Vehicle fire causes traffic diversions in Warwick
No injuries reported; motorists on Middle Road should expect delays near Burnt House Hill and Tamarind Vale
A reported vehicle fire in Warwick has disrupted traffic this afternoon, according to police.
Diversions are in place at the junctions of Burnt House Hill and Tamarind Vale, along Middle Road.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesperson said: “Motorists travelling through the area are advised to expect delays and take alternate routes, if possible.
“No reported injuries at this time.
“An update on traffic flow will be provided in due course.”
UK’s issuance of long-dated government bonds to fall to 21-year low
The UK Debt Management Office said it intended to issue 252.1 billion pounds ($335.7 billion) of government bonds in the 2026/27 financial year – down from 303.7 billion pounds in 2025/26
International News via Reuters:
Britain said on Tuesday it would cut the amount of government debt it sells for the first time in four years and that the volume of long-dated gilts due to be issued was on track to fall to the lowest in around 20 years.
The UK Debt Management Office said it intended to issue 252.1 billion pounds ($335.7 billion) of government bonds in the 2026/27 financial year – down from 303.7 billion pounds in 2025/26 though slightly above expectations for 245 billion pounds in a Reuters poll of primary dealers.
Within that, long-dated gilts with a maturity of 15 years or longer were planned to account for under 10% of total issuance, down from more than 30% five years ago, reflecting the higher cost and reduced demand for this type of debt.
BOND YIELDS SURGE AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT DEEPENS
The market impact of these decisions – and of finance minister Rachel Reeves’ new budget forecasts – was overshadowed, however, by inflation fears sweeping bond markets as energy prices surged following the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Benchmark 10-year gilt yields have risen more than 25 basis points this week.
“Gilt issuance may be a touch higher (than expected) … but (there is) nothing in the detail that will be driving gilt yields. The geopolitics and the surge higher in energy prices are the only game in town,” said Matthew Amis, investment director at fund manager Aberdeen.
The slightly higher-than-expected gilt issuance reflects in part the DMO’s decision to announce only a modest 5 billion pounds of net Treasury bill issuance for 2026/27, below the median 11.5 billion pounds that dealers had expected.
The DMO often uses changes in T-bill sales to accommodate in-year changes in government borrowing needs. Britain’s finance ministry is also consulting the market on a bigger role for T-bills in longer-term financing.
LONG-DATED GILT SALES ON COURSE FOR LOWEST SINCE 2005/06
Tuesday’s gilt remit shows 23 billion pounds of long-dated gilts scheduled for sale at auctions or bond syndications in 2026/27, down from the 32.5 billion pounds sold in 2025/26.
The long-dated gilt sales would be the lowest since 2005/06, although solid demand at auctions or syndications would usually lead to some extra sales and might take the total sold above the 23.4 billion pounds reached in 2007/08.
The DMO figures showed around 39% of 2026/27 issuance would be for short-dated gilts, 31% would be for medium-dated, 9% for long-dated gilts and 9% for index-linked gilts, while 12% of issuance would be decided later.
DMO Chief Executive Jessica Pulay told Reuters the decision to overweight shorter maturities relative to longer ones was “driven by overall our assessment of cost and risk, and also takes into account market demand”.
Asked if the trend had further to run, she said she did not want to signal a direction of travel as it would depend on how market demand evolved.
The split between maturities planned for 2026/27 is broadly similar to that achieved in 2025/26, when the DMO reduced the relative share of long-dated and index-linked issuance compared with what it planned at the start of the year.
For 2027/28, the DMO said gross financing needs would rise to 307.6 billion pounds, barely changed from an estimate of 308.4 billion pounds in November.
($1 = 0.7509 pounds)
Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Alex Richardson
US judge preliminarily approves $35 million settlement between Epstein estate, accusers
Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing Epstein victims, announced the settlement on February 19
International News via Reuters:
A U.S. judge granted preliminary approval on Tuesday to an agreement for Jeffrey Epstein’s estate to pay as much as $35 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused two of the disgraced financier’s advisers of aiding and abetting his sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls.
Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing Epstein victims, announced the settlement on February 19. On Tuesday, Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the agreement appeared fair. The judge scheduled a hearing for September 16 to consider granting final approval.
The deal would bring an end to a 2024 lawsuit filed against Epstein’s former personal lawyer Darren Indyke and former accountant Richard Kahn, who are co-executors of Epstein’s estate.
Lawyers for Indyke and Kahn did not immediately respond to requests for comment. One of their lawyers had previously said neither Indyke nor Kahn “made any admission or concession of misconduct” as part of the settlement.
Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis
UK stocks log biggest drop in nearly a year on inflation fears
Brent crude gained nearly 7%, while European gas prices soared 15% after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran halted energy exports from the Middle East
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s main stock indexes logged their biggest daily drop in almost a year on Tuesday, as investors dialled down their expectations for interest rate cuts as a jump in energy prices rekindled worries about a resurgence in inflation.
Brent crude gained nearly 7%, while European gas prices soared 15% after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran halted energy exports from the Middle East.
The selloff in British stocks was broad-based, with shares of banks, miners, housebuilders and travel companies coming under pressure.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index dropped 2.8% and the midcap FTSE 250 index fell 3.1%, recording their steepest one-day falls in nearly a year.
British finance minister Rachel Reeves said she would steer the country’s economy through the volatility unleashed by conflict in the Middle East, raising the prospect of closer ties with the European Union and promising stability for businesses.
Britain’s independent budget forecasters cut their economic growth projection for this year to 1.1%, from a previous estimate of 1.4%, while revising up growth slightly for both of the next two years to 1.6%.
The statement was very much the low-key update the government had promised, said David Rees, head of global economics at Schroders.
“If higher energy prices squeeze real incomes and prevent the Bank from cutting rates, hopes would be dashed for a growth pick-up in the months ahead. That, in turn, could ultimately force the chancellor into action when fiscal watchers reconvene later this year – particularly if the recent increase in gilt yields continues,” Rees added.
British government bond yields leapt for a second day as investors slashed their bets on Bank of England rate cuts amid mounting concerns that the Middle East conflict could add to inflationary pressures.
Traders were pricing in less than a one-in-three chance of a quarter-point BoE rate cut this month, a steep drop from the roughly 80% seen late last week.
Among stock movers, Smith & Nephew gained 3.6% after Barclays raised its price target on the medical products maker.
IAG dropped 5.4%, tracking a wider decline in carriers as fuel prices jumped and Middle East travel disruptions persisted for a fourth day.
Reporting by Medha Singh and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Alex Richardson
Britain sends destroyer and helicopters with counter-drone tech to Cyprus
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday he was sending the naval vessel along with helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to the region, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies
International News via Reuters:
Britain is deploying HMS Dragon, an air defence destroyer, to Cyprus after the runway of its Akrotiri base there was hit by an Iranian-made drone.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday he was sending the naval vessel along with helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to the region, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.
France and Greece said they would also send anti-missile and anti-drone systems after the British base on the island was hit on Monday.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” Starmer said in a post on X, adding that he had spoken with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides about the move.
“We’re continuing our defensive operations and I’ve just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region,” the British prime minister said.
HMS Dragon is a Type 45 air-defence destroyer equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and advanced radar designed to track and neutralise airborne threats, according to the Royal Navy’s website.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, Sarah Young and Elizabeth Piper, editing by William James and Kate Holton
Cechini stars with record-breaking performance at ECAC Championships
Bermudian swimmer Thomas Cechini produced a masterclass in consistency and speed as he and his Loyola University Maryland teammates competed at the 2026 ECAC Swimming and Diving Championships at Bucknell University. In a dominant display, the Loyola sophomore advanced to five A Finals, playing a pivotal role in the Greyhounds securing a second-place finish in the overall men’s team standings.
Cechini’s individual campaign was headlined by a string of lifetime bests in both freestyle and butterfly events. In the Men’s 500-Yard Freestyle A Final, he secured a seventh-place finish with a new Personal Best of 4:32.06. He mirrored that placement in the 200-Yard Freestyle, touching the wall in 1:39.23 after clocking a blistering 1:38.89 Personal Best during the preliminary rounds.
His versatility was further evidenced in the 200-Yard Butterfly A Final, where he claimed eighth place with a fresh Personal Best of 1:50.59. Beyond his individual accolades, Cechini was a vital asset to the Loyola relay squads. He helped anchor the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay team to a podium finish in 3:00.36 and contributed to a silver-medal performance in the 400-Yard Medley Relay with a highly competitive 3:12.60.
This comprehensive set of results marks a significant milestone in Cechini’s collegiate career, firmly establishing him as a premier middle-distance threat on the East Coast as he continues to climb the ranks of NCAA swimming.
City seeks feedback on Christmas Boat Parade
The call for input follows a decline in entrants in recent years
Media release:
The City of Hamilton has launched a survey inviting members of the local boating community to share feedback on the City’s Christmas Boat Parade, scheduled for December 12, 2026.
The survey aims to better understand what encourages, or discourages, participation in the parade, following a gradual decline in the number of registered boats in recent years. The City is seeking input directly from the public to identify practical barriers to entry and explore ways to make participation more accessible, rewarding, and enjoyable.
In 2024, registration for the parade had to be extended following a call for additional boats, highlighting the need for a closer look at how the event can better support those who take part.
