Divine delivers determined performance at Assen
Bermudian motorcycle racer Aeziah Divine showcased grit and determination at the iconic TT Circuit Assen, as he navigated a weekend of challenging weather and on-track battles at the R&G British Talent Cup in the Netherlands.
Divine, starting from 18th on the grid in the opening race, was involved in an early incident but remained focused on pushing through the pack. His charge was cut short by a red flag due to rain, with the race being declared early and Divine classified in 16th place. “We had some good battles,” he said, reflecting on his effort.
The second race proved to be more successful for the young rider. Despite the wet and windy conditions, Divine executed his plan perfectly, making a significant number of passes in the opening lap. “I had a strong first few laps, pushing hard to stay with the second group,” Divine stated.
He continued to make impressive progress, climbing six positions to reach tenth by the eighth lap, before another red flag ended the race early. With the final results taken from the previous lap, Divine was officially classified in a solid 12th place.
Divine credited his team, Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing, for their support, and said the hard work is paying off. “The hard work is starting to pay off with another great step forward,” he concluded.
Bermudian basketball prospect Scott narrows college choices
One of the most sought-after talents in the 2026 basketball recruiting class, Bermudian wing Ralph Scott, is one step closer to making his college decision. The 6-foot-7 standout has narrowed his choices to four elite programmes, removing Syracuse from his list of considerations.
Scott, who has seen his stock rise dramatically over the summer, is now focused on Purdue, Tennessee, Houston, and Texas A&M. The IMG Academy product is celebrated for his sharpshooting and versatility, making him a perfect fit for the schemes of these top-tier programmes.
Purdue offers a disciplined, fundamental approach under coach Matt Painter, where Scott’s outside shooting would be a valuable asset. Tennessee, led by veteran coach Rick Barnes, would look to develop Scott as a defensive-minded wing in their physical system.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars, known for their fierce defence, see Scott’s size and length as a key component to their high-intensity style. The final contender, Texas A&M, would integrate Scott into Buzz Williams’s up-tempo and aggressive offensive philosophy.
A decision from the highly-coveted recruit is expected in the coming weeks.
‘Stay out of the water’
Red flag at Horseshoe Bay as rip currents remain dangerous
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment is advising the public to exercise caution as Hurricane Gabrielle, now moving away from the island, continues to generate dangerous ocean conditions around Bermuda.
At Horseshoe Bay today, a red flag was raised to signal the highest hazard level. Lifeguards remain on duty until 6:00 p.m. and will resume their normal schedule tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Officials strongly warn against entering the water, particularly along south- and east-facing shores, where rough surf and rip currents pose serious risks. Spectators are urged to admire the seas only from a safe distance.
Forecasts suggest conditions will gradually improve tomorrow, at which point high-surf warning signage will be reassessed. The public is encouraged to continue monitoring updates from the Bermuda Weather Service.
“The Ministry thanks the public for their cooperation and urges everyone to prioritise safety at this time,” the statement concluded.
J&J to withdraw acid reflux device from certain markets
The company has decided to withdraw the product, called LINX Reflux Management System, in certain countries
International News via Reuters:
Johnson & Johnson said on Tuesday it will withdraw a device to treat acid reflux disease from certain markets, citing commercial reasons.
The company has decided to withdraw the product, called LINX Reflux Management System, in certain countries “following a thorough evaluation of market conditions and ability to effectively serve each market,” a J&J spokesperson said.
There is no change in the safety or efficacy of the device, the spokesperson said.
The company did not immediately specify which countries it plans to exit, and whether this would exclude the U.S.
Bloomberg News reported earlier in the day that J&J would withdraw the device from markets outside the U.S. by the end of March, citing a company letter sent to doctors.
The device is approved for patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which the stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the food pipe.
LINX is a flexible ring of small magnets placed around a band of muscles located at the base of the esophagus to help keep them closed to prevent reflux, according to the company.
Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D’Souza and Leroy Leo
Heineken to buy FIFCO businesses for $3.2 billion in Central America push
Heineken will gain ownership of Costa Rica’s century-old Imperial beer brand through the deal, as well as a soft drink business with its own brands and a PepsiCo bottling licence
International News via Reuters:
Dutch brewer Heineken will buy the beverage and retail businesses of Costa Rica’s Florida Ice and Farm Company for $3.2 billion in cash, it said late on Monday, boosting its presence across Central America.
Heineken will gain ownership of Costa Rica’s century-old Imperial beer brand through the deal, as well as a soft drink business with its own brands and a PepsiCo bottling licence.
South and Central American regions have become increasingly attractive for leading brewers such as Heineken and Anheuser-Busch InBev in the face of slowing sales volumes in Europe and the United States.
The deal will unlock growth opportunities and enable Heineken to enter “new profit pools” across Central America, said Chief Executive Dolf van den Brink.
Heineken will buy the 75% of Distribuidora La Florida – FIFCO’s beverage, food and retail division – that it does not already own, including more than 300 outlets in Costa Rica, as well as operations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
The deal also includes 75% of Nicaragua Brewing Holding, the 25% of Heineken Panama it did not already own plus full ownership of FIFCO’s non-beer business in Mexico.
The company began its partnership with FIFCO in 1986 and has held a 25% stake in Distribuidora La Florida since 2002.
“This is a strategically sensible acquisition to us, though the price paid seems high,” said RBC Capital analyst James Edwardes Jones.
The transaction, which is expected to complete in the first half of 2026, will provide an immediate boost to Heineken’s operating margin and earnings per share before exceptional items, the company said.
Heineken expects its net debt to increase by 3.2 billion euros ($3.77 billion) after the deal. Net debt stood at almost 15.5 billion euros at the end of June.
FIFCO, which makes beers, wines, non-alcoholic beverages and food, manages five production plants and 13 distribution centres across Central America, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and the United States. It exports to more than 10 countries.
($1 = 0.8478 euros)
Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi in Bengaluru and Emma Rumney in LondonEditing by Alan Barona and David Goodman
Phillips retires Injured from All-American Championships
Tennis player Daniel Phillips has been forced to retire from the 2025 ITA Men’s All-American Championships after sustaining an injury during his third-round match.
Phillips, representing Tulane University, was facing off against Carl Roothman from Liberty University when the match was cut short. After dropping the first set 7-5, Phillips was trailing 3-0 in the second when he made the difficult decision to withdraw.
The retirement brings an unfortunate end to what had been an impressive campaign for Phillips, who had advanced to the third round after a straight-sets victory in his previous match. While the nature and extent of the injury have not been confirmed, the early exit is a disappointing blow for the young player, who had been showcasing strong form throughout the tournament.
ECB’s Cipollone eyes 2029 for digital euro launch
Cipollone said the European Parliament, the European Council and the executive European Commission may have their respective positions ready by May
International News via Reuters:
The European Central Bank eyes 2029 as a realistic timeline for launching a digital euro, essentially an online payment wallet backed by the central bank, ECB board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday.
Cipollone said the European Parliament, the European Council and the executive European Commission may have their respective positions ready by May, after which they will start joint work on legislation. Once that is in place, the ECB will need between 2-1/2 and three years to launch the currency.
He was speaking at Bloomberg’s Future of Finance event.
Reporting By Francesco CanepaEditing by Gareth Jones
UK to ease path to ‘bring talent’ after Trump visa move, Reeves says
Trump on Friday announced a steep hike in the cost of the H1-B visa programme for skilled workers, long a recruitment pathway for tech firms
International News via Reuters:
Britain will ease the routes to bring high-skilled workers into the country, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said on Tuesday, contrasting the UK as a place open for business with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to hike fees for visas.
Trump on Friday announced a steep hike in the cost of the H1-B visa programme for skilled workers, long a recruitment pathway for tech firms.
Reeves told an audience at the opening of UK fintech firm Revolut’s new headquarters in London that unlike Trump who had announced his government “will make it harder to bring talent to the U.S., we want to make it easier to bring talent”.
Global companies such as banks say London’s success as a financial centre depends in part on an openness to attracting high-skilled workers.
