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New Delhi police detain dozens in anti-pollution protests

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Sunday’s protest by crowds of all ages holding banners and chanting slogans before police bundled them away was a scarce event

International News via Reuters:

Indian police detained dozens of people during a rare protest at the famed India Gate monument in New Delhi demanding action to curb an annual scourge of toxic air swathing the capital and its surrounding region.

Sunday’s protest by crowds of all ages holding banners and chanting slogans before police bundled them away was a scarce event, even though Delhi and the national capital region have battled such fumes every winter for years.

“We have only one problem, and that is of clean air,” said Neha, a mask-wearing protester, who gave only one name.

“This problem has been going on for many years but no action is being taken,” she told news agency ANI, in which Reuters has a minority stake.

Visuals from the agency showed police dragging protesters, some holding banners that read, “Breathing is killing us,” while others chanted slogans such as “Our right, clear air” into waiting buses before they were driven away.

The city’s air quality index of 345 on Monday ranked as ‘very poor’, compared to ratings of ‘good’ in the category from zero to 50, and ‘severe’ in the range from 401 to 500, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Police had called for the spot to be vacated as it was not a designated protest site, they told reporters earlier, while opposition leaders criticised the removal of the protesters.

“The right to clean air is a basic human right,” Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party that has ruled India for much of its history as an independent nation, said on X.

“The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by our constitution. Why are citizens … peacefully demanding clean air being treated like criminals?”

The Delhi government was taking steps to prevent pollution, said its environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

“We will continue every possible effort to rid us of pollution,” he said in a statement from BJP Delhi on X. “This is the resolve of our government.”

The state government is formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Winter shrouds the region in a thick haze as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicular emissions, and smoke, bringing respiratory illnesses for many.

Authorities’ cloud seeding efforts last month to trigger artificial rain and cut pollution levels failed to produce any rainfall.

Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez

World stocks jump as investors eye potential end to US shutdown

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The U.S. Senate moved forward on Sunday on a measure to reopen the federal government and end a now 40-day shutdown

International News via Reuters:

Global shares rose on Monday, lifted by optimism that an end to a historic U.S. government shutdown was in sight, while government bond yields rose and the dollar steadied.

The U.S. Senate moved forward on Sunday on a measure to reopen the federal government and end a now 40-day shutdown that has sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid and snarled air travel.

In a procedural vote, senators advanced a House-passed bill that will be amended to fund the government until January 30 and include a package of three full-year appropriations bills.

The breakthrough helped push Nasdaq futures up 1.5% while S&P 500 futures rose 0.95%. 

European shares jumped into this buoyant mood with the pan-European STOXX 600 up about 1.4%, while Diageo shares soared after the world’s largest spirits maker named a new CEO.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 1.3% and Japan’s Nikkei benchmark advanced 1.26%.

“A possible end to the longest running U.S. shutdown is a positive for markets,” said Prashant Newnaha, senior Asia-Pacific rates strategist at TD Securities.

“Our expectation is that the next step is for a House vote on Wednesday, with the government set to reopen this Friday.”

If the Senate eventually passes the bill, the package must still be approved by the House of Representatives and sent to President Donald Trump for his signature, a process that could take several days.

The shutdown has taken a toll on the U.S. economy, with federal workers from airports to law enforcement and the military going unpaid while the central bank flies blind with limited government reporting of economic data.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said in an interview that fourth-quarter GDP could be negative if the shutdown dragged on.

Data on Friday showed that U.S. consumer sentiment slumped to near a 3-1/2-year low in early November as households worried about the economic fallout.

Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management, said allocations to quality fixed-income and gold, as a well-diversified portfolio could help manage risks effectively.

“Overall, the combination of Fed easing and robust corporate earnings remains favorable for stocks, while quality bonds offer appealing risk-reward,” Haefele said in a note.

“Under-allocated investors should add exposure to transformational growth trends including AI.”

Gold rose more than 2% on Monday to its highest level in two weeks at about $4,079 an ounce, on the heady combination of weak U.S. economic data, Federal Reserve rate cuts expectations and a softer dollar.

Still, overall risk sentiment remained upbeat on Monday.

In China, the CSI300 blue-chip index closed up almost 0.4%, reversing early losses, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.6%.

