The “One China” principle, which Beijing views as meaning both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country, is something Taipei’s government rejects
International News via Reuters:
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Britain on Friday to uphold the “one-China” principle, as Beijing seeks to rally support in its worst diplomatic dispute with Tokyo in years over democratically-governed Taiwan.
The “One China” principle, which Beijing views as meaning both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country, is something Taipei’s government rejects.
China hopes to maintain strategic communication and enhance “necessary coordination” with the United Kingdom, Wang said during a meeting in Beijing with Britain’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell. The two also discussed Ukraine, according to a Chinese ministry readout.
Reporting by Beijing Newsroom, Editing by William Maclean
Round One of the 8th Portugal Grand Prix commenced in Vilamoura Sailing, bringing together an elite group of young sailors in the highly competitive ILCA 7 fleet, including Bermuda’s Sebastian Kempe.
The prestigious regatta, which attracts top international sailors preparing for major events, managed to complete just one race on the opening day.
Bermuda’s Sebastian Kempe, who is an experienced competitor on the international circuit, finished 17th in the lone race sailed. Racing conditions in Vilamoura often feature competitive winds and swell, providing a challenging environment for the sailors.
Competition is scheduled to continue through to November 30th, giving Kempe ample opportunity to climb the leaderboard over the coming days.
National Security Minister Michael Weeks lauds the work of the GVRT
The impact of the GVRT is measured in lives not lost.
This, according to National Security Minister Michael Weeks, who has lauded the he work of the Gang Violence Reduction Team and its coordinator, Pastor Leroy Bean.
Updating the public on the National Violence Reduction Strategy yesterday, Minister Weeks said many of the programmes that shape the strategy were born from the GVRT’s experience.
Of Pastor Bean, the Minister said he “engages directly with young men and women who are on the brink of making life altering decisions. He steps in between rival groups to prevent violence from escalating.”
Minister Weeks highlighted a pre-COVID overseas programme the GVRT led that there are plans to repeat, and Pastor Bean provided an update on the original participants. (WATCH above)
Pastor Leroy Bean recently told Bermuda Broadcasting that he thinks people, quote, “don’t have a clue what actually goes into this particular operation of reducing gang violence” end quote.
Gary Foster Skelton asked if the GVRT needs more publicity about what they do. (WATCH below)
Noah Outerbridge and his Maidstone United teammates endured a difficult afternoon at Roots Hall, falling to a high-scoring 6-3 defeat against Southend in their National League FA (NLFA) Academy South Division match, with the Bermudian forced off early due to injury.
The match was a lively, high-scoring contest that ultimately went the way of the home side. Bermudian player Noah Outerbridge started and was quick to make an impact, scoring Maidstone’s second goal in the 10th minute.
However, Outerbridge’s afternoon was cut short. He was subbed off in the 50th minute following a direct collision to his knee, forcing him to leave the pitch.
Speaking after the game, Outerbridge admitted the dual disappointment of injury and defeat: “I am gutted with the loss all the same,” he stated. Maidstone United will now be hoping for a quick recovery for Outerbridge as they look to bounce back in their NLFA Academy South Division campaign.
The Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Zina-Dawn Trott to the post of Director of Court Services.
As Director, Dr. Trott will oversee the management and administration of programmes and services designed to provide alternatives to incarceration, reduce recidivism and protect the community by assessing and addressing offending behaviours of offenders on community supervision orders; submitting reports to the Courts and the Parole Board on services provided and results achieved, and overseeing the provision of centralised assessments and referrals for substance abusers in the community.
Zina-Dawn Trott holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree with a Major in Strategic Foresight from Regent University in Virginia Beach; and a Master of Social Work (Clinical) degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Her education and experiences have equipped her to spearhead community, organisational, and executive development initiatives as well as assist individuals and families with acknowledging and addressing life’s challenges.
Dr. Trott has advanced through all levels of the Department of Court Services, commencing as a Probation Officer and progressing to Manager, a post she held for almost 15 years.
She is returning to the Department of Court Services after working in the Cabinet Office for a period where she was able to build on her knowledge of policy development and implementation, as well as the administration of the Public Service.
Dr. Trott is a published author, having written an article, “Character as a Critical Component of Leadership” (2010) and a chapter on the significance of values-based leadership in the book, “Faith-Based Entrepreneurship.” She looks forward to leading the officers of the department as they provide vital services for the well-being of our community.
Founder and host Carla Zuill said the WES has grown over the past decade to empower a cross section of women in the community
Celebrating a decade of execellence, the Women’s Empowerment Summit returns for their 10th year bringing a cross section of women together on island for a series of speakers and workshops.
Founder Carla Zuill, said the event is being held at the Cedarbridge Academy cafetorium this Saturday starting at 10am to 4pm. The day will culminate with the announcement of the WES Woman of the Year plus a panel discussion on ‘The Power of Female Friendships’.
While initially started as a business venture, Ms Zuill said the summit has become a meaningful way of drawing a community of powerful women to share their messages of hope.
She said, “Leading up to when I left Bermuda, I was very broken – suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from the gang violence that was going on in my neighbourhood. A reeally horrible personal time.
