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Novo launches Wegovy weight-loss pill for sale in US

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Novo launches Wegovy weight-loss pill for sale in US

The pill was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, a boon to Novo Nordisk as it looks to regain ground lost to U.S. rival Eli Lilly

International News via Reuters:

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is launching its once-daily Wegovy pill in the United States on Monday, offering 1.5 milligram and 4 mg doses at $149 per month for self-paying patients in an intensely competitive weight-loss drug market.

The pill was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, a boon to Novo Nordisk as it looks to regain ground lost to U.S. rival Eli Lilly. Lilly has previously said it expects a decision in March. 

Novo’s pill will also be sold in 9 mg and a higher long-term dose of 25 mg. The two higher doses will be priced at $299 for a month’s supply, while the 4 mg dose will rise to $199 from April 15, the drugmaker’s website shows.

The Wegovy pill could attract new consumers as Novo looks to revive its fortunes after profit warnings and sliding shares last year. The treatment offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medication.

The once-daily pill is also under review by other regulators, with a UK decision due by year-end. 

Shares of the Danish drugmaker rose 3% in afternoon trading. Lilly shares fell about 1% in U.S. premarket trading. 

LURING CASH CUSTOMERS KEY TO PILL’S SUCCESS

The success of Novo’s pill will be tied to attracting cash-paying consumers who cannot get insurance coverage, a stark shift from the dominant business model where drug pricing is managed through health insurance plans. 

Novo said the treatment would be available through U.S. pharmacies CVS and Costco , and through telehealth providers including Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers, GoodRx and its own NovoCare Pharmacy. 

The low 1.5 mg dose is the starter dose for the Wegovy pill, which is made up of semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in its blockbuster injectable weight loss and diabetes treatments marketed under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic.

Novo also offers the 1.5 mg dose for its oral semaglutide drug for type 2 diabetes, sold as Rybelsus. 

The remaining doses of the Wegovy pill will be available for patients by end of this week, Novo said. 

Lilly plans to cap higher doses of its obesity pill, if approved, at $399 a month for repeat cash buyers. Lilly’s injectable drug Zepbound has largely been ahead of Novo’s Wegovy in weekly U.S. prescriptions over the past year.

TRUMP LOOKS TO LOWER OBESITY DRUG PRICES

U.S. list prices for the injectables are about $1,000 per month or more. Both companies have reduced prices of their injectables for customers paying in cash rather than using health insurance.

Novo began selling its Wegovy injection at $349 a month to cash payers in November.

Under a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, Novo and Lilly also agreed to offer starter doses of their weight-loss pills at $149 per month for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees, and to cash payers via the White House’s new direct-to-consumer TrumpRx site, which is expected to be launched this month. 

Novo had faced repeated supply shortages after launching its Wegovy injection in the U.S. But, having built up supplies for its new pill for some time to prevent similar challenges, Novo said it was confident it could meet supply needs.

Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen, Bhanvi Satija and Maggie Fick in London, writing by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Terje Solsvik, Adam Jourdan and Bernadette Baum

EU extends SATA and TAP airlines state aid divestment conditions deadlines

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EU extends SATA and TAP airlines state aid divestment conditions deadlines

Portugal’s government had re-launched the long-delayed privatisation of flag carrier TAP last year, saying it aimed to sell a 49.9% stake within a year’s time

International News via Reuters:

The European Commission has extended the deadlines for SATA and TAP airlines to complete the divestments of assets that were conditions for restructuring aid granted by the Portuguese government, said the EU on Monday.

Portugal’s government had re-launched the long-delayed privatisation of flag carrier TAP last year, saying it aimed to sell a 49.9% stake within a year’s time, and could then consider offloading more of the airline’s capital.

Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta;Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten

OBA issues wish list for 2026 and beyond

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OBA issues wish list for 2026 and beyond

Opposition calls for absentee voting, a referendum on CARICOM, and corporate tax revenue to pay down debt, create local jobs and improve infrastructure

Statement by Douglas De Couto, Shadow Finance Minister and OBA MP for Constituency 25, Warwick North East:

It’s a good time to reflect on the past year and look forward to 2026. I don’t have space here to recap the whole year, but even just the last few weeks have given us plenty of food for thought.


One of the One Bermuda Alliance’s priorities is to make a Bermuda that works for future generations, and act today to make that happen. We compare that to the PLP Government’s numerous promises, plans, and strategies, that don’t produce results.


Here are three things we wish for our current and future generations.


First, to get it out of the way, both parties pledged to implement absentee voting at February’s election. But only the OBA advanced that by tabling legislation. Meanwhile, the Government purposely left absentee voting out of its original budget and refused to collaborate, only promising it will happen next year. Don’t be fooled by technical excuses. If the Government wanted absentee voting to happen, it could have worked with the OBA to pass a law this year.


