Third public meeting to be held at Francis Patton Primary School
The Ministry of Justice is inviting the public to attend the next community meeting on Jury Reform, which will take place on Thursday, 11 December, at Francis Patton Primary School in Hamilton Parish. The meeting, hosted by the Hamilton Parish Council, will begin at 6.30 p.m.
This session marks the third public meeting as part of the ongoing consultation on proposed updates to Bermuda’s jury system. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, ask questions and share feedback to support wider understanding of the proposals.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, will be present to engage directly with attendees.
The AG stated: “These community meetings continue to show the value of open dialogue. The contributions from residents so far have been thoughtful and constructive, and they help to ensure that the final recommendations reflect the needs and expectations of the public. I encourage everyone with an interest in this important work to attend.”
The public can also review the Jury Reform consultation documents and submit written feedback online at forum.gov.bm. Submissions will be accepted until 31 December.
Base electricity rates will fall in January following a Tariff Review… and both BELCO and the RA want credit
Electricity bills are set to drop in January – and both the RA and BELCO are looking to take credit.
The Regulatory Authority today announced their Retail Tariff Review, in which they approved that BELCO receive a rate of return of 7.85% in 2026 – lower than the 9.86% r-o-r that BELCO had requested, but slightly higher than the 7.79% r-o-r they approved last year.
It’s also the fourth year that BELCO’s rate-of-return has been increased incrementally since it was dropped to 7.16% in 2022, following highs of 7.5% and 8% in 2021 and 2020.
The 2026 Retail Tariff Review sets BELCO’s allowed revenue at $236.9 Million dollars – $16.8 million lower than BELCO had proposed. Purely in dollar terms, it’s the lowest BELCO has been permitted to earn since 2023 – about 40 million lower than the company was allowed to generate in 2025.
The RA reports that as a result of their Review, base electricity rates will decrease by 10.5% beginning 1 January 2026, with the overall retail rate decreasing by an average of 7.6% for customers.
While BELCO had applied for a higher allowed revenue, the RA concluded that many of BELCO’s projects were prudent, cost-effective, and provided benefit to customers. However, the RA noted that “a significant number of BELCO’s proposed capital budget justifications did not provide evidence of these combined attributes and therefore non-critical projects were rejected.”
BELCO affirmed the rate drop in a press release today, stating that base residential rates will decrease on the 1st of January, which BELCO states could, after the prompt-pay discount, strip around $20-dollars off a monthly bill for the average residential household whose consumption is 650-kilowatt hours per meter reading cycle.
A bill for a low-usage residential household, consumption 200-kilowatt hours per meter reading cycle, could drop more than $5 dollars per month after discount, and a high-usage residential household, consumption 1,500-kilowatt hours per meter reading cycle, could see a decrease of $68-dollars to a monthly bill, after discount.
The new residential rates, which will have a reduction from 1.5 cents to 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour depending on the consumption block, are available at BELCO.bm. The Fuel Adjustment Rate (FAR), which is set quarterly, will remain at 13.799₵ per kilowatt hour in Quarter 1 2026.
BELCO President Wayne Caines said, “over the past year, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of our operations at BELCO to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and cost savings that benefit our customers. These efforts have enabled us to achieve operational improvements that are being passed on to our customers”.
Media Statement from the Regulatory Authority:
The RA has completed its 2026/2027 Retail Tariff Review, confirming that electricity rates will decrease for all customer classes beginning 1 January 2026. Base rates will fall by 10.5 percent, with the average overall retail rate decreasing by approximately 7.6 percent.
Following an established regulatory methodology, the RA approved an Allowed Revenue of roughly BMD $237 million for 2026, which is approximately $17 million lower than BELCO’s request. This outcome reflects updated cost information, efficiency assessments, and higher-than-forecast electricity sales, all evaluated through the RA’s standard analytical framework.