“But, in that, I always had women – I used to share a lot on social media, sometimes probably overshared but wowmen would reach out to me and say, ‘ Hey, Carla you inspire me’ or they’ll ask me for advice or ask me for help.
“And so, I realised that I had the ability to touch, specifically women, and so I thought it would be great for us if I created a safe space for all of us to come together.”
Ms. Zuill said the event grew each year and is designed to appeal to wide audience of women who need support in a safe environment, whether professionally or emotionally.
“Sometimes we tend to have these masks and when people ask us if we’re okay we say yes and we’re not. I wanted people to be in a space where they can take their mask off,” she added.
The 10th WES event is taking place this Saturday, November 28th 2025 at the Cedarbridge Academy cafetorium starting at 10am to 4pm.
Tickets can be purchased online at wesbermuda.com which includes a light breakfast and buffet lunch.
The fire in the Wang Fuk Court development in the northern district of Tai Po started on Wednesday afternoon and rapidly engulfed seven of the eight 32-storey blocks in the complex
International News via Reuters:
Hong Kong authorities on Friday said rescue operations following a blaze that ripped through a high-rise apartment complex had concluded, with the death toll in the city’s worst fire in nearly 80 years now at 128 and 200 still missing.
The fire in the Wang Fuk Court development in the northern district of Tai Po started on Wednesday afternoon and rapidly engulfed seven of the eight 32-storey blocks in the complex.
“We do not rule out the possibility that more bodies could be discovered when police enter the building for detailed investigations,” Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang told a press conference.
Tang also said fire alarms in the complex had not been working properly.
COMPLEX CLAD IN BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING
Rescue efforts had now been concluded and at least 79 people, including 12 firefighters were injured, he said.
“Our aim now is to make sure the temperature decreases in the building and once everything is deemed safe, police will collect evidence and conduct further investigation,” Tang said.
The estate housing more than 4,600 people had been wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh for renovation work.
On Friday, mourners laid flower tributes in front of the charred and smouldering buildings, while distressed residents surveyed the remains of their homes.
“This is my home. Look over there, the 10th floor, that’s where my home was. By the hills, that’s where my home used to be,” one resident, identified only as Miss Yu, said.
“I really want to go back home, but my home is probably gone now. They won’t let us go back, so when I look in that direction, my heart feels so heavy.”
‘THERE IS NO HOPE,’ FRIEND SAYS
Families meanwhile had the grim task of looking at photographs of the dead taken by rescue workers. Security Chief Tang said only 39 of the 128 dead had been identified.
Mirra Wong, whose parents were living in Wang Fuk Court, was looking for news of her father.
“Just recognise some picture is maybe (the) body of my dad. It’s my dad’s body is still missing here,” said Wong, 48.
Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said a friend’s wife was among those unaccounted for.
“Rationally speaking, it means there’s no hope,” she said. “But the bodies still have to be found, right? Let me see if they’ve found them … It’s just too sorrowful. When it involves people you know, it’s even more painful.”
VOLUNTEERS DISTRIBUTE AID
Hundreds of volunteers have mobilised to help the victims, sorting and distributing items from diapers to hot food.
They formed teams to collect, transport and distribute goods in round-the-clock shifts and have set up a sprawling support camp for displaced residents beside a shopping mall across from the fire-damaged Wang Fuk complex.
“This is real civil participation,” said 22-year-old Helena who was coordinating volunteers, and gave only one name.
RESIDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT RENOVATION WORK
The fire is Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze, and has prompted comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower inferno, which killed 72 people in 2017.
Residents of the housing complex were told by authorities last year that they faced “relatively low fire risks” after complaining repeatedly about fire hazards posed by ongoing renovation works, the city’s Labour Department told Reuters.
The residents had raised concerns over the renovations in September 2024, including about the potential flammability of the protective green mesh contractors had used to cover the bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings, a department spokesperson said in an email.
Police on Thursday arrested two directors and an engineering consultant of Prestige Construction, a firm identified by the government as doing maintenance on Wang Fuk Court for more than a year on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards blocking windows.
Prestige did not answer repeated calls for comment.
The city’s development bureau has discussed gradually replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding as a safety measure.
DOMESTIC WORKERS AMONG THE MISSING
Dozens of domestic workers from the Philippines had been caught up in the disaster and 19 were still missing, said Edwina Antonio, executive director at migrant women refuge association Bethune House.
Indonesia’s consulate said two of the dead were its nationals also working as domestic helpers. Hong Kong has around 368,000 domestic workers, mostly women from low-income Asian countries who live with their employers.
Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, said the government would set up a HK$300 million ($39 million) fund to help residents while some of China’s biggest listed companies announced donations.
Hong Kong, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, is scattered with high-rise housing complexes. Its sky-high property prices have long been a trigger for discontent and analysts say the tragedy could stoke resentment towards authorities despite efforts to tighten political and national security control.
The leadership of both the Hong Kong government and China’s Communist Party moved quickly to show they attached utmost importance to a tragedy seen as a potential test of Beijing’s grip on the semi-autonomous region.
