52-year-old man remains in intensive care; police appeal for witnesses
Image credit: Bermuda Police Service
An investigation regarding the circumstances of a reported single vehicle motorcycle collision that resulted in the rider being hospitalised in critical condition is ongoing.
The injured motorcyclist, understood to be a 52-year-old Devonshire man, was apparently found lying on the roadway with serious head injuries, by members of the public who stopped to render assistance, near the roundabout at the junction of Barker’s Hill, Palmetto Road and North Shore Road, Devonshire around 3:35am Saturday, 31st January 2026.
He was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance and at last check, remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
Any witnesses to this collision are now encouraged to contact Constable Dragan Pavkovic by calling 211, or e-mailing dragan.pavkovic@bps.bm, as soon as possible.
The storm swept across the region early on Wednesday, with wind gusts topping 200 kph (124 mph) and heavy rain uprooting trees and ripping off roofs
International News via Reuters:
Last week’s Storm Kristin left hundreds of homes in central Portugal without roofs, tens of thousands without power and residents lining up for emergency building materials, as authorities warned damage could run into billions of euros.
The storm swept across the region early on Wednesday, with wind gusts topping 200 kph (124 mph) and heavy rain uprooting trees and ripping off roofs. It killed at least six people and cut power to hundreds of thousands of households.
“The roof blew off, all the windowpanes are broken, everything is chaos and misery,” said Paula Franco as she queued in Leiria for donated tiles to repair her home.
Portugal’s government on Sunday approved a 2.5 billion-euro ($2.95 billion) package of loans and incentives to help people and businesses rebuild after the storm.
The government could apply for grants from the European Solidarity Fund and unused EU recovery funds to finance reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said on Monday at a joint news conference with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
Leiria, one of Portugal’s main industrial hubs known for its plastics and metalworking industries, was among the hardest-hit areas.
Hundreds of houses, several roads, schools, factories and railway lines have been affected. At the Monte Real air base near Leiria, the storm damaged several aircraft, including F16 fighter jets.
Nearly 170,000 households were still without electricity on Monday, Graca Carvalho said.
Damage in the region could total between 1.5 billion euros and 2 billion euros, Henrique Carvalho, president of the Leiria Business Association, told broadcaster NOW.
The government on Sunday extended a state of calamity in 69 municipalities until February 8, with more heavy rain and flooding expected.
Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Miguel Pereira; editing by Charlie Devereux and Ros Russell
Late on Sunday, Mandelson left the Labour Party to prevent “further embarrassment”, after he was fired from his envoy role last year after revelations about his connections to the late convicted sex offender
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s former U.S. ambassador, Peter Mandelson, received money from Jeffrey Epstein and leaked a confidential government briefing to him, newly released files appeared to show, triggering calls on Monday for the police to investigate.
Late on Sunday, Mandelson left the Labour Party to prevent “further embarrassment”, after he was fired from his envoy role last year after revelations about his connections to the late convicted sex offender.
He said he had no recollection of any payments after the files appeared to show he had received donations of $25,000 from Epstein. The Financial Times said he received $75,000 in total.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Mandelson should be removed from parliament’s upper chamber.
MANDELSON COULD FACE FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS
Among the latest batch of documents released by the U.S. Justice Department, an email suggested Mandelson had shared a confidential government briefing with the financier.
The memo from an adviser to then-prime minister Gordon Brown, which was copied to Mandelson and others, discussed economic policy, including a recommendation that they should consider the sale of non-strategic assets to bring down debt.
Mandelson forwarded the email to Epstein saying “interesting note that’s gone to the PM”, with Epstein replying: “What saleable assets?”
Opposition politicians called on the police to investigate whether Mandelson, a minister in Labour’s 1997-2010 governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, had breached confidentiality rules.
Britain’s Metropolitan Police did not respond to a Reuters request asking whether they were considering opening an investigation.
Mandelson said in a letter to the Labour Party that he was sorry to be linked once again to the “understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein”.
