Bermuda’s young sailing stars delivered a series of strong results at the highly competitive Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy Regatta, securing a podium finish and a strong top-20 result.
The regatta, which featured six races for both the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, proved a valuable international test.
In the ILCA 7 Fleet, Sebastian Kempe sailed brilliantly to secure a third-place podium finish out of 44 sailors. Kempe recorded a final Net Points score of 24, thanks to four top-five finishes, including two third-place results. Great Britain’s Finley Dickinson won the fleet with 11 Net Points.
In the larger ILCA 6 Fleet, Adriana Penruddocke sailed consistently well to take a highly respectable 18th place overall in a field of 83 competitors.
Penruddocke tallied 101 Net Points, with her best individual race being a second-place finish in race five. Ireland’s Eve McMahon was the dominant fleet champion with 14 Net Points.
Under their joint agreement, the two transatlantic partners are to consider ring-fencing their steel, aluminium and derivative products made from the metals from overcapacity
International News via Reuters:
The European Commission is pressing the United States to remove tariffs on products made from steel as Brussels seeks to advance parts of the EU-U.S. tariff deal that have yet to enter force, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday.
Under their joint agreement, the two transatlantic partners are to consider ring-fencing their steel, aluminium and derivative products made from the metals from overcapacity, with 50% U.S. tariffs possibly replaced by tariff-free or low-tariff quotas.
The Commission, which oversees trade policy on behalf of the 27-nation EU, believes it has fulfilled its side of the bargain with its proposal to hike its tariffs for steel to 50%, halve current quotas and be clearer on where steel originates.
The proposal, which still needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament, had “very similar” contours to the approach the U.S. wanted to protect its domestic steel industry from overcapacity, Sefcovic said.
“Once we are protecting our markets in a very similar way, it’s time to discuss the steel derivatives, because I think that we should stop the practice where we have to calculate how much steel is in the fridge or dishwasher,” he told a news conference at the end of an EU trade ministers meeting in Denmark.
He added he had proposed this in a letter to his U.S. counterparts.
U.S. tariffs are not just limited to steel and aluminium themselves, but extend to a range of ‘derivative’ products made from the metals.
In August, the U.S. added 407 product categories to its list of derivative products, with a 50% tariff on the steel and aluminium content, plus the universal rate on the non-metal content – for the EU, at 15%.
The product categories include wind turbines, bulldozers, railcars, motorcycles, automotive exhaust systems, refrigerators, freezers and dryers.
Reporting by Philip BlenkinsopEditing by Mark Potter
The Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) has announced the reappointment of veteran administrator Jon Beard as Chef de Mission for Team Bermuda at the XXV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2026.
The Games will run from July 24 to August 8, 2026, marking the centennial celebration of the multi-sport event.
This is Beard’s third appointment to the prestigious leadership role, following his successful tenures at the 2018 and 2022 CAC Games.
BOA President Peter Dunne praised the decision, stating: “His experience, leadership, and dedication to our athletes were evident in El Salvador, and we have every confidence he will once again lead Team Bermuda with distinction.”
Mr. Beard, who will oversee all operational aspects and athlete welfare for the delegation, called the role “an honour,” and committed to ensuring athletes have the necessary support to “perform at their best while proudly representing Bermuda.”
Statement by Maurice Foley, a community advocate and former Senator for the One Bermuda Alliance:
It’s a familiar sight on our roads: a small group of teenagers on electric bikes, swerving through traffic, overtaking cars, and laughing as they disappear around a bend. To some, it may look harmless — just kids having fun. But one wrong turn, one moment of overconfidence, and that laughter could be replaced by sirens.
Recently, a video circulated online showing young teens racing down a main road on e-bikes. The caption read: “There’s going to be a serious accident at some point.”
That statement should stop every one of us in our tracks because it’s true, and it could involve someone we know.
Under the Auxiliary Bicycles Act 1954, no one under 16 is legally permitted to ride an e-bike on Bermuda’s roads. Those aged 16 to 18 must hold a youth license, cannot carry passengers, and are restricted from riding between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Helmets are mandatory under the Motor-Cycles and Auxiliary Bicycles (Special Measures of Control) Act 1953. These rules exist not to punish, but to protect. Yet every day, we see underage and unlicensed riders breaking them; often on high-powered bikes capable of reaching motorcycle speeds.
Parents and guardians who allow this may not realise the risks they are taking until it is too late. None of us want to receive that phone call—the one that begins with, “There’s been an accident.”
