Buriko was among a group of senior executives and board members who resigned from Western-sanctioned Sberbank shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022
International News via Reuters:
The United States on Tuesday removed sanctions on Alexandra Buriko, the former chief financial officer of Russia’s state-owned Sberbank, according to a post on the U.S. Treasury Department website.
Buriko was among a group of senior executives and board members who resigned from Western-sanctioned Sberbank shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A U.S. official said Buriko has separated from Sberbank and demonstrated that the circumstances resulting in the sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control no longer apply.
“This removal was done as part of Treasury’s normal administrative process in response to a petition request for reconsideration. The power of OFAC sanctions derive not only from the ability to designate individuals, but also from its willingness to remove sanctions consistent with the law,” the official said.
The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Buriko in May 2022 as part of an action targeting “individuals and entities critical to Russia’s ability to wage war against Ukraine,” including what it said at the time were eight current and recent senior executives of Sberbank.
Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, was hit with U.S. sanctions in April 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February that year.
Buriko sued the Treasury Department in Washington federal court in December 2024, arguing she had severed ties with Sberbank days after it was sanctioned and her continued inclusion on the sanctioned list was unlawful. The lawsuit remains pending.
Buriko and the U.S. government repeatedly said in court filings this year that they were in negotiations to resolve the case.
Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Andrew Goudsward in Washington and Bhargav Acharya and Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O’Brien
Brent crude futures for February delivery, which expire on Tuesday, were up 2 cents, or 0.03%, at $61.96 a barrel at 11:29 a.m. EDT (1629 GMT)
International News via Reuters:
Oil prices were steady on Tuesday as investors weighed dented hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East around Yemen.
Brent crude futures for February delivery, which expire on Tuesday, were up 2 cents, or 0.03%, at $61.96 a barrel at 11:29 a.m. EDT (1629 GMT). The more active March contract was down 1 cent or 0.02% at $61.48.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 3 cents, or 0.05%, to $58.11.
The Brent and WTI benchmarks settled more than 2% higher in the previous session as Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against Yemen and after Moscow accused Kyiv of targeting a Russian presidential residence, denting hopes of a peace deal.
Russia has said it will toughen its position in peace talks after accusing Kyiv of attacking the residence, an allegation that Kyiv dismissed as baseless and designed to undermine peace negotiations.
“The peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could be delayed further, which is supportive to prices,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial, adding that the actual effect on crude exports remains minimal.
The ongoing U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil and suspension of Caspian CPC Blend exports because of poor weather supported prices on Tuesday. said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
Adding to supply concerns were strikes by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition on what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its national security was a red line and backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after a Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla.
The UAE said it was disappointed with Saudi Arabia’s statement and surprised by the airstrikes on Mukalla.
The UAE’s Defence Ministry said later on Tuesday it has voluntarily ended the mission of its counterterrorism units in Yemen, the only remaining forces it has in the country after ending its military presence in 2019.
Traders also watched other Middle East developments after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States could support another major strike on Iran were Tehran to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes.
Despite renewed fears of potential supply disruptions, perceptions of an oversupplied global market remain and could cap prices, analysts say.
Prices are likely to trend downwards in the first quarter of 2026 because of a “growing oil glut”, said Marex analyst Ed Meir.
Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston, Robert Harvey in London, Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru and Sudarshan Varadhan in Singapore; Editing by Jan Harvey, David Goodman and Nick Zieminski
Authorities say the items are not believed to pose a public safety threat but should not be touched and must be reported
The Bermuda Police Service issued the below media release.
In recent weeks, the Bermuda Police Service has been alerted to a number of suspicious packages, found washed up on some South Shore beaches.
While there has been no indication that these items pose a threat to public safety, should you come into contact with or happen upon any of these packages you are advised not to touch, or open them, as they may contain substances that could pose a health risk if handled.
We also urge that you do not go in search of these packages or take possession of them should you find any.
Should you encounter any suspicious package:
Do not handle it
Keep a safe distance
Immediately call 911 or, 211 and provide a description and location of the item
We appreciate your assistance and cooperation in addressing this situation.
