The annual holiday tradition in Dockyard on November 30th will feature carolling at Dolphin Quest to start the season on a festive note
Full media release from Dolphin Quest Bermuda:
We hope you can join us for this annual holiday tradition and extend your day to enjoy all that Dockyard has to offer – galleries, gift shops, restaurants, cinema, family activities, playgrounds and our National Museum of Bermuda – as well as carolling at Dolphin Quest to start the season on a festive note.
Here is some of the highlights you can look forward to on November 30th for the Annual “Carols with Dolphins” Event:
🎄 3pm “Jingle Jangle” Christmas special matinee at The Media Lounge. Tickets $14 include a small popcorn and drink. Purchase tickets here!
🎄 4pm – 6pm Holiday evening shopping at Dolphin Quest Gift Shop. 10% off storewide (except snacks, beverages and sale items). Gift Cards/Certificates available. Early bird admission 430 – 5pm.
🎄 5pm General Admission – FREE
Reserved seating for Special Needs and children. Feel free to bring a chair.
Playground will be closed.
Hot food and beverages available for purchase from onsite vendors – soup from DuchPops & hot chocolate and hot dogs from Bonefish Restaurant.
🎄 515 – 530pm – Enjoy carolling with Somerset Primary Lower School Choir and Power Girl Trina.
🐬 530 – 6pm – Dolphin Celebration Presentation
Thank you to our key sponsors – The National Museum of Bermuda, Bermuda Land Management Corporation (BLMC) and Great Sound and to our event supporting contributors – The Media Lounge, Duch Pops and Bonefish Restaurant. A special acknowledgment and thank you to the additional entertainers – Somerset Primary School for joining us this year – and a huge thank you to our fabulous emcee – Power Girl Trina – returning for her 3rd year to spark that holiday spirit and kick off this festive event.
The Minister of Education, The Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, attended the official opening of The Creation Station at CedarBridge Academy. Developed through phases of prototyping, design, implementation, and reflection with input from staff, students, and reform partners. The Creation Station is a versatile research, library, and makerspace designed to foster design thinking, innovation, research, and creativity. The space acts as a centre for collaboration and invention, combining technology, inquiry, and practical learning.
CedarBridge Academy Coordinator of Creation Station, Mr. W. McLaren Lowe said, “The inspiration came from a workshop where the message was ‘Teach like a pirate’. Don’t just teach a lesson, create and experience. That and many other experiences have proven that once you capture the attention through meaningful learning experiences, the teaching and learning synergize and becomes dynamic, impactful, and fulfilling, for both the students and teachers.”
Minister Caesar remarked, “The opening reflects the Ministry of Education’s commitment to modernising learning environments and equipping students for a changing world. This milestone is just the beginning; the space will continue to evolve and grow as part of CedarBridge Academy’s broader school transformation journey. It exemplifies the spirit of continuous improvement and innovation in education.”
Also present were Senator Lindsay Simmons-Wilson, Chair of the CedarBridge Academy Board of Governors; Mr. Kenneth Caesar, Principal of CedarBridge Academy; Mrs. Natasha Thomas, Deputy Principal; and CedarBridge Academy Coordinator of Creation Station, Mr. W. McLaren Lowe.
Jack and de Beaniestawk is promising to bring music and laughter to the Earl Cameron Theatre, with fresh faces on and offstage injecting new energy into the long-running Christmas pantomime tradition.
Laura Bardgett, the director of this year’s Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society pantomime, said there has been a concerted effort in recent years to provide opportunities for younger talent and develop the next generation of Bermuda theatre.
“One of the things we found is you can’t put on these productions if you don’t have the right people there,” she said. “We really needed to start bringing in new talent.
“It has been one of my goals this year to bring in new talent, not only to take over future productions, but provide a fresh look and newer ways of doing things.
“We have got some surprises in this show where we are doing things with technology that we have never done before.
“We are trying to raise the bar, and these young folks just loved it. They have amazed me.”
Allie Zuckerman said it was a unique challenge to serve as costume designer for her first pantomime.