But he said he believed that allegations about financial payments to him by Epstein were false and he would investigate.
Starmer’s spokesperson said on Monday Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords, parliament’s upper chamber that revises legislation, but added that the prime minister did not have the power to remove him.
“He (Starmer) is calling on those in the Lords to work with the government to modernise disciplinary procedures in the House to allow for the easier removal of Lords who have brought the House into disrepute,” the spokesperson said, adding that Starmer had instructed the cabinet secretary to review all available information regarding Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein.
REMOVING MANDELSON WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATION
Mandelson could choose to retire from the House of Lords but ousting him would require the government to pass legislation. He is currently on a leave of absence.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said on Monday it was right that he had quit the party and added that disciplinary action had already been underway prior to the resignation.
During the late 1990s, Mandelson, who was photographed in his underwear in the new Epstein files, played a central role in Labour’s electoral success as Blair became prime minister.
Mandelson, also a former European Union trade commissioner, came under scrutiny last year when U.S. lawmakers released documents including a letter in which he called Epstein “my best pal”, leading to his dismissal as Britain’s ambassador.
Mandelson had a turbulent earlier career in domestic politics. In 1998, he quit as trade minister over a loan he received from a fellow minister to buy a house following questions over conflict of interest.
A second stint in the cabinet also ended in resignation in 2001 over his alleged involvement in a passport scandal involving an Indian billionaire. He was later cleared of acting improperly.
Separately, Starmer said on Saturday that Britain’s former Prince Andrew should testify before a U.S. congressional committee following new revelations about his links to Epstein.
Writing by William Schomberg and Sarah Young, additional reporting by Sarah Young and Sam Tabahriti; editing by Chris Reese, Mark Heinrich and Ros Russell
The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) ignited its short-course calendar on Saturday with the first Winter SC Meet of 2026 at the BASA Pool. In a high-caliber morning of racing, elite senior talent and rising age-group stars combined to deliver a series of dominant performances that have set a high benchmark for the remainder of the season.
The headline act of the day came in the Men 15 and Over 100m Freestyle, where Sam Williamson demonstrated his class with a clinical 52.96-second victory. Williamson held off a spirited challenge from Logan Jones, who touched the wall in 54.95, while Jamie MacFarlane rounded out the podium with a time of 58.57.
In the senior women’s ranks, Emilia Dunkerley continued her impressive form to claim the 100m Freestyle title. Dunkerley stopped the clock at 1:06.84, narrowly edging out Lila Connolly, who finished in 1:07.63. Freya Lau secured the third spot with a resilient 1:11.80.
The age-group divisions featured equally compelling battles, none more so than the Girls 13-14 100m Freestyle. Elena Bortoli emerged victorious in 1:11.32, holding a steady lead over Lilian Collette and Evelyn Brogden, who recorded times of 1:13.08 and 1:15.37 respectively.
Distance specialist Noah Fulton took control of the longest event of the morning, winning the Men 15 and Over 400m Freestyle in 4:40.32. Fulton maintained a consistent tempo to finish well clear of Gianluca Bortoli, who claimed second place with a time of 4:56.54.
The backstroke events saw Axel Wernbo double up on success in the 15 and Over 100m discipline. Wernbo first clocked a rapid 1:05.02 and later returned to record a 1:08.40 in a subsequent heat, consistently keeping Joseph Lau at bay across both sessions. Lau proved to be Wernbo’s most persistent rival of the day, finishing with a solid 1:09.12.
David Maycock continues to set the pace in the race for a place in Team Bermuda, maintaining his lead after four grueling rounds of the 2026 National Championship and Selection Trials. In a high-stakes marathon of technical skill and endurance, Maycock has emerged as the man to beat, sitting at the summit of the seventeen-man field with a total of 4,783 pins.
