even as a small jurisdiction, we can leverage strategic partnerships to enhance Bermuda’s retail landscape. By aligning Government policy, diplomatic relationships, and private sector insight, we are positioning Bermuda as an accessible, high-quality market for international partners while supporting affordability and economic growth at home.”
And US Consul General Hurtado remarked, “One of my top priorities is supporting the U.S.-Bermuda trade and economic relationship. With the United States as Bermuda’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner, I am pleased to facilitate even stronger connections that support Bermuda’s economic growth and affordability agenda while expanding commercial collaboration between Bermudian and US businesses. Our economic partnership is robust – reflecting hundreds of years of shared interests – and I look forward to continuing to work with the Bermuda government and private sector to expand our connectivity.
The EU must be prepared to project its power more assertively
International News via Reuters:
The EU must be prepared to project its power more assertively as it can no longer rely on a “rules-based” system against threats and must determine if its institutions and systems help or hinder its credibility, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.
“We will always defend and uphold the rules-based system that we helped to build with our allies, but we can no longer rely on it as the only way to defend our interests or assume its rules will shelter us from the complex threats that we face,” von der Leyen said at a conference for EU ambassadors.
“We urgently need to reflect on whether our doctrine, our institutions and our decision making – all designed in a postwar world of stability and multilateralism – have kept pace with the speed of change around us. Whether the system that we built – with all of its well-intentioned attempts at consensus and compromise – is more a help or a hindrance to our credibility as a geopolitical actor,” she added.
Reporting by Lili Bayer; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Bart Meijer
Brent crude futures were up $13.02, or 14%, at $105.71 per barrel at 0917 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $12.16, or 13%, at $103.06
International News via Reuters:
Oil prices surged over $119 a barrel, hitting levels not seen since mid-2022, on Monday as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Brent crude futures were up $13.02, or 14%, at $105.71 per barrel at 0917 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $12.16, or 13%, at $103.06.
In a whiplash session, Brent had earlier hit a high of $119.50 a barrel, indicating the biggest-ever absolute price jump in a single day, and WTI reached $119.48 a barrel. Before the surge on Monday, Brent had already climbed 28% and WTI 36% over last week.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes, is virtually shut. Also boosting prices is the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Iran’s supreme leader, signalling that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran a week into its conflict with the United States and Israel.
The war could leave consumers and businesses worldwide facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices even if the conflict, which started on February. 28, ends quickly, as suppliers grapple with damaged facilities, disrupted logistics and elevated risks to shipping.
U.S. gasoline contracts surged to their highest since 2022 at around $3.22 a gallon, at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has told U.S. consumers the impact on their cost of living would be limited ahead of mid-term elections in November.
Governments can release strategic petroleum reserves to counteract supply disruptions. U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump to make such a move and a French government source said on Monday that the Group of Seven nations would discuss this also.
Iraq oil production from its main southern oilfields has fallen by 70%, sources said, with crude storage having reached maximum capacity.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation began cutting oil output on Saturday and declared force majeure on shipments, though it did not say how much production it would shut.
Analysts expect OPEC heavyweights United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will have to also cut output soon as they run out of oil storage.
Saudi Aramco has offered more than 4 million barrels of Saudi crude in rare tenders as its export routes are throttled.
In gas markets, giant liquefied natural gas exporter Qatar had already stopped production after attacks on key infrastructure.
A fire broke out in the UAE’s Fujairah oil industry zone resulting from falling debris, with no injuries reported. Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said on X it intercepted a drone heading to the Shaybah oilfield.
Refinery disruptions add to fuel supply cuts, with Bahrain’s BAPCO announcing a force majeure following a recent attack on its refinery complex. Saudi Arabia has already shut its biggest oil refinery.
Additional reporting by Yuka Obayashi, Sudarshan Varadhan, Rae Wee, Tim Gardner; Editing by Sam Holmes, Jamie Freed and Muralikumar Anantharaman
David Burt discusses AI regulation and digital finance while announcing a pilot AI chatbot partnership to help government staff calculate pension payments
Images and media released supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
During a recent visit to San Francisco, the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, attended NearCon, a global technology conference hosted by the NEAR Foundation, where leaders in digital finance and artificial intelligence discussed how these technologies are shaping the future of finance and government services.
