Wednesday, November 11, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 574

Islanders honoured by King Charles

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Islanders honoured by King Charles

OBE for Gaynell Hayward-Caesar, for her services to healthcare

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

  • Gaynell Hayward – Caesar – for services to healthcare and public service in Bermuda

King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour:

  • Don MacKenzie – for services to the community
  • Neil Patterson – for services to the community
  • Joanne Brangman – for services to the community
  • Henrik Schroder – for services to the development of sports in Bermuda

Gaynell Hayward-Caesar – OBE

Gaynell Hayward-Caesar is being honoured for her outstanding services to healthcare and public service in Bermuda. With over 50 years of experience in nursing and public health, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation. Most notably, Gaynell Hayward-Caesar is credited for her pioneering work in establishing and leading Bermuda’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). As the island’s first sexual assault nurse, she has been instrumental in developing forensic nursing services and advocating for vulnerable populations, ensuring survivors receive compassionate, coordinated, and professional care. Her leadership in this critical area has transformed Bermuda’s ability to respond to sexual assault cases with dignity and justice. She continues to advocate for vulnerable populations through her coordination of the SART. Other notable achievements include establishing Bermuda’s first COVID-19 drive-through testing site, securing critical PPE supplies during the pandemic. And she also broke barriers as the first Black manager of the maternity ward. As Chief Nursing Officer for the Department of Health, she has championed patient care, resource accessibility, and community health initiatives. Her dedication to mentoring and empowering others reflects her lifelong commitment to improving healthcare locally and internationally.

***********

Don Mackenzie – for services to the community
Mr. Don Mackenzie is being honoured for his leadership in entrepreneurship and community development. A passionate advocate for innovation and inclusion, he co-founded Ignite Bermuda, an entrepreneurial accelerator that has empowered over 600 entrepreneurs and community leaders, creating 282 jobs. Beyond entrepreneurship, Mr. Mackenzie has demonstrated lifelong voluntary service, including roles as Chairman of Family Centre, Trustee of the Bermuda Hospital Charitable Trust, and Commissioner of the SAGE Commission, as well as co-founding the Bermuda Infrastructure Fund. Through sports and civic leadership, he has inspired progress, opportunity, and community impact.


Neil Patterson – for services to the community
Neil Patterson, former Chairman of KPMG Bermuda and Co-Founder of Ignite Bermuda, is being recognised for his exceptional voluntary service to the community through entrepreneurship and governance. Neil has championed entrepreneurial development, mentoring founders and scaling ventures that strengthen the island’s economic resilience. His work emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and sustainable impact, positioning Ignite as a catalyst for transformative change.

Mr. Patterson was instrumental in establishing Ignite’s governance, financial systems, and impact measurement framework, ensuring transparency and sustainability. Beyond organisational leadership, Neil dedicates substantial time to mentoring entrepreneurs and shaping policy, fostering collaboration between corporate and community sectors. His influence has strengthened Bermuda’s non-profit sector and inspired a culture of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Passionate about empowering people and building ecosystems that thrive, Neil continues to shape initiatives that connect innovation with community progress.


Joanne Brangman – for services to the community
Ms. C. Joanne Brangman is recognised for more than four decades of distinguished service as Director of the Department of Libraries and Archives. Beginning her career in 1982 at the Bermuda Youth Library, she rose to leadership after earning her Master of Library Science in 1984. Under her guidance, the Department underwent transformative change, including the merger of the Bermuda National Library and Archives, the introduction of public internet access, and the launch of digital collections and preservation initiatives.

Ms. Brangman championed community outreach, expanded learning platforms, and created spaces that celebrate Bermuda’s cultural heritage. Her leadership earned multiple awards, including Best of Bermuda and a Bermuda National Trust Service Award. Beyond her many achievements, she is most proud of mentoring and developing her team, fostering excellence in public service. Having recently retired, she remains committed to advancing the vision of a unified library facility, continuing her lifelong mission to inspire learning and strengthen community.


Henrik Schroder – for services to sports in Bermuda
Henrik Schroder is being recognized for his exceptional services to youth football development in Bermuda, spanning more than 20 years of voluntary contribution. Beginning in 2004 as Director of the Saltus Grammar School Football Program, Henrik co-founded the ABC Football School and Foundation with renowned coach Andrew Bascome. His efforts have been pivotal in creating Bermuda’s largest youth football program, the Bascome Football School, and establishing the Bermuda Football Coaches Association, which introduced UEFA coaching licenses locally. Henrik’s leadership through the ABC Foundation has provided bursaries, scholarships, and overseas opportunities for young players, as well as coach education programs that elevated Bermuda’s football standards to international levels. His initiatives have benefitted hundreds of local young people, breaking barriers to education and careers while promoting community engagement through sport. Henrik’s unwavering commitment and vision have profoundly impacted Bermuda’s youth and football community.

