Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Defendant denies causing death by driving without due care and attention

Former PLP Senator Curtis Richardson denies causing the death of Marco Warren, 29, by driving without due care and attention

The Supreme Court trial of former Government Senator Curtis Richardson began this morning. 

Mr Richardson has denied causing the death of Marco Warren by driving without due care and attention, while operating a taxi.  

Jurors were asked to examine the evidence throughout this trial to determine whether Curtis Richardson had fallen below reasonable standards of driving in the early hours of May 14, 2026.  

29-year-old Marco Warren, a talented footballer who captained Pembroke Hamilton Club died after walking home to Crawl from an event held at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club.   

Prosecutor Carrington Mahoney said circumstantial evidence would play a “major” part in the case. 

The crown said Marco Warren was attending a pre-mother’s day event called, “She’s Royal”, at Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club in Hamilton Parish, where he became intoxicated and decided to walk home to his residence in Crawl, between 2.30am and 3am.  

The six man and six-woman jury heard that a security worker from the Bailey’s Bay event, Juliette Tannock, passed Mr Warren walking in the westbound lane near the garden on her motorcycle. 

A driver, traveling in a Kia Rio heading easterly also recalled passing Mr Warren.  

Marco Warren, 29, died in the early hours of Sunday, May 14, 2023 as he walked home from an event. Photo: Supplied

The Crown said CCTV captured a taxi being driven by the defendant in the east bound lane on Northshore Road near Panorama Road, followed closely by another car.  

Mr. Mahoney said they have evidence to suggest Mr Warren may have crossed over into the opposite lane where he was struck by the defendant.

He alleged the defendant stopped in the east bound lane, a BMW car pulled up beside him and had a conversation before the defendant turned his taxi around at Trinity Church Road. 

Crown witness Detective Christopher Sabean, of the Serious Crime Unit, was called to the stand.  

He said he was tasked with gathering CCTV footage from various sites as part of the investigation. 

The first video shown to jurors depicted a small gathering of people inside the cricket club where Detective Sabian identified Marco Warren.  

He was unsteady on his feet and appeared to be stumbling. A woman offers a chair for him to sit at the bar.  

In another scene, Mr Warren fell in the middle of the dancefloor, talks to other partygoers and then walks out onto the balcony.  

Jurors were shown a series of camera angles captured at My Lord’s Bay Road and footage from Winton Manor Condos of a vehicle’s headlights with a yellow taxi sign illuminated and a smaller vehicle traveling east around 3.12am.  

A motorbike’s headlight was also seen heading west.  

In a written statement, the rider of the bike, Ms. Tannock, said she saw a figure dressed in all dark clothing walking on the side of the road in the westbound lane.  

She was returning home to Warwick from her shift working security at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club.  

She explained she knew Marco well because his mother taught her in school and they greeted each other when he arrived at the party around 11pm.  

Ms. Tannock said she only recognised that it was Mr Warren walking at 3.07am as she slowed down to pass him as it was dark under the street light.  

Anthony Hayward, who was on duty at the party, gave testimony about speaking with Marco in the parking lot after the event ended. 

Marco told him and a fellow patron, Jim Brown, that he was waiting on a taxi and that he was heading toward town.  

Mr Hayward said he was traveling to St. George’s, the opposite direction, and encouraged Marco to speak with Mr. Brown.  

Marco was offered a ride but he declined.  

Mr. Hayward said he saw Marco walking to the gate by himself and he did not appear to be stable on his feet.   

The trial continues.

Police concerned about increase in reports of sexual abuse

The Bermuda Police Service is concerned about the recent increase in reported sexual assaults across the island. A number of these reports demonstrate that consent remains an ongoing issue, with instances where the withdrawal of consent is not respected.

Sexual assault: A sexual assault is any assault (as defined by The Bermuda Criminal Code) accompanied by circumstances of a sexual purpose towards an individual. It can involve unwanted touching, or sexual acts without a person’s consent and may occur through physical force, coercion, threats, or other circumstances where a person has not consented.

Of note, sexual assault can occur not just between strangers, but also friends or individuals who are in a relationship; inclusive of marriages.

We also remind the public of their duty to notify partners of any known sexual transmitted diseases before engaging in sexual activity, as this may also constitute an offence.

Understanding Consent:

Consent means a clear, voluntary, and informed “yes” by both parties. It can be withdrawn at any time. A person cannot give consent if they are asleep, unconscious, or incapacitated by alcohol or drugs. Silence, lack of resistance, or previous consent, does not mean consent.

