The Korea Fair Trade Commission said Mercedes-Benz promoted its EQE and EQS models as using premium cells from CATL while concealing that some vehicles instead carried Farasis Energy batteries
International News via Reuters:
South Korea’s antitrust regulator said on Tuesday it has fined Mercedes-Benz 11.2 billion won ($7.61 million) for misrepresenting the battery suppliers in its electric vehicles.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission said Mercedes-Benz promoted its EQE and EQS models as using premium cells from CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, while concealing that some vehicles instead carried Farasis Energy batteries – information absent from dealer guides and marketing material.
CATL held a 39% share of the global EV battery market in 2025, while Farasis Energy did not rank among the world’s top 10 battery suppliers, according to industry tracker SNE Research.
“We respect the decision made at the plenary session at KFTC; however, we firmly disagree with the Commission’s final decision,” Mercedes-Benz Korea said in a statement.
The company added that it would “take necessary legal measures, including an administrative lawsuit,” and said it had “accurately conveyed true and correct information to both the media and our customers.”
INVESTIGATION TRIGGERED BY EV FIRE
The FTC said it launched an investigation after it found battery cells in a Mercedes EV involved in an August 2024 fire at an underground parking lot in Incheon were made by Farasis.
About 3,000 vehicles containing Farasis battery cells were sold between June 2023 and August 2024, with total sales amounting to roughly 281 billion won, the FTC said.
The regulator’s 11.2 billion won fine, equivalent to about 4% of the related sales, was the maximum penalty allowed under the law for such unfair practices, it said.
An FTC official said Mercedes’ German headquarters and its Korean unit would jointly pay the fine.
The regulator said it would also refer both Mercedes headquarters in Germany and the Korean unit to prosecutors, saying the two were involved directly or indirectly in creating and distributing the sales guidelines.
($1 = 1,471.6000 won)
Reporting by Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies and Louise Heavens
If prices fell in the next four or five weeks to levels before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, the effect on consumer price inflation would be very limited and the rise was unlikely to have a big impact
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s inflation rate could end the year at around 3% rather than the roughly 2% rate assumed by the country’s fiscal forecasters if energy prices stay at current levels, an official at the Office for Budget Responsibility said on Tuesday.
“Material, significant, as yet not on the same scale as we experienced after the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” David Miles, a member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee told lawmakers.
“I’d have given you a different answer probably yesterday morning and by the end of this week it will look different again,” Miles said, referring to the volatility in prices in energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
If prices fell in the next four or five weeks to levels before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, the effect on consumer price inflation would be very limited and the rise was unlikely to have a big impact on household energy bills, he said.
Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Andy Bruce
Bermuda’s premier sailors faced a stern test of patience and skill at the 8th Portugal Grand Prix Round 2 in Vilamoura, where Olympian Adriana Penruddocke and Olympic hopeful Sebastian Kempe battled through a grueling week of light and inconsistent conditions. The regatta eventually concluded in a stabilizing northerly breeze, allowing a strong international fleet to complete the scheduled program across the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, Kempe navigated a frustrating series that saw only six races completed over the course of the event. Despite the limited opportunities to climb the standings, the Olympic hopeful demonstrated his potential by finishing the regatta on a high note. Kempe secured 29th place overall with 84 net points, anchored by a standout performance in the final race where he crossed the line in a superb 9th position.
Competing in the ILCA 6 class, Penruddocke finished 43rd in a fleet that managed seven races during the competition. The Olympian showed flashes of her top-tier pace, particularly as the breeze settled later in the week. Penruddocke recorded two impressive 9th place finishes in races five and seven, proving her ability to compete at the front of a world-class field when conditions allowed for consistent racing.
Both sailors will now look to build on these late-regatta breakthroughs as they continue their preparations on the road to the summer’s major international championships.
The opportunity comes as as employers seek to fill key positions ahead of the approaching tourism season
The Bermuda Hotel Association, in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Development, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Restaurant Divisions, and Bermuda College are pleased to announce the hosting of the Hospitality Industry Careers Fair.