The responsibility doesn’t stop at enforcement; it begins with all of us. Retailers and importers of e-bikes must ensure that no one under 16 is permitted to test, purchase, or be the intended rider. Every sale should come with a signed agreement confirming that the buyer understands the legal age requirements and will ensure only licensed riders use the bike. Just as liquor stores must verify age and pharmacies must confirm prescriptions, e-bike dealers should be held accountable for confirming that their products will not end up in the hands of minors.
This is not about blame; it’s about shared responsibility. If we all take ownership, from parents to sellers to law enforcement, we can prevent tragedy before it happens because what begins as fun can end in heartbreak.
The Road Traffic Act 1947 makes it a criminal offense to ride recklessly or dangerously, overtaking on blind corners, speeding, or riding without due care. These are not minor infractions. If a young person is seriously injured, or worse, if they injure someone else, the consequences can last a lifetime.
E-bikes are not toys. They are motorised vehicles and that means they carry real power and real danger when mishandled.
The Bermuda Police Service and the Road Safety Council have both warned about this rising issue, but enforcement alone will not solve it. Education and awareness must work hand in hand with the law. Project Ride exists to prepare young people for the road, yet too many are not participating. Parents must take an active role, schools can reinforce the message, and the police must intervene when minors are caught riding illegally.
While the laws are clear, what’s less visible is consistent enforcement. Many in our community are unsure whether e-bike regulations are being applied with the same seriousness as those for motor vehicles. The result is a growing perception that riders can operate with little oversight. This perception alone undermines respect for the law and fuels unsafe behavior. Our enforcement agencies need the tools, resources, and public backing to ensure that every rider regardless of age or bike type, is held to the same standard of safety and responsibility.
We should also have an honest conversation as a community about how we’ve become too comfortable with what we call “just bad habits.”
The reality is that one bad habit on a 50 + kilometre-per-hour e-bike can end a young life.
Imagine for a moment if the rider in that video was your child, your cousin, or your neighbour. Would you still think of it as harmless? Would you still shrug it off as “just kids being kids”?
Electric mobility is part of Bermuda’s future and a promising one at that. E-bikes can reduce congestion, lower emissions, and make travel more affordable. But without structure, accountability, and respect for the law, they can just as easily become a public hazard. We must update our legislation to distinguish between pedal-assist commuter bikes and high-powered motorized ones, while maintaining strict age and safety requirements.
But more than anything, we must change our mindset. Safety is not just a rule; it’s a culture. It’s the decision to value life over convenience, responsibility over recklessness, and prevention over regret.
We cannot wait for another headline, another vigil, another life lost on Bermuda’s roads. The time to act is now. I urge the Ministry of Transport, the Bermuda Police Service, and the Road Safety Council to work together on a coordinated response that includes enforcement, education, and retail accountability.
And to parents, I say this with urgency: if your child is under 16, do not let them ride an e-bike. It is not just illegal, it could be the worst decision of your life.
Bermuda is too small to lose another young person to something so preventable. Let’s do what we can, while we still can.
Maurice Foley is a community advocate and former Senator for the One Bermuda Alliance.
The explosion occurred in Castel d’Azzano, near the city of Verona, overnight and caused the farmhouse to collapse, firefighters said
International News via Reuters:
An explosion at a farmhouse in northern Italy during a police raid killed three Carabinieri officers and injured 12 others, Italy’s fire service said on X on Tuesday.
The explosion occurred in Castel d’Azzano, near the city of Verona, overnight and caused the farmhouse to collapse, firefighters said. A woman was also injured and seven firefighters were taken to hospital for checks, they added.
Italian media reported that the officers were trying to carry out an eviction order and that the initial indications were that gas canisters had exploded in the building. The noise from the blast could be heard as far as five kilometres (3.1 miles) away.
Corriere della Sera reported that three siblings lived in the building and had been resisting attempts to evict them for several years.
“With deep sorrow I have learnt of the tragic passing of three Carabinieri. My condolences, and those of the government, go to the families of the victims,” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.
Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro, editing by Keith Weir
A presidency decree on Facebook said the 51-year-old Rajoelina had consulted with the leaders of the National Assembly and the upper house Senate, but the legality of his gambit was unclear
International News via Reuters:
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina said on Tuesday he had dissolved the lower house of parliament, escalating a standoff with youth-led protesters and the military that forced him to flee the island.
A presidency decree on Facebook said the 51-year-old Rajoelina had consulted with the leaders of the National Assembly and the upper house Senate, but the legality of his gambit was unclear.
In a defiant address from an undisclosed location on Monday evening, Rajoelina refused to step down despite weeks of Gen Z protests demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the army.