No, means no, every time.

Prevention:

Everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual assault by:

• Respecting personal boundaries.

• Practicing and promoting clear, consent.

• Respecting withdrawal of consent.

• Speaking up against inappropriate or abusive behaviour.

• Supporting healthy, respectful relationships.

Knowing Your Surroundings:

Stay aware of your surroundings when out socialising and know where the nearest exits are. Keep your drink with you at all times, never leave it unattended, and, if possible, use a drink cover. If a drink tastes or looks unusual, stop drinking it immediately. Trust your instincts. If a situation or

person makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the area and seek assistance from someone you trust or a member of the venue staff.

Reporting:

If you have experienced or witnessed a sexual assault, report it by calling 911 or by visiting any police station. Confidential support is available through community support agency, The Centre Against Abuse (CAA).

We are committed to raising awareness, promoting prevention, and encouraging a community where everyone feels safe and respected. Together, we can help prevent sexual assault by promoting respect, consent, and personal responsibility. If you see something concerning, speak up when it is safe to do so. Every action can make a difference.

Bermuda Olympic chiefs represent island at 64th Panam Sports General Assembly

Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) President Peter Dunne and Secretary General Branwen Smith-King have represented the island at the 64th Panam Sports General Assembly in Lima, Peru.

With major multisport milestones looming on the horizon—notably the Lima 2027 Pan American Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games—the summit ensured Bermuda maintains a central voice in key continental discussions shaping athlete development, institutional funding, and international qualification pathways across the Americas.

The assembly served as the centrepiece of Panam Sports’ inaugural Sports Week, convening National Olympic Committee presidents, secretary generals, athlete representatives, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) members from across the hemisphere.

Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), addressed delegates on the second day of proceedings. Lindberg delivered progress reports on preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, highlighting the major expansion of the PEAK Uniform programme, which is set to support 50 NOCs in Dakar following its initial deployment at Milano Cortina 2026.

Lindberg also outlined logistical arrangements for the upcoming 28th ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong from 7–10 December, where a new ANOC President will be elected.

Earlier in the week, delegates participated in five targeted roundtables addressing the future of the Pan American Games, athlete-centred policy, governance models, NOC development, and commercial sustainability. The week’s itinerary also featured comprehensive presentations on athlete safeguarding alongside the Women in Sport Forum.

Jones and Smith secure PGA Tour spots after tense Port Royal finale

Nick Jones and Camiko Smith held their nerve to punch their tickets to the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship, firing matching one-under-par 70s in a gripping final-round duel at Port Royal Golf Course.

Jones claimed overall victory in the 36-hole Local Qualifier on one-over par. The Bermudian professional produced an enterprising display of shot-making over the closing 18 holes, rolling in four birdies against 11 pars and three bogeys to lead the pack home and seal top spot.

Smith grabbed the second qualifying berth just a single shot behind on two-over par. A model of discipline down the stretch, Smith carded 15 steady pars, two birdies, and a lone bogey to match Jones’s 70 and book an emotional return to golf’s highest level.

There was also major cause for celebration for third-placed Daniel Augustus under revised qualifying regulations.

Augustus survived a rollercoaster final day that featured three birdies, 12 pars, a bogey, and two double bogeys to finish on five-over par—a performance that officially locks in an exemption into the field for the 2027 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Quinton Sherlock secured fourth place at seven-over par, while Johnny Bart wrapped up the top five a further stroke back at eight-over.

Penruddocke masters fickle Dublin Bay winds to climb to 21st at Worlds

Bermudian Olympian Adriana Penruddocke maintained her positive momentum at the 2026 ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship, rising four spots to 21st overall following a testing, light-wind third day off Dún Laoghaire, Ireland.

Patience was paramount for the international fleet on Dublin Bay, with competitors kept waiting out on the water through a prolonged postponement as breezes stalled at an unraceable two knots.

Racing was finally unlocked shortly after 13:00 when an eight-knot thermal filtered across the course, allowing the Gold Fleet to get under way at 13:15, closely followed by the Silver Fleet. Conditions stayed notoriously fragile throughout, oscillating between seven and nine knots before collapsing to four to five knots by the finish line.

Penruddocke demonstrated sharp tactical discipline in the dying air to steer through the day’s lone race. Crossing in 18th position, the 25-year-old took her overall tally to 69 net points, elevating her from 25th into 21st on the leaderboard.

The result leaves the Bermudian within touching distance of the top 20 as the regatta reaches the business end of competition off the Irish coast.