Reporting by Tommy Reggiori WilkesEditing by Peter Graff
Ebbin and Tulane sail to Sugar Bowl victory
Bermudian sailor Christian Ebbin and his Tulane University teammates have secured their second consecutive win at the Sugar Bowl Open, in New Orleans, cementing their status as a formidable force in collegiate sailing.
The Tulane team dominated the competition, finishing with a total of 189 points across 14 races, a remarkable 37 points clear of second-place Stanford. The victory was spearheaded by the standout performance of skipper Hamilton Barclay and crew Taylor Bartell in the B Division, who amassed a best-in-competition score of just 37 points.
Ebbin contributed significantly to the success in the A Division. Sailing the first eight races alongside crew Sabrina Anderson, he helped the team to a third-place finish in their division. The A Division team, which also included skipper Tate Christopher and crew Hope Breslin, accumulated 71 points in total.
The Bermudian presence was strong at the event. Jordan Vieira and PJ Rodrigues, sailing for Eckerd College, also put in a solid showing, finishing in fourth place with 422 points. Rodrigues sailed the A Class boat, earning 107 points, while Vieira sailed the B Class boat, finishing with 125 points.
The result marks a strong start to the season for Tulane and highlights the continued success of Bermudian sailors on the international stage.
Company recognized for ‘fostering an inclusive culture’
KPMG in Bermuda recently achieved the Gold level of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation’s (BMHF) Mindful Employer Certification (MEC) programme. The Mindful Employer Certification Program, guides organizations through a structured process to build psychologically safe environments where employees can thrive. It provides employers with a roadmap to create supportive environments where employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work.
KPMG’s attainment of the Gold level reflects their dedication to fostering an inclusive culture, increasing mental health awareness, and implementing meaningful practices that support employee wellbeing. This achievement underscores their strong commitment to building a workplace that prioritizes mental health and psychological safety. KPMG is the 5th employer in Bermuda to achieve the Gold Standard Certification, marking an important milestone for the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation’s mission.
James Berry, Country Leader, said, “KPMG recognises that tackling mental health challenges requires global best practices and community collaboration to build a more accessible, stigma-free care system. We continue to move forward with initiatives that support mental wellness and prevention and supports dialogue. We currently have 13 Mental Health Allies, all of whom have completed the Mental Health First Aid Training through the Bermuda Hospitals Board, which further strengthens our commitment to fostering a supporting and informed workplace culture.”
KPMG’s efforts stand out for their focus on education, dialogue, and proactive support, equipping their people with tools to navigate challenges while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
“We commend KPMG for reaching the Gold level of the Mindful Employer Certification Program,” said James Macdonald, BMHF Board Chairman “Their leadership demonstrates how organizations can integrate mental health into the fabric of their business practices and contribute to a broader culture of care in Bermuda.”
“Prioritizing mental health and wellness at work boosts employee well-being, productivity, and retention, while reducing stress, absenteeism, and healthcare costs.” said Vaughn Mosher, Foundation Director and Mental Health & EAP Professional. “By investing in training and development programs that emphasize mental health, KPMG in Bermuda are equipping their employees with the skills and knowledge needed to foster a healthier and more productive work environment.” Mr. Mosher is an advisor and assessor for the Program, alongside fellow Director, Annie Richardson.
KPMG joins a growing community of certified employers in Bermuda who are taking actionable steps to reduce stigma and create workplaces that value mental wellbeing as a key component of success.
For more information about the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation and the Mindful Employer Certification, visitwww.bmhf.bm.
About Bermuda Mental Health Foundation/MEC Program
The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation is dedicated to supporting mental wellness in Bermuda through advocacy, education, and programs that empower employers and employees to create healthier, more resilient workplaces. The Mindful Employer Certification (MEC) Program is an initiative that seeks to challenge, highlight, and cultivate company cultures that put mental health as a workplace priority. The Mindful Employer Certification ensures that employers are in compliance with existing legislation while challenging them to develop, implement, or enhance sound policies and practices around mental health.