Police called after disturbance at KFC

Gary Foster Skelton
-
0
Police called after disturbance at KFC

A Saturday afternoon incident at KFC led to a police call out, no injuries reported

Photo by Gary Foster Skelton

Police were called to a disturbance at KFC at the weekend.

Bermuda Broadcasting contacted police on Saturday after word reached our newsroom about an incident at the popular fast food establishment that afternoon.

This morning, police confirmed that they received reports around 4:18pm on Saturday that several individuals were involved in a disturbance at KFC.

However, those concerned had already left the Queen Street location when police arrived.

Police said enquiries were conducted in an effort to identify those involved, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the main police number 295-0011.

Jason Benevides, President of KFC Operations Ltd, also confirmed that there had been a disturbance.

“As a public establishment”, he said, “KFC welcomes a wide range of members of the public… Unfortunately, this means that occasionally we are exposed to unsociable or otherwise inappropriate conduct.”

Mr Benevides would not provide further detail as the matter is under police investigation, but he did comment on security measures.

He said, “KFC employs a variety of procedures and security measures to protect both staff and customers in those rare situations where disturbances or other threats arise.”

“Whilst we cannot discuss the nature of those measures, we do note there were no injuries reported as a result of the recent disturbance, BPS responded quickly, and we are assisting BPS with their inquiries.”

Washington pipe bomb suspect has confessed, prosecutors say

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Washington pipe bomb suspect has confessed, prosecutors say

Brian Cole, 30, of Virginia admitted to planting the devices, neither of which exploded, outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national committees following his arrest earlier this month

International News via Reuters:

The man accused of planting pipe bombs in Washington the night before the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack confessed to the FBI and told investigators he thought the 2020 election had been “tampered with,” according to a court filing from federal prosecutors.

Brian Cole, 30, of Virginia admitted to planting the devices, neither of which exploded, outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national committees following his arrest earlier this month, according to the filing, which was made public on Sunday.

Cole told FBI agents “something just snapped” and that he wanted to do something “to the parties” because of their influence in U.S. politics, adding “I really don’t like either party at this point,” according to excerpts of his interview cited in the filing.

Prosecutors revealed new details about the investigation as they argued that Cole should be detained while awaiting a trial. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington federal court.

Cole is facing two explosives-related charges. He has not yet entered a plea.

Cole’s arrest nearly five years after the incident came after top officials at the FBI ordered a fresh look at a case that had long vexed investigators and became fodder for right-wing theories tied to the Capitol riot.

Cole denied in the FBI interview that the placement of the bombs on January 5, 2021 was connected to the certification of the election in Congress on the following day.

The pipe bombs were not discovered until about 1 p.m. on January 6, diverting police resources just as a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump surged into the Capitol.

He initially denied planting the devices, telling the FBI that he had been in Washington to attend a protest to support Trump’s false claims that his defeat in the 2020 election was the result of rampant voter fraud.

Cole told the FBI that powerful people needed to speak out if “something as important as voting in the federal election is being tampered with.”

Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; editing by Andy Sullivan and Chizu Nomiyama

Argentina’s Milei to visit UK this year

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Argentina’s Milei to visit UK this year

The president’s office did not provide details on the purpose of the visit or who Milei would meet with

International News via Reuters:

Argentine President Javier Milei will visit the United Kingdom in April or May, according to an official from the president’s office.

The confirmation of the visit follows a report published on Monday by British newspaper The Telegraph that said Milei planned to visit Britain.

The president’s office did not provide details on the purpose of the visit or who Milei would meet with.

The Telegraph said that Milei confirmed in an interview that talks had begun to lift a ban on weapons sales stemming from the conflict over the British-run Falkland Islands.

Milei has previously maintained that Argentina should try to take back the islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas, through diplomatic channels.

Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, which Britain and Argentina fought a war over in 1982. The islands are in the South Atlantic about 600 kilometers from the Argentine mainland.

