The couple married on April 29, 2011, in Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched by millions
Britain’s Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine speak with General Manager of Mull and Iona Ranger Service Moray Finch, as they take a walk in the Ardura Community Forest, during a visit to the Isle of Mull, western Scotland, Britain April 30, 2024. OLI SCARFF/Pool via REUTERS
International news via Reuters:
Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate visited a picturesque Scottish island on Tuesday to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary and carry out their highest-profile joint trip this year.
William, the heir to the throne, married Kate Middleton, as she was then called, on April 29, 2011, in Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched by millions around the world.
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are seen walking after their wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey in central London, April 29, 2011. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
They had met a decade earlier when they were both students at the University of St Andrews on Scotland’s east coast.
Rather than marking the occasion at home, the Prince and Princess of Wales, one of the world’s most glamorous couples, returned to Scotland for a two-day visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona, part of the Hebrides archipelago off the west coast.
They began the trip in the town of Tobermory, famed for its brightly coloured houses which overlook the harbour, looking relaxed as they beamed and waved to a crowd of well-wishers to the strains of a bagpiper in the background.
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales walk along the seafront after visiting stall holders at an artisan market in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, western Scotland, Britain, April 29, 2025. OLI SCARFF/Pool via REUTERS
They visited a community hub before strolling through an artisan market where they chatted to stallholders and posed for pictures with locals.
On X, the couple shared pictures greeting the community, including producers at the local market, and thanked them for the “warm welcome and a brilliant afternoon spent in Tobermory”.
They also said they were proud to support the renovation of Aros Hall, a venue hosting community events.
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales visit the soft play area inside Aros Hall in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, western Scotland, Britain, April 29, 2025. OLI SCARFF/Pool via REUTERS
British media reported that following their official duties, they would spend their anniversary at a small, isolated self-catered cottage on Mull, famed for its dramatic and beautiful scenery.
The trip is a rare joint public outing for the couple, who have three children – George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 7 – since Kate underwent preventative chemotherapy for cancer, for which she is now in remission.
“Scotland is incredibly important to me and will always have a special place in my heart,” William, who as heir to the British throne holds the title Lord of the Isles, said back in 2021.
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales reacts as she meets with stall holders as she tours an artisan market in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, western Scotland, Britain, April 29, 2025. OLI SCARFF/Pool via REUTERS
“George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both of us… We have no doubt they will grow up sharing our love and connection to Scotland.”
Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Gareth Jones
Britain aims to soften the blow of U.S. tariffs by reaching an economic agreement with Trump
FILE PHOTO: British pound banknote is displayed on U.S. Dollar banknotes in this illustration taken, February 14, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo
International news via Reuters:
Sterling fell against a firmer dollar on Wednesday but stayed close to a three-year high and is on track for its strongest monthly performance since November 2023, as markets stay focused on looming key U.S. economic data.
At 1046 GMT, the pound was down 0.28% versus the dollar to 1.3368, and fell 0.2% versus the euro to 85.08.
The dollar held firm on Wednesday amid more signs of an easing in trade tensions as U.S. President Donald Trump relaxed tariffs on the auto sector.
Uncertainty continues to reign over markets, however, as companies worry about how to deal with the hefty tariffs, leading to ongoing vulnerability in the U.S. dollar which is on track for its weakest monthly performance since November 2022.
Safe-haven currencies like the euro, Swiss franc and yen have fared better. The pound is also up 3.8% versus the dollar this month, and has even outperformed the euro, rising 1.7% against the common currency in April.
Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING, highlighted potential diversification in the European FX space as a potential reason for sterling’s strong performance against the euro.
“We saw the euro being the biggest beneficiary of dollar outflows, but I think the past few days have seen a realisation that the euro zone macro and rates situation is not that appealing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Britain is aiming to soften the blow of U.S. tariffs by reaching an economic agreement with the Trump administration that could foster more tech investment, while working to remove post-Brexit trade barriers with the EU.
“The tariffs are the worst case scenario for the pound,” said Michael Pfister, FX analyst at Commerzbank, pointing to the country’s trade deficit with the U.S.