“It’s really fun because it is so imaginative and you really want to make the most visual impact,” she said. “You want it to be big and bold and exciting, but also Bermuda has limited resources that you have to contend with.
“It’s fun to learn new things and find out that I am capable of more than I ever thought. You find a lot of people who come out of the woodwork who are able to help with different things.
“I got into sewing because I like costumes, and it has been fun to make things that are different shapes and sized than you usually would. It’s not every day you have to work out how to make a dress that looks like a cupcake.”
Rickai Richardson, who is playing Jack’s brother Simple Simon in the production, said he has been having a blast injecting new life into the classic fairytale.
“I am just so excited to get back on stage. I just finished up with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so I haven’t really stopped. I still have the energy somehow.
“If you have never been to a panto before, this is definitely the right choice for a first time.”
Marc Willmott, who is serving as the head of props for the show for the first time, said he has also enjoyed the challenge of crafting a variety of unusual props for the cast of characters.
“We have been having fun making very random things and trying to figure out how to make the most out of household items,” he said.
“I have been helping with props in past shows, but this is my first time heading up a department.”
Kristen Claude, who is portraying Buttermilk the Cow in the production, said she was excited to see the audience reaction to the show.
“The vibe has been amazing,” she said. “I know that everyone is going to love it when they watch it.
“The panto means that Christmas is coming. You need to come and see it. It’s really funny.”
Milo Roberts, who is assisting backstage in a variety of roles including lighting, said: “I always love to see everything come together. It is going to be absolutely hilarious. I die laughing even in rehearsals.”
Ms Bardgett added: “It’s a show that will entertain everyone. We have slapstick for the kids, we have the adult jokes, the really bad puns, some great songs including modern songs and old time songs. The set is fabulous.
“It’s just good family fun, but it’s not just for families. Anyone between the age of 5 and 95 will enjoy the show.”
Jack and de Beaniestawk opens at City Hall’s Earl Cameron Theatre on December 2 and will continue until December 13.
Minister reflects on town hall meetings and cites a broad desire to tackle the social and cultural ills that underpin gang and gun activity
Ministerial Statement By The Hon. Michael A. Weeks, JP, MP, Minister of National Security Anti-Violence Town Hall Meetings November 21st, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update this Honourable House on the series of public town hall meetings recently held on gun and gang violence, and to share with this House the voices, concerns, and ideas shared across our island.
The aim of these meetings was clear: to listen directly to people; to understand their lived realities; and to ensure that the National Violence Reduction Strategy (NVRS) remains grounded in the perspectives of the communities it serves.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will be aware that over recent weeks, public forums were held at St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton, Penno’s Wharf in St. George’s, and Dalton E. Tucker Primary School in Southampton. All three were very well attended. People came ready to speak openly, passionately, and out of a shared desire to restore safety, unity, and hope across our island.
What we heard, Mr. Speaker, were honest and forthright opinions. The feedback was constructive, community-minded, and focused on solutions.
Across the three meetings, several consistent themes emerged from the community:
A strong desire for more youth engagement, and for young people to be given a voice in shaping their own future.
The need for culturally grounded programmes to support identity, especially for young Black males, including references to past initiatives such as the Ashay programme.
Calls to strengthen families, rebuild neighbourhood bonds, and restore a sense of community belonging.
Emphasis on life-skills education, mentorship, and vocational pathways, including suggestions such as a trade school at the Casemates Museum, homework support in sports clubs, and a cadet programme for inmates.
Recognition that the root causes of violence include mental health, substance misuse, poverty, cost of living, and weakened family structures.
Requests for stronger collaboration between the Bermuda Police Service and partner agencies, including improved coordination around vehicles and licensing, port security, and the use of technology.
Calls to reinvigorate Bermuda history, diversify school curricula, and support identity-building for young people.
A desire for unity, trust-building, community integration, and national alignment to replace fragmentation.
Mr. Speaker, these suggestions will be considered for inclusion where appropriate, and I must emphasise that many of the ideas raised already appear within the existing National Violence Reduction Strategy.