Reporting by Leila Miller; Editing by Brendan O’Boyle and Nick Zieminski

Yen strengthens after BOJ minutes, markets still eye intervention odds

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Yen strengthens after BOJ minutes, markets still eye intervention odds

Bank of Japan policymakers debated the need to continue raising rates, the minutes from its policy meeting earlier in December, when the central bank hiked its policy rate to a 30-year high of 0.75% from 0.5%

International News via Reuters:

The yen strengthened on Monday and was on track for its fifth gain in six sessions as markets weighed the timing of additional interest rate hikes in Japan and the chances of intervention in thin holiday trading. 

Bank of Japan policymakers debated the need to continue raising rates, the minutes from its policy meeting earlier in December, when the central bank hiked its policy rate to a 30-year high of 0.75% from 0.5%, showed on Monday. 

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said last week that Japan has a free hand in dealing with excessive moves in the yen, and similar statements from officials have helped stem the softening in the Japanese currency against the dollar recently. 

“The conditions for intervention don’t exist right now and those conditions would be dramatic price action or high volatility… since they hiked rates, it has chopped around a bit, but I don’t think the threshold’s there,” said Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Capital Markets in New York. 

“The market is focused on next year, people who are trading today and tomorrow are sort of last minute kind of things, they tend to be small orders and people who have to do them, so I won’t take much of a signal from this, we’ve been consolidating for a few days.”

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, shed 0.05% to 97.99, with the euro up 0.08% at $1.1781. Sterling weakened 0.02% to $1.3492.

Against the Japanese yen, the dollar weakened 0.26% to 156.14.

In a note on Monday, Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management in New York, said the yen has traded much weaker than interest rate differentials alone would suggest over the past six months, “indicating that growing concerns about Japan’s fiscal position in a rising rate environment are starting to dominate.”

Despite the rate hike at the BOJ’s December 19 meeting, the yen weakened to a one-month low of 157.77 per dollar, prompting intervention warnings. Japan last stepped into markets to defend its currency in July 2024, buying yen after the currency hit a 38-year low of 161.96.

The economic calendar is thin in most markets ahead of the New Year holiday, although U.S. data showed pending home sales rose 3.3% last month after an upwardly revised 2.4% gain in October, the National Association of Realtors said. The index tracking sales rose to its highest level since February 2023.

Tuesday will bring about the release of minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s meeting earlier this month in which the U.S. central bank cut rates  and projected just one more reduction for next year, although markets have priced in roughly two more.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin fell 0.11% to $87,447.04.

Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; additional reporting by Rocky Swift in Tokyo and Alun John in London; Editing by, Kate Mayberry, William Maclean and Chizu Nomiyama

What was YOUR highlight from 2025?

Kendal Trott
-
0
What was YOUR highlight from 2025?

As 2025 winds down, it’s a chance for some of us to savour highlights from the past year, while also reflecting on what might have been.
Kendal Trott went into Hamilton today to ask islanders to share their fondest memories from 2025 … and biggest regrets.

BBC Radio News: Monday Evening – 29 December 2025

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
BBC Radio News: Monday Evening – 29 December 2025
Bermuda BroadcastingBBC Radio News: Monday Evening – 29 December 2025
0:00
10:26
  1. BBC Radio News: Monday Evening – 29 December 202510:26
SoundCloud

Novo Nordisk cuts price of weight-loss drug Wegovy in China

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Novo Nordisk cuts price of weight-loss drug Wegovy in China

The company did not give details on the new prices, but local media outlet Yicai reported earlier that list prices for the two highest dosages of Wegovy were cut by 48% to 987 yuan ($141) and 1,284 yuan per month

International News via Reuters:

Novo Nordisk is lowering prices of its top-selling obesity drug Wegovy in China, the Danish drugmaker said on Monday, as it braces for intense competition from local rivals next year when the patent for its blockbuster treatment ends.

The company did not give details on the new prices, but local media outlet Yicai reported earlier that list prices for the two highest dosages of Wegovy were cut by 48% to 987 yuan ($141) and 1,284 yuan per month respectively in some Chinese provinces.

“We can confirm that we are adjusting our prices of Wegovy in China,” the firm told Reuters in a statement. “We believe this pricing adjustment in China will further help alleviate the treatment burden for patients and improve their quality of life.”

Over 65% of China’s population of around 1.4 billion could be overweight or obese by 2030, making it a rapidly growing market for weight-loss drugs.

With Novo’s patent on Wegovy’s active ingredient semaglutide expiring in 2026 in China and some other important markets, Chinese drugmakers, including CSPC Pharmaceutical Group and Hangzhou Jiuyuan Genetic Biopharmaceutical Co, are developing their own versions of the drug and others are gearing up to launch rivals.