The Careers Fair follows the recent Hospitality Industry Summit that was held on the 13th. February 2026, with the Careers Fair taking place on Wednesday 18th. March 2026 from 10am. – 2pm. in the Princess Room of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
Stephen Todd the CEO of the Bermuda Hotel Association stated: “The Careers Fair is being held in order to invite Bermudians who are unemployed or underemployed to join us at the event in order to explore the many positions that our Hotel and Restaurant partners have available, especially those who have prior experience or are willing to be trained, as employers seek to fill the key positions ahead of the fast approaching tourism season that we anticipate will be a busy one for our island home”.
“This is an excellent opportunity to engage with industry professionals who can provide interested persons with information on the vacancies and how our fellow Bermudians can embark on a rewarding employment and career opportunity”.
All are invited to join the Hospitality Industry partners for our Careers Fair to learn more about the employment opportunities that await them.
Concacaf has confirmed the venues and kickoff times for the highly anticipated Concacaf W Qualifiers matches in April. These decisive fixtures represent the third and final FIFA Women’s International Match Window of the qualifying campaign, which has been running since November 2025.
The matches serve as the high-stakes preliminary stage for the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, the region’s premier tournament which will ultimately determine qualification for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. The qualification field features 29 Member Associations across the region, excluding the United States and Canada, who received automatic byes. At the conclusion of this final April window, the six group winners will advance to join the North American heavyweights in the eight-team championship scheduled for later this year.
In Group C, Bermuda are set for a vital homecoming as they look to secure their position in the standings. The Bermudians will host Grenada at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium within the National Sports Center on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The match is scheduled for a 7:00 pm kickoff, with the home side aiming to capitalize on local support in the final round of single-leg round-robin matches.
As the final window approaches, the battle for the top spot in Group C remains fierce. Guatemala currently lead the way with nine points, followed closely by Costa Rica on six points. Bermuda sit in third place with three points, looking to close the gap on the leaders, while Grenada and the Cayman Islands are yet to get off the mark in the points column.
Minister Alexa Lightbourne tables green paper, urging Bermudians to move beyond “fearmongering” and weigh potential benefits and protections
The government is seeking to spark a national conversation on Bermuda’s potential full membership to CARICOM, stating that “fearmongering has run its course”.
During a House of Assembly sitting today, Home Affairs Minister Alexa Lightbourne tabled a green paper on the topic.
She cited the protections Bermuda would uphold, such as retaining full authority over immigration and work permit policies, and the BMA’s regulatory authority over the financial sector.
Minister Lightbourne contends that Bermuda’s story is a Caribbean one, as she invites the public to read the paper and provide feedback.
This weeks episode of Inside Sports features an in-depth interview with Rena Dysiewska; Director of Sports & Christian Brown; Head of Triathlon at Millfield School in England – discussing sports education, youth development, and international sports collaborations. The conversation covers Millfield’s prestigious history, innovative coaching strategies, and Bermuda’s sports initiatives. This episode also features in-depth discussions on Bermuda’s youth sports initiatives, upcoming regional sports events, and the development of cricket and pickleball in Bermuda.
The protesters, dressed sharply in black suits and ties, held banners bearing the Greenpeace logo and reading “Nuclear Power = Energy Insecurity” and “Nuclear power fuels Russia’s war”
International News via Reuters:
Two Greenpeace activists broke onto the stage at the start of a global nuclear summit in France on Tuesday, interrupting President Emmanuel Macron and U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi as they were greeting heads of state.
The protesters, dressed sharply in black suits and ties, held banners bearing the Greenpeace logo and reading “Nuclear Power = Energy Insecurity” and “Nuclear power fuels Russia’s war”.
One of them shouted at Macron, “Why are we still buying uranium from Russia?” to which the president replied, “We produce nuclear power ourselves.”
France has its own uranium enrichment capacity, but also imports enriched uranium for its power plants, including from Russia, according to the latest customs data published by the French government.
Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom accounted for about 44% of the global uranium enrichment capacity in 2025, according to the World Nuclear Association, and European nuclear power producers have struggled to wean themselves off these supplies four years after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Around 15 Greenpeace activists blocked arriving convoys outside the venue in Boulogne-Billancourt on the outskirts of Paris on Tuesday, the environmental campaigning group said in a statement.
France is hosting the second world nuclear energy summit on Tuesday, where world leaders will meet to discuss and promote nuclear power.
“For Greenpeace France, the holding of such a summit is an anachronism, an event completely out of touch with reality and with the lessons to be learned from the tragic situations of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the strikes on Iran, and the impacts of the worsening climate disruption,” the group said.
Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro in Paris, Inti Landauro in Brussels; Editing by Andrei Khalip
Ten farmers receive access to previously underused public land to boost local food production
Images and media release supplied by the Government of Bermuda
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has awarded agricultural land leases to ten Bermudian farmers, placing more than seven acres of previously underutilised Government-owned arable land into active food production.
The leases represent a meaningful expansion of local farming activity and reflect the Government’s commitment to strengthening Bermuda’s food security and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Among the parcels leased are several plots at Old Military Road in St George’s. Last week, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, the Hon Jaché Adams, JP, MP, visited the site to meet with farmers Brian Robinson, John Gibbons and Kenneth ‘Neil’ Paynter Jr., who are among those cultivating the land.
Minister Adams said: “It was encouraging to meet with these farmers to see first-hand how these plots are being put to productive use. Their work reflects the dedication and commitment that many Bermudian farmers bring to strengthening our local food supply.”
The Ministry has leased the lands to the farmers under multi-year agreements to encourage long-term investment in local agriculture.
The leases include approximately 4.03 acres at the former Almeida Farm on Barry Road in St George’s, 1.6 acres at 33 Barry Road, and additional plots at Old Military Road totalling more than an acre. In St David’s, a parcel of approximately 0.695 acres has also been leased for agricultural use.
The Minister said the initiative reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that publicly owned agricultural land is actively contributing to the Island’s food system.
Minister Adams noted: “Land that was once underutilised is now being placed in the hands of Bermudian farmers who are committed to producing food for our community. That is exactly the outcome we want to see.”
He added: “Bermuda imports the majority of what we eat. Expanding local farming capacity is an important part of building resilience and improving our food security.
“Giving access to Government-owned arable land to farmers helps to create the conditions for greater local production.
“These leases represent a practical step toward a more sustainable Bermuda. When we support local farmers and make better use of available land, we reduce reliance on imports and create opportunities for greater self-sufficiency.”
The Ministry noted that the leasing programme is part of broader efforts to support agriculture, improve the use of public assets and encourage sustainable land management across the Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised Albanese for allowing the women to stay, saying on social media the U.S. was ready to take the players if Australia did not
International News via Reuters:
Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women soccer players after they sought asylum, fearing persecution on their return home for their refusal to sing the national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a news conference in Canberra on Tuesday, a day after police had helped extract the women from their Iranian government handlers.
“They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here.”
U.S. President Donald Trump praised Albanese for allowing the women to stay, saying on social media the U.S. was ready to take the players if Australia did not.
Australian officials identified the players as Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh. They were staying at an undisclosed location under police protection, officials said.
Albanese said help was also available to the other players currently in Australia with the Iranian national team, but it was up to them to accept.
Television footage showed several other Iranian players leaving their hotel in the northeastern city of Gold Coast on a bus on Tuesday afternoon. It was not clear which players were on the bus or where they were going.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke posted pictures on his X account showing him posing with the five players after granting their visas.
He said the government had been in secret talks with the players for days but acknowledged fleeing was a difficult decision for them.
“Even though the offer continues to be there for other members of the team, it is quite possible and indeed likely that not every woman in the team will make a decision to take up the opportunity that Australia would offer to them,” he said.