The stakes could not be higher for the island’s elite bowlers, with qualification for the CAC Games in Santo Domingo and the IBF World Cup in Munich on the line. Maycock’s consistency has been the hallmark of his campaign so far. Despite navigating challenging professional oil patterns, he has showcased remarkable composure, headlined by a high game of 245. Even a low game of 144 was not enough to knock the leader off his stride as he looks to cement his national team status.
However, the chasing pack remains within striking distance. LeVinc Samuels sits in second place with a total pinfall of 4,693, keeping the pressure firmly on the leader. Samuels produced the highlight of the trials so far, firing a blistering 266—the highest single game recorded by the entire field. Like many in the field, he has had to weather the punishing lane conditions, which saw him record a low of 141 earlier in the week.
Veteran national squad member Lamar Richardson occupies the final podium spot with 4,646 pins. Richardson has relied on his vast experience to stay in the hunt, matching Maycock’s high game of 245 while successfully navigating a low of 146.
The marathon competition is set to reach its climax on February 8th, when the final national champion will be crowned. Beyond the medals, the top finishers will form the backbone of the Bermuda squad for an intensive international summer campaign.
Clarien Bank Limited (Clarien) today announced that it has entered into agreements to both acquire the Cayman Islands banking business of NCB Financial Group Limited (NCBFG) and expand its capabilities to include investment management services in the Cayman Islands, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
As part of an intra-group reorganisation within NCBFG, this will allow certain existing wealth management relationships that are currently managed by an affiliated company, NCB Capital Markets (Cayman) Limited, to be transitioned to the Clarien platform in a seamless and orderly manner. Clients will benefit from access to Clarien’s established banking and investment capabilities, and expertise as those already offered its clients in Bermuda.
In keeping with the plans of the transaction, NCB (Cayman) Limited will be rebranded under the Clarien name and brand identity, reinforcing Clarien’s regional presence and integrated private banking and wealth management offering in the Cayman Islands.
Importantly, the arrangements are designed to ensure continuity of service, with clients continuing to be supported by experienced teams familiar with their needs, while gaining access to an expanded suite of products and services.
Commenting on the planned transactions, Ian Truran, Chief Executive Officer of Clarien Bank Limited, said, “This marks an exciting new chapter for Clarien and a significant milestone in our growth journey. We have long recognised the Cayman Islands as a high-quality offshore market, and this expansion aligns closely with our core banking and wealth management strengths. We look forward to welcoming clients and colleagues from NCB (Cayman) Limited and NCB Capital Markets (Cayman) Limited, and we remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition while continuing to deliver the high standards of service, professionalism, and personalised care that define the Clarien experience.”
The Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) has seen three more of its young prospects secure their places for the upcoming regional showpiece following a clinical second track meet of the season. Competing at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium, athletes navigated perfect conditions to lay down early markers for the 2026 Carifta Games in Grenada.
BNAA President Jarita Vickers—recently elected to lead the association—hailed the “amazing day” for the island’s athletes, noting that the morning was particularly fruitful for those in the older age brackets. In the Under-17 Girls 100m, 15-year-old Amara Samuels produced a dominant performance to comfortably surpass the qualifying standard of 12.35 seconds, crossing the line in 12.14.
The field events provided further cause for celebration as Tatiana Sousa secured her spot in the Under-20 Girls Javelin. In her very first appearance of the season, Sousa launched a throw of 38.86m, moving well beyond the required benchmark of 37.00m. Vickers described the feat as “amazing” given that Sousa is a newcomer to the Under-20 category and has faced recent training disruptions.
Bermuda’s overseas contingent also made their presence felt at The Legends of Alachua County Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. Miles Outerbridge delivered a statement performance in the Men’s 200m, “smashing” the qualifying standard of 21.80 seconds by clocking a sizzling 21.36 to finish second overall.
Further success in Florida saw Amaris Munya secure a third-place finish in the Girls 600m High School run with a time of 1:38.94, while also placing 12th in the 400m at 59.23. Teammate Arima Turner added to the tally with a fifth-place finish in the Girls 200m Dash High School, stopping the clock at 24.83.
