The race will start at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 11th from Dundonald Street in Hamilton
Full statement from the Government:
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises that the “Rum to the Beach” road race, presented by Goslings and the Hamilton Princess, will be held on Sunday, 11 January 2026.
The race will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., starting from Dundonald Street in Hamilton and finishing at the Hamilton Princess Beach Club in Southampton.
Although no road closures are scheduled, traffic controls will be in place along the route. Police Officers and Race Marshals will be stationed to direct traffic and ensure public safety. Motorists are asked to proceed with caution and follow all instructions provided.
Please refer to the attached original Road Traffic Notices for further information on both the road closure and the race event.
The Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party and Minister of Housing and Municipalities defends strategy to provide safe, stable housing for residents
Full statement below:
To some the housing issue is “somebody else’s problem,” but to us, housing is about whether a senior can afford to stay in the home or neighbourhood they helped build. It’s about whether a young family can put down roots instead of bouncing from rental to rental, and it’s about whether every Bermudian feels secure enough to plan for the future. When housing becomes unaffordable, everything else; health, education, being productive at work gets harder.
The Progressive Labour Party believes that a decent, affordable home is foundational to a fairer Bermuda. We reject the idea that housing insecurity is simply the cost of doing business in a small island economy. Governments make choices and for us, the choice is to act with urgency, compassion, and responsibility so that Bermudians are not priced out of our own country.
That action is already underway. Through the Residential Building Programme, the Government is delivering new affordable homes across the island, including projects in Paget, St. George’s, and St. David’s, with numerous units coming online by mid- late 2026 and more in the pipeline. Modular housing is being used where appropriate, in order to speed up delivery without sacrificing quality. And for the first time, Bermuda has a long-term Affordable Housing Strategy that sets clear definitions, targets, and accountability.
The One Bermuda Alliance has, as they usually do, offered criticism with little solutions, all while ignoring their own record on housing. During their time in office, housing was completely ignored with no affordable housing units built. Their five years of inaction and neglect helped get us to the housing crisis our people face today. In comparison the PLP has renovated/built over 100 units since 2017.
While we will take on legitimate solutions, genuine compassion for Bermudians, and real concerns, what we will not do is be lectured to or distracted by an OBA that seems more interested in scoring political points than in the well-being of Bermudians. Our focus on increasing access to affordable housing is a key part of that vision.
Yet, as we focus on increasing affordable housing in our country for our people, we also understand community concerns. New housing must strengthen neighbourhoods, not disrupt them. That’s why we are committed to strong screening, strong management, community engagement, and firm action against anti-social behaviour. Affordable housing should mean safe, stable housing for residents and neighbours alike.
Finally, this is a moment that calls for open minds and compassion. Bermuda will need new housing ideas and new ways of thinking. We ask the public to meet this challenge with compassion, for seniors, for families, for Bermudians who are often struggling through no fault of their own.
If we keep our focus on people, stay grounded in fairness, and work together, we can build more than houses. We can build security, opportunity, and a Bermuda that works for everyone.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment said the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo will be closed to the public from Monday to Thursday
Vistors gaze at wildlife at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in Flatt’s Village. Photo: The Department of Natural Environment and Resources
Full news statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Enviroment:
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises the public that the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) will be closed to visitors on Monday, 12 January, from 12:00 p.m. (last admission at 11:00 a.m.) until 9:00 a.m. Thursday, 15 January.
This closure will facilitate essential maintenance work on the North Rock Tank. This phase of the project involves necessary work to allow the future reseating of the tank’s large acrylic viewing windows, a complex operation that requires the use of cranes and other construction equipment operating from the facility’s front entrance.
For the safety of visitors, staff and the animals, temporary closures are necessary while this work is underway.
The Ministry notes that the remainder of the facility will be open to the public after 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday 15 January.
Due to the nature of crane operations, all work is weather-dependent. Closure times may shift to avoid working during periods of elevated wind, and the public is asked for patience should schedules need to be adjusted at short notice.
Additional short-term closures will be required in the coming months as maintenance work continues. The public will be notified in advance of any future closures.