Second, we wish for a Government that is transparent and truly consultative on important topics, rather than hiding information and telling people what they’ve done after the fact. Caricom is a big example. Bermudians have a range of feelings about joining Caricom as a full member. But all Bermudians agree that we need more information about what joining Caricom means, why it might be good for us, and what the drawbacks might be.


When repeatedly asked in Parliament by the OBA for more information, the Premier and the Government refused to answer, hiding behind procedural excuses. And because Bermudians have mixed feelings, the OBA believes a referendum is the best way forward. However, the Premier has now stated there will be no referendum. If support for Caricom is strong, wouldn’t having a referendum be an easy decision? And if support is not strong, doesn’t that mean Government should not move ahead with Caricom?


Third, and perhaps most importantly, the OBA wishes for a local economy that works for Bermudians, and a Government that’s not trapped under massive debt. We want a growing local economy, so young Bermudians can see a future here, and one that supports good jobs for Bermudians that don’t work in International Business.


Government continues to brag about positive economic statistics that are driven by IB’s successes. Meanwhile, the retail and wholesale sector has shrunk year on year. Restaurants have had their lowest year of sales since 2021. The most recent Retail Sales Index is lower than last year. And inflation has increased from 1.7% to 2%, or +18%. That’s why many Bermudians still struggle to match their reality to Government’s spin.


The One Bermuda Alliance would work to get real organic investment in the local economy that creates energy and jobs, not just selling real estate to people from overseas.


Finally, with the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) now in force, the OBA would use that money to shore up Bermuda’s financial future by paying down debt, investing in critical infrastructure, and spending on critical social support. Meanwhile, government has not said much about their long-term plans for the CIT money, other than the Premier’s recent statement that they will not pay down debt early.


That’s the OBA’s wish list – and we are committed to making it a reality.

Barnes and Burgess lead the charge as BKA celebrates 50 Years

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Barnes and Burgess lead the charge as BKA celebrates 50 Years

The Bermuda Karting Association (BKA) launched its 50th-anniversary season in spectacular fashion yesterday, with 39 karts descending on the Southside Raceway for a milestone Race Day #8 of the Rubis Energy Karting Championship.

The golden jubilee year kicked off with a high-intensity program that saw seasoned champions and rising stars go wheel-to-wheel under both the midday sun and a late-afternoon drizzle. With a bumper turnout and five decades of history behind them, the atmosphere at the St. David’s track reflected a sport very much in its prime.

The L206 Senior class lived up to its reputation as the most competitive division on the island, featuring a stacked field of 14 karts. Scott Barnes was the man to beat in the opening and closing exchanges, securing clinical victories in Heats 1 and 3. However, long-time rival Jason North ensured Barnes didn’t have it all his own way, snatching a win in Heat 2 and shadowing Barnes for second-place finishes in the other two races. The CRG teammates maintained a podium stranglehold, with David Barbosa claiming third in the first two heats before Marc Tucker moved up to take third in the final sprint.

In the high-speed TAG Senior division, the rivalry shifted. Ryan Burgess drew first blood with a Heat 1 victory, but Barnes’ versatility was on full display as he dominated Heats 2 and 3 to claim the overall honors for the day. Blake Horseman remained a constant threat, securing two runner-up spots, while Jorja Thomas showed remarkable consistency to park her kart in third place across all three heats.

Burgess would later find redemption in the Shifter Class. He dominated the opening two heats, leading a consistent top four that included Ryan Rebello, Skitchy Barnes, and Horseman. However, as the heavens opened for the final heat, the technical challenge shifted. Blake Horseman proved to be the “rain master,” navigating the slippery surface to take the win in Heat 3 ahead of Jason Correia and Stephen Corrado.

While the senior classes were defined by narrow margins, the TAG Junior class belonged entirely to Tanner Correia. In a flawless display of race craft, Correia completed a clean sweep of all three heats. Jonathan Lindberg and Alondro Albouy traded second-place finishes, while Syah Pedro remained firmly in the podium hunt throughout the afternoon.

The KZ Master Class provided a similar story of technical grit. Rian Lindo claimed the initial win of the day, but Jason DeCouto struck back in Heat 2. As the rain added an extra layer of difficulty to the final session, William Dunkley showcased his experience in the wet, powering to a first-place finish to close out a historic day for the association.

UK Christmas grocery sales rose 2.5% year-on-year, says NielsenIQ

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UK Christmas grocery sales rose 2.5% year-on-year, says NielsenIQ

However, it said sales on a volume basis fell 0.2% year-on-year

International News via Reuters:

UK grocery sales were 19.6 billion pounds ($26.4 billion) over the four weeks to December 27, an increase of 2.5% on the previous year, market researcher NielsenIQ said on Monday.