Elsewhere, data on Wednesday from mortgage lender Nationwide showed British house prices fell by 0.6% in April, a sharper fall than forecast and their biggest monthly decline in more than 18 months.
Reporting by Lucy Raitano in London; editing by Ed Osmond
Experts fear that the German economy will contract again as early as the summer
FILE PHOTO: People carry their shopping bags in downtown Hamburg, Germany, January 25, 2018. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
The German economy grew in the first quarter of the year thanks to consumption and investment, escaping a recession, but the unemployment rate rose to a decade high showing how economic weakness is taking its toll on the labour market.
Gross domestic product rose in line with forecasts by 0.2%, compared with the previous three-month period, preliminary data from the statistics office showed on Wednesday.
“As much as any positive growth number coming out of Germany is highly appreciated these days, the quarterly increase is still far too small to end the country’s long-lasting stagnation,” said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING.
German GDP had contracted in the final quarter of last year by 0.2%, reigniting fears of recession, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction.
Germany was the only member of the Group of Seven advanced economies that has failed to grow for the last two years, and the tariffs announced by the U.S., its main trading partner, will deal a further blow – potentially putting it on track for a third year of contraction for the first time.
The Ifo Institute fears that the German economy will contract again as early as the summer.
Due to tariffs fears, goods purchases in the U.S. were brought forward, benefiting exports and industrial production in Germany in the first quarter, said Timo Wollmershaeuser, head of forecasts at Ifo.
“However, the noticeable increase in tariffs on imports from the EU that came into force in April and the threat of further tariff increases weighed on the further course of the economy in Germany,” said Wollmershaeuser.
Separate data from the labour office showed on Wednesday that the number of people out of work in Germany rose less than expected in April, but the unemployment rate rose to its highest level since the pandemic.
The office said the number of people unemployed increased by 4,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million, roughly the same level as in March. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rise of 15,000.
The number of unemployed people in Germany is approaching the 3-million mark for the first time in 10 years.
The seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose to 6.3% from 6.2% in the previous month. Excluding the pandemic, this is the highest level since December 2015.
“The U.S. tariff policy remains a major uncertainty factor, which is dampening the willingness to hire, particularly in the export-orientated manufacturing sector,” said Marc Schattenberg, economist at Deutsche Bank.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACE NEW GOVERNMENT
The data comes as a new conservative-led government prepares to take office next week with the Social Democrats. Reviving Europe’s largest economy will be one of its main challenges.
“If the potential new government now manages to leave words behind and show with deeds that they want to move the country forward, then this spark could spread to companies and private households,” said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank.
To avoid a third year of contraction in 2025, economists say that boosting consumption in Germany is crucial.
Although retail sales were positive in January and February, data published on Wednesday showed they fell 0.2% in March from the prior month, while import prices gained, pointing to higher inflation ahead.
Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.4% decrease in retail sales.
“After two years of recession and in view of the flood of unsettling news that hits people on a daily basis, it is obviously not so easy to look to the future with more confidence and to be a little more generous with consumer wishes,” de la Rubia said.
Germany’s corporate sector is also struggling with the uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday pulled its earnings guidance and Volkswagen said it expects profit margins this year to be at the bottom end of its forecast.
German import prices increased by 2.1% year-on-year in March, the statistics office said. Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 2.6% increase.
Since the German economy purchases many primary products and raw materials abroad, higher import prices are reflected in inflation data with a time lag.
Germany will publish national inflation data for April later on Wednesday, with the rate expected to slow to 2.1% from 2.3% the previous month.
Reporting by Maria Martinez in Berlin, Marleen Kaesebier and Cian Muenster in Gdansk, Editing by Kirsti Knolle, Sharon Singleton, Ros Russell
The law was approved by the country’s parliament last December
FILE PHOTO: Swiss flags flutter on the Swiss Parliament Building (Bundeshaus), after the weekly governmental meeting in Bern, Switzerland, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
International news via Reuters;
A new Swiss law banning Hamas and related organisations will come into force on May 15, the government said on Wednesday, aiming to prevent the Palestinian militant group from using Switzerland as a safe haven by making entry bans or expulsions easier to arrange.
