Bermuda’s David Selley and Steven Bridges produced a flawless display of offshore powerboat racing to claim a wire-to-wire victory on the second day of the 6th Annual St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix.
Competing in the highly competitive Super Stock class, the duo piloted the S-25 Team Bermuda boat with clinical precision, leading every lap of a grueling four-lap contest. Despite “rough bay” conditions in St. Petersburg, Florida, Selley and Bridges utilized their pole position to perfection, maintaining a commanding gap over a world-class field to clock a winning time of 12:24.295.
The victory marks a significant statement of intent for the pair on the 2026 international circuit. Their ability to handle the turbulent Gulf waters proved the difference, leaving two-time F1H2O world champion Shaun Torrente to settle for second in the S-54 STR-Allied entry. The podium was completed by the S-8 Wozencraft boat, which fended off a spirited charge from Big East Construction.
Bermuda’s presence in the top tier was further bolstered by Luis Martins and Nick Imprescia in the S-12 Nuff Said. Navigating the same punishing conditions, the pair secured a solid sixth-place finish in 13:01.973, ensuring both island entries finished within the top half of the elite field.
The triumph reinforces Bermuda’s standing as a powerhouse in the Super Stock category, with the team now looking to carry this momentum into the next leg of the championship.
Tiara DeRosa produced a masterclass in the throwing circle at the National Sports Centre, rewriting the record books three times in a single afternoon as Bermuda’s elite athletes completed their final preparations for the Carifta Games.
Despite blustery conditions, DeRosa proved she is finding peak form at precisely the right moment. Having already secured her place for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the powerhouse thrower bettered her own national mark with an opening toss of 50.64m.
She found another gear in the third round, launching the discus to a staggering 51.03m—equivalent to 167 feet 5 inches. The effort established a new gold standard for the region and cemented her status as one of the top-ranked throwers in the Caribbean.
On the track, the next generation of sprinters also impressed. Jadon Lightbourne was the standout in the Boys Under-14 200m, clocking a dominant 23.50 seconds. Meanwhile, Myami York claimed a commanding victory in the Under-17 Girls’ 100m, crossing the line in 12.80 seconds.
The performances ensure the Bermuda National Athletics Association squad heads to the Carifta Games with significant momentum across both field and track disciplines.
NEW YORK, NY — (March 30, 2026) — The U.S. SailGP Team today announced a partnership with the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), naming the organization their Official Tourism Partner for the remainder of the 2026 season. The collaboration brings together one of the world’s premier high-performance racing teams with one of the most iconic sailing destinations.
The multifaceted partnership centers on the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix (May 9-10) and the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix (May 30-31), with BTA branding on the team’s F50 catamaran plus destination content across digital platforms, and prominence during race-week events. The collaboration also includes integrated marketing campaigns and live fan engagement initiatives.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bermuda Tourism Authority to the U.S. SailGP Team family,” said Mike Buckley, Team Principal & CEO of the U.S. SailGP Team. “Bermuda holds a special place in the world of sailing, and this partnership reflects a shared passion for the ocean, performance, hospitality, travel and innovation. We look forward to bringing Bermuda’s story to life for our fans around the globe.”
Bermuda has long been a center of international sailing, hosting marquee global events and offering world-class racing conditions. Through this partnership, the U.S. SailGP Team and Bermuda Tourism Authority aim to inspire fans to experience the island’s unique blend of adventure, luxury, and natural beauty.
“Partnering with the U.S. SailGP Team gives Bermuda a powerful way to meet travellers where passion, performance and place come together,” said Michael DeCouto, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Bermuda Tourism Authority. “SailGP captures the energy, elegance and edge that make Bermuda such a natural fit for world-class sailing, and this partnership allows us to showcase the island to a global audience in a way that feels both authentic and exciting. It is not just about visibility, it is about turning that attention into real interest, real connection and real visits to Bermuda.”