The North Rock Tank, which is currently off-limits to visitors, is expected to reopen in April 2026 upon completion of the project.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public for their understanding as this important work is carried out to ensure the long-term safety, integrity, and quality of this iconic facility.
The owner of New York’s century-old Fifth Avenue flagship store is preparing to file for bankruptcy without a restructuring deal in place, though it aims to craft one in the coming weeks
International News via Reuters:
Luxury retailer Saks Global is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as Sunday, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The owner of New York’s century-old Fifth Avenue flagship store is preparing to file for bankruptcy without a restructuring deal in place, though it aims to craft one in the coming weeks, according to the report.
The company is also in advanced discussions on a $1.25 billion debtor-in-possession financing package with creditors, which would allow it to keep its business running during bankruptcy and pay vendor dues, the Bloomberg report said.
Saks Global did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The insolvency caps years of mounting pressures for a retailer loved by movie stars and royals, including Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.
Faced with rising competition from online outlets and brands’ desire to sell through directly owned stores, Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent, Hudson’s Bay Company, bet on scale by merging with rival Neiman Marcus in 2024 to create Saks Global.
The deal, aimed at creating a luxury powerhouse, saddled the new group with debt amid a global luxury sales slowdown.
Under the proposed debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, major creditors would provide about $1 billion in new funds to support the bankruptcy process, according to the Bloomberg report.
Lenders could add $250 million by rolling up existing loans, and noteholders may inject another $500 million after the company emerges from bankruptcy, though talks continue, the report added.
Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty, Shinjini Ganguli and Maju Samuel
Financial markets had been bracing for a probable Supreme Court decision that could strike down President Donald Trump’s tariffs
International News via Reuters:
The dollar gained on Friday after data showed slower than expected U.S. jobs growth, suggesting the Federal Reserve could leave interest rates unchanged later this month.
Financial markets had been bracing for a probable Supreme Court decision that could strike down President Donald Trump’s tariffs. But the court will not issue that ruling on Friday.
The U.S. economy added 50,000 jobs in December, according to Labor Department data on Friday. That was lower than an estimate of 60,000 jobs growth forecast by economists polled by Reuters.
The dollar rose marginally across peer currencies as the data before paring those gains.
The greenback was up 0.72% to 158 against the Japanese yen and was up 0.25% to 0.801 against the Swiss franc.
The euro was down 0.22% against the dollar at $1.1633. The dollar index rose 0.27% to 99.14.
“In real life, the standard error margin for non-farm payrolls is 20,000 and so I don’t think the market is going to pay much to this,” said Steve Englander, head of global G10 FX Research at Standard Chartered. “If the Supreme Court rules on tariffs, I think that will be the most important development of the day.”
Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without the approval of Congress.
If the decision goes against Trump, company executives, customs brokers and trade lawyers are girding for a possible fight to secure refunds of about $150 billion from the U.S.
“It’s possible the Court could find a way to mitigate the impact of the fiscal stream in terms of refunds or what they can do in the future. But if they completely strike everything down, we actually think the bond market will react really badly,” Englander added.
Fed funds futures are pricing an implied probability of 95% that the central bank holds interest rates at its next two-day meet on January 27 and 28, up from 68% a month ago, the CME Group’s FedWatch tool shows.
Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski
Negotiations are set to continue between the centrist, pro-EU D66 party, which won the election last October, the conservative Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD
International News via Reuters:
Government formation talks in the Netherlands will be aimed at setting up a rare minority cabinet, the leaders of the three prospective coalition parties said on Friday.
Negotiations are set to continue between the centrist, pro-EU D66 party, which won the election last October, the conservative Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD.
This coalition would hold 66 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, and would have to seek support from other parties for its policies.
“It was not an easy decision,” said D66 leader Rob Jetten, who is poised to become the youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands.
Jetten, 38, said it would be hard work to get majorities in the polarised Dutch parliament, but not impossible.
“I am convinced that if we come with good proposals, other parties will be willing to talk,” he told reporters.