Concerns about supporting youth, mentorship, and prevention connect directly to actions already underway. The Ministry has invested more than $540,000 in community organisations aligned with the Strategy. We have supported several grants to sports clubs, youth mentorship programmes, tutoring and vocational initiatives, and organisations providing traumainformed care. These are deliberate investments designed to strengthen families, build identity, and create positive pathways for young people.
Mr. Speaker, concerns around policing, safety, and enforcement are also addressed in ongoing work. The Bermuda Police Service is expanding recruitment, enhancing intelligence-led operations, and increasing its use of technology, including body-worn cameras. The BPS continues to improve coordination with partner agencies, strengthen port and border security, and use data more effectively to deploy resources.
Mr. Speaker, the town halls also heard requests for greater transparency and ongoing community involvement. These town hall meetings are part of that commitment. The Ministry of National Security is enhancing public engagement, working closely with the Gang Violence Reduction Team, and continuing to partner with community, faith, educational, and social service organisations.
The call to address root causes, including mental health, poverty, and family instability, aligns with the NVRS focus on early intervention, prevention, and reintegration. These priorities are already active pillars of the Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, the National Violence Reduction Strategy is guided by eight core goals, and what we heard in the town halls aligns closely with each of them.
At its foundation, the Strategy seeks to build strong families and supportive relationships, reflecting calls for family stability, parental accountability, and stronger neighbourhood bonds.
Mr. Speaker, the Strategy aims to strengthen community cohesion and shared responsibility, echoing the desire to reconnect, rebuild trust, and move from fragmentation to unity.
Mr. Speaker, we heard a strong push for more opportunities for young people such as mentorship, sports, trades, vocational programmes, and life-skills training. This aligns with the goal of increasing positive opportunities for youth and adults.
Concerns about reaching children early, addressing mental-health challenges, and intervening before young people enter dangerous environments reinforce the Strategy’s focus on intervening early and effectively with individuals at risk.
Mr. Speaker, public feedback also underscored the need for visible safety measures, strong enforcement, and secure borders. This aligns with the goal to disrupt violence and prevent harm.
The call for structured reintegration, such as including cadet programmes, support for inmates, and opportunities for re-entry, reflects the Strategy’s commitment to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
Mr. Speaker, requests for better coordination, smarter use of technology, and data-driven policing support the Strategy’s aim to use data, evidence, and technology to drive decisions.
Finally, the Strategy’s goal to strengthen leadership, coordination, and accountability across the system matches the community’s plea for unified national action.
The alignment is clear: the public’s feedback reinforces the Strategy, and the Strategy reflects the public’s priorities.
Mr. Speaker, one message rose above all others:
We cannot fix this problem without each other. Government cannot do it alone. The Police cannot do it alone. We also know that no single organisation, school, or family can tackle this in isolation.
Mr. Speaker, preventing violence requires:
mentors, coaches, and role models in every parish,
clubs and community groups opening their doors more widely,
neighbours reconnecting and checking in on one another,
families seeking support when they need it,
employers creating opportunities for young people,
and all of us rejecting division and choosing unity.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to read the National Violence Reduction Strategy online, understand its goals, and find a place where they can contribute. Every hand helps. Every voice matters. Every action counts, because safety is not simply a policy objective. It is a community responsibility. When we work together and for a common goal, we make this island stronger, more peaceful and more harmonious.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank every person who attended the meetings and every person who shared their views. Your insights will inform our work, strengthen our Strategy, and help ensure that our collective approach is grounded in the realities of our communities.
Together We Build: Experiential Full-Day Conference is the signature event of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Bermuda 2025—an immersive experience designed to unite entrepreneurs, innovators, changemakers, and ecosystem partners for a transformative day of learning and collaboration. The conference equips attendees with practical tools, fresh insights, and meaningful opportunities to connect through dynamic keynotes, hands-on breakout sessions, a live pitch competition, and an engaging pop-up market. Today, Kendal Trott attended the conference and spoke with several keynote speakers about the importance of entrepreneurship, upcoming initiatives, and the future of Bermuda’s thriving innovation community.
The next Bermuda Census starts May 2026; Minister says the success depends on Bermudians’ participation
It’s a question that has been thrown around for the last few years – what exactly has happened to our population since the 2016 census, and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic?
