Bermuda’s indoor archery season has officially launched at the St. George’s Community Center, with the island’s elite marksmen wasting no time in finding the gold.
The opening round of the National Archery Association of Bermuda’s bi-weekly league saw athletes tackle the standard 18-metre indoor format. In a test of pure mental stamina, participants fired 60 arrows for a maximum score of 600, and the early results suggest a season of exceptionally high quality.
Leading the charge in the Recurve Men division is Olympic hopeful Camerin Pickering, while Robin Selley has established herself as the frontrunner in the Recurve Women category. Both athletes have carried their formidable international form into the local circuit, setting a high bar for the chasing pack.
The veteran presence continued to shine as William Pickering took control of the Compound Men division—a venue where he has previously set national records—while Jessica Bowers leads the Barebow Women field.
The youth ranks also demonstrated significant depth, with Sophia Davidge, George Esterhuysen, and Naseeha Talbot all claiming top spots in their respective categories. With 12 weeks of competition ahead, the focus now shifts to whether these early leaders can maintain their clinical consistency under the gymnasium lights.
Jevon Roberts and Oliver Betschart have successfully defended their crown as the Bermuda 4-Ball Men’s Division Champions after a display of clinical scoring at Port Royal.
The duo carded a scintillating second-round 66 to finish at four-under par, holding off a determined challenge from Spencer Wideman and Derrick Irby in testing, blustery conditions.
The Ladies’ Championship provided the day’s most dramatic theatre, culminating in a three-team deadlock. Despite a final-round surge from Darina Betschart, it was the veteran pair of Ann Symonds and Tracy Burgess who held their nerve. After a grueling three-hole playoff, the duo secured their third consecutive title, cementing their status as the dominant force in the division.
There was further playoff drama in the Senior Men’s Division. Sheldon Chychrun and George Hutchings were forced into a sudden-death decider against the multi-sporting duo of Mark Ray and Kyle Lightbourne. However, in a unique twist, Lightbourne was forced to miss the playoff due to football touchline commitments. Chychrun and Hutchings ultimately claimed the victory on the first extra hole to round out a weekend of high-stakes golf on the Southampton coast.
In this weeks episode; the conversation covers various themes related to sports and community in Bermuda, including the challenges faced by local sports organizations, the importance of youth engagement in athletics, and the impact of community events like the Skyport Magic Mile and Lindos to Lindos. The discussion also pays tribute to Ceola Wilson, highlights the Bermuda Backyard Ultra, and features insights from Dexter Smith and his journey in sports journalism and umpiring.
Bermuda’s young tennis hopefuls face an uphill battle in Guatemala after falling to a clinical Dominican Republic side in their opening Under-16 fixture.
Competing in the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup NAMCAM Pre-Qualifying Tournament, the Bermudian trio struggled to adapt to the high-altitude clay courts. The tone was set early as Jaden Jones fell 6-1, 6-3 to Daniel Ramirez, before Michael Collins was undone by the consistency of Miguel Baquero in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat.
With the tie already lost at 2-0, Collins and Jones teamed up for the doubles but found no relief, succumbing 6-2, 6-2 to complete a comprehensive 3-0 sweep for the Dominicans.
Veteran coach Brent Smith now faces the task of regrouping his squad ahead of their remaining group matches. With a spot in April’s final qualifying rounds in Canada on the line, the young stars must find their rhythm on the “red dirt” quickly if they are to keep their qualification dreams alive.
In this weeks episode, the gentlemen of Inside Sports sit down with Clyde Best, a pioneering figure in football history, discussing his journey as one of the first black players in the modern era. The dialogue explores the importance of youth sports development in Bermuda, the challenges faced by black athletes, and the legacy of Clyde Best. Additionally, insights into the Bermuda Netball Association’s plans for 2026 and updates from the Bermuda Cricket Board are shared, emphasizing the need for community support and grassroots initiatives in sports.
In this episode, we cover a range of topics related to sports in Bermuda, including tributes to fallen sports legends, the achievements of runner Sean Trott, the growth of archery, and the preparations for the upcoming CAC Games. The discussion highlights the importance of training, nutrition, and support systems for athletes, as well as the logistical challenges faced by team managers like John Beard.
Bermuda’s Elijah Daley has delivered a performance for the ages, shattering one of the most significant barriers in the island’s swimming history.
Representing the University of Toronto, the freshman sensation took to the blocks for the Men’s 200 SC Meter Individual Medley on Day Two of the 2026 Ontario University Championships. Having already dismantled Stephen Fahy’s 25-year-old record last season, Daley arrived at the Varsity Pool with his sights set firmly on the uncharted territory of the sub-two minute mark.
After a composed preliminary swim of 2:01.04, the stage was set for a historic showdown in the evening’s A Final. In a race of exceptional quality, Daley became the first Bermudian ever to break the two-minute barrier in the event, touching the wall in a blistering 1:59.80 to claim the silver medal.
The result marks Daley’s second national record in as many days, following his record-breaking performance in the 100m breaststroke. As the championships head into their final day, the young Varsity Blue has firmly cemented his status as the premier versatile talent in the region.
In this weeks episode, we explore the deep historical and cultural connections between Bermuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, focusing on tourism, citizenship, and upcoming events. Our special guests from St. Kitts & Nevis discuss the positive trends in tourism, the importance of sustainable practices, and the challenges faced in staffing and training within the industry. They also highlight the significance of the St. Kitts Music Festival and the ongoing efforts to engage Bermudians in tourism and citizenship opportunities.
Human rights are under assault worldwide, the United Nations chief warned on Monday, citing widespread abuses of international law and devastating civilian suffering in conflicts in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine
International News via Reuters:
Human rights are under assault worldwide, the United Nations chief warned on Monday, citing widespread abuses of international law and devastating civilian suffering in conflicts in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.
