St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are underway at various locations across the island, and Flanagan’s Irish Pub is marking the occasion in true Irish fashion.
Bermuda’s only Irish pub and restaurant, Flanagan’s is welcoming guests for festive food, drinks, and entertainment.
We spoke to management and staff, who encouraged people to join the festivities.
Government hails tax relief, cost of living mitigations, debt reduction
Last night, the House of Assembly approved the 2026/2027 National Budget, delivering meaningful tax & fee reductions for workers and families while continuing to invest in services and infrastructure that support Bermuda’s future.
The Budget emphasises three main priorities: reducing daily expenses, putting more money in workers’ pockets, and continuing to invest in Bermuda’s infrastructure.
Key measures in the 2026/2027 Budget include:
Premier and Minister of Finance, The Hon. David Burt, JP, MP said, “This Budget reflects our commitment to making life better for every Bermudian. It is focused on easing the cost-of-living pressures many Bermudians are feeling. It lowers taxes for workers, reduces everyday costs, and continues investing in our infrastructure while expanding the public services that serve our community.”
The Premier also reiterated, “The Government’s view that economic progress must translate into real benefits for the people of Bermuda. Our goal is simple: when Bermuda’s economy grows, Bermudians should feel that progress in their everyday lives. This Budget offers practical relief today while continuing to build a stronger and more secure future for our country.”
The Government thanks Members of Parliament for their input during the Budget debate and looks forward to implementing the measures included in the 2026/2027 Budget over the coming year.
If you were tasked with reducing gang violence, where would you focus your efforts?
When Kendal Trott posed the question on the streets of Hamilton, the answers were mixed – watch the video above.
Since September 2025, the United States military has carried out a series of strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific against suspected drug vessels
International News via Reuters:
The United States military has so far killed 157 alleged members or affiliates of drug organizations in 45 strikes against drug trafficking vessels in the Western Hemisphere, a senior U.S. defense official said on Tuesday.
Since September 2025, the United States military has carried out a series of strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific against suspected drug vessels.
The lethal strikes are part of a broader campaign that the Trump administration says is aimed at cutting off the supply of illegal drugs. Legal experts and Democratic lawmakers have questioned the legality of the strikes.
In a written statement to lawmakers, Joseph Humire, a senior Pentagon official responsible for homeland defense and Americas security affairs, said 47 “narco-trafficking vessels” had been destroyed in the strikes so far.
Humire said the strikes had a “significant and profound” impact, including a 20% reduction in the movement of drug vessels in the Caribbean and a 25% reduction in the Eastern Pacific.
While the United States has put out videos after most of the strikes on social media, it has provided few other details, such as what type of drugs the vessels were carrying, how much or details about those killed.
Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Sharon Singleton
Britain’s Labour government has sought a reset with the EU and has become more forthright in its criticism of the cost of Brexit, while maintaining its red lines on not rejoining the bloc’s single market or customs union
International News via Reuters:
Finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Tuesday that Britain wanted to align more closely with the EU on business regulations and would boost funding for quantum computing and artificial intelligence in a bid to generate elusive economic growth.
Britain’s Labour government has sought a reset with the EU and has become more forthright in its criticism of the cost of Brexit, while maintaining its red lines on not rejoining the bloc’s single market or customs union.
Setting out closer EU ties as one of three pillars of her economic plans, Reeves said Britain would align with EU rules where this served the national interest, and while regulatory autonomy may be needed in some areas, “that should be the exception, not the norm.”
“When the economic gains exceed the cost, the trade-off is worth making,” Reeves said in a speech at the Bayes Business School in London.
REEVES SAYS EU, AI AND REGIONAL GROWTH ARE KEY
Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to reduce post-Brexit barriers to trade and cooperation with the EU, though he has ruled out rejoining the single market. Talks are instead focused on regulation and freer movement for young people.
Reeves said that “no partnership is more important than that between the UK and our European neighbours,” and that she was prepared to “make and win the political argument” for alignment.
“I believe absolutely that closer alignment is the right course for our country: a course chosen as a sovereign nation.”