Today, Government confirmed that the next Census Day is Wednesday 20th of May, 2026, with the Census taking place from the following day through to the 31st of March 2027.
Participants are people living here at least six months immediately before or after Census Day, and include those normally resident but currently studying abroad.
Jason Hayward, Labour and Economy Minister, encouraged people to participate and provide data so Government is not flying blind.
“A national census is one of the most important exercises undertaken by any modern society”, Minister Hayward told the House of Assembly this morning.
“It identifies movements in our workforce, helps us to understand demographic trends, population growth and migration, and shifts in housing composition, and can highlight inequalities that may otherwise remain hidden.”
“Without accurate and complete data, we are essentially planning in the dark… the census is our opportunity to fill the gap, the gap between what we think and what we know, between perception and reality, between outdated data and the needs of today’s Bermuda.”
Minister Hayward stressed that the success of the census depends entirely on the participation of Bermuda’s people, and offered assurances that any information given is confidential and used in aggregate only for statistical purposes.
How many people have left Bermuda?
Potential changes to our population – particularly through emigration – has been a hot topic.
Back in March, the Chamber of Commerce used, quote, “imperfect indicators” such as BELCO electricity usage, retail sales volume and Skyport data to postulate at least a 10% decrease in our population since the 2016 census.
That would be more than 7,000 fewer residents than previous Government projections.
Although Government appeared somewhat dismissive of the Chamber’s data, Premier David Burt has conceded that present projections may not be dependable.
At the Budget Breakfast in May, the Premier told attendees, “…right now we only in the population estimates put out measure births and deaths. We know that is not an accurate measure of population…”
In the same month, Minister Jason Hayward also said he would like to see a census taken every five years rather than every ten, to provide “more timely and relevant information, which allows us to make better policy decisions.”
105 Bermudians who have left, as well as 416 resident Bermudians who were surveyed, cited cost of living, difficulty retiring and career opportunities as drivers towards emigration.
Responding to questions today from the OBA’s Dr Douglas De Couto, Minister Hayward confirmed that the census will survey current residents, not those who have left.
This led the Shadow Finance Minister to press further:
De Couto: “…would it be fair to conclude that this census will not provide us any information about how many Bermuda ans have emigrated?”
Hayward: “…his conclusion will be 100% incorrect, the census will collect immigration data. We will not be able to interview the individuals that left but… we will certainly get a better count of our population levels and have better understanding of those persons who have emigrated.”
De Couto: “Could the Minister please elaborate for this House how the census will help them understand why those people have emigrated?”
Hayward: “…the purpose of the census is not to get the qualitative reasons as to why persons have emigrated. The Ministry of Economy and Labor has already conducted a robust study to identify why persons have emigrated… If we need to get more robust information regarding that at a future date, we will reconduct that survey…”
The next Census starts in six months from today, on May 21st, 2026.
The license will allow transactions linked to the nuclear power plant project involving some Russian banks
International News via Reuters:
The United States on Friday issued a Russia-related general license allowing certain transactions with the Paks II civil nuclear power plant project in Hungary, according to the Treasury Department website.
The license will allow transactions linked to the nuclear power plant project involving some Russian banks, including Gazprombank, VTB Bank, and the Russian central bank, the Treasury Department notice showed.
The deal values Vantage at a pre-money enterprise value of 3.8 billion euros ($4.37 billion) and includes a 1.16 billion euro cash injection from Tencent for a 26.32% economic interest
International News via Reuters:
Ubisoft said on Friday it has completed Tencent’s investment in Vantage Studios, a new unit built around its Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six franchises.
The deal values Vantage at a pre-money enterprise value of 3.8 billion euros ($4.37 billion) and includes a 1.16 billion euro cash injection from Tencent for a 26.32% economic interest.
Ubisoft retains exclusive control of the subsidiary.
Under the agreement, Tencent must hold its Vantage stake for five years unless Ubisoft loses its majority interest. Ubisoft is required to keep control for at least two years. If Ubisoft’s ownership changes in a board-approved deal, it can buy back Tencent’s shares at market price but if it declines, Tencent can force a sale.