All three indexes dipped into negative territory shortly after the opening bell of what is likely to be a light-volume session, a subdued ending to a volatile year
International News via Reuters:
U.S. stocks edged lower on Tuesday, while gold bounced back and benchmark Treasury yields turned higher on the penultimate trading day of a turbulent year.
All three indexes dipped into negative territory shortly after the opening bell of what is likely to be a light-volume session, a subdued ending to a volatile year.
Having weathered a year of tariff wars, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, and roiling geopolitical strife, all three U.S. indexes, along with their global counterparts, are set to log robust, double-digit gains.
“It’s been a year of corporate resilience,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird in Louisville, Kentucky. “For all the anxiety about the state of the labor market consumer spending was still pretty good.”
“People were still mostly working and still mostly spending and that underlies the whole economy,” Mayfield added.
Minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s last meeting of the year are expected later in the session, and should provide insight into the disagreement among its members regarding the central bank’s decision to cut interest rates in December and shed light on the path forward of its monetary policy in 2026.
“There might be a little bit more attention paid (to the minutes) given the several dissents in the December meeting,” Mayfield said. “The market is not expecting anything from January, so I think it’ll be more about setting the stage for 2026.”
On the geopolitical front, efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war were complicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning that Russia’s negotiating stance will toughen following its accusations that Kyiv attacked Putin’s residential complex in Roshchino.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 127.26 points, or 0.26%, to 48,334.67, the S&P 500 fell 10.70 points, or 0.15%, to 6,895.04 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 39.80 points, or 0.17%, to 23,434.55.
European shares climbed to all-time highs, with a boost from banking and commodities stocks.
MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 0.67 points, or 0.07%, to 1,020.02.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.62%, while Europe’s broad FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 14.92 points, or 0.64%.
Emerging market stocks rose 0.10% to 1,403.11. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed higher by 0.07%, at 722.25, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 187.44 points, or 0.37%, to 50,339.48.
Gold and silver prices rebounded from the prior session’s steep selloff, largely attributable to year-end profit-taking following the precious metals’ bumper year.
“Trees don’t grow to the sky and the move in gold over the last couple of years – basically doubling – requires a longer period of consolidation,” Mayfield said.
Gold remains poised to register its best year of gains since 1979.
Spot gold rose 0.67% to $4,360.79 an ounce, while spot silver rose 5.5% to $76.18 per ounce.
The dollar strengthened ahead of the release of the Fed minutes, but remained on course for its steepest annual drop in eight years.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, rose 0.24% to 98.25, with the euro down 0.2% at $1.1748.
Against the Japanese yen, the dollar strengthened 0.32% to 156.54.
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin gained 1.63% to $88,665.04. Ethereum rose 1.55% to $2,980.13.
The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes rose 1.8 basis points to 4.134%, from 4.116% late on Monday.
The 30-year bond yield rose 1.6 basis points to 4.8202% from 4.804% late on Monday.
The 2-year note yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations for the Federal Reserve, fell 0.2 basis points to 3.463%, from 3.465% late on Monday.
Oil prices steadied amid fading hopes of an imminent Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising Middle East tensions concerning Yemen.
U.S. crude rose 0.46% to $58.35 a barrel and Brent rose to $62.06 per barrel, up 0.19% on the day.
Reporting by Stephen Culp; Additional reporting by Stella Qiu, Vidya Ranganathan and Dhara Ranasinghe; Editing by Lisa Shumaker
The disruption, caused by a fault in the overhead power supply, upended plans for thousands of passengers in London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year
International News via Reuters:
Train services through the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and continental Europe were suspended for much of Tuesday after a power supply failure, bringing chaos to peak winter holiday travel.
The disruption, caused by a fault in the overhead power supply, upended plans for thousands of passengers in London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
In a statement on its website at 1530 GMT, high-speed train operator Eurostar said that the 31-mile-long (50-km) tunnel was partially reopened and that services were resuming gradually. But it warned passengers that the power fault was persisting.
“We strongly recommend that all our passengers postpone their journeys to another date,” Eurostar said.