Yicai, citing local procurement authorities, had reported that the price cuts would be made in the southwestern Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan.

Novo slashed Wegovy prices by up to 37% in India last month, as it looks to gain ground in another fast-emerging market for obesity treatments. Novo and U.S. rival Eli Lilly – both shifting towards cash-paying consumers – also agreed to cut U.S. prices in November.

($1 = 7.0056 Chinese yuan renminbi)

Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Additional reporting by Bhanvi Satija in London; Writing by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Susan Fenton and Joe Bavier

Challenges and opportunities in the housing market

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Challenges and opportunities in the housing market

Housing needs will intensify in the months ahead. For young Bermudians, now is the time to learn skills such as plumbing, masonry and electrical installation

Statement by Christopher Famous, PLP MP for Constituency #11, Devonshire East

“So it would seem we’ve still got a long, long way to go”
– Phil Collins

The price of progress

Recently, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce (BCC) stated that with the Southampton Princess Hotel set to open next year, it will need a workforce of 500 to 700 individuals for efficient operations. And yes, a large proportion would likely be guest workers.

So, a significant logistical concern arises regarding the accommodation of this workforce. It is inevitable that many Bermudian landlords will be approached to rent their accommodations.

Furthermore, local construction professionals have predicted that, due to “tariff wars” on imported building materials, construction costs will likely reach $1000 per square foot. This increase will further substantially limit the number of Bermudians who are able to afford new construction or to renovate existing properties.

Collectively, these factors will only serve to increase the lack of affordable housing. The critical question remains: What actions are being taken to address this situation?

Block by Block

The Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLMC), and the Bermuda Housing Trust (BHT) are collaborating to provide future housing solutions. Some current BHC projects include:

  • 5 Three bedroom units at Cut Road, St. Georges
  • 12 studio / 1 bedroom units at Battery Road St. David’s
  • 4 two bedroom units in MiddleTown, Pembroke
  • On going renovations of existing BHC units

Whilst these efforts are underway, they represent only a marginal contribution toward resolving the overall housing need.

Given the increasing expenses associated with traditional construction, alternative methodologies are being actively explored. It is important to clarify that, contrary to certain media inferences, the priorities of these alternative construction methods are safety and affordability.

In due course of time, there will be further announcements.

Yes, the opposition should ask critical questions in order to assist in bringing further context to what is being done. Yes, there will be those who will object to new developments in general and or the locations of these developments.

However, the reality is that as our resident population grows, we will have to break new ground, contractors will have to, at times, bring in more skilled technical workers in order to get major projects completed in a timely manner. And yes, unfortunately, the rental market will become more competitive.

Long way to go

For young Bermudians, now is the time to learn needed skills such as; plumbing, masonry and electrical installation. There is endless profitable work in maintaining over 30,000 residential and commercial properties. Invest your time and funds into learning a trade and you can eventually open your own business.

For those desiring to own, renovate or add on to their homes, put aside all unneeded spending. Set a strict savings plan and stick to it. For some, it will mean not having “your own space” for a few more years. However, this is how our parents and grandparents’ generation were able to own their own homes, long term sacrifice.

The ball is now in our court.

‘Practising road safety is not optional—it is essential’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
‘Practising road safety is not optional—it is essential’

Ministers speak out urging care and caution on the roads following a string of recent collisions

The Minister of National Security and the Minister of Health are urging the public to exercise greater caution on Bermuda’s roads following a number of traffic incidents reported over the Christmas and Boxing Day holiday weekend.

With the New Year holiday approaching later this week, followed by another busy weekend, both Ministers are reminding motorists, riders and pedestrians that responsible behaviour on the roads is essential to preventing further injuries and loss of life.

The Minister of National Security, the Hon Michael Weeks, JP, MP, expressed concern over the recent incidents and stressed the importance of personal responsibility.

“In recent days, we have seen a troubling number of road traffic incidents, particularly during what should be a time of rest and celebration,” Minister Weeks said.

“Every one of these incidents places lives at risk, including those of innocent road users and emergency responders who are called to the scene.”

Minister Weeks emphasised that enforcement alone cannot solve the issue and that individual decision-making plays a critical role.

“I want to urge everyone to slow down, remain alert, and make responsible choices,” he said. “That means no impaired driving, no reckless speeding, and no distractions. We all have a role to play in ensuring that our roads are safe, especially as we head into another holiday weekend.”