While at the conference, the Premier participated in a fireside conversation titled, “The ‘Bermuda Triangle’ Approach to Innovation and AI as the Next Regulatory Frontier.”
The conversation covered Bermuda’s collaborative approach to innovation between government, industry, and the Bermuda Monetary Authority. The Premier explained how this approach helped Bermuda become one of the first countries in the world to regulate digital assets, and how the Island now plans to take a similar lead in artificial intelligence. He also recorded a podcast episode of The Rollup to share Bermuda’s vision with a wider international audience.
A major announcement from the trip was a new partnership between the Government of Bermuda and the NEAR Foundation. Together, they will begin a pilot to build an AI-powered chatbot to help government employees calculate pension payments more efficiently. In simple terms, this tool will help staff get faster and more accurate answers when calculating pension amounts. If the pilot is successful, the project will expand to create an online tax portal and calculator that allows Bermudians to check information and interact with government systems more easily.
The Premier also announced that the Government intends to explore adding legal clarity around the use of AI agents in financial services.
A government working group has been formed to begin consultations with local stakeholders and members of the legal community. At the same time, the Bermuda Monetary Authority continues to accept AI-related projects in all forms through its Regulatory Sandboxes and Innovation Hub and has engaged in discussions with Industry on the responsible use of AI following the publication of its discussion paper in July 2025. The Authority’s objective is to support responsible innovation while ensuring that any enhancements to supervisory expectations are practical, risk-based, and avoid unnecessary duplication or unintended regulatory burden to the market.
During the visit, the Premier also met with managing partners from leading venture capital firms to discuss trends in digital assets, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, and other emerging technologies. He held additional meetings with digital finance companies to continue advancing Bermuda’s broader “on-chain economy” initiative, an effort to modernize payments and financial services on the Island. The Premier was accompanied by two Digital Finance Advisors from the Ministry of Finance.
The visit to NearCon reinforced Bermuda’s commitment to staying ahead of global technology trends while ensuring that innovation directly benefits Bermudians. By combining practical government pilots with clear regulation, Bermuda continues to position itself as a forward-thinking jurisdiction that responsibly embraces new technology.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 slipped 1.1% by 0937 GMT, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 lost 1.6%. Both indexes were coming off their worst weekly performance in nearly a year
International News via Reuters:
UK stocks fell to their lowest levels in nearly two months on Monday as rising oil prices intensified inflation fears and concerns over potential interest rate hikes amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 slipped 1.1% by 0937 GMT, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 lost 1.6%. Both indexes were coming off their worst weekly performance in nearly a year.
Shares of oil majors rose, with Shell firming 1.3% and BP up 0.3%, tracking crude prices that broke above $100 a barrel on concerns over prolonged shipping and supply disruptions stemming from the widening Middle East conflict. [O/R]
The UK’s energy index gained 1.6%.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, signalling that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran.
Soaring energy prices have renewed inflation worries and prompted a sharp pullback in Bank of England rate‑cut bets.
Money markets pricing indicated a more than 40% chance the Bank of England would raise interest rates this year, a sharp reversal from February when two cuts were priced in. [BOEWATCH]
Traders were also weighing the potential costs of government support for energy bills after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said supporting people with the cost of living would be at the top of his mind.
Adding to the gloom, the latest REC/KPMG report on jobs indicated that starting salaries for permanent staff in Britain continued to decline, albeit at a slower pace, while the downturn in new permanent hires showed signs of easing.
British government bonds tumbled again on Monday, while the pound was on track for its biggest daily fall in over a month. [GBP/]
In corporate news, GSK dipped 0.6% after the drugmaker said it will receive up to $690 million from Italian pharmaceutical company Alfasigma for the worldwide rights to linerixibat, an experimental treatment for severe itching in patients with a rare liver disease.
Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore
Sterling was last down 0.81% at $1.331 and on track for its biggest daily fall in over a month
International News via Reuters:
The pound tumbled on Monday as investors rushed to the safety of the U.S. dollar and ditched the currencies of countries most exposed to rising energy costs, as the U.S.-Iran war sent oil prices surging to $120 a barrel.
Sterling was last down 0.81% at $1.331 and on track for its biggest daily fall in over a month.
Meanwhile, British government bonds tumbled for a third day and stocks dropped as investors weighed up the potential impact on the UK economy.
Oil prices jumped more than 25% to their highest levels since mid-2022 on Monday, with the global benchmark Brent crude touching $119.50 per barrel.
Major Gulf producers cut supplies and shipping disruptions rattled the market as the U.S.-Iran war showed few signs of slowing down.
“It’s been the biggest jump since the outbreak of the pandemic, and investors are bracing for an inflation crisis,” said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club.
The Financial Times reported that G7 finance ministers plan to discuss a possible release of petroleum from reserves, helping temper some of the market moves. Brent crude was last up 16% at $107.80 a barrel.
Traders were weighing the potential costs of government support for energy bills after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said supporting people with the cost of living would be at the top of his mind.
“A market theme for this week is set to be consideration of the implications of potential fiscal interventions to manage the impact of higher energy prices,” said Sam Hill, head of market insights at Lloyds Bank.
Hill and his colleagues said UK support for households related to the Russia-Ukraine spike energy prices in 2022-2023 is estimated to have cost 52 billion pounds ($69 billion).
Sterling was little changed against the euro, which also tumbled against the dollar as investors moved into a currency seen as a safe haven thanks to its dominant role in global finance.
The dollar has also benefited from the United States’ status as a leading oil and gas producer. By contrast, Britain and the euro zone are heavily reliant on oil and gas imports.
The euro was last flat against the pound at 86.63 pence.
British government bonds tumbled again on Monday with yields on 10-year gilts surging more than 15 basis points (bps) to their highest levels since September at 4.776%. Yields rise as prices fall and vice versa.
Traders on Monday were pricing in a more than 50% chance the Bank of England raises interest rates this year, a sharp reversal from February when two cuts were priced in.
The FTSE 100 fell 1.5% in early trading, outperforming broader European shares which were down 2% thanks to the index’s larger weighting of energy companies.
Bermuda international Harry Twite has completed a mid-season move to Basford United FC, swapping Lboro Students FC for the Ambers in a deal that runs through the remainder of the current campaign. The versatile central defender, who is equally comfortable operating at right-back, was fast-tracked into the starting eleven by the management duo of Gandi and Saul.
The move paid immediate dividends as Twite helped anchor a resolute defensive unit in a gritty 1-0 victory over Corby Town FC. In a social media release welcoming the Islander, the club expressed their delight at securing the defender’s services as they look to solidify their league standing.
It was a more frustrating afternoon in the AD&P Cup Quarter-Final for Keunna Dill and Trinae Edwards. Despite a spirited individual performance from Dill, FC United of Manchester fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Accrington Stanley Women.
After falling behind early, Dill showcased her predatory instincts in the 31st minute, firing home a clinical equalizer to drag her side level. However, the Mancunians were unable to capitalize on the momentum, conceding twice more as their cup run came to a premature end.
Elsewhere, Bermuda’s attacking contingent continues to thrive in front of goal. Jasmine Spence helped reignite Newport Pagnell Town Women’s campaign with a dominant 6-0 demolition of River City Women at Willen Road. The victory serves as a major statement of intent for Spence’s side as they look to climb the table following a period of inconsistent form.
In West Yorkshire, Aaliyah Nolan maintained her impressive scoring streak to help Bradford City Women secure a comfortable 3-0 win over South Shields Women. Playing at the Horsfall Community Stadium, Nolan was on target once again, providing the clinical edge that has made her a vital component of the Bantams’ offensive arsenal this season.
Lisa Lister Reed, Bermuda’s Woman of the Year 2025, hosted Unstoppable: See Me. Hear Me., A Tea Party of Empowerment and Inclusion, a sold-out fundraiser in partnership with the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) on Sunday, March 1, at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.
