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How campers ignited a disability rights revolution

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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How campers ignited a disability rights revolution

Award-winning film to be screened at Bermuda College

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Ageing and Disability Services (ADS) invite the public to a free community screening of the award-winning documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution on Sunday, 14 December 2025, at 2:30 pm in the Butterfield and Vallis Room at Bermuda College.

Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, encouraged broad participation and highlighted the film’s significance: “Crip Camp reminds us that progress in disability rights has always been driven by people coming together to demand equity, dignity and respect. As Bermuda continues its work towards full inclusion, events such as this help us learn from global movements while reflecting on the changes still needed at home. I encourage everyone to attend and be part of this important conversation.”

This special screening marks the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3) and Human Rights Day (December 10) and celebrates the courage, activism and sense of community that have shaped the global disability rights movement. Crip Camp tells the powerful story of a groundbreaking summer camp whose campers helped ignite a disability rights revolution in the United States, using humour, heart and extensive archival footage to illustrate the transformative impact of collective advocacy.

Lisa Reed, Executive Officer of the Human Rights Commission, emphasised the importance of community action, stating, “Disability inclusion cannot be achieved by policy alone. The Commission’s Disability Inclusion report details recommendations from the public and reinforces that our shared commitment is essential. This screening invites us to reflect on the power of collective action and the role we each have to play in creating a Bermuda where every person can participate fully, freely and with dignity.”

All are welcome to attend. The Butterfield and Vallis Room is accessible to wheelchair users and individuals using mobility aids. Accessible restrooms are available. Parking Lot F, located just past the gym on College Road, is the closest parking area, with a designated drop-off zone situated just beyond it. The room is accessible from all parking areas on campus. Closed captions and subtitles (CC/SubT) will be provided.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to assist with catering by contacting the Human Rights Commission at 295-5859 or info@humanrights.bm though it is not required. The Disability Inclusion report can be found on the Commission’s website: www.humanrights.bm

Hungary PM Orban’s Fidesz narrows gap on opposition rival, opinion poll shows

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The poll conducted on November 21-28 by 21 Research Centre, a Budapest-based think tank, showed Tisza still had a strong lead over Orban’s right-wing Fidesz, but it was narrowing

International News via Reuters:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party narrowed the gap on opposition rival Tisza in November, an opinion poll showed on Tuesday, helped by large-scale spending ahead of next year’s election and a slight improvement in consumer confidence.

The poll conducted on November 21-28 by 21 Research Centre, a Budapest-based think tank, showed Tisza still had a strong lead over Orban’s right-wing Fidesz, but it was narrowing. This was similar to the findings of a Median survey published last week.

Orban, a nationalist who has been in power since 2010, has struggled to revive the economy from an inflationary surge following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine that strained Hungary’s finances.

ORBAN HAS LAUNCHED A SERIES OF VOTER-PLEASING MEASURES

Orban’s centre-right rival Peter Magyar is threatening to unseat him in the election that is likely to take place in April. The prime minister has launched a raft of voter-pleasing measures in recent months that S&P Global estimates are worth some 2% of economic output.

The 21 Research Centre poll showed the Tisza party was backed by 47% of decided voters compared with 40% for Fidesz. The gap narrowed from 10 percentage points in October, the poll showed. The far-right Mi Hazank (Our Homeland) party polled at 6% in November, which would represent enough votes to give it seats in parliament.

“We think that the welfare measures are having an impact,” 21 Research Centre Director Daniel Rona said, noting in particular Orban’s moves to help pensioners.

He said support for Fidesz has increased the most among people older than 65, but even so, the poll gains were within the margin of error and upcoming surveys would show whether the improvement is lasting.

While the Median survey last week also registered a narrowing gap between the two parties and fewer people hoping for a change in government, it said 60% of those polled believed the country, mired in stagnation for a third year, was on the wrong track.

Hungarian think tank GKI’s consumer confidence index retreated in November from a 14-month-high seen in October but was still above its mid-year levels.

The European Commission’s monthly survey also showed slightly weaker confidence among Hungarian consumers in November, but also with a reading that was off summer lows.

Orban has stepped up his pre-election campaign since September, launching a subsidised mortgage scheme for first-home buyers, tax cuts for families and a pension top-up to be paid in February, shortly before the election.

He has also secured a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy from his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, staving off a surge in energy prices, which would have hit Hungary’s import-reliant economy hard.

Reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely SzakacsEditing by Frances Kerry

UK Black Friday weekend online sales hit $5 billion, Adobe Analytics says

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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It said the top performing product categories over the four days were jewellery, video games, toys, electronics, personal care products, sporting goods and apparel

International News via Reuters:

British shoppers spent 3.8 billion pounds ($5.0 billion) online across the four days of Black Friday to Cyber Monday, up 4.6% year-on-year, according to data from Adobe Analytics published on Tuesday.