About The US SailGP Team
Redefining American sailing on the global stage, the U.S. SailGP Team enters the 2026 Season with clear focus and growing momentum. Competing in SailGP since its inception, the team was acquired in November 2023 by private owners Ryan and Margaret McKillen and two-time world champion Mike Buckley, backed by a prestigious group of investors across sports, entertainment and technology. With Avenue Sports Fund as lead investor and Next 3 joining in 2025, the U.S. SailGP Team has established a strong foundation for long-term commercial and competitive growth. Led by nine-time world champion Taylor Canfield, the team continues to sharpen its performance with athletes including Anna Weis, Hans Henken and Michael Menninger among its all-American lineup. Supported by a portfolio of partners across fashion, technology, and wellness, the U.S. SailGP Team is building a modern American sports brand positioned for lasting impact on and off the water. For more information on the U.S. SailGP Team, visit https://www.ussailgpteam.com/ and follow the team on Instagram.
About Bermuda Tourism
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is a quasi-autonomous, award-winning destination marketing organisation that promotes Bermuda globally and supports the island’s tourism industry. Guided by the Bermuda National Tourism Plan, the BTA drives sustainable growth and enhances Bermuda’s competitiveness as a premier destination. Learn more at GoToBermuda.com.
Bermuda’s Kenni Thompson produced a moment of individual magic to secure the FA Women’s National League Cup for AFC Bournemouth, as the Cherries edged past Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road.
In a final defined by tactical discipline at the historic home of Queens Park Rangers, it was Thompson who provided the decisive touch, incredibly scoring directly from a corner to settle the tie. The victory marks a landmark achievement for the South Coast club, but for Thompson, the emotional weight of the triumph extended far beyond the pitch.
Immediately following the final whistle, the Bermudian international was seen on the turf, video-calling her mother back in Bermuda to share the moment. “It’s been a long journey,” Thompson explained. “I left my home at 11 years old, so I don’t usually have my family with me. It’s a sacrifice I’ve had to make, and they’ve had to make.”
Thompson, who has become a focal point of the Cherries’ attack since her arrival, credited her family’s unwavering support as her primary driving force. “I owe everything to them. Every step of the way, they’ve been with me.”
As Bournemouth celebrates their historic success, Thompson’s performance serves as a potent reminder of the growing influence of Bermudian talent across the professional football landscape in the UK.
Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at the ministry, told Reuters a male and a female will be sent to a zoo in Shizuoka
International News via Reuters:
Indonesia will loan two Komodo dragons to Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, where it is hoped the endangered reptiles will be able to breed, and will receive some red pandas and giraffes in return, an official said on Monday.
The Forestry Ministry said the animal swaps would increase “contributions from both parties toward wildlife protection and conservation, as well as raising public awareness of biodiversity,” adding that the programme was intended to breed the Komodo dragons, which the IUCN Red List classifies as endangered.
Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at the ministry, told Reuters a male and a female will be sent to a zoo in Shizuoka. In return, the prefecture will send several animals to Indonesia, including red pandas and giraffes, Ahmad said.
The agreement was signed last week, ahead of a visit to Japan by President Prabowo Subianto, who will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later this week.
Indonesia is home to over 3,000 Komodo dragons, according to government data. The reptiles are the largest lizards in the world, growing up to around 3 metres (10 feet) long. They have a yellow forked tongue and a venomous bite.
Japan’s TV Shizuoka has reported the two dragons would arrive as early as June for the breeding programme. Ahmad said the dragons would be sent after a business-to-business agreement was signed by the zoos in Indonesia and Japan.
Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by John Mair
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Sunday the government could expand restrictions on passenger car use beyond public institutions if crude prices rise to around $120–$130 a barrel
International News via Reuters:
South Korea is considering extending driving curbs to the general public if global oil prices climb further, senior officials said, as authorities seek to rein in energy demand amid supply strains due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Sunday the government could expand restrictions on passenger car use beyond public institutions if crude prices rise to around $120–$130 a barrel, up from the current $100–$110 range.
If expanded to the entire public, the policy would mark the country’s first nationwide driving curbs since the 1991 Gulf War, when the government imposed a 10-day vehicle rotation system to conserve energy.
“If the Middle East situation worsens, the crisis alert would have to move up to the ‘warning’ stage, and around that point we would need to curb consumption,” Koo said on a local broadcast, referring to a move up to the third-highest level in the country’s four-stage resource security crisis alert system.
He added the government may also consider further fuel tax cuts to ease the burden on households.