($1=HK$7.7779)
Reporting by Mei Mei Chu, Joyce Zhou, Tyrone Siu, Jessie Pang, Anne Marie Roantree, Clare Jim, David Kirton, Greg Torode, Farah Master, James Pomfret, Artorn Pookasok, Yuddy Cahya Budiman in Hong Kong; Writing by Lincoln Feast, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Sharon Singleton; Editing by Stephen Coates, Kate Mayberry and Alison Williams
Shortly before 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025, police officers were dispatched to a report of multiple gunshots heard in the area of Devil’s Hole, Smiths.
As officers made there way to that location, staff at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) reported to police that a male with a confirmed gunshot wound had arrived at that location.
A short time later, a second male arrived at KEMH also seeking treatment for a gunshot wound.
The injuries to both men were deemed to be non-life threatening. They were attended to and discharged.
Meanwhile officers located the scene of the initial report, a residence on Club Road, Devil’s Hole.
The scene was processed and evidence recovered confirming a firearm was discharged at that location.
Officers also confirmed the two males who went to the hospital seeking treatment for gunshot wounds, sustained their injuries at that residence.
An investigation into this incident is now underway.
Anyone with information, is asked to contact acting Detective Inspector, Anneka Donawa, of the Serious Crime Unit, on, 717-2250 or, via email, adonawa@bps.bm
You may also call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477 or, use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm
Britain said on Friday that talks to join the European Union’s defence fund SAFE had broken down, adding it would only agree something that is in the national interest
International News via Reuters:
Britain said on Friday that talks to join the European Union’s defence fund SAFE had broken down, adding it would only agree something that is in the national interest and representing value for money.
“While it is disappointing that we have not been able to conclude discussions on UK participation in the first round of SAFE, the UK defence industry will still be able to participate in projects through SAFE on third country terms,” said Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain’s minister for European Union Relations.
“Negotiations were carried out in good faith, but our position was always clear: we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest and provide value for money.”
Reporting by Alistair Smout and Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton
U.N. agencies on Friday appealed to Washington to continue allowing asylum seekers access to the country and to be given due process
International News via Reuters:
U.N. agencies on Friday appealed to Washington to continue allowing asylum seekers access to the country and to be given due process after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to freeze migration from “Third World” countries following an attack near the White House.
Asked to respond to Trump’s remarks, U.N. human rights office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told a Geneva press briefing: “They are entitled to protection under international law and that should be given due process.”
U.N. refugee agency spokesperson Eujin Byun echoed those remarks, saying the overwhelming majority of refugees are law-abiding members of the host community.
Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Thomas Escritt
The change removed the last major hurdle for the Employment Rights Bill to pass into law
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s government watered down plans to strengthen workers’ protection against unfair dismissal on Thursday, saying employees would get the new rights six months after starting a job, not from their first day as originally planned.
The change – which followed talks with businesses that had warned that initial proposals would make hiring more difficult – removed the last major hurdle for the Employment Rights Bill to pass into law, the government said in an update.
The revised bill got a mixed reaction from unions. They welcomed the reduction from the current waiting time for dismissal rights of two years, and other new protections including day-one rights to sick pay and paternity leave from April 2026.
But major union Unite called the bill a “shell of its former self”.
“With fire and rehire and zero hours contracts not being banned, the Bill is already unrecognisable,” it said.
BILL A KEY PLEDGE
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News that the legislation was designed to “lead to more harmony and engagement in the workplace, increased productivity, never pitting one side against another.”
The bill, a key Labour manifesto pledge, also seeks to ban what the government calls exploitative zero-hours contracts and end fire-and-rehire practices.
Britain ranks among the top OECD countries for minimum wage relative to median earnings, but has offered fewer statutory benefits such as paid sick leave and parental leave than most advanced economies.
Britain’s economy has been largely stuck in a rut of slow growth since the 2007-08 financial crisis, something finance minister Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to end when the Labour Party returned to power after 14 years in 2024.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, called the change a “humiliating u-turn” and said the bill still contained measures that would “damage businesses and be terrible for economic growth.”
The move comes a day after Reeves announced 26 billion pounds ($34.41 billion) of tax rises in her annual budget.
Six major business groups, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the British Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, welcomed the amendment on Thursday, saying it “keeps a qualifying period that is simple, meaningful and understood within existing legislation”.
They urged continued dialogue on issues such as guaranteed hours contracts and seasonal work.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said the change was “an important, practical step.”
The government has framed the reforms as key to improving working conditions and avoiding the widespread industrial action that disrupted services over the past two years.
It said most changes will take effect no earlier than 2026 and pledged further consultation on secondary legislation.
It also committed to ensuring that the unfair dismissal qualifying period can only be varied by primary legislation and that the compensation cap will be lifted.
Mike Clancy, General Secretary of the Prospect union, said the bill “strengthens protection by lifting the cap on compensation payments” and makes the system simpler.
“This is a good deal for working people, negotiated by trade unions focused on securing deliverable upgrades to workers’ rights,” he said.
($1 = 0.7556 pounds)
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Alistair Smout; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Andrew Heavens
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