It said the top performing product categories over the four days were jewellery, video games, toys, electronics, personal care products, sporting goods and apparel.

Across all retail categories the average discount was 16.7%, with the deepest discounts on computers, televisions and apparel.

Separately on Tuesday, the British Retail Consortium, the trade group which represents the major retailers, said Black Friday deals began earlier than normal this year.

It said that with uncertainty regarding last week’s tax raising budget now behind them, retailers will be hoping that consumer confidence rebounds in the Christmas trading period.

U.S. shoppers were projected to spend nearly $44 billion over the five-day period including Thanksgiving, according to Adobe.

($1 = 0.7580 pounds)

Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Sharon Singleton

EU epidemic vets begin work on swine fever outbreak in Barcelona

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The experts in virology and risk management will visit a 6-km exclusion zone around the affected area in Bellaterra to survey the situation

International News via Reuters:

A taskforce of EU vets specialising in epidemics began work in Barcelona on Tuesday as Spain seeks to contain an African swine fever outbreak that has forced it to halt some pork exports.

The experts in virology and risk management will visit a 6-km exclusion zone around the affected area in Bellaterra to survey the situation, provide advice and prepare a follow-report with recommendations, a European Commission spokesperson said.

Spain is the EU’s leading pork producer, accounting for a quarter of the bloc’s output, ahead of Germany, with annual exports worth about 3.5 billion euros ($4.05 billion). 

It resumed shipments on Monday from other regions to China, which accounts for almost 42% of Spanish pork exports outside the EU, after Beijing confirmed it would only limit imports from the Barcelona area, in line with a recently-signed regionalisation agreement. 

But other countries including Britain, Mexico and Canada have suspended a wide range of pork and by-product shipments from across Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged them to continue buying from regions outside the containment zone.

“It is very important to keep markets beyond Europe open for pork exports,” Sanchez said in an interview on TVE.

OUTBREAKS AROUND EUROPE    

The EU taskforce was most recently deployed in September to help monitor a swine fever outbreak in Estonia.

Croatia is also trying to contain an outbreak, while Italy and Germany have recorded cases in recent years that have prompted the culling of pigs.  

“Biosecurity measures must be reinforced even more with three countries (Spain, Italy and Germany) around us now affected,” said Anne Richard, director of French pork industry association Inaporc.

Officials suspect the virus may have spread after a wild boar ate contaminated food, possibly a sandwich brought from outside Spain. The virus is harmless to humans, but spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar, for whom it can be fatal.

It was detected in two wild boar in a wooded, hilly area outside Barcelona and a further eight are being tested.

The outbreak could allow U.S. farmers to export more.

“With more EU countries finding ASF within their borders, U.S. producers have an opportunity to meet global demand,” U.S. consultancy Steiner Consulting Group said.

U.S. pork exports are expected to fall by 0.3% to 6.96 billion pounds in 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“If the recent outbreak in Spain is not contained, we would expect U.S. pork exports to once again surpass 7 billion pounds,” Steiner Consulting said. 

Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Jesus Calero; additional reporting by Gus Trompiz and Tom Polansek; writing by Charlie Devereux; editing by Alexander Smith

Apple can be sued in a Dutch court for antitrust damages, EU’s top court says

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The case came before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a Dutch tribunal sought guidance on damages claims

International News via Reuters:

Apple can be sued in a Dutch court for antitrust damages, Europe’s highest court said on Tuesday, backing two foundations seeking compensation for users affected by the iPhone maker’s alleged anti-competitive conduct related to its App Store.

The case came before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a Dutch tribunal sought guidance on damages claims by Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores.

The foundations argued that the fees charged by Apple for third-party apps on the App Store are excessive, hurt users and are consistent with an unlawful abuse of a dominant position.

Apple said a Dutch court does not have jurisdiction as the alleged harmful event did not occur in the Netherlands.

The CJEU dismissed its arguments, saying that the App Store in question is designed specifically for the Dutch market and uses Dutch to offer apps for sale to users who have an Apple ID associated with the Netherlands.

“The damage allegedly suffered when purchases are made in that virtual space can therefore occur in that territory, irrespective of the place where the users concerned were situated at the time of the purchase,” judges said.

“The Netherlands court therefore has international and territorial jurisdiction,” they said.

Apple declined to comment. The two foundations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The case is C-34/24 Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores Claims.

Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten

UK fiscal watchdog official says Reeves pre-budget speech was not misleading

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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In a speech on November 4, Reeves appeared to lay the groundwork to raise income tax rates, breaking the Labour Party’s promise to voters before the 2024 election

International News via Reuters:

A top official from Britain’s fiscal watchdog said on Tuesday he did not think comments made last month by finance minister Rachel Reeves about the difficult budget situation that she was facing were misleading.

