BTA appoint new Vice-President of Sales & Business Development
Eric S. Kincaid will lead the BTA’s global sales and business development functions, supporting delivery of Bermuda’s National Tourism Plan amid structural changes
Full statement from the Bermuda Tourism Authority:
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) today announced the appointment of Eric S. Kincaid as Vice President of Sales and Business Development, effective April 6, 2026.
In this role, Kincaid will lead the BTA’s global sales and business development functions, supporting delivery of Bermuda’s National Tourism Plan. His focus will include strengthening group and business travel, with targeted efforts in meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE), as well as sports and maritime sectors.
He will also prioritise building relationships and establishing strategic partnerships with luxury leisure trade partners including key consortia and large travel aggregators, to expand Bermuda’s presence in high-value markets.
Collectively, those efforts will contribute to revenue growth and broader market development.Kincaid brings experience in destination marketing and convention sales, with established relationships in key U.S. markets.
He previously served as Vice President at Choose Chicago and as National Account Director of Citywide Sales at Destination DC, where he focused on securing citywide events. He began his career with Marriott International, holding progressive roles in sales leadership for over a decade.
He is also active in the industry, serving on the PCMA HBCU Taskforce, as Chair of the ASAE Industry Partner Alliance, and on Destinations International’s Advisory Leadership Board. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Kincaid is part of the BTA’s Leadership Team and works under the direction of the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, collaborating across divisions to support the organisation’s strategic and performance objectives.
“Eric’s appointment strengthens our focus on how we target and convert both leisure and group business in key markets,” said Acting CEO Erin Wright.
“His experience will help advance more targeted sales efforts in MICE, sports and maritime, while supporting our broader goal of improving how we invest in and respond to shifting demand so we can use our resources more efficiently.”
Group travel represents an important source of year-round visitation for Bermuda, driving room nights and visitor spend, particularly during the shoulder seasons when demand for leisure travel is typically lower.
It supports greater stability across the tourism industry and helps sustain employment opportunities for Bermudians.
Many of these groups include high-value travellers—from corporate and association clients to sports teams, athletes and event audiences—who experience Bermuda through organised business, sporting and event travel.
This exposure helps convert first-time visitors into repeat leisure travellers, making both group and sports travel key contributors to both immediate economic impact and sustained future visitation.
Kincaid will be based in the United States and will begin engagement with Bermuda’s on-island tourism stakeholders and industry partners in the coming weeks.
EU warns of prolonged energy shock, forced cuts if Iran war continues
Global energy supplies are reeling from the war’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, usually a transit route for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)
International News via Reuters:
The European Union warned member countries on Wednesday that if the Iran conflict continues, energy markets will face a prolonged supply shock that would force cuts to fuel consumption, EU diplomats told Reuters.
Global energy supplies are reeling from the war’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, usually a transit route for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Europe has not yet faced supply shortages, but is grappling with soaring oil and gas prices and airports have warned the first jet fuel shortages could hit within weeks.
In a closed-door meeting with EU countries’ ambassadors on Wednesday, the European Commission said it was considering two main scenarios, diplomats with knowledge of the talks said.
A Commission spokesperson declined to comment.
In a scenario where the ceasefire agreed between the U.S. and Iran holds, and the U.S. blockade of the strait is lifted, oil and gas flows would recover in a few months and prices should decline, the Commission said.
Diesel and jet fuel prices would ease later, by the end of summer, while the global market for LNG would remain tightened until 2030, due to damage to infrastructure in Qatar, it added.
But if tensions continue, energy markets would face a prolonged supply shock and extreme price spikes, with ripple effects across industries’ supply chains. Continued oil supply disruption would increasingly force “demand destruction” – meaning reduced fuel use, the Commission said.
In this scenario, Europe could struggle to fill its gas storage ahead of winter. Localised shortages of jet fuel are also possible, the Commission said, according to the diplomats.
Europe’s reliance on oil and gas imports has left it exposed to spiralling global prices – even though its top suppliers are the U.S., Norway and other producers outside the Middle East.
The Commission is drafting proposals to attempt to offset the energy fallout. A draft, previously reported by Reuters, shows plans to cut electricity taxes and seek to scale up clean technologies faster, to slash Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels and protect the bloc from future oil and gas shocks.
Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Alexander Smith
Bermuda College to host engineer course info session
The Bermuda College said the session is designed to help students and families explore engineering education pathways and related career opportunities
Okenwa Okoli, Dean and Professor at the Herff College of Engineering and the Dr Ali Arouzi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bermuda College
Full statement from the Bermuda College:
Potential students and their parents are being invited to attend an information session about engineering study options through Bermuda College and the University of Memphis.
The joint session will be held on April 30 at 6pm at the Butterfield & Vallis Conference Centre at Bermuda College. It is designed to help students and families explore engineering education pathways and related career opportunities.
Representatives from both institutions will attend in person and virtually to answer questions about admissions, credit transfer and degree completion.
The event will highlight the articulation agreement between Bermuda College and the University of Memphis’ Herff College of Engineering, which creates a structured pathway for students to move from an Associate of Science degree into undergraduate engineering programmes in the United States.
Under the agreement, eligible Bermuda College graduates can transfer credits into Bachelor of Science programmes in biomedical, civil, electrical, computer and mechanical engineering, as well as engineering technology at Herff College of Engineering.
Depending on the programme, students may complete their bachelor’s degrees within two to three years after transfer. The pathway offers a cost-effective option for students and families by reducing both the time and expense involved in earning an engineering degree while maintaining academic quality and rigour.
Engineering skills are needed across many parts of daily life. In Bermuda, that includes work connected to the systems people rely on every day, from electricity and water to roads, buildings and communications networks, according to Dr Ali Arouzi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bermuda College.
The session is intended to help families understand how an engineering qualification can lead to a wide range of careers, while also showing how students can begin that journey at Bermuda College before transferring overseas.
Dr Arouzi added: “This partnership expands opportunities for Bermuda College students to pursue internationally recognised engineering degrees.
“The pathway will expand students’ opportunities through a clear, affordable route while deepening connections and building enduring partnerships with industry.”
Dr Arouzi said the agreement also supported workforce development by helping to address skills gaps in engineering and technical sectors.
Okenwa Okoli, Dean and Professor at the Herff College of Engineering, said the agreement would create a clear, high-quality route for Bermuda College students as they continue their engineering education.
Dr Okoli added: “This initiative represents more than a transfer pathway. It is a critical link between earning a degree and securing employment.
“This isn’t just a transfer opportunity, it’s your gateway to a career. Through our partnership with Bermuda College, we’re providing you with the skills, hands-on experience, and opportunities to succeed in engineering whether in Bermuda or beyond.
“Together, we’re building a stronger future for Bermuda’s workforce, while inviting you into our supportive Memphis community.”
Bermuda College signed the articulation agreement with the University of Memphis last year. It is the College’s most comprehensive articulation agreement in engineering and one of 41 overseas agreements designed to create transfer pathways for Bermudian students.
Additional information is available at www.college.bm and memphis.edu/engineering.
To register for the information session, contact csmith@college.bm. Light refreshments will be served.
Trott’s heroics secure Cardiff point as Bermudians shine overseas
Bermuda’s Nathan Trott produced a goalkeeping masterclass to help Cardiff City secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
In a contest where the hosts looked increasingly likely to snatch all three points, it was Trott’s intervention that defined the evening.
The Bermudian shot-stopper was forced into action early, producing a phenomenal fingertip save to deny a goal-bound header from Bojan Radulović.
The drama peaked during eight minutes of stoppage time. With the Terriers pushing relentlessly, Trott brilliantly tipped a Marcus McGuane strike onto the crossbar before denying the hosts again from point-blank range.
His heroics ensured Yousef Salech’s earlier goal earned the Bluebirds a vital point on the road.
Beyond the Championship, several of Bermuda’s overseas stars were in action across the English non-league circuit on Tuesday:
Kane Crichlow was clinical for Chelmsford City, doubling their lead in the 16th minute of a high-octane 3-3 draw against Hornchurch FC.
Ajani Burchall enjoyed the night’s most emphatic result as Wimborne Town dismantled Tiverton Town 6-0 in a Southern Premier Division South masterclass.