The law, which was approved by parliament last December and came in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, gives Swiss authorities “the necessary tools to take action against Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland,” the government said.
The Gaza war started after Hamas’ attack which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel’s offensive on the enclave has killed more than 52,000, according to local Palestinian health officials.
The Swiss law enables preventive police measures such as entry bans or expulsions, and also makes it more difficult for Hamas to use Switzerland as a financial hub for its activities.
Vietnam and the U.S. normalised diplomatic relations in 1995 and deepened ties in 2023
Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Minh Nguyen
International news via Reuters:
Thousands of Vietnamese celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, in what the country’s communist leader said was a “victory of faith”.
Celebrations culminated in a grand parade in Ho Chi Minh City with thousands of marching troops and an air show featuring Russian-made fighter jets and helicopters, as Vietnamese waved red flags and sang patriotic songs.
The historic anniversary commemorates the first act of the country’s reunification on April 30, 1975 when Communist-run North Vietnam seized Saigon, the capital of the U.S.-backed South, renamed Ho Chi Minh City shortly after the war in honour of the North’s founding leader.
“It was a victory of faith,” and also of “justice over tyranny,” To Lam, Vietnam’s Communist party chief and the country’s top leader, said on Wednesday, citing one of Ho Chi Minh’s mottos: “Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may dry up, mountains may erode, but that truth will never change.”
The fall of Saigon, about two years after Washington withdrew its last combat troops from the country, marked the end of a 20-year conflict that killed some 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 Americans, many of them young soldiers conscripted into the military.
“Communist troops rolled into the South Vietnamese capital virtually unopposed, to the great relief of the population which had feared a bloody last-minute battle,” said a cable from one of the Reuters reporters in the city on the day it fell.
Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Minh Nguyen
The cable described the victorious army as made up of “formidably armed” troops in jungle green fatigues but also of barefoot teenagers.
Those events were seared into many memories by the images of U.S. helicopters evacuating some 7,000 people, many of them Vietnamese, as North Vietnamese tanks closed in. The final flight took off from the roof of the U.S. embassy at 7:53 a.m. on April 30, carrying the last U.S. Marines out of Saigon.
The formal reunification of Vietnam was completed a year later, 22 years after the country had been split in two following the end of French colonial rule.
People ride past a billboard displayed ahead of the 50th Anniversary of the fall of Saigon, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Thinh Nguyen
VIETNAM-US TIES
Vietnam and the United States normalised diplomatic relations in 1995 and deepened ties in 2023 during a visit to Hanoi by former U.S. President Joe Biden.
“The United States and Vietnam have a robust bilateral relationship that we are committed to deepening and broadening,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission in Vietnam said on Wednesday.
That bond is however now being tested by the threat of crippling 46% tariffs on Vietnamese goods that Biden’s successor, Donald Trump, announced in April.
The tariffs have been largely paused until July and talks are underway. But if confirmed, they could undermine Vietnam’s export-led growth that has attracted large foreign investments.
Washington sent Susan Burns, its consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, to represent the country at the parade.
At the celebrations for the 40th anniversary no U.S. official was present.
France, which also lost a war in Vietnam, sent a minister to last year’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the end of the battle of Dien Bien Phu, when French colonial rule collapsed.
Spectators gather during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Thinh Nguyen
While Hanoi has re-established relations with the United States, it has maintained close ties with Russia, which is its top supplier of weapons.
Vietnam has also nurtured closer relations with northern neighbour China despite a complex history involving several conflicts and a rivalry in the disputed South China Sea.
China is now a major investor in its economy and the source of many of the components that are used in products that are then exported to the U.S.
Underlining the warming ties, a contingent of 118 Chinese troops was expected to march alongside Vietnamese soldiers and policemen “to honour the international support Vietnam received during its struggle for independence,” according to state media.