Nestle CEO says Middle East conflict driving inflation, higher supplier costs

While sales of the world’s biggest packaged-food maker have not been greatly impacted by the six-month-old Iran war, Navratil said the conflict was contributing to inflationary pressures faced by suppliers

Nestle CEO Philipp Navratil speaks during an interview with Reuters at the company’s plant in Cacapava, Brazil, September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

International News via Reuters:

Nestle is raising prices, reformulating products and cutting items consumers are unwilling to pay more for as it tackles the effects of higher energy, freight and raw material costs following the conflict in the Middle East, CEO Philipp Navratil told Reuters.

While sales of the world’s biggest packaged-food maker have not been greatly impacted by the six-month-old Iran war, Navratil said the conflict was contributing to inflationary pressures faced by suppliers.

“Each and every supplier of ours will have some increase in costs,” Navratil told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. “Some of them will come to us and we will have to mitigate them (the costs), making sure consumers come along if we have to increase prices.”

The comments underscore how the war’s disruption of energy and commodity markets is filtering through global supply chains to the food aisle, even for companies with minimal direct exposure to the region.

In addition to raising prices, Nestle is reformulating products, “relentlessly” pursuing efficiency savings and eliminating products consumers “are not ready to pay for,” Navratil said, without elaborating.

The Middle East accounts for about 2% to 3% of the Swiss company’s roughly 90 billion Swiss francs ($111 billion) in total sales, meaning the direct impact on sales has been limited.

“But you will have primary effects in terms of inflation in what we buy, in terms of input costs,” he said.

PROCTER & GAMBLE FACES SIMILAR PRESSURES

U.S. consumer goods firm Procter & Gamble, which had already estimated a $1 billion after-tax profit hit in fiscal 2027, said on Thursday that oil prices above $100 a barrel, Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on the United States and a U.S. driver shortage were all making the situation harder to manage. 

“We all wake up every morning and something else happened,” Procter & Gamble’s chief financial officer, Andre Schulten, told a Barclays conference in Boston. The pressure on pricing would increase the longer oil stays above $100 a barrel, he added.   

Schulten said the challenges remain manageable. “It makes it harder, but I’m still confident that we are in the right range.” 

NESTLE URGES ROLE IN INDIA LABELING TALKS 

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the world could be heading toward another bout of ​food inflation. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in a basket of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 131.1 points in July, up from 130.3 in June. It was the highest ​reading since January 2023.

Nestle, which has more than 2,000 brands including Nescafe, Maggi and KitKat, recently sold a stake in its bottled water business and is also exiting vitamins as Navratil seeks to streamline the company’s focus on core brands.

Navratil said, however, that Nestle may also buy brands as it reviews its portfolio periodically.

“That doesn’t mean that Nestle is just divesting things. We are also, as always, open to acquire things that are strategically important,” he said, without giving details.

On a separate issue, Navratil said food manufacturers should be involved in discussions over proposed front-of-pack sugar, salt and fat warning labels in India.

Reuters reported in August that companies were lobbying against such warnings, according to documents and recordings it has reviewed.

Navratil said Nestle has removed thousands of tons of sugar, salt and fat from its products, but argued that labeling has to be done the “right way” and should reflect portion sizes.

($1 = 0.8097 Swiss franc)

Reporting by Gabriel Araujo in Cacapava, Brazil, and Richa Naidu in London; Additional reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru and Alexander Marrow in London; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Matthew Lewis

Street poll: Who should lead the PLP?

Controversy swirling around the Progressive Labour Party over its membership rules has sharpened the focus on the leadership tussle between Jason Hayward and Curtis Dickinson.

Kendal Trott went into Hamilton today to ask the question: Who do you think should succeed David Burt as party leader?

City urges businesses to help keep sidewalks clean

The City of Hamilton is reminding restaurants and other food establishments to take extra care when disposing of waste to help prevent staining of City sidewalks.

The City has observed recent instances where food residue, cooking oils and other liquids have leaked from garbage bags and bins onto the pavement, leaving behind unsightly stains and residue that can be difficult to remove. The City has also observed instances of dirt and debris being swept or hosed from inside establishments directly onto City sidewalks, contributing to further buildup and residue.

The City carries out regular power washing and cleaning of sidewalks throughout Hamilton; however, stains and residue caused by these practices can be difficult to remove, and repeated occurrences can quickly undermine efforts to keep the City clean and welcoming.