Willie Clemons helped Leiston FC to a disciplined 1-0 win over Real Bedford, while it was a tougher night for Keziah Martin, whose Hereford FC side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Oxford City.
Narraway shows grit as grueling Redlands Classic concludes
Bermuda’s top cyclist Nicholas Narraway has successfully completed one of North America’s most demanding stage races, finishing 37th overall as the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic reached its conclusion in California.
The final day of racing saw the professional men’s peloton face the infamous Sunset Road Race, a punishing 91.1-mile test defined by significant elevation gain and aggressive tactical maneuvers.
Representing Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway was among 140 of the continent’s elite riders tasked with navigating the brutal course under the relentless California sun.
The fifth stage was dominated by Kent Ross, who took the win in 3:25:42.
Narraway found himself in the secondary groups as the pace intensified on the final climbs, eventually crossing the line in 52nd place with a time of 4:12:50.
Despite the time gap on the final day, Narraway’s consistency throughout the week proved vital. Having hovered around the top ten in earlier stages, the Bermudian youngster finished the tour with a combined time of 10:20:17.
This placed him 37th in the final general classification, just over 48 minutes behind the overall champion, Eder Moctezuma.
For Narraway, the week marks a successful outing on the international circuit.
Navigating high-speed criteriums and grueling road stages reinforces his status as one of the region’s rising prospects as he looks ahead to the remainder of the spring season.
Robinson targets winning finish as Bermuda host Grenada
Bermuda’s Senior Women’s National Team are set for a final-day showdown on home soil as they prepare to host Grenada in the concluding match of their Concacaf W Qualifiers campaign.
The Lady Gombey Warriors will take to the pitch at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium this Saturday, 18 April, looking to secure a decisive victory in front of a home crowd.
After a challenging group stage, the fixture represents a vital opportunity for Naquita Robinson’s side to cement their standing in Group C and provide a springboard for the next international cycle.
Head Coach Naquita Robinson, who has overseen a squad blending seasoned professionals with emerging domestic talent, emphasized the importance of momentum as the qualification window draws to a close.
Robinson noted that the squad is ‘ready to go’ and eager to translate their recent training intensity into a clinical performance on the National Sports Centre turf.
“I’m looking forward to having the girls back on the field,” Robinson said. “As we close this window, we will be looking to end on a high note with a victory.”
With kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm, the match serves as the centerpiece of the final FIFA Women’s International Match Window of the season.
While regional heavyweights Guatemala and Costa Rica have dominated the top of the standings, a strong finish for Bermuda would see them leapfrog their Caribbean rivals and finish their campaign with a significant statement of intent.
Professional trio launch new standard for youth development
A new era in youth football development is set to begin this summer as Trevo Academy launches a holistic program combining elite technical training with leadership and personal growth.
Founded by professional players Remy Coddington, Ajani Burchall, and Sincere Hall, the academy draws on their collective experience within the youth systems of AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Aston Villa, and Hull City.
The initiative aims to introduce a professional-grade environment for boys and girls aged 8 to 13, focusing on a two-week cohort model with strictly limited spaces to ensure individual attention.
Beyond the pitch, participants will engage in leadership sessions focused on discipline and accountability, alongside specialist education in strength, recovery, and nutrition.
Program Lead Remy Coddington emphasized that the objective is to bring the standards experienced overseas into a local setting, preparing young people for the demands of high-level environments both on and off the ball.
The academy has partnered with North Village Community Club, utilizing their facilities in a collaboration that celebrates the founders’ roots at the club.
Supported by a specialist team including strength coach Melissa Smith and team physician Dr. Amne Osseryan, the program represents a significant step forward for the island’s sporting community.
Registration is now open at TrevoAcademy.com, with the academy also seeking sponsorship partners to help drive this new pathway for the next generation of Bermudian talent.
IMF cuts growth outlook, warns world already drifting toward more adverse scenario
Under the IMF’s worst-case outlook, the global economy teeters on the brink of recession, with oil prices averaging $110 a barrel in 2026 and $125 in 2027
International News via Reuters:
The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook on Tuesday due to Middle East war-driven energy price spikes but said the world was already drifting toward a more adverse scenario with much-weaker growth as Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions continue.