Reporting by Minh Nguyen, Thinh Nguyen in Ho Chi Minh City, Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi; Additional reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Michael Perry
Swedish police detain 16-year old murder suspect after Uppsala shootings
Police officers work near the scene where several people were injured after a series of loud bangs that indicated gunfire, according to police, at Vaksala Square in Uppsala, Sweden, April 29, 2025. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via REUTERS
International news via Reuters:
Three people were killed in a shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Tuesday and a murder investigation has been launched, police said.
Police said it was investigating the shooting as a homicide and that it had no information about the incident being a terror or hate crime at this point.
“We have information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter,” a police spokesperson told Reuters. “Whether this person is a perpetrator or a witness, or someone who has some connection to the incident, it is unclear at this time.”
Police said the victims were yet to be identified and declined to speculate on the motive for the killings.
Electric scooters have been used several times as a mode of escape after gang conflict shootings in Sweden. Uppsala, some 40 minutes north of the capital, Stockholm, by car, has seen many gang-related shootings in the past decade, but usually outside the city centre.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the Justice Ministry was in close contact with the police and that it was closely monitoring developments in the case.
“A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala … This is at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun Walpurgis Night. What has happened is extremely serious,” Strommer said in a statement.
Police said earlier they had received calls from members of the public who heard gunshots in the city centre, and that emergency services had rushed to the scene.
“Three people are confirmed dead after a shooting … The police are investigating the incident as a homicide,” investigators said in a statement.
Witnesses told SVT they had heard five shots and had seen people in the area running to take cover. Several Swedish media, including TT, reported that the shooting took place near or in a hair salon.
A 16-year-old person was detained early on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering three people in a hair salon in the Swedish city of Uppsala, Swedish prosecutors said.
Three people were shot dead late on Tuesday afternoon just as Uppsala, a university town some 40 minutes north of Stockholm, was gearing up for Walpurgis Night, one of the busiest holidays in the city.
The Swedish Prosecution Authority said a 16-year old was detained on suspicion of murder, on the highest level of suspicion in the Swedish legal system.
Police officers work on-site a day after a deadly shooting, at Vaksala Square, in Uppsala, Sweden April 30, 2025. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via REUTERS
“An intensive investigation is underway. We are now gathering information and the police are conducting door-to-door inquiries and interviewing witnesses,” the authority said in a statement. “In addition, mobile phones and other material that has been seized are being analysed.”
Police told a news conference that it was too early to say if the shooting was gang related, but that it was one of the theories they were pursuing “particularly intensively.”
Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for more than a decade that has included an epidemic of gun violence.
Court documents, heavily redacted due to the suspect’s young age, showed a person had been arrested on Wednesday, just after midnight. The court-appointed lawyer for the suspect did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Police said the incident was believed to be “an isolated event” and not linked to the extensive celebrations expected for Walpurgis Night, a festive occasion where families and students gather around bonfires to celebrate spring.
Police officers work near the scene where several people were injured after a series of loud bangs that indicated gunfire, according to police, at Vaksala Square in Uppsala, Sweden, April 29, 2025. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via REUTERSA view shows a Police vehicle near the scene where several people were injured after a series of loud bangs that indicated gunfire, according to police, at Vaksala Square in Uppsala, Sweden, April 29, 2025. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via REUTERSA Police officer works near the scene where several people were injured after a series of loud bangs that indicated gunfire, according to police, at Vaksala Square in Uppsala, Sweden, April 29, 2025. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via REUTERS
Ten people were killed in February in the Swedish city of Orebro in the country’s deadliest ever mass shooting, in which a 35-year-old unemployed loner opened fire on students and teachers at an adult education centre.
Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for more than a decade that has included an epidemic of gun violence.
The Nordic country’s right-wing minority government came to power in 2022 on a promise to tackle gang-related violence. It has tightened laws and given more powers to police, and after the Orebro shooting said it would seek to tighten gun laws.
Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Johan Ahlander, Marie Mannes, Simon Johnson and Niklas Pollard in Stockholm and Philip O’Connor in Uppsala, editing by Terje Solsvik, Gareth Jones and Sandra Maler
Meeting will precede a fourth round of nuclear talks this weekend between Iran and the U.S.
FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a joint press conference with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran, Iran, February 25, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
Iran will hold nuclear talks in Rome on Friday with Britain, France and Germany, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday, with the aim of improving strained ties at a time of high-stakes nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.
The meeting will precede a fourth round of nuclear talks this weekend between Iran and the United States, also to be held in Italy.
“In my opinion, the three European countries have lost their role (in the nuclear file) due to the wrong policies they have adopted. Of course, we do not want this and are ready to hold talks with them in Rome,” Araqchi told state media.
Reuters reported on Monday that Tehran had proposed meeting the European countries, collectively known as the E3, which are parties to Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018.
E3 political directors confirmed they would meet with Iran on Friday.
Trump has threatened to attack Iran unless it agrees to a new nuclear deal. Iran has far exceeded the 2015 agreement’s curbs on its nuclear programme since the United States withdrew, and the European countries share Washington’s concern that Tehran could seek an atomic bomb. Iran says its programme is peaceful.
A U.N. Security Council resolution ratifying the 2015 accord expires in October, and France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that Paris would not think twice about re-imposing international sanctions if negotiations fail to reach a deal.
“These sanctions would permanently close off Iranian access to technology, investment, and the European market, with devastating effects on the country’s economy,” Jean-Noel Barrot said.
Iran’s U.N. representative responded: “If France and its partners are truly seeking a diplomatic solution, they must stop threatening.”
On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on what it described as a network based in Iran and China accused of procuring ballistic missile propellant ingredients for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Araqchi said U.S. sanctions during negotiations sent the “wrong message”.
Trump has said he is confident of clinching a new pact that would block Iran’s path to a nuclear bomb.
Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Peter Graff
Responding to the Chamber, MP Chris Famous says banks must make it easier to finance rental investment
The housing crisis threatens to be a knockout punch for Bermuda’s economic goals.
Chamber of Commerce President Marico Thomas, in boxing regalia, told attendees at their AGM last week that, to reach a utopia population of 70,000 people, we need to provide about 2,500 additonal homes.
Increasing the working population by thousands is something Government has also lauded as being vital to Bermuda’s future.
Chris Famous, PLP MP and chair of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, suggests it can’t happen without a serious commitment from those outside of Government.
“The reality is that the Housing Corporation has built in the last year 70 units”, Mr Famous says. “This year, we’re targeted to build/renovate 100 new units.”
“The majority of land on this island is owned by private entities, whether they be families or they be companies.”
“In order to accommodate the goal that the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce is speaking about, logistically, it’s going to be the private sector that has to build these houses.”
As of April 2025, the BHC has worked with 25 private property owners in a scheme to renovate their rental units. Following this, Government and the owner/s will share the rental income for a seven year period.
Many more properties will be needed in the future, Mr Famous affirmed.
“We have the Southampton Princess which will be coming online in the next two years. Elbow beach will be coming online in next 2 or 3 years.”
“They’re going to need five, six, seven hundred staff each… where are they going to live? We have to build more for them.”
An online commenter suggested Government could provide duty relief on construction materials for private housing investors. The Fairmont Southampton, the Hamilton Princess and other hotels have all received years of tax and duty concessions, including construction materials.
Could a much smaller version of this work for the private sector?
“There was some relief on aggregate”, Mr Famous says, “which helps to bring down the cost of the actual building materials… cement and cement block… I’m sure there’s other things that can be considered.”
“But, the biggest hindrance in building for many Bermudians is bank rates.”
“You’ve got to come up with 20% down payment… depending on the bank, you could be dealing with up to 10% mortgage rates.”
“If we want population increase, then there has to be some give and take, not just on government. There has to be give and take on private sector business entities that would aid Bermudians to purchase homes, or build on to their homes.”
Gary Foster Skelton asked Chris Famous whether Government may support such investments…
GFS – “The PLP government has worked with the private sector, worked with banking, to create an avenue for first time home buyers… do you think government needs to take another collaborative role with banks to try and encourage [private investment in housing]?”
Chris Famous – “So what you’re talking about is the mortgage guarantee program through the Bermuda Commercial Bank… which gets to the point that when the down payment is going from 20% down to 10%, and the interest rates are fixed at 5%, it means more Bermudians are able to purchase their home.”