Reeves and Starmer pledged before the 2024 election to accelerate Britain’s sluggish economy, but growth remains weak and could falter further due to fallout from the conflict in the Middle East.
Reeves said decisions taken in her first two budgets had left Britain better placed to face the latest economic shock, but argued the state needed to play a more active, strategic role in supporting future industries.
She said the government would spend up to 1 billion pounds ($1.33 billion) on powerful quantum machines capable of working on multiple possible solutions simultaneously, speeding innovation in areas such as medical diagnostics, greenhouse gas monitoring and secure communications.
Pitching to AI firms, Reeves said the 500 million‑pound “Sovereign AI Fund,” announced last year, would be launched in April to help British artificial intelligence companies.
She added that the government would consider giving regions greater control over tax revenues and would back new rail and housing projects in the arc between Oxford and Cambridge, using compulsory land purchases if necessary.
($1 = 0.7514 pounds)
Reporting by William Schomberg, Alistair Smout, Muvija M, Sarah Young, David Milliken and William James; editing by William James and Ros Russell
The Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) has unveiled a star-studded entry list for the Montería 2026 Pan American Road Championship, with Bermuda’s elite trio ready to challenge the continent’s heavyweights.
Getting underway today in the capital of Córdoba, Colombia, the event features 350 cyclists from 29 nations. Elite, under-23, and junior categories will battle for titles in the individual time trial and road race modalities through March 22nd.
Bermuda’s hopes rest on a high-performance select group. Gabriella Arnold flies the flag in the Elite Women’s field, while Nicholas Narraway and Kaden Hopkins spearhead the Elite Men’s challenge. Both Narraway and Hopkins have enjoyed a stellar rise through the European ranks and are viewed as genuine contenders in the time trial—a discipline where they have previously excelled at the regional level.
Beyond the prestige of a Pan American title, riders are chasing vital UCI ranking points, the primary gateway for qualification into future World Championships and global games.
Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, is the first senior official in Trump’s administration to resign over the conflict, now in its third week
International News via Reuters:
A top security official in U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration resigned over the war in Iran on Tuesday, saying the country had posed no imminent threat to the United States.
Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, is the first senior official in Trump’s administration to resign over the conflict, now in its third week.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful lobby,” Kent wrote in a letter posted to social media.
Some experts have said an imminent threat would be required for the United States to launch a war under the international law of war.
Kent and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the counterterrorism center, also did not immediately respond.
KENT KNOWN FOR OPPOSING MILITARY INTERVENTIONS
Kent has long been known for his “America First” beliefs and has said he opposes U.S. military interventions abroad.
Still, the announcement came as a surprise, one U.S. official said.
Kent is close with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has kept a low profile since the Iran war began.
Gabbard has not issued any public statements and has only appeared in public during the dignified transfer of American soldiers killed earlier this month during the conflict with Iran.
The National Intelligence Council, which is overseen by Gabbard’s office, issued several assessments both before and after the U.S. strikes began that highlighted the risks of U.S. intervention.
Those reports indicated the Iranian government was unlikely to collapse and Iran would likely retaliate against U.S. outposts in the region and Gulf allies, as Reuters previously reported.
Kent has been criticized by Democrats for his associations with far-right figures, and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said he should never have been confirmed to head the counterterrorism office.
“But on this point, he is right: There was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice,” Warner said in a statement.
Last year, Kent pushed intelligence analysts to rework an assessment on Tren De Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, that did not support the White House’s argument that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was directing its operations. The administration had portrayed the gang as a security threat to justify its immigration crackdown.
Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Susan Heavey, Phil Stewart, Erin Banco, Idrees Ali and Jarrett Renshaw, editing by Andy Sullivan, Michelle Nichols, Rod Nickel
Trump, speaking at a White House event on Monday, said he had spoken to Macron, giving him an “8 out of 10” score on his stance towards getting allies to unblock the Strait of Hormuz
International News via Reuters:
President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday France would never take part in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back on comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that Paris was willing to help.
Trump, speaking at a White House event on Monday, said he had spoken to Macron, giving him an “8 out of 10” score on his stance towards getting allies to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and suggested Macron would join U.S.-backed efforts.