With massive uncertainty over the Middle East conflict gripping finance officials gathered for IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, the IMF presented three growth scenarios: weaker, worse and severe, depending on how the war unfolds.
Under the IMF’s worst-case outlook, the global economy teeters on the brink of recession, with oil prices averaging $110 a barrel in 2026 and $125 in 2027.
The IMF chose the most benign scenario for its World Economic Outlook “reference forecast,” which assumes a short-lived conflict and oil prices normalizing in the second half of 2026, with an $82 per-barrel average for the year – well below Tuesday’s benchmark Brent crude futures price of around $96.00.
Just minutes after releasing the outlook, IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said it may be already outdated. He told reporters that with continued energy disruptions and no clear path to end the conflict, the IMF’s “adverse scenario” looks increasingly likely.
That middle path envisions a longer conflict that keeps oil prices around $100 per barrel this year and $75 in 2027, with global growth falling to 2.5% this year from 3.4% in 2025.
“I would say that we are somewhere in between the reference scenario and the adverse scenario,” Gourinchas said. “And of course, every day that passes and every day that we have more disruption in energy, we are drifting closer towards the adverse scenario.”
Absent the Middle East conflict, the IMF said it would have upgraded its growth outlook by 0.1 percentage point to 3.4%, due to a continued technology investment boom, lower interest rates, less-severe U.S. tariffs and fiscal support in some countries.
The IMF in January had forecast that oil would decline to about $62 in 2026.
The IMF’s worst-case “severe scenario” assumes an extended and deepening conflict and much higher oil prices that prompt major financial market dislocations and tighter financial conditions, slashing global growth to 2.0%.
“This would mean a close call for a global recession,” the IMF said, adding that growth has been below that level only four times since 1980 – with the last two severe recessions in 2009, following the financial crisis, and in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raged.
INFLATION PRESSURES
Gourinchas said that a number of countries would be in outright recessions under this scenario, with oil prices averaging $110 per barrel in 2026 and $125 in 2027. Prices at this level for an extended time would also increase expectations “that inflation is here to stay,” prompting wider price increases and wage hike demands.
“That change in inflation expectations is going to require central banks to step on the brakes and try to bring inflation back down,” he said, adding that this may require more pain than in 2022.
The IMF said, however, that central banks may be able to “look through” a short-lived energy price surge and hold rates steady amid weaker activity, which would be a de facto monetary easing, but only if inflation expectations remain anchored.
Global inflation for 2026 would top 6% in the severe scenario, compared to 4.4% in the most-optimistic reference scenario, which is the assumption for the IMF’s country and regional growth forecasts.
MAJOR ECONOMY OUTLOOKS
The IMF shaved its U.S. growth outlook for this year to 2.3%, down just a tenth of a percentage point from January, reflecting the positive effect of tax cuts, the lagged effect of interest rate cuts and continued AI data center investment partly offsetting the higher energy costs. These effects are expected to continue in 2027, with growth now forecast at 2.1%, up a tenth of a point from January.
The euro zone, still struggling with higher energy prices caused by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, takes a bigger hit from the Middle East conflict, with its growth outlook falling 0.2 percentage points in both years to 1.1% in 2026 and 1.2% for 2027.
Japan’s growth is largely unchanged under the most benign scenario at a weak 0.7% for 2026 and 0.6% for 2027, but the IMF said that it expects the Bank of Japan to hike rates at a slightly faster pace than anticipated six months ago.
The IMF forecast China’s growth for 2026 at 4.4%, down a tenth of a point from January as the higher energy and commodity costs are partly offset by lower U.S. tariff rates and government stimulus measures. But the IMF said headwinds from a depressed housing sector, a declining labor force, lower returns on investment and slower productivity growth will cut China’s 2027 growth to 4.0%, a forecast unchanged from January.
EMERGING MARKETS, MIDDLE EAST HIT HARD
Overall, emerging market and developing economies, where GDP tends to be more dependent on oil inputs, take a bigger hit from the Middle East conflict than advanced economies, with 2026 growth seen falling 0.3 percentage points to 3.9%.