Looking ahead, the BNAA remains optimistic that more athletes will soon join the qualifying list. Vickers indicated that several competitors are “knocking on the door” of their respective standards, with specific attention being paid to the upcoming performances of Gianluca Bortoli, Riana Robinson, Brooklyn Meyers, and Sanchez Smith.
The Bermuda Specialist Programme is designed to drive high-value visitation and economic activity
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) this week announced the launch of the Bermuda Specialist Programme, an enhanced global travel advisor training and sales platform designed to drive high-value visitation and economic activity for Bermuda.
Developed in partnership with TravPRO Mobile, the programme modernises Bermuda’s long-standing travel advisor education through a digital, mobile-friendly platform tailored to how today’s advisors work, sell and engage with clients.
The travel advisory profession continues to grow as travellers increasingly seek expert guidance and personalised service. According to LinkedIn’s 2026 Jobs on the Rise report, travel advisor ranks among the fastest-growing careers in the United States, underscoring strong demand for specialist travel expertise.
Travel advisors play a critical role in shaping travel decisions, particularly within luxury, experiential, wedding, family and multigenerational markets — segments that align closely with Bermuda’s tourism strategy. These travellers typically stay longer, spend more and engage deeply with local services, generating meaningful economic benefits for Bermudian businesses and employment.
The Travel Pro Bermuda Specialist Programme builds on earlier advisor education initiatives by offering a centralised destination hub that combines certification training with practical sales tools. Advisors gain access to destination education, professional marketing materials, and real-time sales support. Upon completing training, advisors unlock the platform’s Sales Companion experience, enabling them to save key content, search resources quickly, and receive timely updates.
“Leisure travel remains central to Bermuda’s economic success, and travel advisors are key ambassadors for our island in markets where bespoke service and expert planning matter most,” said Chris Keane, Director of Sales at the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “This programme equips advisors with the knowledge and tools to curate exceptional Bermuda experiences that drive visitation and economic benefit for Bermudian businesses.”
To mark the launch, advisors who complete the programme by April 30, 2026, will be entered for a chance to win a spot on a Trade Familiarisation (FAM) Trip to Bermuda in Fall/Winter 2026.
“We are proud to grow our partnership with the Bermuda Tourism Authority through the launch of the new Bermuda Specialist Sales Companion™,” said Jonathan Cooper, founder and CEO of TravPRO Mobile. “Our mobile platform helps advisors learn, promote and sell Bermuda anywhere, anytime and on any device.”
The Travel Pro Bermuda Specialist Programme is free and accessible via www.bermudaspecialist.com, with web, iOS and Android options available. The platform is also accessible through TravPRO Mobile’s travel advisor super-app, TheSOURCE.
By investing in modern tools for travel advisors, the Bermuda Tourism Authority continues to strengthen global demand for Bermuda and support sustainable economic growth for the island.
The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 49.5 in January from December’s nine-month low of 48.8, with a return to output growth after a contraction the month before
International News via Reuters:
Global factory activity improved last month, with a better performance by key Asian exporters and a return to manufacturing expansion in the euro zone, private surveys showed on Monday, suggesting the hit from higher U.S. tariffs may have run its course for now.
The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 49.5 in January from December’s nine-month low of 48.8, with a return to output growth after a contraction the month before.
Manufacturing activity growth in export powerhouses Japan and South Korea hit multi-year highs, suggesting brightening prospects.
China’s factory activity expanded at a faster pace in January too as export orders rebounded, which contrasted with an earlier official report showing activity faltering.
“Exports from most countries have surged in recent months, and we think the near-term outlook for Asia’s export-oriented manufacturing sectors remains favourable,” said Shivaan Tandon, Asia Economist at Capital Economics.
ASIAN EXPORTERS SEE PICK-UP IN DEMAND
The RatingDog China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, rose to 50.3 from 50.1 in December, exceeding the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction and hitting the highest level since October.