Data on Sunday showed China’s producer price deflation eased in October and consumer prices returned to positive territory, as the government steps up efforts to curb over-capacity and cut-throat competition among firms.

U.S. Treasury yields edged higher, with the benchmark 10-year yield up about 4 basis points to 4.13% as a risk-on mood took hold across world markets.

In currencies, the dollar recovered some of its losses from last week, as investors assessed the outlook for the U.S. economy against a more hawkish Fed. [FRX/]

While recent data stoked worries about a weakening U.S. labour market, a slew of Fed officials last week reiterated their preference for going slow on further rate cuts.

Markets are currently pricing in a 63% chance of a December Fed rate cut.

Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.42% to 154.09. The greenback was little changed on the day against the euro and sterling, however.

Bank of Japan policymakers saw a growing case to raise interest rates in the near term, with some calling for the need to ensure companies’ wage-hike momentum will be sustained, a summary of opinions at the October meeting showed on Monday.

In commodities, oil prices rose, with Brent crude futures up 53 cents to $64.16 per barrel, while U.S. crude gained 53 cents to $60.28. [O/R]   

Reporting by Nell Mackenzie and Rae Wee; Editing by Kim Coghill, Dhara Ranasinghe and Clarence Fernandez

Malaysia steps up search for missing Rohingya boats, at least 11 dead

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Hundreds of Rohingya boarded a vessel towards Malaysia two weeks ago, before being split into groups and sent to two boats on Thursday

International News via Reuters:

Malaysian maritime patrols scoured coastal waters in the Andaman Sea on Monday in search of dozens of missing members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya minority who police believe were on a boat that capsized and sank, killing at least 11 people.

Hundreds of Rohingya boarded a vessel towards Malaysia two weeks ago, before being split into groups and sent to two boats on Thursday, said Khairul Azhar Nuruddin, police chief on Malaysia’s northern Langkawi island, from where search operations are continuing across 255.7 square nautical miles (877 sq km).

Long persecuted in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, the mainly Muslim Rohingya face escalating violence in their war-torn homeland and worsening conditions in crowded refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh where 1.3 million of them live.

There were around 70 people in the vessel that sank near Langkawi, while the fate of the other boat carrying 230 passengers remained unclear, according to Malaysian authorities. They have found 13 survivors and seven bodies.

In neighbouring Thailand, authorities have recovered four bodies, including two Rohingya girls, a maritime security official said.

“The Thai Navy and Marine Police have carried out additional inspections,” Sakra Kapilakarn, the governor of Thailand’s southern Satun province, told Reuters.

FAMILY DESPERATE FOR INFORMATION

More than 5,100 Rohingya boarded boats to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and early November this year, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency.

In the last week of October, multiple boats carrying Rohingya left Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, from where it takes between a week and 10 days to reach Malaysian waters, said Chris Lewa, director of the non-profit Arakan Project, which closely tracks the voyages.

The boats might also have stopped in waters off Myanmar to pick up Rohingya coming from inland areas of Rakhine state, where a raging civil war has made displacement worse, she said.

Among those who left Cox’s Bazar was 29-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim, who took a boat to Malaysia on October 26, according to his elder brother, Mohammed Younus.

“He left for Malaysia without telling anyone,” he told Reuters from the refugee camps, where he is frantically trying to find out his brother’s whereabouts.

“If I had known, I would never have let him go. He has a wife, three children – a three-year-old son and 10-month-old twin girls. Who will take care of them?”

Muslim-majority Malaysia has long been a favoured destination for Rohingya fleeing persecution although the country does not recognise refugee status. In recent years, it has turned away boats and detained Rohingya, as part of a crackdown on undocumented migrants. 

Malaysian police said on Monday those rescued had been detained pending an investigation into potential immigration offences. 

SEARCH TO GO ON FOR A WEEK

The regional head of Malaysia’s maritime agency said air assets were being deployed by both Thailand and Malaysia to search for survivors.

“It will be easier for us and our sea assets,” Romli Mustafa told a press conference on Langkawi on the use of Malaysian aircraft to support maritime patrols, adding that the search operation could last seven days.  

Romli said information received by the agency indicated that the boat on which the Rohingya travelled initially had left from Rakhine state, which borders Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh where the sprawling refugee camps are located.