Nowhere is this more pronounced than at the epicenter of the conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia region, which will see its 2026 GDP growth fall by two full percentage points to 1.9% amid widespread infrastructure damage and sharply curtailed energy and commodity exports.
GDP declines for 2026 are forecast at 6.1% for Iran, 8.6% for Qatar, 6.8% for Iraq, 0.6% for Kuwait and 0.5% for Bahrain.
But under the assumption of a short-lived conflict, the region bounces back quickly, with 2027 GDP growth rebounding to 4.6%, a jump of 0.6 percentage point from the January forecasts.
The one bright spot amid emerging markets is India, which saw growth upgrades of about a tenth of a percentage point to 6.5% for both 2026 and 2027, due in part to momentum from strong growth at the end of last year and a deal to lower the U.S. tariff rate on Indian imports.
FUEL COST FISCAL SUPPORT
The IMF said that governments will be tempted to implement fiscal measures to ease the pain of higher energy prices, including price caps, fuel subsidies or tax cuts, but cautioned against these urges amid still-elevated budget deficits and rising public debt.
Gourinchas said it was “perfectly legitimate” to want to protect the most vulnerable, but subsidies in one country could lead to fuel shortages in others that can’t afford them.
“You have to do it in a very targeted, very temporary way that doesn’t really mess up the fiscal framework” needed by most countries to rebuild their fiscal buffers, he said.
Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Andrea Ricci
India Vedanta power plant blast kills at least 17
Operations at the 600-megawatt coal plant were suspended after the blast, senior administration official Amrit Vikas Topno told Reuters
International News via Reuters:
At least 17 people died and 36 others were injured following a suspected boiler explosion at a power plant operated by India’s Vedanta Ltd in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, a government official said on Wednesday.
Operations at the 600-megawatt coal plant were suspended after the blast, senior administration official Amrit Vikas Topno told Reuters.
The incident took place on Tuesday at Singhitarai, about 230 km (143 miles) away from the state capital of Raipur.
The shutdown of the plant comes as India is poised for a harsher summer. The government has delayed the maintenance of nearly 10 gigawatt of coal plant capacity in the absence of gas supplies due to the Mideast conflict.
The blast was likely caused by overheating in the boiler tube, District Superintendent of Police PK Thakur told Reuters.
In a statement, Vedanta said an “unfortunate incident” had occurred at its Singhitarai plant and that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Vedanta said that NTPC GE Power Services operates and maintains the plant.
Vedanta acquired the 1,200 MW coal power plant through a bankruptcy process in 2022. Only 600 MW of the plant has been operational.
Writing by Sethuraman NR, additional reporting by Abhirami G in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva, Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Kim Coghill
EU age verification app ready as Europe moves to curb children’s social media access
Following Australia’s groundbreaking social media ban for children launched last year, a growing number of European nations are weighing their own restrictions
International News via Reuters:
The EU’s age verification app for online platforms is ready and will soon be available to use, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, as member states push ahead with plans to limit children’s access to social media.
Following Australia’s groundbreaking social media ban for children launched last year, a growing number of European nations are weighing their own restrictions as concerns mount over social media’s impact on the health and safety of minors.
“We are moving ahead with full speed and determination on the enforcement of our European rules. We are holding accountable those online platforms that do not protect our kids enough,” von der Leyen said at a press conference in Brussels.
The app, which will be compatible with both mobile devices and computers, will require users to upload their passport or ID card to confirm their age anonymously, she said.
“This app gives parents, teachers, caretakers a powerful tool to protect children, because we will have zero tolerance for companies that do not respect our children’s rights,” von der Leyen added.
At least a dozen European countries, including Britain and Norway, have enacted or are considering legislation setting minimum age limits – typically between 13 and 16 years – for social media usage.
Speaking at the same press conference, Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s digital chief, said the bloc plans to establish a European coordination mechanism to ensure age verification is implemented across the various national schemes.
While no EU-wide binding legislation has been adopted yet, the European Parliament approved a resolution report in November calling for a minimum age of 16 for social media access across all member states.
The Commission has been developing a harmonised digital verification system since last year.
Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Bart Meijer and Joe Bavier