Getlink, which operates the tunnel infrastructure and the Le Shuttle service carrying cars and trucks, said repairs to the power supply were underway and that traffic services were slowly being restored in both directions.
Getlink said the fault was a technical issue and that there was no suspicion of foul play or sabotage. Additional services would be activated on Tuesday evening and Wednesday to help clear the backlog, it added.
The disruption affects one of Europe’s busiest international rail corridors at the height of the New Year travel season.
HOLIDAY PLANS UPENDED
Several hundred Le Shuttle passengers were stuck in their vehicles after passing through passport checks and security at the terminal in Folkestone. For several hours they were told by officials that they could neither go forward – there were no trains – nor backward, because they had already crossed into the French control zone.
Workers handed out diapers and baby food.
Alison Raby had booked a day trip to a theme park in Belgium, but she said the long delay made the excursion pointless. “We’re stuck, basically,” she told Reuters.
Fellow passenger Phil Groves, who works for Britain’s National Health Service and was en route to Paris for New Year’s Eve, said he and his family had been stuck at Folkestone for more than six hours and were held in a “mammoth queue”.
“We’ve been told that the first train will be departing shortly but we won’t be on it as there are so many people ahead of us!” he said as the services resumed.
Britain’s Port of Dover said it was operating a “turn up and go” system for passengers affected by the tunnel disruption and that Channel ferry operators currently had capacity to take extra travellers.
Le Shuttle carried 2.2 million passenger vehicles and 1.2 million trucks through the tunnel in 2024. Eurostar carried 19.5 million customers in the same year, its most successful to date.
Stranded passengers crowded the concourse at London’s St Pancras station on Tuesday. One was led away by police, shouting “I just want to know if I’ll see my family” after an exchange with a Eurostar worker.
Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen in Paris, Yann Tessier in Folkestone and VitaliiYalahuzian in London; writing by Richard Lough; editing by Kevin Liffey, Kirsten Donovan and Mark Heinrich
The 2025 TUUCI Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta finally found its rhythm on Biscayne Bay as a stubborn lack of wind gave way to a steady enough breeze for the Bermuda contingent to launch their campaigns. After a testing period of inactivity that left sailors and coaches alike watching the horizon, the arrival of the breeze allowed for a full day of high-stakes racing across multiple fleets.
In the highly competitive Optimist Division, the patience of the young sailors was rewarded with four races completed in quick succession. Thomas McBain emerged as the leading Bermudian performer, currently sitting in 73rd place overall with 111 points. McBain showed significant improvement as the day progressed, peaking with an impressive 12th-place finish in the fourth and final race of the afternoon. He is followed closely by Rex Henagulph in 82nd position, who matched that 12th-place feat earlier in the day during race two, ending the session with 120 points.
Further down the leaderboard, the Bermudian fleet showed flashes of brilliance despite the heavy traffic on the water. Aaron Riker occupies 113th place after a strong 29th-place showing in his final outing, while Miguel Leite and Ishmael Dill find themselves separated by just two points in 142nd and 144th respectively.
In the ILCA classes, Bermuda’s representatives thrived in the slightly more stable conditions. Sean Pedro leads the charge in the ILCA4 division, occupying 21st place overall after four races. However, the standout performance of the regatta so far belongs to Miguel Power in the ILCA7 fleet. Navigating the tactical challenges of the bay with maturity, Power sits 8th overall, aided by a sensational second-place finish in the opening race. With a net total of 22 points, he remains firmly in contention as the fleet looks ahead to the final stages of competition.
Shooting incidents fell to 147 so far this year, a 63% decrease compared to 2022 when there were 390 shootings and a 49% decrease compared to 2024, according to a Reuters analysis of official figures
International News via Reuters:
The number of shootings in Sweden has more than halved since hitting a peak in 2022, reflecting new policing approaches introduced by the right-wing government, which is readying for parliamentary elections next year.
Shooting incidents fell to 147 so far this year, a 63% decrease compared to 2022 when there were 390 shootings and a 49% decrease compared to 2024, according to a Reuters analysis of official figures.
The number of fatalities, however, was unchanged from last year at 43, though lower than the 62 killed in 2022.
