The Bermuda Ball Hockey Winter League season resumed with a flurry of goals at the PCC Hockey Rink, headlined by a dominant display from Hamilton Princess in a double-header of action.
Hamilton Princess were in clinical form, securing an 8-3 victory over CG. They raced to a four-goal lead in the first period, with strikes from John Duda, Jeremie Faucher, Riley Latour, and Mathew Benson. Jeremie Faucher and Riley Latour both secured doubles, while Bill Calko also netted twice. CG’s response came late, with Danny Hudson scoring a consolation hat-trick in the third period.
In the night’s other fixture, BDA Spirits secured a more tightly contested 3-1 win over Positive Image Dental. Mathieu Ingelman opened the scoring for BDA Spirits and later added a second goal in the third period to seal the result. Ryan Marshall scored the Spirits’ second, while Jordan Gunter grabbed the lone goal for Positive Image Dental.
The two matches ensured a high-scoring return to action, confirming the league’s competitive nature as the season continues.
There are less than 48 hours until the scheduled end of the summit to find a consensus, which host nation Brazil has framed as a crucial step to ramping up climate action
International News via Reuters:
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed on Thursday for a deal from the COP30 climate summit on the hotly-disputed subject of weaning the world off fossil fuels.
The summit in the Amazon city of Belem, Brazil, missed a self-imposed Wednesday deadline for a deal to secure agreement among the nearly 200 countries present on issues including how to increase climate finance and shift away from fossil fuels.
“I welcome calls for a just transition mechanism and the growing coalition asking for clarity on the transition away from fossil fuel,” he told a press conference at the summit.
There are less than 48 hours until the scheduled end of the summit to find a consensus, which host nation Brazil has framed as a crucial step to ramping up climate action and demonstrating that there is broad support to accelerate turning decades of promises and pledges into concrete action.
“One thing is clear, we are down to the wire, and the world is watching Belem,” Guterres said. “I strongly appeal to all delegations to show willingness and flexibility.”
The future of fossil fuels has become a focal point for the two-week negotiation.
Taking their cue from Brazil, dozens of countries including both developed and developing nations have mounted a push for a road map setting out how countries should transition away from fossil fuels.
Others, including some fossil fuel producing nations, are resisting.
The COP28 climate summit in 2023 agreed, after protracted discussion, to a transition, but nations have not mapped out how – or when – it will happen.
“I am perfectly convinced that a compromise is possible,” Guterres added.
Reporting by Kate Abnett and William James, Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Andrew Cawthorne
The UBCOB Ravens secured a decisive 36-9 victory over Pacific Pride at Jericho, but the final score belied a hard-fought rugby fixture that saw the Pride push their opponents for long periods.
The match, played after a soggy start to the day, was ultimately settled by the Ravens’ superior efficiency and physicality against the larger Raven forwards, leading to a five-try deficit for the Pride.
Pacific Pride captain and flyhalf Jamin Hodgkins confirmed the game was tighter than the score suggested, noting that possession and territory were only slightly in the Ravens’ favour.
Despite the loss, the Pride’s key players performed strongly. Hodgkins managed the game well, while centre Liam Poulton posed a constant threat. Locks Jaiden John and Mason MacDonald were named joint men of the match for their tireless work in the forwards.
Bermudian player Anton Harris-Gilbert has officially started his campaign in the British National Basketball League (BBL) Division One, making his debut off the bench for the Teesside Lions.
In a challenging fixture at the Olympia Sports Complex, the Teesside Lions were unable to overcome the home side, losing 71–62 to Liverpool.
Harris-Gilbert, a new addition to the squad, was integrated into the rotation from the bench, playing 5 minutes and 11 seconds in his initial appearance. Although his first field goal attempt was unsuccessful (0 for 1 from the field), the debut marks a significant step into one of the highest tiers of British basketball for the Bermudian.
The Teesside Lions will now look to quickly bounce back as they continue their Division One schedule, with Harris-Gilbert aiming to find his rhythm and increase his contribution to the team.
Bermuda internationals Milan Butterfield and Ajani Burchall both secured vital victories for their respective clubs, highlighting a strong weekend for Bermudian talent in the UK non-league scene.
In the Southern League Premier Central division, Halesowen Town defeated Alvechurch 2-0, with Milan Butterfield scoring the decisive goal. After a controversial refereeing decision ruled out an earlier effort, Butterfield rose highest to head home his first goal since September in the 83rd minute, breaking the deadlock. Jason Cowley added a second in added time, securing a 2-0 win that lifted Halesowen into the top half of the table.
In the Southern League Premier South, Ajani Burchall’s Wimborne Town secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gosport Borough. The win was significant, vaulting Wimborne Town up the standings to second place.
There was disappointment for Willie Clemons and Leiston FC, who went down 1-0 to Bishop’s Stortford in the Premier Central division, although they remain in the top half of the table.
Sleep deprivation, shrinking attention spans; we need to set parameters on phone usage
Statement by MP Ben Smith, Shadow Minister for Education & Sport:
Whether you are a parent, guardian or anyone who interacts with children and teens, chances are you have asked yourself multiple times, “Are cell phones helping our youth or are they doing more harm than good?”