($1 = 0.8690 euros)
Reporting by Jerome Terroy and Leo Marchandon, Editing by Louise Heavens
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that it will boycott the November 22-23 summit over disagreements with the host nation, South Africa
International News via Reuters:
G20 envoys have agreed on a draft leaders’ declaration ahead of this weekend’s summit in Johannesburg without U.S. input, four sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that it will boycott the November 22-23 summit over disagreements with the host nation, South Africa.
Trump had said he would not attend the first G20 summit in Africa because of allegations – which have been widely debunked – that the host country’s Black majority government persecutes its white minority.
He has also rejected the host nation’s agenda of promoting solidarity and helping developing nations adapt to worsening weather disasters, transition to clean energy and cut their excessive debt costs.
In defiance of Washington, G20 countries have included references to “climate change” in the draft declaration, a source familiar with the matter said, without sharing further details. The United States had earlier objected to mentions of climate change.
WHITE HOUSE CALLS DRAFT DECLARATION ‘SHAMEFUL’
“It is a longstanding G20 tradition to issue only consensus deliverables, and it is shameful that the South African government is now trying to depart from this standard practice despite our repeated objections,” a senior Trump administration official said.
While fearing that a loss of participation from its most powerful member would scupper a declaration at the G20, some analysts still saw an opportunity for the South African hosts, determined to set an agenda for global leaders in the face of Trump’s hostility to multilateral diplomacy.
The sources declined to detail the declaration’s contents, and it was not clear what concessions had to be made on the language to get everyone to agree.
Three out of four of South Africa’s planned top agenda items – preparing for climate-induced weather disasters, financing the transition to green energy, and ensuring the rush for critical minerals benefits producers – were largely about climate change.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that South Africa was in discussions with the United States – which will host the G20 in 2026 – over its possible participation in the summit after all, although the White House later denied this.
Ramaphosa had earlier said he was resigned to handing over to an “empty chair”. The White House on Thursday said it would send the U.S. charge d’affaires for the G20 handover, an offer which South Africa’s presidency rejected.
Reporting by Alexander Winning, Tim Cocks, Nellie Peyton and Julia Payne; Additional reporting by Wendell Roelf in Cape Town; Editing by Louise Heavens, Mark Heinrich and Alex Richardson
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is renewing its appeal to the public for any information to assist with the investigation into the murder of 35-year-old Mr. Wilfred Outerbridge Jr.
The father of three was fatally shot at his home in Warwick around 9:00pm on 21st November 2023.
Anyone with information that may help progress this BPS investigation is urged to contact the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Odessa Philip, on 717-2193 or via email, at ophilip@bps.bm.
Alternatively, you can call 211, the main police number at 295-0011, or you may provide information to a police officer you know.
Members of the public are also reminded that information can be reported through Crime Stoppers on 800-8477, if they wish to remain anonymous.
A cash reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to a suspect, or suspects, being arrested and charged in connection with this case.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, spoke for about 40 minutes with the youth in the first such event of his six-month papacy
International News via Reuters:
Artificial intelligence may be a useful tool for learning, but don’t use it for your homework, Pope Leo told about 15,000 U.S. youth during a question-and-answer session on Friday.
In a live video transmission from the Vatican to a national Catholic youth conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, Leo told the young people that AI is “becoming one of the defining features of our time.”
“Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow,” said the pope. “Don’t ask it to do your homework for you.”
Leo, the first U.S. pope, spoke for about 40 minutes with the youth in the first such event of his six-month papacy, answering questions about the Catholic faith and giving advice on how to make friends in school.
The pope, who has been ramping up criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies, also briefly spoke about politics.
He said Jesus wants Christians to be “people who build bridges instead of walls,” invoking one of the late Pope Francis’ strongest criticisms of Trump.
“Please be careful not to use political categories to speak about faith, to speak about the Church,” Leo told the young people.
“The Church doesn’t belong to any political party,” he said. “Rather, she helps form your conscience … so you can think and act with wisdom and love.”
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