City officials will be contacting businesses directly in the coming days where recurring issues have been identified to remind them of their responsibilities and encourage better waste disposal and cleaning practices.

Businesses are asked to ensure that all waste is properly contained before being placed out for collection, that bags are securely tied and free from leaks, and that bins are kept clean and in good condition.

Restaurants and food establishments are particularly reminded that cooking oil is collected by the City on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and must be placed out for collection by 6:00 a.m. Businesses are encouraged to take note of this schedule and ensure cooking oil is properly contained and only placed out for collection at the appropriate times.

The City is also taking the opportunity to reiterate its ongoing reminder to all residents and businesses that trash bins should be brought back onto their properties promptly following collection and should not be left on City sidewalks.

A City spokesperson said, “Our crews work hard to keep Hamilton’s streets and sidewalks clean, including through regular power washing, but we need businesses to play their part. Taking a few extra precautions when disposing of waste can help prevent staining at the source and make a noticeable difference to the appearance and cleanliness of our City.”

The City thanks businesses and residents for their cooperation and encourages everyone to do their part to help keep Hamilton clean, attractive and welcoming for all.

Bermudians in charge of Caribbean Cup derby

Daniel Green struck late in the first half to fire Mount Pleasant to a crucial 1-0 victory over Jamaican rivals Portmore United in Group B of the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The high-stakes domestic clash was overseen by a Bermudian-led officiating team, with referee Amaury Majors commanding the whistle alongside compatriot Clinton Hayward as first assistant, Angelo Doyle as second assistant, and fourth official Reon Radix.

In a cagey opening half of few clear-cut openings, the breakthrough came four minutes before the interval. Nickalia Fuller tried his luck with a rasping effort from long range that proved too hot for the Portmore goalkeeper to hold, and Green was alert inside the six-yard box to seize on the loose ball and turn it into the net.

Portmore pressed with greater urgency after the restart, but Mount Pleasant defended resolutely to repel the pressure and close out a disciplined clean sheet.

The victory delivers three vital points for Mount Pleasant, keeping them firmly in contention for a coveted spot in the tournament’s knockout stages.

OpenAI says working with Samsung on next-generation chips, deepening cooperation

OpenAI Korea said on Thursday Kim’s reference to expanding collaboratio was made in the context of the companies’ existing relationship, including Samsung’s adoption of ChatGPT and a letter of intent announced last October

International News via Reuters:

OpenAI is deepening cooperation with Samsung Electronics as the ChatGPT maker develops its own chips, expanding ties with the South Korean technology giant across semiconductors and enterprise AI services.

“One of the areas where we have made the most progress and gained the most recognition with Samsung Electronics is our joint production and research on the next-generation chips we are developing,” Harrison Kim, General Manager of OpenAI Korea, said at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, without elaborating.

OpenAI Korea said on Thursday Kim’s reference to expanding collaboratio was made in the context of the companies’ existing relationship, including Samsung’s adoption of ChatGPT and a letter of intent announced last October. “We have nothing new to announce on this front,” it said in a statement.

Kim also said Samsung Electronics was “one of the largest-scale deployments of ChatGPT globally,” saying the company’s employees in Korea and overseas use ChatGPT for work across research and development, marketing and sales.

Samsung Electronics said in a statement that it could not confirm information related to customers.

In June, OpenAI unveiled its first custom artificial intelligence chip designed with Broadcom. OpenAI’s ​engineers designed the chip, called Jalapeno, together with Broadcom for a task known as AI inference, the process of crunching data to answer queries in applications such as ​ChatGPT.

OpenAI at that time said that Taiwan’s TSMC would manufacture the chips.

Last year, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix signed letters of intent to supply memory chips for OpenAI’s Stargate data centre project.

Kim said demand for memory chips would continue to grow as more advanced chips were needed to enable faster and more complex computing, making cooperation with South Korean semiconductor suppliers a priority for OpenAI’s local office.

The cooperation comes as Samsung broadens its use of generative AI. The company said in June that workers in its Device eXperience division, which oversees mobile phones, televisions and home appliances, would be allowed to use ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude internally.

OpenAI said the number of ChatGPT Enterprise users at South Korean companies and institutions had surged about 28-fold as of the end of August from a year earlier, as businesses broadened their use of artificial intelligence from individual tasks to company-wide operations.

Companies were increasingly using AI across functions including legal, sales, finance, marketing and operations, OpenAI said. The company declined to provide absolute user numbers.

South Korea had the largest number of paying ChatGPT subscribers outside the United States as of late last year, according to OpenAI.