An entrenched and thorough methodological process is utilised each year by the RA to ensure that BELCO’s Allowed Revenue reflects the efficient and transparent cost of providing service. The 2026 review follows this approach, resulting in a determination grounded in data, rigorous analysis, and the RA’s commitment to fairness and accountability.
The full Retail Tariff Review decision, including detailed analysis and bill-impact scenarios, is published on the RA’s website www.ra.bm.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 3 metres (10 feet) could hit Japan’s northeastern coast after the earthquake struck off the coast at 11:15 p.m. (1415 GMT)
International News via Reuters:
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan late on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and orders for about 90,000 residents to evacuate.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 3 metres (10 feet) could hit Japan’s northeastern coast after the earthquake struck off the coast at 11:15 p.m. (1415 GMT).
Tsunami warnings were issued for the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, and tsunamis from 20 to 70 cm (7 to 27 inches) high were observed at several ports, JMA said.
The epicentre of the quake was 80 km (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 50 km, the agency added.
On Japan’s 1-7 scale of seismic intensity, the tremor registered as an “upper 6” in Aomori prefecture — a quake strong enough to make it impossible to keep standing or move without crawling. In such tremors, most heavy furniture can collapse and wall tiles and windowpanes are damaged in many buildings.
East Japan Railway suspended some services in the area, which was also hit by the massive 9.0-magnitude quake in March 2011. As of 1600 GMT, there was little information of major damage from public broadcaster NHK.
“There is a possibility that further powerful and stronger earthquakes could occur over the next several days,” a JMA official said at a briefing.
No irregularities were reported at nuclear power plants in the region run by Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power, the utilities said. Tohoku Electric initially said thousands of households had lost power but later lowered that number to the hundreds.
The yen weakened against major currencies after news of the tremor, before regaining some ground. The dollar touched a session high and was trading at around 155.81 yen around 1533 GMT, while the euro also hit a session high.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes. Located in the “Ring of Fire” of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater.
The northeastern region suffered one of the country’s deadliest earthquakes on March 11, 2011, when a 9.0-magnitude tremor struck under the ocean off the coast of the northern city of Sendai. It was the most powerful ever recorded in Japan and set off a series of massive tsunami that devastated a wide swathe of the Pacific coastline and killed nearly 20,000 people. The 2011 tsunami also damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, leading to a series of explosions and meltdowns in the world’s worst nuclear disaster for 25 years.
Reporting by Kantaro Komiya, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Mariko Katsumura; Writing by Chang-Ran KimEditing by Kevin Liffey and Hugh Lawson
Representatives of three unions sent a strike warning on Monday to the Culture Ministry, an official of the Sud union, Elise Muller, said
International News via Reuters:
Staff at France’s Louvre Museum plan to strike from December 15 over pay and conditions, the stoppage adding to a catalogue of recent woes – including a spectacular jewel heist and a water leak that damaged ancient books – that have put the site’s management under intense scrutiny.
Representatives of three unions sent a strike warning on Monday to the Culture Ministry, an official of the Sud union, Elise Muller, said. She said whether the museum opened on December 15 would depend on how many people heeded the strike call.
“This letter serves as a strike notice for all (Louvre)staff, for the night preceding 15 December 2025 and for the following days until the demands are met,” the strike warning letter said.
The unions said staff at the Louvre, the world’s most- visited museum, are overworked and mismanaged. They are calling for more hiring, pay increases and a redirection of spending.
The Louvre Museum and the Ministry of Culture did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, has faced intense criticism since burglars made off with crown jewels worth an estimated $102 million in October.
Critics including the state auditor office have questioned the museum’s low spending on security and infrastructure maintenance while it made lavish purchases of new artwork, only a quarter of which is open to the public, and spent heavily on post-pandemic relaunch projects.
Des Cars has admitted security lapses at the Louvre and offered her resignation after the heist, which Culture Minister Rachida Dati turned down. Des Cars has spoken of her “disappointment and surprise” at the state of the Louvre when she moved there in September 2021 from the Musee d’Orsay – home of the French Impressionists.