The government won the 2022 election on a pledge to stop gang crime and drastically reduce immigration. It trails the opposition in opinion polls ahead of the next election in September, but the gap has narrowed.
Gang-related crime has been high in Sweden for more than two decades and, over that period, the amount of gun violence has risen to among the highest in Europe from among the lowest.
Among those killed this year, 11 died in a school shooting in February, which was not gang-related.
“New tools, resources and methods are starting to hit the criminal networks,” Sweden’s Minister of Justice Gunnar Strommer told Reuters, but said more needed to be done. “I want to remain humble. This is complicated and we still have levels of violence no decent society can accept.”
Legislation that has drawn criticism from lawyers and some politicians has introduced changes such as anonymity for some court witnesses, increased electronic surveillance, tougher sentences and what are known as safety zones, where police can search people even if they are not suspected of any crime.
Johan Olsson, head of the Police National Operations Department, said the measures had allowed police to seize gangs’ assets and become more efficient in preventing shootings.
“Where we don’t see much success is stopping the recruitment to the gangs,” he told Reuters, adding that much of the recruitment happened online.
Sweden has around 17,500 active gang members, according to police figures.
Reporting by Johan Ahlander; editing by Barbara Lewis
Gallery owner Lisa Howie donates art books to public schools
IMAGE CREDIT: Lisa Howie and Dr. Shannon Rose with Charles Zuill: Portals to Another Dimension
Charles Zuill: Portals to Another Dimension will be distributed widely thanks to an Anonymous Donor and support from the Bermuda Arts Council.
Almost 100 copies of the art book Charles Zuill: Portals to Another Dimension, recently published by local brand Black Pony Gallery & Publishing, will be donated to Bermuda’s Public School System (BPSS) arts educators, schools, libraries, and care home facilities, ensuring wider public access to one of the island’s most significant contemporary art publications.
Charles Zuill: Portals to Another Dimension celebrates the work of Bermudian artist Charles Zuill, whose practice explores spirituality, abstraction, and the transformative power of visual art. The 120-page hardcover art book features 147 full-colour reproductions of Zuill’s works alongside critical essays offering insights into his artistic vision and lifelong engagement with creative expression.
“Art has the power to connect people across generations,” said Bermudian Lisa Howie, Founding Director of Black Pony Gallery & Publishing, “By placing these books in schools, libraries, and care homes, we hope to encourage dialogue, reflection, and enjoyment of one of Bermuda’s talented visual artists who has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of our island.”
In addition, the book will take centre stage at the upcoming Teacher Professional Learning Day for BPSS Arts Educators on January 5 as Ms. Howie will lead a workshop called ‘Thinking History Through the Lens of Art’, presented in collaboration with the Department of Education, National Museum of Bermuda, and Black Pony Gallery & Publishing.
Dr. Shannon Rose, Education Officer for the Arts, said, “The upcoming interactive workshop will advance cross-curricular ties between literacy, contemporary art and Bermuda history while developing inquiry-based learning tools that teachers can use immediately in their classrooms.”
Distribution of the book underscores the value of partnership between private donors, cultural organizations, and the arts community in making creative works accessible to all.
The book is also for sale at local booksellers and online the gallery’s website: blackponygallery.com
For more information about the book or the distribution initiative, please contact: Lisa Howie Black Pony Gallery & Publishing, lisa@blackponygallery.com
Police appeal for witnesses following 11th road traffic death of 2025
Image and media release: Bermuda Police Service
At approximately 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, police received a report of a road traffic collision involving a van and a motorcycle, on Brunswick Street near the junction with Dundonald Street, Pembroke.
Upon their arrival, officers found the motorcycle rider, 64-year-old, Glen Ford, unresponsive but breathing.
He was attended to at the scene and subsequently transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further treatment of his injuries.
Sadly, Mr. Ford has now succumbed to those injuries.
Mr. Ford is the eleventh person in Bermuda this year, to have passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.
A BPS Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to provide necessary assistance to his family at this time
The investigation into this matter remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact, Police Constable, Victor Fishington, on 717-0836 or, via email at vfishington@bps.bm
The BPS extends its condolences to the family of Mr. Ford.