“We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,” Macron said at the start of a cabinet meeting to discuss the conflicts in the Middle East.
France has been pushing on with its own efforts to put together a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz once the security situation stabilises and without a U.S. role, French officials have said.
FRANCE WORKING ON POST-WAR COALITION
“We are convinced that once the situation has calmed down —and I deliberately use this term broadly — once the situation has calmed down, that is to say, once the main bombing has ceased, we are ready, along with other nations, to assume responsibility for the escort system,” Macron said.
European states have been largely sidelined as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has escalated, with Iran carrying out strikes against Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states.
But with shipping lanes affected and the conflict pushing up oil prices, European powers are trying to work out how to defend their interests.
France has already been consulting with European, Asian, including India, and Gulf Arab states over the past week with a view to putting together a plan for warships eventually to escort tankers and commercial ships through the strait, officials have said.
“But this is a complex undertaking, involving political and technical aspects, obviously with all stakeholders in maritime transport, including insurers and operational personnel, that we must build,” he said.
“This work will require discussions and de-escalation with Iran,” he said.
TRUMP CALLS REJECTED
Trump called on nations to help police the strait after Iran responded to U.S.-Israeli attacks by using drones, missiles and mines to effectively close the channel for tankers that normally transport a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.
Several U.S. allies had already rebuffed Trump on the proposal.
“We are dissociating our actions from the United States and Israeli operations. The US is conducting an operation in which we’re not involved in any way. We are acting independently of the Americans,” a French military official said.
“We’re excluding any involvement of our assets in an attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force. Any potential mission to protect the Strait of Hormuz would require a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities, as well as prior negotiations with Iran. It would necessarily be international and joint,” the official said.
The European Union’s main naval activities in the region centre on Aspides, a Red Sea mission launched in 2024 to guard vessels from attack by Iran-aligned Houthis. EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday not to extend that mission beyond its current mandate.
Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Editing by William Maclean
Bermuda’s Miles Outerbridge delivered a blistering performance at the New Balance Indoor Nationals this weekend, claiming a bronze medal in the Boys 200m as the elite indoor season reached its climax in Boston.
The sophomore standout, representing Florida’s prestigious Montverde Academy, went toe-to-toe with the fastest high school athletes in the United States at the state-of-the-art TRACK at New Balance. Outerbridge’s weekend was a testament to his rising stock on the international stage, highlighted by a superb podium finish in the Boys 200m Championship. Clocking a time of 21.14 seconds, he secured third place overall in a final decided by mere fractions of a second.
Outerbridge’s speed was not limited to the one-lap event. Earlier in the meet, he navigated the high-velocity Boys 60m Championship, advancing through the preliminary rounds into the national final. In a field of explosive starters, he stopped the clock in 6.81 seconds to finish 7th in the country, further cementing his status as one of the region’s premier young speedsters.
Bermuda’s female contingent also left their mark on the national leaderboards. Arima Turner and Amaris Munya joined forces with teammates Jizelle Holland and Angelica Wolfe for the Girls 1600m Sprint Medley Relay Championship.
The quartet produced a gritty and disciplined performance, finishing 12th overall with a time of 4:06.50. The result carries significant weight on the national stage, ranking the Montverde squad as US #17 for the season, proving they can mix it with the very best collegiate-bound talent in the United States.
In the individual distance events, Amaris Munya faced a massive field in the Girls 800m Championship. Competing against over 200 runners, Munya battled through the congested heats to record a time of 2:22.93, finishing 203rd. While the middle-distance specialist continues to build her tactical awareness, the experience of competing in a national championship environment provides a solid foundation for the upcoming outdoor representative season.
As the indoor circuit closes, the focus for the Montverde trio now shifts toward the spring, where they will look to translate their Boston success into further qualifying standards for the major Caribbean and international championships.
Bermudian equestrian Blaire Crews delivered a masterclass in consistency this weekend, securing a string of top-five finishes at the prestigious Ocala Winter Spectacular IX in Florida.
Competing in a high-stakes WCHR event at the World Equestrian Center, Crews formed a formidable partnership with her horse, Cayden. The duo found immediate success in the novice jumping divisions, claiming a brilliant second place in the .90m II.1 class before backing it up with a third-place podium finish in the II.2d variant.