“We want to ensure the Christmas Boat Parade remains just as enjoyable for the boaters as it is for those watching from shore,” said Lorna Hayward, Senior Events Coordinator for the City of Hamilton. “This survey gives mariners an opportunity to tell us what would make participation easier, whether that relates to costs, time commitments, decoration requirements, prize categories, or other considerations.”
Feedback gathered through the survey will help inform potential enhancements to the 2026 parade, including the possibility of additional sponsorships to support lighting, décor, fuel costs, prizes, or new award categories.
Held every other year, the Christmas Boat Parade remains a much-loved holiday tradition and one of the most popular events of the season, drawing thousands of spectators to Front Street and the Hamilton waterfront to enjoy the City’s Viewing Village and Kids Zone, along with local food vendors and prime shoreline viewing.
As planning gets underway for the 2026 Christmas Boat Parade, the City encourages boat owners, local businesses, workplaces, church groups, and community organizations to begin thinking about collaborative entries. The City also welcomes interest from organizations or corporations who may wish to partner through sponsorship or support. The survey is available here until March 31st.
For questions about parade entry or event details, please email events@cityhall.bm.
To stay informed about City announcements and events, residents are encouraged to subscribe to the City’s e-newsletter, The CityZen, at cityofhamilton.bm, and follow the City on X and Instagram (@citylifebda) and Facebook (CityofHamiltonBda).
DeGraff leads Bermudian charge at Daytona Supercross
A contingent of eight determined riders from the Bermuda Motocross Club have taken to the iconic sands of Florida to compete in the prestigious Annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross. In a day defined by high-octane drama and a formidable international field, the island’s representatives battled through various classifications to make their mark on the world stage.
Leading the charge was Allan “LJ” DeGraff, who delivered a standout performance in the Veteran 30+ B/C Division. DeGraff showcased superb technical prowess to secure a highly impressive fourth place, placing him firmly among the elite in his category. He was joined in the top ten by Aaron Cannonier, who navigated the demanding circuit to earn a solid tenth-place finish.
The younger generation also faced a steep learning curve against North America’s best. A’Kyo Cannonier finished 33rd in the Mini E (4–8) division, while Diego Daniels claimed 15th place in the 51cc (4–6) class. In the Mini Sr. divisions, A’jahni Foggo proved his consistency with 18th and 17th place finishes across two age brackets.
In the veteran ranks, Jason Harrell battled to 23rd in the Masters 50+ Division, while Bobby Lambe concluded his day in 24th in the Senior 45+ Division. Despite a “Did Not Finish” for King Clarke in the 65cc race, the collective effort highlights the growing ambition of Bermuda’s motocross community on the global stage.
Basden delivers double personal bests at NSU Alumni Invitational
Bermudian sprinter Cameron Basden produced a standout performance for Barry University as he secured two personal bests at the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Alumni Invitational. In a field defined by elite collegiate competition, Basden showcased his accelerating form to secure podium and top-five finishes across the short sprints.
Basden’s day began with a blistering display in the 100 metres, where he stopped the clock in a Personal Best time of 10.74 seconds to claim third place overall. The momentum stayed with the Bermudian in the 200 metres, where he once again lowered his lifetime mark, finishing fifth in a Personal Best of 21.86 seconds.
The afternoon concluded with a show of versatility as Basden stepped in as a late replacement for the Men’s 4x100m relay. Joining teammates Christiano Austin, Tenarion Carney, and Jaylon Sarjeant, Basden helped anchor a clinical performance that saw the Barry University quartet secure second place with a time of 41.28 seconds.
This series of performances marks a significant step forward in Basden’s collegiate season as he continues to establish himself as a key figure in the Barry University sprinting programme.
Sampson secures promotion in historic Spanish debut season
Bermudian midfielder Kai Sampson has capped off a remarkable debut year in Spain, earning promotion with Fundación Deportiva de Málaga CF to the Segunda Andaluza. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the 19-year-old, who has successfully transitioned from the UK to the competitive landscape of Spanish football within a single senior campaign.
Sampson’s journey to the south coast began in July 2025, when he was selected as part of the club’s Summer Showcase cohort. His technical ability and tactical awareness quickly caught the eye of Head Coach Sergio Matez, leading to a permanent signing in September following a stint at the Steven Gerrard Academy in England.
Adapting to the “Spanish style” is often a hurdle for foreign players, but Sampson has established himself as a fixture within the side during his first year. The central midfielder has cited the club’s professional environment and family-like culture as key factors in his rapid development and seamless integration into the squad.
The promotion to Segunda Andaluza represents more than just a step up in divisions; it validates Sampson’s decision to move to the Iberian Peninsula in search of a professional pathway. To achieve senior team promotion in a debut season is a rare feat, signaling a special year for the young Bermudian as he continues to climb the Spanish football pyramid.