“We have to invest heavily in the safety of the Netherlands. Other parties have also made promises on that front to their voters.”
The prospective coalition would also lack a majority in the upper-house Senate, which can block legislation that has been passed in the lower house.
The Netherlands is usually led by majority coalitions, but the heavily fractured political landscape has made it increasingly difficult to assemble one.
After the October election, all major mainstream parties ruled out governing with anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders after he brought down the last government, led by his PVV.
The VVD ruled out working with a left-wing Green/Labour pairing, the only combination of parties that would have had a solid majority.
D66, for its part, objected to including the Eurosceptic, conservative JA21, which could have brought up the prospective coalition’s seat count to 75.
Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Hugh Lawson
Prosecutors are investigating the French owners on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence
International News via Reuters:
Swiss prosecutors said on Friday they had ordered one of the two owners of a ski resort bar where a fire on New Year’s Day killed 40 people to be detained due to flight risk, with local media saying the order had been carried out.
Prosecutors are investigating the French owners on suspicion of crimes including homicide by negligence, while victims’ families have filed legal complaints over the fire at the “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana in the Canton of Valais.
Shortly after Swiss newspaper 24 Heures reported that one of the couple, Jacques Moretti, has been remanded in custody, prosecutors said they had issued an order for him to be held.
Under Swiss law, a person is held in custody until a court rules within 48 hours on whether their detention is warranted.
The Valais police declined to comment.
Early on Friday, Jacques and Jessica Moretti entered the prosecutors’ office in the town of Sion for a hearing. Hours later, video footage from Swiss broadcaster RTS showed Jessica Moretti leaving without her husband.
“My thoughts are constantly with the victims of this unimaginable tragedy that took place in our establishment, and I would like to apologise to all the victims and those who are still struggling today,” she said.
Swiss authorities have designated Friday a national day of mourning and church bells rang out across the country to honour victims.
The couple has said they would cooperate fully with the investigation. More than half of those who died were teenagers and a further 116 people were injured, many of them seriously.
Several French and Italian citizens were among the dead, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment to be meted out to those responsible for the blaze.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Swiss leaders, victims’ families and firefighters carrying white roses at a ceremony on Friday in the town of Martigny, where a minute’s silence was held.
Dozens of people also stood near the shuttered bar in nearby Crans-Montana in silence, heads bowed under heavy snowfall.
Authorities placed hundreds of letters, teddy bears and bouquets of flowers for the fire victims beneath a protective igloo.
POLITICIANS CALL FOR FULL ACCOUNTABILITY
Speaking at the Martigny ceremony, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said he hoped that those responsible for the fire would be brought to account “without delay or leniency”.
That must also include relevant political authorities, said Mathias Reynard, head of the Valais government.
Speaking in Rome on Friday, Meloni pledged to help the families of the Italian victims find justice.
“What happened in Crans-Montana is the result of too many people not doing their job or thinking they were making easy money. Those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.”
Witnesses and prosecutors have said the blaze appeared to have been started by the use of sparkling candles that set foam soundproofing on the basement ceiling alight.
Questions remain about oversight at the bar, which the local mayor admitted this week had missed multiple safety checks.
Prosecutors said last weekend that the legal criteria to detain the bar’s owners had so far not been met.
In a January 6 statement, the owners said: “We are devastated and overcome with grief, our thoughts are constantly with the victims, their loved ones who have been bereaved so brutally and prematurely, and all those who are fighting for their lives.”
Twenty-one of the dead were from Switzerland, seven from France, and six from Italy. A Swiss-French dual national and a French-British-Israeli national were also among the dead.
Reporting by Cecile Mantovani in Sion, Emma Farge in Geneva and Dave Graham in Zurich, additional reporting by Umit Bektas in Crans Montana, Manuel Ausloos and Alvise Armellini in RomeEditing by Gareth Jones
EU capitals had had until 5 p.m. Brussels time (1600 GMT) to confirm their votes in writing after ambassadors of the EU’s 27 members signalled their provisional approval of the deal a few hours earlier
International News via Reuters:
European Union member states confirmed on Friday a broad majority of them support a planned free trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur, Cyprus, which holds the EU rotating presidency, said.