GFS – “Bermuda commercial Bank wasn’t going to do that themselves… they needed some help from government. So is do you think government, in the same way, should try and work with the banks to… create an environment where it’s easier for private individuals to put more housing on the market?”
Chris Famous – “All options are open. I’m simply saying… it’s well and fine for the Chamber of Commerce and others to say we need a population increase, and we need 2,500 more houses. But, what also needs to be said is that one of the biggest cost factors is Bermudians being able to get on that housing ladder. Bermudians being been able to afford to renovate the houses. And what does it all come back to? Financing.” “The government – your tax dollars, my tax dollars – cannot be used for every single thing.” “We as a government are doing our part… the private sector, whether it be individuals, whether it be companies, has to do more.”
The ceremony marked the completion of essential restoration work on the historic site
Images supplied.
The National Museum of Bermuda issued the following media release.
The National Museum of Bermuda (NMB) marked a significant milestone on Thursday, April 24, with the roof wetting ceremony of the Casemates Barracks. The event, attended by distinguished guests including His Excellency, Deputy Premier De Silva, Minister Tyrell, and former Deputy Premier Roban, celebrated the completion of the essential restoration work on the historic site.
NMB Executive Director Elena Strong opened the ceremony with remarks, reflecting on the journey to secure the Casemates Barracks. “It is deeply meaningful to be standing here – on the roof – marking a milestone that once felt impossibly far away,” she said. Strong highlighted the challenges faced, including invasive plants, water damage, failing roof and praised the collective efforts that led to the restoration. “Thanks to your support and The Future of History campaign, we are gathered on a secure, water-tight surface,” she added.
Strong emphasised the importance of honouring the complex history of Casemates, which includes military discipline and forced confinement. “Engaging with this place requires care, respect, and a clear vision for the future,” she noted. Pre-restoration work, began over 20 years ago, involved museum volunteers and private and corporate partners but it was not until 2024 thanks to The Future of History Campaign that major roof work could begin.
“Our long-term vision is to transform Casemates into an international hub for Atlantic World Studies,” Strong stated. She detailed the extensive restoration efforts over the past year, including removing invasive growth, abating asbestos, documentation of the historic roof structure and installing modern protective systems. “This is just Phase 1: to stabalise the buildings. We haven’t yet brought Casemates Barracks and the Upper Ordnance Yard Buildings fully back to life, but we’ve secured them.” she concluded.
Board Chair Jennifer Davidson echoed Strong’s sentiments, expressing gratitude to all involved in the restoration. “Tonight is a celebration of what happens when people come together – when volunteers, donors, contractors, foundations, corporations, and government partners align around a shared purpose,” Davidson said. She thanked key partners, including Bermuda Project Management Limited, Crisson Construction, Gray Co Roofing, SAL, Island Construction, and the Government of Bermuda.
Davidson also invited attendees to leave their mark on history by placing their fingerprints on the cement. “With your fingerprint, you become a part of the next chapter of Casemates’ story,” she said. The ceremony concluded with His Excellency pouring Gosling’s Rum for the roof wetting.
The National Museum of Bermuda extends its deepest gratitude to all who contributed to this significant achievement. Having watertight roofs on Casemates Barracks and the Upper Ordnance Yard Buildings are major step in a longer journey, and the Museum looks forward to continuing its work to preserve Bermuda’s history and heritage.
The court, set to be operational in the coming months, will prioritize swift justice and survivor support
Recently, Minister Wilkerson met with Juanae Crockwell, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) and Laurie Shiell, Executive Director of the Centre Against Abuse (CAA), to discuss the Domestic Violence Court. Image Supplied.
The Government of Bermuda issued the following media release.
“The establishment of the Domestic Violence Court is a landmark moment for our justice system,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Sen. The Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP.
The Government of Bermuda is preparing to take a watershed step in its commitment to protecting victims of domestic abuse with the upcoming launch of the Domestic Violence Court.
This initiative, a key component of the Government’s broader justice reform efforts, is set to be fully operational in the coming months and will provide a focused, responsive, and supportive legal framework for survivors of domestic violence.