Of the 13 survivors, 11 were Rohingya and two from Bangladesh, authorities said.

In Thailand, authorities recovered refugee cards issued in Bangladesh from the two children identifying them as Rohingya living in the Cox’s Bazar camps, according to the Thai official.

Some Rohingya say community members risk the perilous journeys because they see no future in Bangladesh, where foreign aid is shrinking, and they are too afraid to return to Myanmar.

“People are desperate,” said Naser Khan, a Rohingya refugee in Cox’s Bazar.

“People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think it’s better to die at sea than to die slowly here.”

Reporting by Huey Mun Leong in Langkawi, Malaysia, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; Additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; Writing by Martin Petty and Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by David Stanway and Kate Mayberry

Sterling looks past US shutdown news, awaits British data

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The pound was last up 0.08% at $1.3175 and was a whisker firmer against the euro at 87.83 pence to the common currency

International News via Reuters:

Sterling held steady on Monday as traders brushed off news of a possible end to the U.S. federal government shutdown and instead awaited important economic data this week to see what it might mean for the Bank of England.

The pound was last up 0.08% at $1.3175 and was a whisker firmer against the euro at 87.83 pence to the common currency.

It also finished last week little changed. While the Bank of England held interest rates steady on Thursday, voting was tight enough – five policymakers voted to hold and four to cut – to outweigh any sterling-positive impulse as the market’s focus immediately shifted to December’s meeting.

That means this week’s economic numbers will be important.

“Data evolution remains key for (Monetary Policy Committee) pricing, particularly as Governor Bailey’s swing vote was explicitly data dependent,” said analysts at Barclays in a note.

“This week’s employment report (Tuesday) and flash Q3 GDP release (Thursday) are key in that regard.”

Current market pricing sees a 25-basis-point cut in December as more likely than not, though not a done deal.

Traders are also looking ahead to late November’s UK budget. Analysts expect that finance minister Rachel Reeves will raise taxes, though the precise changes remain to be seen, amid broad speculation in British media.

Signs U.S. lawmakers were close to reopening the federal government gave support to equity and bond markets on Monday, but moves in currency markets were limited to the safe-haven Japanese yen and risk-sensitive Australian dollar. [FRX/]

The pound shed 0.4% on the Aussie and gained 0.5% on the yen, in line with similar moves by the dollar and euro.

Reporting by Alun John, Editing by Joe Bavier

Opinion: How resilient are we?

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Linda Smith questions how prepared we are for increased catastrophic weather risks

Written by Shadow Minister for Public Works & Environment Linda Smith

Every year, scientists report on record breaking warming. Looking at the devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa, one wonders whether the weather has reached a tipping point. The devastation left behind, the lives and livelihoods taken is truly heartbreaking. Hurricane Melissa may very well have signaled a call to action for serious reassessment.

It has long been noted that the smallest contributors to global warming are set to pay the highest price.  The magnitude of Hurricane Melissa stems from unusually warm water and atmospheric temperatures within the region – global warming is widely reported as the driver behind the scale and probability of such a storm.

A Category 5 hurricane is considered extraordinary. Bermuda has long been proud of its international reputation to quickly bounce back from the effects of hurricanes, attributed to our stone structures, preparations and resilience. However, maybe we have also benefitted from a measure of good fortune, as it now appears that the scale of storms that we need to prepare for has shifted.

Most of us can still remember Hurricane Fabian on 5 September 2003 as perhaps the most frightening. At the time, Fabian was a category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph and gusts above 150 mph, intermittently moving it into Category 4 territory.

Fabian caused $300 million in damage, but most devasting was the four lives lost when storm surge washed out part of the causeway. While Hurricane Fabian is remembered as one of Bermuda’s most terrifying storms, the size, scale and speed does not compare with Jamaica’s recent experience.

Hurricane Melissa was a unique system that left meteorologists stunned and worried. Prior to reaching Jamaica, the system meandered at very low speed –reportedly slower than the average person’s walking pace– drawing energy from the Caribbean’s warm waters, while building strength for four days.

When Hurricane Melissa roared into Jamaica, it was a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph, causing billions of dollars in damage and a death toll that continues to climb. Melissa also devastated parts of Haiti and Cuba, while still having the energy to impact islands of the Bahamas, and Bermuda before dissipating.