Trust me, you are not alone. I hear this all the time from adults and sometimes teens, who admit they spend too much time online but don’t know how to stop.
Today’s life moves faster than ever, and let’s be honest, sometimes screens are used to fill gaps when needed. When adults have to navigate long work hours and struggle to afford or attain childcare, a phone or tablet can keep a child occupied and safe at home.
This is a reality many face, and it’s nobody’s fault.
More adults that some care to admit, are simply fighting for survival by any means necessary.
And as much as we love them, phones can create big problems.
As adults, we are losing focus, rest, imagination, and the time we spend truly connecting with each other.
Across Bermuda, teachers, coaches, and parents are seeing the same trends.
Attention spans are shrinking. Kids jump from one short video to the next and find it hard to stay focused in class or during practice.
Amongst other things, they are sleep deprived. Devices in bedrooms mean messages and videos late into the night or trying to reach a game high score instead of getting shut eye.
Extra screen time leads to tired students, and ultimately impacts learning.
The opportunity for viewing adult content is always the click of a button away. Even without searching for it, children can stumble upon violent or sexual material on social media feeds.
Without guidance this content can have a detrimental impact on their development and how they navigate their future relationships.
In this hectic world when parents are stretched thin, many families simply don’t have the time, space, or tools to monitor everything their child sees online. None of this means you’re failing as parents, It means you’re facing new challenges that didn’t exist when we were growing up. The truth is, this problem is bigger than any single home it’s something we have to tackle together as a community.
Not every household has the same routines or resources. Some parents can be home after school. Others are working double shifts or caring for relatives, so the solutions have to work for everyone and not just those with extra time or money.
Here are some solutions that can help:
Encourage the young person in your life to start small. Even 30 minutes of phone-free time in the evening. No phones during dinner, or while getting ready for bed can make a difference.
Check in with them. Initiate meaningful conversations. Spend more time laughing and talking and less time liking and sharing on social media.
Set a “digital bedtime.” If a complete phone ban feels impossible, try to set a time that all devices are charged outside of the bedroom. Out of sight, out of mind. I know some will say they use their phone for an alarm but we used to have alarms before we had phones, so lets get back on track.
Use the built-in tools to protect chidren from harmful content. Every phone and tablet has free parental controls and no fancy app is needed. You can block adult content, limit app use, and filter videos.
If you can’t be home after school, talk with a neighbour, older sibling, or grandparent who can be present. Community support is what Bermuda has always been good at.
Talk to children about what they see. Kids might not tell you when they stumble onto something violent or sexual but you can open that door to the conversation. Let them know they can always come to you without fear of punishment.
Instead of strict rules that feel like punishment, create “family screen goals.”
Teachers have seen the increase in distrations, more fidgeting and less focus in class so schools have been forced to keep up with the impact of increased screen time. Many are creating phone-free classroom and advocating phone-free schools.
Community organisations, clubs, and churches can play a big role as well. Imagine
after-school programmes where kids can play, study, and talk instead of scrolling.
As Shadow Minister for Education and Sport, I believe our response has to match the scale of the challenge. What I would do.
1. Clear national standards for digital safety in schools balancing technology use with student well-being.
2. Community partnerships that make after-school programmes and youth spaces more accessible, so screens aren’t the only option.
3. Better protections online so it’s harder for violent or sexual content to reach children in the first place.
This is about fairness, not finger-pointing. Every family deserves the chance to raise children safely in a digital world whether you’re a single parent working nights, a two-parent household juggling schedules, or a grandparent helping out.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I can’t keep up. I don’t have time to watch everything my child does,” please know, you are not alone. Most parents feel the same way.
Start with one change this week. Pick one small step that fits your routine. Maybe it’s turning off the Wi-Fi at a certain time. Little by little, it makes a difference. If you already feel you’re out of options, reach out to your child’s teacher, coach, church leader, or a community group. Raising children has always taken a village, and that hasn’t changed, the challenges just look a lot different now.
Phones and tablets aren’t going away and neither is our responsibility to guide children to use them responsibly and safely. Whether you have a lot of time or barely enough to catch your breath, there’s something each of us can do to help. Let’s not divide families by who can afford time or tools. Let’s build a community where every child from every home learns how to use technology wisely, safely, and with purpose.
If we work together as parents, teachers, neighbours, and policymakers we can make sure Bermuda’s kids grow up confident, kind, and connected in the right ways. That’s the Bermuda we all want to see.
One area business representative welcome the changes and noticed motorists have reduced speed significantly since speed bumps were installed last week.
New traffic controls on a busy road-way in Pembroke have caused a stir online.
However, local businesses and residents have welcomed the slower traffic flow.
Asda, majority owned by private equity firm TDR Capital, said it plans to use the proceeds to fund capital investment in the business and reduce debt
International News via Reuters:
British supermarket group Asda has raised 568 million pounds ($742 million) from sale and leaseback agreements on 24 stores and a depot with two separate buyers, it said on Thursday.
Asda, majority owned by private equity firm TDR Capital, said it plans to use the proceeds to fund capital investment in the business and reduce debt.