The finance ministry said in a separate media release on Monday that mandatory driving curbs for the private sector remain undecided, adding that authorities would weigh energy supply conditions and broader economic factors before taking any action.
South Korea imports about 70% of its crude oil from the Middle East, leaving the country highly exposed to supply disruptions and sharp price swings stemming from tensions in the region.
The government last week enforced a mandatory five-day vehicle rotation system for the public sector, restricting vehicle use based on licence plate numbers.
Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan said last Thursday authorities were reviewing tighter demand-management measures should the alert level rise further, including widening enforcement of driving curbs, while encouraging voluntary participation by companies and the financial sector.
Major conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics and SK Group have joined the effort, urging employees to cut back on private car use and adopt fuel-saving measures.
Lawmakers and senior politicians have also taken to social media, posting about using public transport and bicycles to set an example and calling on the public to join energy-saving efforts.
Kim also tried to stop the panic buying of trash bags, as some consumers are hoarding the plastic bags in anticipation of a possible shortage stemming from the Middle East energy crisis.
In a Facebook posting, he said that more than half of the local governments have an over six-month inventory of rubbish bags, and Korea would allow the use of regular bags for waste in the “worst-case situation.”
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged the country to accelerate a shift to renewable energy such as electric vehicles, saying that the energy issue is “so severe that even I can’t sleep at night.”
Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim, Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Sonali Paul, William Maclean
Europe’s heavy reliance on energy imports has left it exposed to spiralling prices since the key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed
International News via Reuters:
European Union energy ministers will hold talks on Tuesday to coordinate their response to the disruption to oil and gas markets triggered by the Iran war, an internal EU briefing document showed.
Europe’s heavy reliance on energy imports has left it exposed to spiralling prices since the key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed and Tehran started attacking energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
European gas prices have jumped more than 70% since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28.
Ministers are invited to “indicate which concrete measures could be put in place to address the tightening of the oil and gas markets in a coordinated manner,” the EU document read.
“It remains important to avoid uncoordinated and fragmented national responses and disruptive signals to the market,” the document added.
The document said ministers should focus their efforts on filling gas storage for next winter and on stabilising oil product markets and ensuring these supplies.
The EU says its oil and gas supplies remain secure in the short term, since the bloc’s top suppliers are Norway and the United States, rather than producers directly affected by strikes and shutdowns in the Middle East.
But Europe is watching with concern as global supplies of certain products – in particular, diesel and jet fuel – tighten.
Shell’s CEO Wael Sawan last week warned that the continent could face energy shortages by April, with jet fuel, diesel and gasoline among the products being hit early.
EU officials are trying to encourage countries to start filling their natural gas storage caverns early ahead of next winter, to avoid a dash for supplies later in the year which could cause further price spikes.
The ministers will meet by video conference at 1300 GMT on Tuesday.
Reporting by Kate Abnett;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Andrew Heavens
A notice from the government on Monday said ADI had made funds available to a designated person without a licence in relation to two payments in 2022
International News via Reuters:
Britain said it issued a 390,000 pound ($516,000) penalty to Ireland-based Apple Distribution International Limited, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based technology giant, over a breach of its Russia sanctions.
A notice from the government on Monday said ADI had made funds available to a designated person without a licence in relation to two payments in 2022.
($1 = 0.7556 pounds)
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; writing by Sarah Young; editing by Alistair Smout
The BoE said 62,584 new mortgages for house purchase were approved in February, up from 60,246 in January
International News via Reuters:
British lenders last month approved the most mortgages in three months and consumer credit grew at the fastest pace in nearly two years, Bank of England data showed on Monday ahead of a potential hit from higher borrowing costs caused by the Iran war.
The BoE said 62,584 new mortgages for house purchase were approved in February, up from 60,246 in January. Economists polled by Reuters had pointed to 61,250 approvals during the month.
The value of mortgage lending, which lags behind approvals, rose by the biggest amount since September – up 4.840 billion pounds ($6.41 billion) in net terms in February following a rise of 4.2 billion pounds in January.
Net consumer borrowing rose by 1.935 billion pounds in February, more than the 1.6 billion-pound forecast in the Reuters poll of economists.
The increase was above January’s 1.828 billion pound rise, taking the annual rate of consumer credit growth to 8.5%, its fastest since March 2024.