OpenAI expects adoption to accelerate following the September 4 launch of GPT-6 Astra, its latest model, which it said offered improved performance in computer use, professional work, science, coding and cybersecurity.

Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Hyunjoo JinEditing by Ed Davies

Ecuadorean court sentences former President Bucaram in COVID corruption case

Bucaram, 74, who was in power from August 1996 to February 1997, may serve his sentence under house arrest due to his age, in accordance with Ecuadorean law

Ecuador’s former President Abdala Bucaram (C) shakes hands with supporters, in Guayaquil, Ecuador October 8, 2019. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos

International News via Reuters:

An Ecuadorean court sentenced former President Abdala Bucaram to nine years and four months of imprisonment on Wednesday for his involvement in a criminal organization that fraudulently sold medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Bucaram, 74, who was in power from August 1996 to February 1997, may serve his sentence under house arrest due to his age, in accordance with Ecuadorean law.

One of Bucaram’s sons, Jacobo Bucaram, was also convicted in the same case.

“The defendants formed an organized criminal structure that, repeatedly and in a concerted manner, committed crimes,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement on the ruling.

Bucaram’s lawyers did not comment on the ruling, but he still has the option to appeal the sentence. 

A total of four individuals were accused by the Attorney General’s Office of having obtained financial benefits by negotiating the purchase of some 21,000 rapid COVID-19 tests and other medical supplies between March and August 2020, while Ecuador was experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of the pandemic in the region.

Bucaram’s son was sentenced to the same term as his father. The others were a former traffic officer who was sentenced to 13 years and four months, while an Israeli citizen received a reduced sentence of two years and eight months for his cooperation during the trial.

Bucaram listened to the hearing via video conference from a hospital in the coastal city of Guayaquil, where he has been hospitalized due to heart problems.

CASE INTRICACIES

Prosecutors said that traffic police officers provided security for two foreign nationals who were transporting the supplies to Bucaram’s residence in the coastal city of Guayaquil. 

“According to the investigation, those involved pretended to be members of the diplomatic corps or agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

One of the involved foreigners — identified by the prosecutor’s office as Shy D — was murdered in a Guayaquil prison in August 2020, days after testifying in the case.

Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Editing by Saad Sayeed

‘Moving from silence and stigma towards openness’

Government marks World Suicide Prevention Day

On World Suicide Prevention Day, the Ministry of Health is reaffirming its commitment to suicide prevention and mental health promotion by encouraging Bermuda to start the conversation, reduce stigma, strengthen connections and ensure people know where to turn for support. Observed annually on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness, remember those lost to suicide, support families and communities affected, and encourage collective action to prevent suicide and promote mental wellbeing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) theme for 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the call to action “Start the Conversation.” The campaign encourages communities to move from silence and stigma toward openness, compassion and action, while strengthening mental health support and suicide prevention efforts.

Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, said: “For Bermuda, this message is particularly important. The Ministry of Health reports that Bermuda loses an average of three to five lives to suicide each year. Suicide prevention therefore requires more than crisis response. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes mental health promotion, early identification, reduced stigma, accessible services and strong community support.

“Bermuda is putting this approach into action through several initiatives aimed at strengthening prevention and promoting earlier intervention.”

These include #ChatSafe Bermuda, developed in collaboration with Bermuda College, Dr. Daniel Cavanagh and Orygen Australia, which promotes safer online conversations about suicide, self-harm and mental health.

The Ministry is also collaborating with Chardonaé Rawlins of Simply Bloom Bermuda on a Digital Wellness Guide to help families navigate the digital environment safely and support the mental wellbeing of young people.

Through the Ministry’s Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month and Youth Mental Health Training Programme, communities, educators and other trusted adults are being equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise concerns, start conversations and connect individuals with appropriate support.

More than 10 Lived Experience Champions have also been trained. By sharing their experiences, these Champions help reduce stigma, promote hope and ensure that Bermuda’s suicide-prevention efforts reflect real-life experiences.

As Bermuda marks World Suicide Prevention Day, the Ministry of Health is encouraging everyone to consider how they can help change the narrative around suicide.

Minister Wilson added: “Changing the narrative means replacing silence with conversation, judgement with compassion and stigma with understanding. Starting a conversation can create connection, open the door to support and, ultimately, save lives. Every conversation matters. Every connection matters. Every life matters.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. For immediate support, contact the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute Crisis Services at 239-1111 or call 911 in an emergency.