Four stores have been sold to DTZ Investors and leased back, while 20 stores and a depot at Lutterworth, central England, have been sold to Blue Owl Capital and leased back.
Asda, which trails industry leader Tesco and Sainsbury’s, said all the properties are subject to 25-year lease agreements, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years.
The Confederation of British Industry said its industrial output balance for the three months to November fell to -30 from -16 in the three months to October
International News via Reuters:
British manufacturers reported the sharpest fall in output since August 2020 during the three months to the end of November, due to uncertainty ahead of next week’s annual budget, and do not expect any improvement in the months ahead.
The Confederation of British Industry said its industrial output balance for the three months to November fell to -30 from -16 in the three months to October, while the outlook for the next three months fell to -30 from -19.
The industrial order balance edged up only marginally to -37 this month from -38 in October, which was the lowest since December 2024.
“What’s striking in this month’s survey is how consistently firms link the slowdown to uncertainty ahead of the Budget, with customers delaying purchases and investment until they know what’s coming,” CBI Lead Economist Ben Jones said.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves is widely expected to announce significant further tax rises in her second annual budget on November 26. At her first budget in October 2024, she sharply raised taxes on employers.
Overall British economic growth slowed to a weaker-than-expected 0.1% in the three months to September, according to previous official data, after a cyber attack on JLR led to a 29% fall in British motor vehicle production in September alone.
Reporting by David Milliken, editing by Andy Bruce
Emergency services said the crash had occurred in a region around 132 km (82 miles) south of the capital Prague
International News via Reuters:
Two passenger trains in the Czech Republic collided on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, four of them seriously, officials and local media reported.
Emergency services said the crash had occurred in a region around 132 km (82 miles) south of the capital Prague. Images showed mainly damage to the front ends of the trains where they hit head-on.
Firefighters had to free the driver of one of the trains, the CTK news agency reported.
A spokeswoman for a regional hospital told CTK that four people had been admitted with serious injuries.
Nine people suffered moderate injuries and 25 others were lightly hurt, the region’s governor, Martin Kuba, told Czech television.
Transport Minister Martin Kupka said on X that the crash was still under investigation but preliminary information suggested that one of the trains had probably passed a signal in the stop position.
Reporting by Jason HovetEditing by Alexandra Hudson and Gareth Jones
The presidential delegate for Chile’s southern Magallanes region, said talks had begun with the representatives from the victims’ countries of origin so their bodies could be repatriated
International News via Reuters:
Five tourists were killed in a powerful snowstorm in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, in the southern region of Patagonia, authorities said on Tuesday, adding that four more who were reported missing had been found alive.
Jose Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate for Chile’s southern Magallanes region, said talks had begun with the representatives from the victims’ countries of origin so their bodies could be repatriated.
Two Germans, two Mexicans and one British national were killed, authorities said, adding the harsh weather was making it difficult to recover the bodies.
“I extend my deepest condolences,” President Gabriel Boric said on social media in a message to victims’ families. “Know that you have the full support and collaboration of Chilean authorities and institutions during these difficult times.”
Guillermo Ruiz, presidential delegate for the province of Ultima Esperanza, told reporters the tourists became lost near the national park’s Los Perros camp, reachable only by a four- to five-hour trek from the closest accessible point by vehicle.
The area was struck by a snowstorm causing whiteout conditions with fierce wind speeds surpassing 193 kmh (120 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.
The Torres del Paine National Park, with its jutting mountain tops and subpolar forests, spans about 1,810 square kilometers (700 square miles) and hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Reporting by Sarah Morland and Fabian Cambero in SantiagoEditing by Rod Nickel and Alistair Bell
Former Ferrari driver Massa was suing for a declaration that he should have won the 2008 championship, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton by a single point
Former Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa looks on near the High Court, where he is suing the governing FIA and former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, claiming he was the rightful 2008 world champion due to the Crashgate scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix and is seeking up to 64 million pounds in damages, in London, Britain, October 29, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
International News via Reuters:
Part of Felipe Massa’s lawsuit against Formula One, its ex-boss Bernie Ecclestone and the governing FIA over the 2008 world championship can continue, London’s High Court ruled on Thursday.
Former Ferrari driver Massa was suing for a declaration that he should have won the 2008 championship, which he lost to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, and is seeking around 64 million pounds ($85.9 million) plus interest.
His case turns on the “crashgate” scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which Massa was leading from pole position when fellow Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr crashed to try and help his Renault team mate Fernando Alonso, who won the race.
Piquet in 2009 revealed he had been ordered to crash by team bosses, who were subsequently banned. Massa’s lawyers say Ecclestone already knew the crash was deliberate and Ecclestone and then-FIA president Max Mosley failed to investigate it.
Judge Robert Jay ruled that Massa’s claims for inducement of breach of contract could continue, saying in a summary of his ruling that Massa arguably did not know he could sue until a 2023 interview with Ecclestone.
But the judge rejected his case that the FIA breached its duty to investigate and dismissed his claim for a declaration, saying in his summary that “the court cannot be asked to rewrite the outcome of the 2008 Drivers’ World Championship”.
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