Rajoelina said he had been forced to move to a safe place because of threats to his life. An opposition official, a military source and a foreign diplomat told Reuters he had fled the country on Sunday aboard a French military plane.
In a separate post on X, Rajoelina said the decision to dissolve the national assembly, which would pave the way for new elections to be held in 60 days at the earliest, was “necessary to restore order” in Madagascar.
“The people must be heard once again. It’s time for the youth,” he said.
However, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly disputed it. “This decree is not legally valid … the president of the National Assembly says he was not consulted,” said Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who is also the assembly vice president.
ESCALATING DEMONSTRATIONS
The opposition has been trying to gather enough signatures to launch impeachment proceedings against Rajoelina in parliament, where the ruling coalition commands a majority.
Demonstrations erupted in the country on September 25 over water and power shortages and quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services.
The anger mirrored recent protests against ruling elites elsewhere, including Nepal and Morocco.
On Tuesday, at Antananarivo’s 13 May Square, along the main drag lined with palm trees and French colonial buildings, thousands of protesters danced, marched, sang songs and waved banners denouncing Rajoelina as a French stooge because of his dual citizenship and support from Madagascar’s former coloniser.
Many were waving Malagasy flags and the signature Gen Z protest banner of a skull and crossbones from the Japanese “One Piece” anime series.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that constitutional order must be preserved and that while France understood the grievances of the youth, they should not be exploited by military factions.
Rajoelina has appeared increasingly isolated after losing the support of CAPSAT, an elite unit which had helped him to seize power in a 2009 coup.
CAPSAT joined the protesters over the weekend, saying it would refuse to fire on them and escorting thousands of demonstrators in the main square of the capital Antananarivo.
It later said it was taking charge of the military and appointed a new army chief, prompting Rajoelina to warn on Sunday of an attempt to seize power.
The paramilitary gendarmerie and the police have since broken ranks with the president.
Madagascar, where the average age is less than 20, has a population of about 30 million, three-quarters of whom live in poverty. GDP per capita plunged 45% from the time of independence in 1960 to 2020, according to the World Bank.
Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary and Tim Cocks in Antananarivo and Giulia Paravicini in Nairobi; Writing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne
Kering owned Gucci was fined 119.7 million euros, Chloé 19.7 million euros and Loewe 18 million euros, highlighting growing regulatory scrutiny of luxury groups
International News via Reuters:
Gucci, Chloe and Loewe have been fined a total of 157 million euros ($182 million) by the European Union’s antitrust watchdog for fixing the resale prices of their retail partners.
Kering owned Gucci was fined 119.7 million euros, Chloé 19.7 million euros and Loewe 18 million euros, highlighting growing regulatory scrutiny of luxury groups.
“The three fashion companies interfered with their retailers’ commercial strategies by imposing restrictions on them, such as requiring them to not deviate from recommended retail prices; maximum discounts rates; and specific periods for sales,” the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Kering said the EU probe was resolved following a cooperation procedure with Gucci and the financial hit was provisioned in the group’s 2025 first-half results.
LVMH’s Loewe also confirmed the deal with the EU and pledged to operate “in strict compliance with antitrust laws”. LVMH is due to report third-quarter sales later.
Chloe, owned by Richemont said it was taking the matter “extremely seriously” and has stepped up its measures to ensure adherence to competition law since the investigation, which began in 2023.
The practices deprived retailers of pricing independence and reduced competition while protecting the brands’ own sales channels from retailer competition, the Commission said.
Brands including Armani, Dior, Loro Piana and recently Tod’s have also come under pressure from Italian authorities about alleged worker abuse in their supply chains.
Meanwhile, recent breaches of protected client data at some companies have added to regulatory problems facing the sector.
($1 = 0.8649 euros)
Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Alexander Smith
Update on the Ministry of Education’s School Transformation Plan
Amid some uncertainly about the future of education reform, Qian Dickinson today sat down with the Minister of Education, Crystal Caesar, to get the latest on the School Transformation Plan.
Whilst the focus has been mainly on the buildings, the School Transformation Plan includes ongoing work for Signature Learning Programmes and strengthening learning communities.
Five years have passed since the government began its educational reform … so have these programmes improved the quality of education and outcomes for students?
Fayaz Khan was last week convicted by a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court of a single count of making a threat to kill Farage in a TikTok video posted in October 2024
International News via Reuters:
An Afghan national was jailed for five years on Tuesday after he was found guilty of making a threat to kill Nigel Farage, the leader of the populist Reform UK party which leads opinion polls in Britain.
Fayaz Khan was last week convicted by a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court of a single count of making a threat to kill Farage in a TikTok video posted in October 2024.