In a speech on November 4, Reeves appeared to lay the groundwork to raise income tax rates, breaking the Labour Party’s promise to voters before the 2024 election. She cited a “weaker than previously thought” productivity performance.

But the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had also provided Reeves with forecasts showing its productivity downgrade had been offset by increases in real wages and inflation, factors Reeves did not mention.

She has been criticised by political opponents for misleading the public and seeking to find a reason to raise taxes to justify an increase in welfare spending, a charge she denies.

“I don’t think it was misleading for the chancellor to say that the fiscal position was very challenging at the beginning of that week,” David Miles, a member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, told lawmakers.

However, Miles cast doubt on the veracity of briefings given to the media later that month in which unnamed government sources said improvements to the OBR’s forecasts meant the government could avoid raising income tax rates.

The British government bond market moved sharply after those briefings with borrowing costs falling.

“It certainly didn’t reflect anything that was news from the OBR being fed into the government,” Miles said.

Reeves last week announced 26 billion pounds ($34.3 billion)in tax increases to remain on track to meet her fiscal targets and fund an increase in welfare for families with children.

($1 = 0.7583 pounds)

Writing by Andy BruceEditing by William Schomberg

AI could increase divide between rich and poor states, UN report warns

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns of a possible “great divergence” emerging between nations in terms of economic performance

International News via Reuters:

Artificial Intelligence could widen gaps between developed and developing countries, a U.N. report said on Tuesday, calling for policy measures to limit the impact.

The report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns of a possible “great divergence” emerging between nations in terms of economic performance, people’s skill sets and governing systems.

“We think that AI is heralding a new era of rising inequality between countries, following years of convergence in the last 50 years,” Philip Schellekens, Chief Economist for UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Bureau told a Geneva press briefing.

The UNDP report ‘The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries’ says that trade, technology and development have helped close gaps between states in recent decades, bringing major income, health and education gains.

These gains now risk being eroded, it says.

Ultimately, even wealthier countries would suffer if poorer states are left behind by AI, said Schellekens.

“If inequality continues to rise, the spillover effects of that in terms of the security agenda, in terms of undocumented forms of migration, will also become more daunting,” he said.

Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Thomas Seythal

UK set for faster growth in 2026, slower inflation, OECD forecasts

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The Paris-based organisation raised its 2026 forecast for British economic growth to 1.2% from 1% in its previous forecast in September

International News via Reuters:

Britain’s economy will grow more faster than previously expected next year, the OECD said on Tuesday, citing the impact of finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget on consumption and drag from global uncertainty that could keep pressure on inflation.

The Paris-based organisation raised its 2026 forecast for British economic growth to 1.2% from 1% in its previous forecast in September. It sees gross domestic product expanding 1.3% in 2027.

“Continuing to ensure that consolidation is carefully timed, given substantial downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation, and well-calibrated, with a combination of revenue raising measures and spending cuts, is essential,” the OECD said in its latest global outlook.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves announced increases to government spending in her November 26 budget, paid for by higher state borrowing and hiking taxes on workers, people saving for pensions and investors.

Reeves welcomed the forecasts, saying that last week’s budget had cut waiting lists on the country’s national health service, borrowing and debt, as well as the cost of living.

The OECD expects Britain’s government deficit to remain large, but to narrow from 5.9% of GDP in 2025 to 5.1% in 2027, with total revenue reaching 40% of economic output.

It said consumer price inflation was likely to average 3.5% this year – higher than in any other G7 country – before easing to 2.5% in 2026, and 2.1% in 2027.

The inflation forecast for next year was in line with estimates from Britain’s budget watchdog, published last week.

“Elevated inflation expectations and potential second-round effects from increases in payroll taxes and the minimum wage, as well as from high food inflation, constitute an upside risk to prices,” the OECD said, adding this could prompt the Bank of England to keep interest rates higher for longer, and pose a downside risk to economic growth.

With public finances stretched, the OECD warned that Britain’s government had limited capacity to deal with potential shocks to the economy in the future.

Reporting by Suban Abdulla, editing by Andy Bruce

Euro steadies, dollar rises vs yen as JGB auction brings relief

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The euro was steady at 1.1606 ahead of inflation data expected at 1000 GMT, with traders not expecting the numbers to move the needle around European Central Bank rate cut expectations

International News via Reuters:

The euro steadied on Tuesday ahead of euro zone inflation and unemployment data, while the dollar rose against the yen after an auction of Japanese government debt drew solid demand, easing investor nerves after Monday’s selloff in global fixed income.

The euro was steady at 1.1606 ahead of inflation data expected at 1000 GMT, with traders not expecting the numbers to move the needle around European Central Bank rate cut expectations.

In the meantime talks to end the war in Ukraine continued. 

“Today’s CPI shouldn’t move the needle dramatically for ECB rate expectations… If anything, the risks are slightly on the downside for the euro, but our expectation is for a neutral FX impact,” said Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING.