“VERY GOOD JOB”
Trump initially posted on social media that Australia was “making a terrible humanitarian mistake” by allowing the team to be sent back home, apparently unaware that Australia had been in secret talks with the women for several days.
Trump said members of the team would “likely be killed” if forced to return to Iran. “The U.S. will take them if you won’t,” he added.
In a later post Trump said he had spoken to Albanese and that the Australian leader was “doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation”.
Albanese said Trump rang him just before 2 a.m. (1500 GMT Monday).
“I was able to convey to him the action that we’d undertaken over the previous 48 hours, and that five of the team had asked for assistance and had received it and were safely located,” Albanese said.
The Iranian team’s campaign in the Australian-hosted Asian Cup tournament started just as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament on Sunday after losing 2-0 to the Philippines.
“WARTIME TRAITORS”
Soccer fans and governing agencies started expressing concerns about the welfare of the team after they were labelled “wartime traitors” on state television for refusing to sing their national anthem before their first match against South Korea.
The players’ decision to stand in silence was labelled by a commentator on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting as the “pinnacle of dishonour”.
The Iranian team sang their anthem and saluted before their second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights campaigners that the women had been coerced by government minders.
Iranian media quoted Farideh Shojaei, vice president for women’s affairs at the Iranian Football Federation, as saying the team had left the hotel through the back door with the police.
“We have contacted the embassy, the football federation, the foreign ministry and anywhere possible to see what will happen,” she said. “We have even spoken with the families of these five players.”
Global players’ union FIFPRO said they remained concerned about the safety and wellbeing of the other players and their families in Iran.
“The focus needs to remain on ensuring that all of the players have agency and are aware of their rights,” Beau Busch, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania President told Reuters in a statement.
Iranian media said other team members were still in Australia and quoted Shojaei as saying the squad had planned to return to Iran via Dubai, but the United Arab Emirates had not allowed them to do so.
It said efforts were now expected to be made for the team to return via Malaysia and Turkey.
Australia granted emergency humanitarian visas to over 20 members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and banned women’s sport.
Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Renju Jose and Praveen Menon; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Michelle Nichols and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris, Shri Navaratnam and Stephen Coates
Markets have been pricing rate hikes from the ECB over the past week on the premise that surging energy costs will quickly feed into consumer prices
International News via Reuters:
The war in Iran and soaring energy prices could fundamentally alter Europe’s economic prospects but the European Central Bank should take its time to reassess policy and stay on its present course for now, two policymakers said on Tuesday.
Markets have been pricing rate hikes from the ECB over the past week on the premise that surging energy costs will quickly feed into consumer prices and the bank will want to prevent such price pressures perpetuating rapid inflation.
Gediminas Simkus, Lithuania’s central bank chief, argued that the ECB will not reassess policy with every market move given exceptional volatility and needs to stay calm, taking stock at its next meeting on March 19.
“If you start thinking about monetary policy in the morning, you may end up with very different thinking in the evening,” Simkus said, in response to crude oil prices surging to close to $120 per barrel on Monday before falling to $90 on Tuesday.
“As for the coming meeting, I would say we of course will discuss and try to assess all the possible implications of the events in Iran or to the European economy, but I would say, for the moment, we should stay our course,” Simkus told a conference in Vilnius.
Financial markets, which priced a rate hike by mid-year on Monday, now see just a 50% probability of such a move. But that is still a big change compared to two weeks ago when investors saw steady rates all year, with a small chance of a rate cut, due to weak inflation.
Speaking at the same event, Madis Muller, Estonia’s central bank chief, also made the case for a measured response and said the ECB needed to weigh if the energy price shock is temporary or a longer-lasting shift.
“Even if we shouldn’t rush into decisions, the probability of the next change in the policy rates now being more towards an increase, rather than the opposite, that probably has gone up in the last couple of weeks,” Muller said in a panel discussion.
“We shouldn’t rush into any decisions,” Muller said. “We should first see if the increase in energy prices that we are now experiencing turns out to be transitory or not, as it was the case the last time,” he said.
Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Sharon Sngleton
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