Last month she announced the museum will install 100 external cameras by the end of 2026.
In mid-November, the Louvre had to close a gallery as its structures, designed in the 1930s, showed weakness.
At the weekend, the museum reported a water leak which had damaged hundreds of ancient books in the Egyptian antiquities department.
“Staff … feel they are the last line of defence before its (the museum’s) collapse,” said the unions’ letter to the Culture Ministry.
The unions also oppose a 45% ticket price increase from mid-January for non-EU tourists. The hike is meant to help finance renovations.
Reporting by Inti Landauro and Charlotte Van CampenhoutEditing by Frances Kerry
The 2025 Bermuda National Athletics Association’s (BNAA) National Cross Country Championships concluded at the Government House Grounds, crowning new champions while recognizing schools and overall series winners.
In the U14 Girls 2 Mile Run, Naomi Macguinness claimed the National Championship title with a strong winning time of 12:00, ahead of Evelyn Fahy (12:20) and Colette Durkin (12:51).
Gianluca Bortoli took the U17 Men 3 Mile Run title in 16:15, beating Sanchez Smith (16:50) and Tobiah Goodchild (17:25). The U17 Women 3 Mile Run was won by Riana Robinson in 21:59.
In the Open Men 3 Mile Run, Kallan Richardson was crowned the National Champion, finishing with a winning time of 22:24, closely followed by Sean Trott (22:44).
In addition to the individual race winners, awards were given to the schools with the most entries: Warwick Academy won the Primary category, while Saltus won both the Middle and High School categories.
The BNAA also acknowledged its season-long Cross Country Series winners. Notable series winners included Naomi MacGuinness for U14 Girls, Riana Robinson for U17 Girls, and Jaeda Grant for U20 Girls.
The Ministry of Economy and Labour is pleased to announce that the Economic Investment and Residential Certificate (EIRC) program has reached a new milestone, surpassing $600 million of associated investment in the Bermudian economy. The continued success of the EIRC program, highlighting investor confidence in the Bermuda and the positive impact on Bermuda’s economy.
“The Economic Investment and Residential Certificate Policy remains an essential tool in supporting economic activity and strengthening global confidence in Bermuda,” said Minister Hayward. “The objective of the EIRC is to harness immigration as a catalyst for growth. The results speak for themselves, this programme has continued to attract high-value investment that supports jobs, fuels business activity, and reinforces Bermuda’s position as a premier place to live and invest.”
As of 5 November 2025, the EIRC Policy has generated over $604.9 million in total associated investments across several key sectors, representing a substantial contribution to Bermuda’s economy.
EIRC Investment Breakdown
Investment Type
Investment Amount
Number of EIRC Residential Certificate Holders
Number of Approved EIRC Applications
Existing Business
$51,714,923.94
4
3
Government Bond’s
$2,605,000.00
2
1
New Business
$219,112,516.48
12
7
Other Ventures
$43,950,000.00
19
7
Real Estate
$287,525,604.51
151
61
Total
$604,908,044.93
188
79
Minister Hayward noted that EIRC holders are required to invest a minimum of $2.5 million into Bermuda’s economy, but most invest significantly more.
“Affluent individuals continue to choose Bermuda because we offer safety, stability, a sophisticated regulatory environment, and a globally connected jurisdiction,” the Minister added. “These investments, across real estate, business ventures, and other sectors, demonstrate continued global confidence in our island and in the Government’s ability to lead.”
The Ministry continues to monitor and manage the EIRC Policy to ensure it supports Bermuda’s long-term economic and social priorities while attracting individuals committed to making meaningful contributions to the island.