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, added: “Every road collision leaves scars that extend far beyond the crash site. Families are torn apart when they face the emotional distress of sudden loss or the difficult journey of caring for loved ones with life-altering injuries.

“Parents, children, and spouses carry the weight of grief and financial strain, and communities feel the absence when individuals cannot return to work or contribute as they once did. These are preventable tragedies that ripple through every aspect of our society.

“Practising road safety is not optional—it is essential. Road safety is a critical public health concern. Each collision places immense pressure on our healthcare system, from emergency response to long-term rehabilitation. It strains hospital resources, impacts recovery services, and creates a lasting burden on families and the economy.

“As a community, we must hold ourselves and each other accountable, especially during times of celebration. Driving under the influence is never acceptable—there is no excuse. Plan ahead, make responsible choices, and exercise sound judgment. A single reckless decision can devastate not only your future, but also the lives of your loved ones and the well-being of our wider community.

“The lifelong consequences of road traffic accidents affect individuals, families, and our health system. We all have a role to play in preventing these tragedies. Let us commit to protecting one another, acting responsibly, and ensuring that everyone arrives home safely.”

Both Ministers stressed that public safety remains a priority and that continued cooperation from the community is necessary to reduce road traffic incidents.

“Our message is simple,” Minister Weeks added. “Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and make responsible choices so that everyone can arrive home safely.”

The Ministers concluded by encouraging residents to remain alert, patient, and considerate on the roads as Bermuda enters the final days of the holiday season.

Boxing-Anthony Joshua hurt in fatal car crash in Nigeria

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Boxing-Anthony Joshua hurt in fatal car crash in Nigeria

Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries when his vehicle collided with another car, Ogun State Police Command said, adding that he had been taken to hospital and that they are investigating the cause of the accident

International News via Reuters:

British former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria’s Ogun State that killed two people, local police said on Monday.

Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries when his vehicle collided with another car, Ogun State Police Command said, adding that he had been taken to hospital and that they are investigating the cause of the accident.

Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps said five men had been involved in the accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Joshua suffered minor injuries, two people lost their lives and two walked away unhurt, the FRSC said.

The agency said preliminary findings suggest the vehicle carrying Joshua was likely speeding when it lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck parked by the roadside.

“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the FRSC said on X.

Joshua could not immediately be reached for comment.

Joshua, who is the son of British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, 53 miles from where the crash happened, before returning to Britain at age 12.

The accident occurred just over a week after Joshua knocked out American social media star Jake Paul in the sixth round of a bout in Miami.

Joshua was returning to the ring after a 15-month layoff. He is expected to fight long-time rival and fellow Briton Tyson Fury in 2026.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti in London, editing by Ed Osmond

Brigitte Bardot to be buried by the sea in Saint-Tropez

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
-
0
Brigitte Bardot to be buried by the sea in Saint-Tropez

The actress, who became a symbol of 1950s and 60s France, made her home in the resort where she said she found solace among animals and dedicated her life to their welfare

International News via Reuters:

French film icon Brigitte Bardot, who died on Sunday aged 91, will be buried in a cemetery by the sea in the French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez, a spokesperson for the local authority said on Monday, without giving a date.

The actress, who became a symbol of 1950s and 60s France, made her home in the resort where she said she found solace among animals and dedicated her life to their welfare.

“She was lovely, lovely, there’s no other word. Yes, we will really miss her,” Saint-Tropez resident Philippe Volmier told Reuters on Monday.

Volmier said he had known her for 30 years and used to see her walking her dogs on the beach. “One time, she fell into the water with her dog. I had to pick her out,” he added. “She was a friend who helped people a lot.”

President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday Bardot embodied “a life of freedom”. “A French existence, a universal radiance. She moved us. We mourn a legend of the century,” he added.

For much of the latter part of her life, she lived alone behind high walls in the resort, surrounded by a menagerie of cats, dogs and horses.

She told French weekly Paris Match in 2024 that she wanted to be buried in her garden.

The Var Prefecture told Reuters it had not received any request for a private burial, which would have been needed to bury her in her garden.

Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Elissa Darwish, Mar Leras, editing by Dominique Vidalon and Andrew Heavens

1...573574575...1,140Page 574 of 1,140

© Bermuda Broadcasting Company Limited 2026 All rights reserved.
Careers →

Stream live

Popular news

SportsPoliticsJobs & EconomyCrimeHealthcareBusiness & Finance

Editor Picks