Minister Wilkerson reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to this initiative, adding: “Domestic violence affects individuals, families, and our wider community, particularly our young people who may witness abuse in their formative years.
“This new court will provide swift access to legal protection, ensure urgent cases are handled, and prioritise support for survivors while holding perpetrators accountable.”
Although the court is not officially in operation, steps have already been taken to implement its principles. Some domestic violence cases in the Magistrates’ Court have been heard with the same urgency and victim-centred approach that will define the new court.
The Government has also laid the groundwork for a smooth transition by developing training programmes for judicial officers, law enforcement personnel, and support service providers.
These efforts will ensure that all involved parties are fully equipped to work within the specialised framework when the court begins hearing cases. The selection process for vendors to deliver perpetrator training programmes has now been completed.
The Domestic Violence Court will emphasise timely intervention, with a focus on accelerating access to protection orders and support services for victims.
It will also incorporate rehabilitative measures to address the root causes of abusive behaviour, including treatment programmes designed to prevent reoffending.
The demand for domestic violence-related legal assistance and intervention continues to grow. Between April and December 2024, the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) received:
50 reports of abuse
5 cases of harassment
205 requests for legal assistance
During the same period, WRC issued 29 warning letters and referred 48 clients seeking protection orders or domestic violence assistance to the Centre Against Abuse (CAA).
The Centre Against Abuse (CAA) has expressed strong support and enthusiasm for the establishment of a Specialist Domestic Abuse Court in Bermuda. Laurie Shiell, the executive director of CAA, stated: “Having advocated for this initiative for over a decade, CAA extends its gratitude to all involved in making this long-awaited development a reality.”
In 2024, CAA served 157 clients—150 women and seven men—providing vital safety and support to 173 children connected to those clients. CAA also delivered 297 legal advocacy services, including assisting 51 clients in obtaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), a critical measure in ensuring survivor safety.
Clients in need of DVPOs or other legal advocacy services are encouraged to contact the CAA directly. Last year, the CAA provided 26 safe housing and resettlement services, further ensuring stability and security for those fleeing abusive situations.
Mrs Shiell added: “The introduction of a Specialist Domestic Abuse Court will provide crucial benefits, including:
Trained domestic abuse personnel, including magistrates and court staff
Consistent standards for domestic abuse cases
Increased safety for victims within the courtroom setting
A unified court for both criminal and civil domestic abuse matters
Improved monitoring of offenders
Court-ordered programs for offenders
Expedited criminal court trials
Enhanced data collection
Greater public confidence in the justice system”
Mrs Shiell acknowledges that the effectiveness of the Specialist Domestic Abuse Court will depend on amendments to existing laws and policies and that CAA remains committed to working with the Government and other stakeholders to support the implementation of a Domestic Abuse Act and a National Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Plan.
“Such measures would serve as a blueprint for addressing domestic abuse in Bermuda and ensuring clear repercussions for offenders,” Ms Shiell further stated.
“CAA continues to advocate for comprehensive measures to combat domestic abuse and stands ready to assist in the court’s development and implementation.”
These numbers highlight the urgent need for a more streamlined legal process to protect victims, hold offenders accountable, and ensure that survivors receive the support they need in a timely manner.
The establishment of the Domestic Violence Court directly addresses this need.
Minister Wilkerson highlighted the long-term benefits of this initiative, noting: “This is more than just a court—it is a commitment to ending the cycle of domestic violence in Bermuda.
“It will serve as a critical resource in protecting victims, preventing future harm, and promoting a compassionate and effective justice system.”
Domestic violence remains a significant challenge in Bermuda, affecting not only direct victims but also young people who may be exposed to violent home environments.
Research has shown that children who grow up in abusive households are at a greater risk of experiencing long-term emotional and psychological distress, impacting their academic performance, mental well-being, and future relationships.
The Ministry of Justice will continue to provide updates on the progress of the Domestic Violence Court as it nears its official launch.
(L-R): Juanae Crockwell, Minister Wilkerson and Laurie Shiell. Image supplied.
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