EU capitals had had until 5 p.m. Brussels time (1600 GMT) to confirm their votes in writing after ambassadors of the EU’s 27 members signalled their provisional approval of the deal a few hours earlier.
The deal is set to be the largest trade accord the EU has concluded, although it will still require approval from the European Parliament before it can enter force.
Reporting by Inti Landauro, editing by Philip Blenkinsop
With Donald Trump determined to shake up global trade, the European Commission and countries such as Germany and Spain argue the deal will help offset business lost from U.S. tariffs
International News via Reuters:
EU states gave a provisional go-ahead on Friday for the bloc to sign its largest ever free trade accord with South American group Mercosur, more than 25 years since talks began and after months of wrangling to secure enough backers.
With Donald Trump determined to shake up global trade, the European Commission and countries such as Germany and Spain argue the deal will help offset business lost from U.S. tariffs, and reduce reliance on China by securing access to critical minerals.
Opponents led by France, the European Union’s largest agricultural producer, say the agreement will jack up imports of cheap food products, including beef, poultry and sugar, undercutting domestic farmers.
FARMERS MARCH, BLOCK HIGHWAYS
Farmers have launched protests across the EU, blocking French and Belgian highways and marching in Poland on Friday.
France voted against the deal – but at least 15 countries representing 65% of the bloc’s total population voted in favour, enough for approval, EU sources and diplomats said.
An EU diplomat and Poland’s agriculture minister said that 21 countries supported the agreement, with Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland and Poland against and Belgium abstaining.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailed Friday’s vote as a “milestone” and said the deal would be good for Germany and for Europe.
“But 25 years of negotiations is too long. It’s vital that the next free trade agreements are concluded swiftly,” he said in a statement.
EU capitals have been given until 5 p.m. Brussels time (1600 GMT) to provide written confirmation of their votes.
This would clear the way for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to sign the agreement with Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – in Asuncion, possibly next week.
The European Commission concluded negotiations on the deal a year ago. The European Parliament will also need to approve the accord before it can enter force.
FRANCE SAYS THE BATTLE IS NOT OVER
The free trade agreement would be the European Union’s biggest in terms of tariff reduction, removing 4 billion euros ($4.66 billion) of duties on its exports. The Mercosur countries have high tariffs, such as 35% on car parts, 28% on dairy products and 27% on wines.
The EU and Mercosur will hope to expand evenly split goods trade worth 111 billion euros in 2024. EU exports are dominated by machinery, chemicals and transport equipment, and Mercosur’s are focused on agricultural products, minerals, pulp and paper.
To win over deal sceptics, the European Commission has put in place safeguards that can suspend imports of sensitive farm produce. It has strengthened import controls, notably regarding pesticide residues, established a crisis fund, accelerated support for farmers, and has pledged to cut import duties on fertilisers.
The concessions were not enough to win over Poland or France, but Italy shifted from a ‘no’ in December to a ‘yes’ on Friday.
“It seems to me the balance that has been found is sustainable,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told a press conference.
Mathilde Panot, lower house chief of the far-left France Unbowed party, said on X that France had been “humiliated” by Brussels and on the world stage.
French far-right and far-left parties are set to launch no-confidence motions in the government over the likely approval.
French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has said the battle is not over and has pledged to fight for a rejection by the EU assembly, where the vote could be tight. European environmental groups also oppose the accord, saying commodities shipped to Europe will often come from deforested land.
“The simple truth is that this unpopular deal is a disaster for the Amazon rainforest and no progressive MEP that is committed to forest protection should ever support it,” Greenpeace EU campaigner Lis Cunha said.
German Social Democrat Bernd Lange, the chair of parliament’s trade committee, expressed confidence that the deal would be passed, with a final vote most likely in April or May.
($1 = 0.8587 euros)
Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, additional reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Kuba Stezycki and Alan Charlish, Giselda VagnoniEditing by Gareth Jones, Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens
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