The latest outlook from the IEA, which advises industrialised countries, expands its prediction of a 2026 surplus from about 3.3 million bpd last month
International News via Reuters:
The world oil market faces an even bigger surplus next year of as much as 4 million barrels per day as OPEC+ producers and rivals lift output and demand remains sluggish, the International Energy Agency predicted on Tuesday.
The latest outlook from the IEA, which advises industrialised countries, expands its prediction of a 2026 surplus from about 3.3 million bpd last month. A surplus of 4 million bpd would be equal to almost 4% of world demand, and is much larger than other analysts’ predictions.
OPEC+ is adding more crude to the market after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other allies decided to unwind some output cuts more rapidly than earlier scheduled. The extra supply is adding to fears of a glut and weighing on oil prices this year.
IEA LIFTS OUTLOOK FOR SUPPLY, TRIMS DEMAND FORECAST
In the IEA’s view, supply is rising far faster than demand. This year, it expects supply to rise by 3.0 million bpd, up from 2.7 million bpd previously. Next year, supply will rise by a further 2.4 million bpd, it said.
The agency on Tuesday also trimmed its forecast for world demand growth this year to 710,000 bpd, down 30,000 bpd from the previous forecast, citing a more challenging economic backdrop.
“Oil use will remain subdued over the remainder of 2025 and in 2026, resulting in annual gains forecast at around 700,000 barrels per day in both years,” the IEA said in a monthly report.
“This is well below historical trend, as a harsher macro climate and transport electrification make for a sharp deceleration in oil consumption growth.”
IEA demand forecasts are at the lower end of the industry range, as the agency expects a faster transition to renewable energy sources than some other forecasters such as OPEC.
On Monday OPEC maintained its forecast that demand will rise by 1.3 million bpd this year, almost double the rate expected by the IEA, and said the world economy was doing well.
Oil prices declined on Tuesday, with Brent crude trading just below $62 a barrel. That was still up from a 2025 low of near $58 in April.
GLUT LOOMS
The IEA has been saying the world market looks oversupplied. Tuesday’s report said global oil supply in September was up by 5.6 million bpd from a year ago, with OPEC+ accounting for 3.1 million bpd of the increase.
In a sign of extra supply heading to the market, the IEA said the amount of oil currently seaborne in September rose by 102 million barrels, which it called the largest increase since the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to surging Middle East production.
As well as OPEC+, supply growth next year will also come from outside producers such as the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Guyana, the IEA said.
The IEA’s view on the potential surplus is larger than that of others. A Reuters poll of analysts in September suggested the market could face an oversupply of 1.6 million bpd in 2026.
OPEC, in contrast, expects world oil supply to closely match demand next year, because it sees a much slower rate of expansion from outside OPEC+ as well as stronger demand.
Reporting by Alex Lawler; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Jan Harvey
Under the proposals being considered, UK asset managers would be able to create crypto tokens representing shares in their funds, using public blockchains like Ethereum
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s financial regulator set out plans on Tuesday to encourage asset managers to “tokenise” their funds on blockchain, in a move aimed at attracting younger investors.
Under the proposals being considered, UK asset managers would be able to create crypto tokens representing shares in their funds, using public blockchains like Ethereum. Until now, funds had only been able to use private blockchains.
Tokenisation – the process of creating blockchain-based versions of financial assets – has seen a revival of interest this year, helped by rising crypto prices and U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the crypto industry. Proponents say it can improve efficiency and cut the costs of fund management.
BRITAIN SEEKING A BIGGER ROLE IN CRYPTO
“Tokenisation has the potential to drive fundamental changes in asset management, with benefits for the industry and consumers,” Simon Walls, executive director of markets at Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority, said in a statement launching a consultation on the plans.
The move is the latest sign of Britain’s push to promote digital assets. The country’s finance ministry last month announced plans to co-operate with the U.S. on crypto.
The FCA also sought feedback on whether to allow stablecoins – crypto assets that are pegged to a fiat currency – to be used as settlement for the funds.
In a press briefing, Nike Trost, interim director buy-side at the FCA, acknowledged that the benefits could take a while to materialise, as firms take time to upgrade their technology.
The watchdog said it was minded to act as technology was driving changes in consumer expectations around investing. Almost half (47%) of the users of trading apps are aged 18-34, the FCA said, and such apps typically sell low-cost investments in shares, or fractions of them, rather than funds.
The regulator said the possibility of allowing regulated funds to invest in cryptocurrencies would be considered in a future review.
Reporting by Phoebe Seers. Additional reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft. Editing by Mark Potter
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