The annual growth rate of the M4 money supply excluding non-bank financial institutions – which some economists see as a factor driving medium-term inflation – increased to 3.9% in February from 3.6% in January.
But Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said this still represented a relatively subdued growth rate ahead of the outbreak of the Iran war, suggesting “the burst of inflation triggered by higher energy prices is more likely to be short-lived than long-lasting”.
House prices were also likely to rise less this year than the 3.5% increase which Capital had previously forecast, Dales said, pointing to a rise in two-year fixed rates for mortgages to 4.8% from 4.0% before the conflict.
($1 = 0.7556 pounds)
Reporting by Suban Abdulla; editing by David Milliken
The closure of its airspace, which forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, does not include emergency situations, El Pais added
International News via Reuters:
Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Monday, citing military sources.
The closure of its airspace, which forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, does not include emergency situations, El Pais added.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
“This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said during an interview with radio Cadena Ser when asked if the decision to close Spain’s airspace could worsen relations with the United States.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most vocal opponents of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.
President Donald Trump has threatened to cut trade with Madrid for denying the U.S. use of Spain’s bases in the war.
Reporting by Paolo Laudani and Emma Pinedo; editing by Charlie Devereux and Gareth Jones
Banks currently must seek the ECB’s prior approval for any material change in their internal models
International News via Reuters:
The European Central Bank will simplify and speed up approvals for changes to banks’ internal credit risk models, easing a supervisory process that can delay capital benefits and trigger lengthy on-site inspections, it said on Monday.
Banks currently must seek the ECB’s prior approval for any material change in their internal models, a requirement that can spur on-site investigations and force lenders to run their old and new models in parallel for extended periods.
Under new rules effective from October 1, banks will be allowed to implement material changes to their internal models shortly after submitting their application, and fewer of these changes will trigger an on-site review, the ECB said.
If a new model produces lower risk weights, banks will still get a quick go-ahead for their use, but any capital benefits will be capped until the ECB has assessed the model on-site.
“Under the new approach, the ECB will conduct these on-site investigations of internal models primarily where higher risks warrant closer scrutiny,” the ECB said in a statement.
“Material model changes will no longer automatically trigger an on-site investigation.”
Separate guidelines from the European Banking Authority, also on Monday, reduce the number of model changes classified as material and subject to ECB approval.
The ECB, which supervises just over 100 of the euro zone’s biggest banks, said that for sensitive cases, it retained the option to follow the standard approval process, under which banks must wait for the outcome of a dedicated on-site investigation before implementation.
The ECB last year conducted 74 on-site investigations of internal models, 90% of which were triggered by banks requesting initial model approvals or material model changes.
Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Bernadette Baum
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.6% as of 0921 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 fell 0.5%
International News via Reuters:
London’s FTSE 100 advanced on Monday, lifted by gains in mining and energy stocks tracking higher commodity prices, though sentiment remained shaky as the Middle East war entered its fifth week.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.6% as of 0921 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 fell 0.5%. Both indexes however, were on track for firm monthly losses. * Rio Tinto rose 3.5%, providing the biggest boost to thebenchmark index after the mining giant said operations at threeof its four Pilbara iron ore port terminals have resumed afterTropical Cyclone Narelle swept through Western Australia’sPilbara region. * The Middle East conflict showed no sign of easing, withthe Israeli military saying that Iran launched multiple waves ofmissiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched fromYemen for only the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began. * Energy stocks climbed 1.4% to a record high as crude oilprices remained elevated, with Brent crude headed for a recordmonthly rise. [O/R] * Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves will urge G7counterparts to avoid unilateral measures such as new tradebarriers during the Iran war, warning they could worsen energyinsecurity and disrupt global supply chains. * The travel and leisure sub-index fell 1.1%, on pace fordouble-digit monthly losses as the Iran war raised fuel-costfears and disrupted key flight routes, threatening profits. * Meanwhile, British mortgage approvals rose by more thanexpected last month and consumer credit grew at a faster pacethan in January, Bank of England data showed on Monday, ahead ofa potential hit from higher borrowing costs caused by the Iranwar. * A domestic fourth-quarter GDP rating and U.S. jobs reportfor March will be released later this week.
Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli
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