Following her recognition as Woman of the Year 2025, outside of her professional duties, Lisa has used this platform to continue advocating for disability inclusion in Bermuda.
The event brought together women, community leaders and supporters to celebrate women’s leadership while raising funds for the WRC’s counselling, advocacy and support services.
The sold-out event reflected strong community enthusiasm for both the cause and the opportunity for women to gather in support of one another. The whimsically designed event also included a fashion show by Nannini Fashions.
“It has been one of my greatest honours to use my Woman of the Year platform to uplift women’s voices and champion disability inclusion,” Lisa said.
Chrystal-Lynn El, Executive Coordinator, speaking on behalf of the WRC, shared information about the Centre’s services and the importance of continued community support. She also highlighted the WRC’s Circle of Support monthly giving initiative, which helps strengthen long-term sustainability as the Centre approaches its 40th anniversary in 2027.
During the program, co-hosts Aderonke Bademosi Wilson and Dr. Jana Pitcher recognized past Women of the Year honorees and shared reflections on the award as recognition of the resilience and leadership of Bermuda’s women.
In her remarks, Lisa shared her lived experience having been born with spinal muscular atrophy and called for more intentional and structural inclusion across Bermuda’s workplaces, policies and public spaces.
“Anything less than inclusion is exclusion. Full access is a human right,” she said. Lisa encouraged individuals to reflect on their role in creating change. “The question we must ask is simple: who is missing, and why? When we design with inclusion in mind from the start, everyone benefits.”
Closing the program, Lisa invited the audience to carry the message forward. “Inclusion is not my fight alone. It is Bermuda’s responsibility. And together, we are unstoppable.”
The event reflected strong community support for the Women’s Resource Centre and the growing momentum around disability inclusion and women’s leadership in Bermuda.
Event sponsors included: Sail Bermuda, Enzuri Beauty, Treehouse Bermuda, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, Port Royal Golf Course, Gosling Brothers Limited, Salon Pink, Stowe & Stowe, Orange Bay Company Ltd., Bermuda Touché and Calypso.
Professional service donors included: TiffViolin, DJ CMDTY, Nannini Fashions, Jayde Gibbons, Ambiance Bermuda Photography, Road Less Traveled Videos and ID Associates. For more information about the Women’s Resource Centre or to donate to the Circle of Support fundraising initiative, visit www.wrcbermuda.bm.
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is excited to announce a special screening of the documentary, Black Godfather of Scuba on Thursday, March 12th at 6:30pm. The evening will feature a live virtual Q&A with the film’s Emmy-nominated director, Matt Kay, offering audiences an exclusive opportunity to dive deeper into the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Albert “Doc” Jones.
Part of PBS’s REEL SOUTH series, Black Godfather of Scuba documents the groundbreaking work of Dr. Albert “Doc” Jones, founder of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. Jones dedicated his life to uncovering submerged histories of the African diaspora. His work led to the discovery of the Henrietta Marie, the first recovered slave ship, sparking a mission to honour and preserve the stories of those lost during the Middle Passage.
This moving documentary celebrates a trailblazer who reshaped both scuba diving and historical storytelling.
Matt Kay is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker based in London whose acclaimed documentaries spotlight powerful, character‑driven stories. His work spans global platforms including Netflix, A&E, National Geographic, and Disney+. Kay’s films have screened at over 50 major festivals, earned international awards, and reached millions of viewers.
Tickets are $15 for General Admission and $25 for BUEI’s Big Screen Package, which includes a complimentary glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage and a snack pack. Thanks to Discovery Wines & Spirits for their generous sponsorship of Films at BUEI. As a bonus, ticket holders can enjoy 15% off dinner at the Harbourfront Restaurant when you dine before the film! Reservations are required and can be made by calling 295-4207.
Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased online at BUEI.org/events and PTIX.bm. You can also buy tickets in person at BUEI’s Oceans Gift Shop or by phoning 294-0204.
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