However, it said sales on a volume basis fell 0.2% year-on-year.

NielsenIQ said the level of sales on promotion rose to 27% in December from 25% in November, while online was the fastest growing channel with a sales growth of 9.9%.

“Christmas 2025 was in line with expectations,” said Mike Watkins, the researcher’s head of retailer and business insight. “Consumers were cautious and this led to more considered purchasing, buying only what was needed helped by seasonal price reductions but still finding money to treat themselves.”

Rival market researcher Worldpanel will publish its December report on Tuesday.

Discounters Lidl GB and Aldi UK have already reported Christmas sales growth of 10% and 3%, respectively.

Industry leader Tesco and Marks & Spencer are scheduled to report on Thursday, with Sainsbury’s following on Friday.

($1 = 0.7429 pounds)

Reporting by James Davey, Editing by Paul Sandle and Catarina Demony

Lau strikes bronze as Bermuda’s juniors conclude Ottawa campaign

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Lau strikes bronze as Bermuda’s juniors conclude Ottawa campaign

Bermuda’s junior badminton stars have finished their campaign at the Victor Ontario Junior C #7 tournament on a high, with Joseph Lau securing a hard-fought bronze medal on a testing final day in Ottawa.

While the jump to doubles and mixed doubles competition at Carleton University proved to be a steep learning curve against some of Canada’s elite young pairings, the island’s trio demonstrated the grit that has become a hallmark of the national junior program.

In the Boy’s Under-19 Doubles, Joseph Lau and Aaron Lee faced a clinical local field. Despite showing resilience across multiple rounds, the pair suffered a string of straight-set defeats to top-seeded opponents including Sun and Wu, and the pairing of Chan and Yuan. The high-intensity schedule continued as they fell to the duos of Ng/Tang and Gadza/Te, but the experience against North American opposition provided invaluable tactical lessons for the young Bermudians.

The highlight of the weekend arrived in the Under-19 Mixed Doubles, where Joseph Lau teamed up with Canadian partner Swara Pawar. After a challenging start that saw them drop their opening two rounds, the pair found their rhythm just in time for a podium push.

In a bronze-medal showdown that kept the crowd on edge, Lau and Pawar displayed immense composure to overcome Eric Tan and Sophia Kan in a three-set thriller. After claiming the first set 21-17 and dropping the second by the same score, the cross-border pairing dominated the decider 21-15 to secure the victory and a place on the podium.

For thirteen-year-old JitHom Liew in the Under-15 division, the second day was a similarly rigorous test. Navigating the consolation rounds, Liew was narrowly edged out by Daniel Paul in a 21-15, 21-9 battle.

Under the guidance of coach Emma Moran-Lee, the trio will now carry these experiences back to Bermuda. While the scorelines often favored the Ontario-based players, the BFA’s strategy of exposing youth talent to international standard competition remains a key pillar of their development as they prepare for the next leg of the regional circuit.

BBC Radio News: Monday Noon – 05 January 2026

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bermuda BroadcastingBBC Radio News: Monday Noon – 05 January 2026
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  1. BBC Radio News: Monday Noon – 05 January 20267:15
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Tributes paid after death of veteran Gombey

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Tributes paid after death of veteran Gombey

The Government of Bermuda extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr Tyrone Alexander “Funk” Nesbitt, and to the wider Gombey and Bermudian community, on his passing. His death follows closely after the recent loss of Mr Zaniko Hendrickson, marking a particularly difficult period for Bermuda’s cultural community.

The Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, said:
“The passing of Tyrone ‘Funk’ Nesbitt, so soon after the loss of Zaniko Hendrickson, is deeply felt across Bermuda. Funk was a cultural icon whose lifelong devotion to Gombeys, craftsmanship and community helped to preserve and strengthen one of our most important traditions. He embodied authenticity, pride in heritage and respect for the roots of our culture. On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I extend my sincere condolences to his family, the Gombey community and all those whose lives he touched.”

Mr Nesbitt was a lifelong Gombey whose involvement began in childhood with Place’s Gombeys, where he became one of the troupe’s youngest members. Although he briefly performed with Merry Mice’s Gombeys, his enduring commitment remained with Place’s Gombeys until a short-lived retirement. Drawn back by the Gombey beat, he later co-founded the H&N Gombeys (Hendrickson and Nesbitt Gombeys), which would go on to become the H&H Gombeys. Well known and deeply loved, he was often affectionately introduced to children as “The Gombey Man”.