Bermudian goalkeeper Nathan Trott made a triumphant return to the starting line-up this evening as Cardiff City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Stevenage at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Trott, who had missed the festive win over Exeter City with a hand injury, was one of five changes made by manager Brian Barry-Murphy for the final fixture of the calendar year. Following a scoreless first half, the Bluebirds were forced to show their resilience after falling behind to a Phoenix Patterson strike. However, the hosts rallied with goals from Callum Robinson and Yousef Salech to clinch all three points, a result that ensures Cardiff finish 2025 at the summit of the Sky Bet League One table.
Further east at Kenilworth Road, fellow Bermudian international Nahki Wells was a central figure as Luton Town dismantled Leyton Orient with a clinical 3-0 performance.
Though the veteran striker did not find the net himself, his tireless work rate and intelligent movement proved decisive. Wells was the catalyst for the breakthrough in the 20th minute, winning a penalty after being clipped in the area by Jack Simpson. Jordan Clark coolly converted from the spot to provide the platform for Luton’s dominant night, with Wells also involved in the build-up for the Hatters’ third.
Luton Town’s commanding display capped off a successful period for Jack Wilshere’s side, who end the year on a significant high as they continue their steady push toward the League One play-off positions.
The First Division’s elite are set to descend upon Wellington Oval this New Year’s Day for a Shield Final that promises to be a tactical masterclass. Somerset Eagles and Robin Hood—two sides with a deep history in Bermudian football—will battle for the first silverware of 2026 in what is widely considered the hallmark event of the festive sporting calendar.
Somerset Eagles booked their place in the showpiece thanks to a sensational individual performance from Rushaine Murphy. In their semi-final clash against Wolves at Somerset Cricket Club, the Eagles were forced to show significant character after falling behind to a 14th-minute own goal. However, Murphy single-handedly turned the tide, netting a magnificent hat-trick with both his feet and his head to secure a 3–1 comeback victory.
In contrast, Robin Hood’s path to the final was a marathon of mental and physical endurance. Facing off against league leaders Somerset Trojans at a cold and blustery PHC Stadium, Hood battled through 120 minutes of scoreless football. When the deadlock could not be broken in extra time, Hood’s veterans stepped up with clinical ease. Xahvi DeRosa, Sebastian Madeiros, Keishen Bean, and James Cooper all converted from the spot to secure a 4–1 penalty shootout win.
Hood enters the final as a team in peak form, having recently dismantled Vasco da Gama 11–0 in the quarter-finals. With prolific scorers like Keishen Bean and a disciplined midfield under the leadership of coach Sergio Goater, they present a formidable challenge. The action gets underway at Wellington Oval with an 11:45 AM kickoff, setting the stage for the Friendship Trophy final later in the afternoon.
One of the most storied rivalries in Bermudian knockout football takes center stage at Wellington Oval this New Year’s Day as defending champions Dandy Town Hornets prepare to defend their Friendship Trophy crown against a resurgent North Village Rams.
The Hornets arrive in St. George’s with momentum on their side following a clinical 3-0 semi-final victory over Devonshire Cougars on Boxing Day. Spearheaded by the in-form Dante Leverock and David Jones—both of whom found the net in that outing—the Pembroke side will likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation that has served them so well this term. Having already edged the Rams 2-1 to lift the Charity Cup earlier this season, the holders have already laid down a significant marker.
However, history suggests a formidable psychological hurdle awaits them. In the three previous Friendship Trophy final meetings between these heavyweights, the Rams have emerged victorious every time, including a 4-2 win in 2001 and identical 2-1 scorelines in 1997 and 2006.
Under the guidance of coach Calvin “Patches” Dill, the Rams have proven they can handle the pressure of the big occasion, notably edging past St. George’s Colts to reach the showpiece. With the clinical Jonté Smith leading the line, Village will be confident of reclaiming the trophy and ending the year with silverware at Bernard Park.
With the island’s football fraternity descending on Wellington Oval for the 2:00 PM kickoff, the stage is set for a New Year’s Day classic to determine who starts 2026 as the kings of knockout football.
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