The upbeat survey likely reflects China’s export drive that offset weak domestic consumption and helped the world’s second-largest economy expand 5.0% last year.
Japan’s S&P PMI rose to the strongest level since August 2022, driven by robust demand from key markets such as the U.S. and Taiwan.
“Japan’s manufacturing industry propelled itself back into growth territory at the start of 2026, with firms signalling the strongest upturns in output and new orders for nearly four years,” said Annabel Fiddes, an economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
South Korea’s PMI also rose, marking the highest reading since August 2024.
The International Monetary Fund raised its 2026 global growth forecast last month on receding fears over the hit from U.S. tariffs, and a continued AI investment boom that has fueled asset wealth and expectations of productivity gains.
Brightening prospects for global demand have helped factory activity expand across Asia. Taiwan’s PMI rose to 51.7 in January from 50.9 in December, while that of Indonesia rose to 52.6 from 51.2.
India’s manufacturing activity inched up in January as demand improved slightly, though the gain wasn’t strong enough to lift business optimism or meaningfully increase hiring.
EURO ZONE OUTPUT RETURNS TO GROWTH
Manufacturing output in the common currency area climbed back above the 50 threshold to 50.5 in January from 48.9 in December.
Factory activity in Germany – the bloc’s largest economy – began 2026 on a positive note, with output returning to expansion after a brief contraction in December. Meanwhile, France recorded its fastest pace of output expansion in almost four years.
However, manufacturing sectors in Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria all remained in contraction territory.
“While it is too early to say, today’s PMI might signal the start of converging growth rates in the euro zone’s manufacturing sector,” said Paolo Grignani, senior economist at Oxford Economics.
“All in all, the European manufacturing sector remained in the doldrums at the start of the year with no clear indication that the broad sideways trend for output is about to end.”
In Britain, outside the European Union, the manufacturing PMI rose to its highest since August 2024 as inflows of new work expanded at the quickest rate in nearly four years.
Reporting by Indradip Ghosh and Leika Kihara; Editing by Sam Holmes and Toby Chopra
Steve Wright, who is already serving a life sentence with no prospect of parole for a 2006 killing spree, appeared at London’s Old Bailey court where he admitted kidnapping and murdering 17-year-old Victoria Hall in 1999
International News via Reuters:
A British serial killer, dubbed the “Suffolk Strangler” by the media after he killed five young women, pleaded guilty on Monday to an earlier murder of a teenager committed more than 25 years ago.
Steve Wright, who is already serving a life sentence with no prospect of parole for a 2006 killing spree, appeared at London’s Old Bailey court where he admitted kidnapping and murdering 17-year-old Victoria Hall in 1999.
Wright, 67, also pleaded guilty to the attempted kidnap of a 22-year-old woman the day before Hall’s murder. He will be sentenced on Friday.
“Victoria’s family have waited over 26 years for this day and I am so very pleased that we have been able to deliver justice for Victoria and they now know who is responsible for Victoria’s murder,” said Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott, of Suffolk Constabulary.
Hall disappeared from the coastal town of Felixstowe in eastern England while walking home in the early hours from a nightclub. Her naked body was found in a stream 25 miles (40 km) away five days later.
Wright was convicted in 2008 of the murder of five women who worked as prostitutes in the town of Ipswich, northeast of London in Suffolk.
The naked bodies of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls were discovered scattered around Ipswich over a 10-day period in late 2006, causing panic in the town and the surrounding area.
Wright’s killing spree was compared with that of the 19th-century serial killer “Jack the Ripper”, who targeted prostitutes in the east end of London.
He asphyxiated the women and left two of their bodies in a crucifix position with arms outstretched.
He was given a whole-life order, meaning he could never be released from prison, for what the sentencing judge described as “a targeted campaign of murder”.
Wright had consistently denied the earlier allegations, even though his DNA was found on three of the victims and bloodstains from two of them were found on his jacket at his home.
His guilty pleas on Monday mark the first time he has ever admitted any offences.
Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden and Sharon Singleton
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