For detailed information on the Economic Investment and Residential Certificate Policy, please visit the Bermuda Business Development Agency website at bda.bm.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed the new date for the auto proposals, but declined to confirm timings for the other policies
International News via Reuters:
The European Union has delayed by a week the release of closely watched proposals for the auto sector that could weaken a 2035 ban on new CO2-emitting cars, the European Commission confirmed on Monday.
Earlier, a draft Commission agenda seen by Reuters showed the bloc would push back the publication of its automotive package along with plans to widen its world-first carbon border tariff to include washing machines and other manufactured products.
Both were due out on Wednesday but are now pencilled in for December 16.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed the new date for the auto proposals, but declined to confirm timings for the other policies.
Negotiations are continuing as EU departments jostle for a place in the diary to release proposals by the end of the year.
AUTOMAKERS CALLING FOR FLEXIBILITY, CLIMATE GOALS AT RISK
The 2035 car emissions policy is being particularly closely watched by carmakers and governments, including Germany and Italy, which want the EU to allow continued sales of plug-in hybrids and combustion-engine cars that run on so-called CO2-neutral fuels such as those made from crops or waste.
In its current form, the measure would effectively ban sales of new combustion-engine cars.
European carmakers have said they need flexibility on the 2035 car policy to cope with slower-than-expected electric vehicle sales and fierce competition from China.
But weakening the policy could hamper the EU’s climate targets, since it would mean more CO2-emitting cars on Europe’s roads by 2050, when the EU has committed to reach net-zero emissions across its economy.
Some EU officials suggested the autos proposals could be delayed further, into 2026.
Guido Guidesi, minister for economic development in Italy’s auto industry-dependent Lombardy region, said that would simply create more uncertainty for carmakers.
“Further postponements and delays are unacceptable, because we are out of time – millions of jobs and entire industries are at risk,” he said in a statement.
DIVISIVE BUY EUROPEAN PLANS PUSHED BACK
Beyond the planned expansion of the carbon border tariff to cover more products, Brussels is also preparing proposals to prevent foreign companies from circumventing the measure.
Under a proposal that remains on track to kick in from January, the EU carbon border tariff will impose fees on the CO2 emissions of imported goods including steel, aluminium and cement.
The draft Commission agenda said the EU would also delay to January 28 a so-called “Industrial Accelerator” policy setting requirements to prioritise locally manufactured products.
The proposal is an attempt to boost European industries in the face of cheaper imports from China, but it has split EU countries.
Governments including France are championing the idea, but others, including Sweden and the Czech Republic, warn that “buy local” requirements could deter investments, raise prices in government tenders and hurt the EU’s competitiveness globally.
Reporting by Kate Abnett, Philip Blenkinsop, Editing by Louise Heavens, Andrew Heavens and Joe Bavier
UK consumer confidence remains fragile following the government’s tax-raising budget last month, and with household bills continuing to rise their spending has been waning
International News via Reuters:
Britons feeling the pinch are spreading the cost of Christmas by shopping earlier and swapping festive meals out for dining in, the boss of the UK arm of German discounter Aldi said on Monday.
UK consumer confidence remains fragile following the government’s tax-raising budget last month, and with household bills continuing to rise their spending has been waning.
“In terms of what we’re seeing in customer trends particularly in the festive season, there’s no doubt customers are spreading their spend,” Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley told Reuters in an interview.
He said the grocer, Britain’s fourth largest after Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, has sold more seasonal products at this point in the year than it had last year.
“Discretionary spending is being affected in terms of non-food and I think the hospitality sector is having a challenging time as well as customers are looking to celebrate at home,” he said.
Aldi UK, owned by Germany’s Aldi Sud, and rival discounter Lidl GB have expanded rapidly over the past two decades, transforming Britain’s supermarket scene and forcing the traditional grocers to compete more aggressively on price and up their game.
Despite the tough macro backdrop, Hurley said Aldi was anticipating its “biggest ever Christmas”, which partly reflects new store openings and inflation. It expected to sell about 49 million mince pies, 46 million ‘pigs in blankets’ and enough prosecco to fill 17 million glasses.