“The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force,” said U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“Around the world, human rights are being pushed back deliberately, strategically, and sometimes proudly,” Guterres said.
The U.N. human rights chief has said his office is in “survival mode” due to funding cuts that have come alongside pressure on U.N. experts and U.S. disengagement.
‘NEEDS EXPLODING’
The U.S., the U.N.’s top donor, has paid just $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes to the global body, a U.N. spokesperson said last week.
“Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses,” Guterres said.
The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, told the Council that the world faces the most intense competition for power and resources since World War Two, amid widespread rights violations.
He joined Guterres in urging an end to abuses in conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine.
One diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that despite backing from some member states to strengthen and support the human rights system, funding remained a challenge.
The U.N. says funding shortages have prevented two investigations launched in 2025 – an inquiry into potential war crimes in Democratic Republic of Congo and a investigation into abuses in Afghanistan – from becoming operational.
APPEAL OVER PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
Guterres also said blatant violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territories threatened the viability of a Palestinian state.
“The two-State solution is being stripped away in broad daylight. The international community cannot allow it to happen,” he said.
This month Israel’s cabinet approved the latest measures to tighten Israel’s control over the occupied West Bank and make it easier for settlers to buy land, a move Palestinians called a “de-facto annexation”.
Most nations have long backed the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as the best way to resolve the generations-old conflict and see the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, as the largest part of that future state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.
Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Ludwig Burger, Aidan Lewis
The European Commission proposed in December that EU states introduce new zero- and low-emission quotas for corporate cars and vans from 2030
International News via Reuters:
The European Union should make companies include more environmentally friendly vehicles in their corporate fleets, and exclude low-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrids from quotas, environmental group Transport & Environment said on Monday.
The European Commission proposed in December that EU states introduce new zero- and low-emission quotas for corporate cars and vans from 2030, after long negotiations with the industry resulted in a plan to backtrack on its effective ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035.
T&E asked in a position paper that the targets aim for zero-emission vehicles – which include fully electric and hydrogen-powered models – to make up a 69% share of corporate fleets by 2030, up from 45% in current estimates, and that they exclude low-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
The group says real-world emissions of plug-in hybrids, which can be powered with electricity or fuel, are higher than values from regulatory tests show, especially as company car drivers receive fuel cards and have no incentive to charge their battery instead of using their combustion engine.
It estimated that corporate sales of plug-in hybrids would more than double in four years with the current proposal.
TIGHTER RULES COULD HELP EU HIT TARGETS, GROUP SAYS
The EU could achieve more than half of the EV sales it targets by 2030 and support carmakers if it tightened its rules on cars bought by large companies, T&E said.
The paper added the EU should stick with a plan to abolish subsidies for petrol and diesel company cars, which it says amount to more than 42 billion euros ($49.5 billion) annually, and limit tax benefits to EVs made in Europe to help domestic carmakers.
“It’s in the European car industry’s interests that they get this done right,” T&E Clean Fleets Manager Sofie Grande y Rodriguez said in a statement.
The Commission’s current proposal would lead to 1.2 million extra sales of EU-made electric cars in 2030, but would mostly leverage already existing market trends and fall short of current trajectories in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden, T&E said.
Its more ambitious targets for corporate fleets, which account for about 60% of new cars and 90% of new vans sold in the bloc, would increase that number to 1.9 million, it said.
($1 = 0.8480 euros)
Reporting by Alessandro Parodi; Editing by Jan Harvey
Ambassador John Arrigo told CNN Portugal late on Sunday that he aimed to draw on his business experience to help Portugal ramp up defence spending to NATO’s target of 5% of gross domestic product by 2035
International News via Reuters:
The U.S. ambassador to Portugal has urged Lisbon to replace its ageing F-16 fighter jets with Lockheed Martin’s F-35, saying the stealth jet would ensure interoperability with Europe’s top-tier air forces.
Ambassador John Arrigo told CNN Portugal late on Sunday that he aimed to draw on his business experience to help Portugal ramp up defence spending to NATO’s target of 5% of gross domestic product by 2035 from the current 2%.
“F-35 is the best fighter – it’s a fifth-generation stealth fighter, it’ll get them (the Portuguese Air Force) into the Champions League when it comes to the EU,” Arrigo said.
Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo said in November that the selection process for the replacement fighters had not yet started.
Arrigo said more than 900 of the F-35s were in service or on order across Europe and that for “interoperability, the F-35 is definitely the way to go,” noting also that 25% of the plane was made with European parts.
On relations with China, the ambassador said the Trump administration was not pushing Portugal to choose between Washington and Beijing or decouple from China, The U.S. was promoting “de-risking”, he said, ensuring cybersecurity and investment screening.
Chinese companies expanded in Portugal following the 2011-14 bailout, when lower asset prices attracted foreign investors.
Portugal secured a 78 billion euro bailout in May 2011 from the EU, IMF and ECB after soaring borrowing costs during the eurozone debt crisis cut it off from markets, but had to agree to harsh austerity that sparked a deep recession.
China Three Gorges holds 21.4% of utility EDP, China State Grid owns 25% of grid operator REN, and Hong Kong‑listed Fosun controls 20% of bank Millennium BCP and 85% of insurer Fidelidade.
Arrigo said the U.S. sees itself as Portugal’s “best partner but wants to keep any adversary… at arm’s length.”
Portugal joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in December 2018. Arrigo said Lisbon’s partnership with the U.S. would “flourish” if Lisbon exited, as Italy did in 2023.
Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Editing by Kate Mayberry
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