The greenback rose 0.37% against the yen to 156.01, after hitting a two-week low on Monday, following a sale of 10-year Japanese government bonds which saw the strongest demand since September, prompting a rebound in super-long-dated securities after yields set fresh records earlier in the day.

“The auction result appears to have provided a measure of reassurance to the market,” said Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho in Tokyo.

Stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies and the dollar all tumbled on Monday after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the central bank would consider the “pros and cons” of raising interest rates at its next policy meeting, sending Japanese two-year yields above 1% for the first time since 2008 and prompting a spillover into global bond markets.

Adding to the anxiety was weaker-than-expected manufacturing data from the U.S., heaping pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month. Fed funds futures are pricing an 87% probability of a 25-basis-point cut at the Fed’s next meeting on December 10, compared to a 63% chance a month ago, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.    

The dollar index was steady at 99.48, after touching a more than two-week low on Monday.

Sterling was also flat on the day at $1.3215, having touched its highest level in a month on Monday. 

The Bank of England on Tuesday cut the amount of capital it estimates lenders need to hold in a bid to boost lending and stimulate the economy in the first reduction to bank capital demands since the financial crisis.

Reporting by Joice Alves in London and Gregor Stuart Hunter in Singapore; Editing by Sharon Singleton

‘Every young person deserves a strong start’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Applications open for summer jobs programme

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Youth Employment Programmes (YEP) are open. Students aged 16 to 26 seeking meaningful summer employment and career development opportunities are encouraged to apply. 

“Every young person deserves a strong start”, explained the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward. “The Youth Employment Programmes are designed to connect Bermudian students with hands-on experience that strengthens their confidence, sharpens their skills, and prepares them for the careers of tomorrow.”

Designed to support early career development, the Youth Employment Programmes offer participants the chance to: 

  • Gain practical, on-the-job experience.
  • Build professional networks across a range of industries.
  • Develop leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Please note the following eligibility requirements for the programme, 

Summer Internship Programme (High School Students):

  • Bermudian or Bermudian Status Holder
  • At least 16 years old and no older than 18 as of 29 June 2026

Summer Internship Programme (College or University Students):

  • Bermudian or Bermudian Status Holder
  • Enrolled in college or university as of 1 December 2025 
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 or equivalent (UK Pass)

Applicants should review the full guidance notes and submit their application at: dwd.bm/youth-employment-strategy.

Offering words of encouragement to Bermuda’s youth, Minister Hayward added, “You are talented, ambitious, and capable. Through these programmes, you will gain exposure to real workplaces, real expectations, and the full potential within you. This is more than a summer job, it is a stepping stone toward a stronger, more resilient career pathway and your future as part of Bermuda’s workforce.”

The application deadline is 31 December 2025.

For more information, please email youthemployment@gov.bm with “Youth Employment Programme” in the subject line or call 297-7714.

Full time: Bermuda fall 4-1 to Guatemala after early setback

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The Bermuda Women’s National Team suffered a 4-1 defeat against Guatemala in their second CONCACAF W Qualifiers match, a difficult result compounded by an early goalkeeper injury and Guatemala’s strong control of the match statistics.

Guatemala took control early, scoring in the 5th and 15th minutes to secure a 2-0 lead at the half. The challenge for Bermuda was amplified in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Taya Rodrigues was substituted due to injury, with Sharifa Crockwell entering the game.

Guatemala extended their lead in the second half, eventually going up 4-0 before Eva Frazzoni pulled a goal back for Bermuda in the 78th minute, heading in a cross from Kenni Thompson.

Guatemala dominated possession with 59.2% and registered 24 shots (12 on target), while Bermuda had just two shots. The 4-1 defeat is a setback for Bermuda following their opening 4-0 win against the Cayman Islands.

Half time: Bermuda Trail Guatemala 2-0 after early goalkeeper injury

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The Bermuda Women’s National Team is facing a tough challenge in their second CONCACAF W Qualifiers match, trailing Guatemala 2-0 at the half, a scoreline compounded by an early forced substitution in the goalkeeper position.

The match against Guatemala has proven to be a stern test for the Bermudian side, who came into the fixture riding the momentum of a commanding 4-0 victory in their opening match against the Cayman Islands.

However, Guatemala established a 2-0 lead by the half-time whistle, putting the pressure firmly on Bermuda for the remainder of the contest.

Compounding the scoreline, Bermuda was forced into an unfortunate change early in the first half. Goalkeeper Taya Rodrigues was substituted in the 26th minute due to an injury.

Sharifa Crockwell entered the game to replace Rodrigues, who will be assessed for the severity of her injury. This disruption comes at a critical time for Bermuda as they attempt to secure points in the highly competitive qualifying group.

Bermuda will need a major turnaround in the second half to salvage a result and keep their qualification hopes firmly alive.

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