Echoing recent comments from Tesco and Sainsbury’s he said the competitive environment was intense.
“The fact that we’re selling fruit and vegetables at 8 pence during Christmas week, and the fact you can buy our Nicolas de Montbart champagne for 9.99 pounds tells you that it’s competitive,” he said, also highlighting that Aldi was selling a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for eight people for 12 pounds ($15.98).
With a current UK grocery market share of 10.6%, Aldi has Asda’s number three ranking in its sights. Asda, which has been struggling, has an 11.6% share.
Aldi will end the year with 1,081 stores. It plans to open 80 over the following two years and has a long-term target of 1,500.
Bermuda’s players concluded a highly successful campaign at the Total Health Cayman Islands Open, securing both a Gold and a Silver Medal in the senior and open divisions.
The Bermuda duo of Leslie Jackson and Emma Simmons were crowned the Senior Women’s Doubles 3.5 / Open Age: 50 And Above Champions. The pair delivered a highly successful campaign to secure the championship title at Pickleball Cayman in Grand Cayman. In the final, Jackson and Simmons defeated the pairing of Len Ibuyat and Isabella Settanni with a deciding score of 15-12, securing the gold medal.
Imani Phillips secured a Silver Medal in the Mixed Doubles 4.5 And Above Open Division, partnering with Yaniv Semo. The pair reached the Gold Medal match where they faced Jess Murrie and Michael Carse.
In a tense, back-and-forth final, the match went to three sets. After losing the first set 11-9, Phillips and Semo rallied to win the second set 9-11. However, Murrie and Carse ultimately prevailed in the decisive third set, winning 11-8 to claim the gold medal.
The Women’s Empowerment Summit (WES) is pleased to announce clinical counsellor Dayla Burgess has been recognised as the 2025 Woman of The Year.
Each year, the WES acknowledges a Bermudian female who is making a difference in the lives of others in the community.
Previous recipients include, co-founder of Tomorrow’s Voices, Thea Furbert, principal Trina Cariah and paraeducator Devonna Samuels.
Ms Burgess, who had no idea she was this year’s recipient, was caught by surprise at the 10th annual event, which was held Saturday, 29 November in the CedarBridge Academy cafetorium.
“When my name was called, I felt the familiar tug of imposter syndrome. But I quickly reminded myself, ‘Why not you?’” she shares.
As the founder of TeleConnect Bermuda, a company which offers teletherapy services tailored for adults, Ms Burgess is committed to expanding access to high-quality mental health care across the island and eliminating barriers.
“Every day, I work to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued,” she adds. “In 2024, that commitment led me to launch TeleConnect, with a mission to make care more accessible while strengthening Bermuda’s mental health and healthcare ecosystem.”
TeleConnect is now an approved mental health provider for CG, Argus and BF&M (now Allshore) and has introduced a culturally responsive therapist directory to support both clients and practitioners within Bermuda’s growing provider network.
Ms Zuill explains how her organisation chooses the annual Woman of The Year: “We often look for unsung heroes in the community; women who are simply getting on with life, making a difference in the lives they touch.
“This year we chose Dayla because she is not only passionate about mental wellness in Bermuda, but she has humanised the topic and is constantly engaging her peers in the subject area, which is something we did not experience just a few short years ago.
Tyler Christopher extended his perfect professional record, earning a convincing points win over Jensen Irving on the “Jingle Brawls” bill at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, England.
The southpaw improved his professional record to 11 straight wins (11-0) after dominating the four-round super-welterweight bout. The referee awarded a 40-37 verdict in favour of Christopher.
Christopher’s accuracy was on full display. He cut Irving in the second round and then bloodied his nose in the third with a series of accurate jabs.
Christopher now looks to move into bigger and more lucrative fights in 2026, aiming to step up and face opponents with winning records.
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