As the technical difficulty increased, Crews remained unfazed. She secured fifth place in the .95m Junior Classic and showcased her versatility by placing ninth in the 2’6″ Non-Pro Derby.
The weekend concluded with a test of poise in the 3’3″ Jump Seat Medal, where Crews navigated a massive field of 24 entries aboard Gentley to finish a respectable 11th. These results mark a significant step forward in her developmental campaign against elite international competition.
The pristine waters of Bermuda provided a dramatic theatre for the next generation of sailing talent this week as the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association concluded its grueling selection trials.
Over four days and twelve intense races, the island’s elite young sailors battled shifting winds and high-pressure tactical scenarios to secure their spots for the upcoming World, European, and South American Championships.
The regatta was defined by relentless consistency, but it was Thomas McBain who ultimately rose to the occasion to be crowned overall champion. McBain demonstrated exceptional poise, navigating the technical challenges to finish at the summit of the podium. He was pushed to the limit by Rex Henagulph, who secured a well-deserved second place, while Heath Meyers rounded out the top three after a resilient display of tactical grit.
Beyond the overall title, Elaine Jones delivered a standout performance to be named Top Female sailor, while Mason Portelli emerged victorious in the highly competitive Mid-Fleet division. As the focus shifts to the international stage, this newly formed elite squad now prepares to carry Bermuda’s proud sailing legacy across three continents.
David Rogers has been named by Opposition Leader Ben Smith as the newest Opposition Senator for the One Bermuda Alliance.
Mr Rogers ran as the OBA candidate in Constituency 14, Devonshire North West, in the February 2025 General Election. Raised in Devonshire, he spent his formative years living in Sousa Estate, where he continues to reside.
His upbringing was shaped by a strong sense of community and service, instilled by his parents. His father, Pastor David Rogers, serves as a Seventh-day Adventist minister, while his mother, Dr. Joan Rogers, dedicated her career to public service in Human Resources, tourism, and the police service.
Mr Rogers attended Bermuda Institute, where his passion for the sciences and healthcare first emerged. This interest led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science at Andrews University in Michigan. Later, he expanded his expertise by earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Stuttgart in Germany.
Throughout his career, Mr Rogers has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Bermuda’s healthcare sector. Starting as a summer student in the hospital laboratory, he gained hands-on experience in transfusion and haematology before becoming a Medical Group Underwriter. He went on to serve as the Clinical Laboratory Manager at Hope Healthcare Laboratory and later contributed to the Bermuda Health Council as a Policy Analyst and Project Manager.
His diverse professional background equips Mr Rogers with a unique perspective and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing Bermuda today. His deep passion for healthcare and reform makes him exceptionally qualified to lead efforts to improve the health and well-being of all Bermudians.
The new Senator shares he felt compelled to get into politics because of his experience in and his passion for, healthcare provision.
“Our healthcare system is clearly struggling and needs urgent focus, to ensure meaningful care is provided to all our people in need.”
Opposition Leader Ben Smith expressing his pleasure with Senator Rogers stepping forward to improve Bermuda.
“David adds yet further bench strength to the OBA team, bringing a particular and additional expertise with his considerable understanding of the health care sector, and the reform needed.”
Mr Rogers is keen to dig into his new role: “I accept this appointment with humility and a strong sense of responsibility, and I am honoured to serve Bermuda in this capacity.
“My background in healthcare, along with the many conversations I have had with the residents of Constituency 14, has reinforced the importance of strengthening our island’s healthcare system and addressing the very real challenges facing families across Bermuda.
“I look forward to contributing thoughtfully to the work of the Senate and working in the best interests of all Bermudians.”
David Rogers is replacing OBA Senator Dion Smith, who resigned from the Upper House due to work commitments.
The Opposition Leader thanking former Senator Smith for his service: “I am truly thankful for the work that he has done and the passion he brings to helping Bermudians. I look forward to the continued efforts he will give to his constituents and working towards his ideas of how to improve cyber safety for seniors.”