Inspired by Carnival Gombey leader John “Pickles” Spence, Mr Nesbitt mastered the side snare drum and continued to play whenever called upon, while also enjoying dancing when the opportunity allowed. He believed that understanding both rhythm and movement was essential to appreciating the full Gombey experience. His performances took him throughout the Caribbean and the United States, proudly representing Bermuda internationally.

A gifted artist and master craftsman, Mr Nesbitt was widely revered for his Gombey regalia. He designed and created full suits, masks and hats distinguished by intricate embroidery, symbolic imagery and exceptional attention to detail. His work reflected Bermuda’s natural environment, heritage and African influences, and each suit was crafted as a labour of love, often taking many months to complete. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was named a 2016 Gombey Festival Honouree.

Mr Nesbitt was also a skilled carpenter who created traditional Gombey accessories, including bows, hatchets and a notable boss drum, all carefully crafted to complement his regalia.

The Government of Bermuda honours the life and legacy of Tyrone Alexander “Funk” Nesbitt, recognising his lasting impact on Bermuda’s cultural heritage. As the island continues to mourn his passing, the Government extends its sympathy to all who will continue to uphold the traditions, values and sense of community that he so passionately embodied.

Bermuda Tonight – 05 January 2026

Qian Dickinson
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Bermuda Tonight – 05 January 2026

Switzerland freezes assets linked to Venezuela’s Maduro after US arrest

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Switzerland freezes assets linked to Venezuela’s Maduro after US arrest

The measure, effective immediately and valid for four years, aims to prevent an outflow of potentially illicit assets and comes in addition to existing sanctions imposed on Venezuela since 2018, the statement said

International News via Reuters:

Switzerland has frozen any assets held in the country by Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and associates, the governing Federal Council said on Monday, following his arrest by U.S. forces in Caracas and transfer to the United States.

The measure, effective immediately and valid for four years, aims to prevent an outflow of potentially illicit assets and comes in addition to existing sanctions imposed on Venezuela since 2018, the statement said.

The asset freeze does not affect members of the current Venezuelan government, and Switzerland said it will seek to return any funds found to be illicitly acquired to benefit the Venezuelan people.

The Federal Council said the situation in Venezuela was volatile, with various outcomes possible in the coming days and weeks.

It said it was following the situation closely, and called for de-escalation and restraint, while also offering its good offices to find a peaceful solution.

“The Federal Council wants to ensure that any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation,” it said.

The asset freeze was a precautionary measure and applied to Maduro and his associates as foreign politically exposed persons, the government said.

No figures were given and the government did not immediately reply to a request for comment on what, if any assets, Maduro and his associates, held in Switzerland.

Reporting by Kirsti Knolle and John RevillAdditional reporting by Oliver HirtEditing by Miranda Murray and Dave Graham

Paris’ Louvre museum opens but some parts stay closed as staff resume strike

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Paris’ Louvre museum opens but some parts stay closed as staff resume strike

Staff had met earlier in the day to decide whether to resume a rolling strike, to protest against pay and working conditions

International News via Reuters:

The Louvre museum in Paris – hit by a jewel heist in October and by a workers’ dispute – opened on Monday after a three hours delay but some parts remained closed due to the strike.

Staff had met earlier in the day to decide whether to resume a rolling strike, to protest against pay and working conditions. The strike started last month but was called off on December 19 ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum but it has been left reeling by last October’s robbery, when four burglars made off with jewels worth $102 million. The jewels are still missing.

It has also been hit by recent infrastructure problems, including a water leak that damaged ancient books, which have highlighted the museum’s deteriorating state.

Unions have said that staff at the Louvre are overworked and mismanaged, and they are calling for more hiring, pay increases and better use of how the museum’s money is spent.

Reporting by Sarah Meyssonnier, Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten/Sudip Kar-Gupta

EU sees opportunity for democratic transition in Venezuela, spokesperson says

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EU sees opportunity for democratic transition in Venezuela, spokesperson says

She did not comment on how the EU would characterise the U.S. action, but said it “created an opportunity for a democratic transition, led by the Venezuelan people.”

International News via Reuters:

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States on Saturday creates an opportunity for a democratic transition in the country, a European Commission spokesperson said on Monday.

“It is too early to look into and assess all the implications in terms of legal assessment”, the spokesperson said.

She did not comment on how the EU would characterise the U.S. action, but said it “created an opportunity for a democratic transition, led by the Venezuelan people.”

“It’s worth recalling that Nicolas Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader,” she added.

The spokesperson declined to comment on the question if the EU thinks U.S. President Donald Trump is interested in a democratic transition in Venezuela.

Reporting by Julia Payne, writing by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Bart Meijer

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