The meteorological conditions experienced in Jamaica triggered the immediate payment of a $US150 million catastrophe bond, but this is a far cry from what will be needed to rebuild. Damage continues to be assessed but estimates so far are between $2-4 billion. Additionally, less than 20% of homes are insured, so for many people building back will be exceeding difficult, if not impossible. It is believed that recovery will take decades.

In Bermuda, watching what has happened over the past few weeks, begs the question, how prepared are we for the likes of weather systems, we have never seen before. We can ill afford to bask in the glory of our historical resilience. The behavior, ferociousness and longevity of Hurricane Melissa should leave us all wondering whether this is becoming the new normal and if so, how ready are we?

We know, we need more investment in our infrastructure, particularly our shore-line roads, some of which are crumbling on their own. There are also questions around the lifespan of our causeway and bridges.

Time and time again, Bermuda has proven that her people are as resilient as they come, but how well are we preparing for increased catastrophic weather risks? Is our infrastructure fit to withstand greater weather abuse? Does Government have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage and financial tools in place, should we one day need to rebuild Bermuda?

Departments partner to enhance handwriting instruction

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Three-day workshop certifies professionals in supporting children’s literacy and motor skills

Images supplied.

Government press release:

The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Education, recently hosted the Handwriting Without Tears workshop, a three-day professional training leading to certification in handwriting. The event brought together educators, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech-language pathologists, all focused on strengthening the foundational skills that support learning success.

The Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health, said, “This training underscores our continued commitment to supporting children’s learning and development from the earliest stages. Handwriting is more than just a motor skill, it’s a gateway to literacy, comprehension, and creative expression. By investing in professional development for our therapists and educators, we are ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

Led by international instructor Katrina Erickson, the sessions focused on helping children build the fine motor and literacy readiness skills that underpin strong handwriting, reading, and overall classroom success.

Even in a technology-driven world, handwriting remains fundamental to how children learn. Ms Erickson highlighted research showing that writing by hand engages areas of the brain tied to memory, comprehension, and creativity — connections that typing alone cannot replicate.

The workshop was coordinated by a dedicated cross-departmental committee including Holly Sinclair and Akilah Lapsley-Dyer, Occupational Therapists (Department of Health); Carmelita Trott, Education Officer for Early Childhood (Department of Education); Sakina Steede, Quality Assurance Officer (Department of Education); Sherri-Lee Bucci, Assistant Director of Early Childhood (Department of Education); and Teresa Woolridge, Coordinator for Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy Services (Department of Health)

Goater’s Villa Stun Man Utd; Dill Nets Cup Winner

Julie Matthews-Borchardt
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A huge upset in the WSL; decisive cup performances from Bermudian players across the English leagues.

Drama in women’s football saw a huge upset in the WSL, coupled with decisive cup performances from Bermudian players across the English leagues.

Manchester United suffered their first Women’s Super League defeat of the season after Aston Villa, where Shaun Goater serves as Assistant Coach, secured a gritty 1-0 victory. The winning goal came in the 35th minute when Miri Taylor capitalised on a goalkeeper error to volley the ball home, securing a massive three points for Goater and his Villa side.

Bermudian players proved instrumental in cup competitions:

  • Keunna Dill scored the critical winner for FC United of Manchester Women, slotting home in the 72nd minute to secure a 4-2 victory over Curzon Ashton.
  • Kenni Thompson and her AFC Bournemouth Women teammates powered into the last eight of the FA Women’s National League Cup with a convincing 3-0 win.
  • Aaliyah Nolan’s Bradford City Women advanced comfortably with a dominant 6-0 rout.
  • Jasmine Spence was on target as her Newport Pagnell Town Women staged a second-half comeback to win their League Cup tie 5-2.

In the NWSL Playoffs, Mia Fishel’s Seattle Reign FC fought hard but their campaign ended in Orlando with a 2-0 defeat. Meanwhile, Nia Christopher’s Fort Lauderdale United FC teammates secured a crucial 1-0 win, moving the club to second in the Gainbridge Super League standings.

Opinion: Why adequate housing is fundamental to a just Bermuda

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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NAB Third Sector Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity

Images supplied.

By Sandra Christensen, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity 

Bermuda is facing a housing crisis. With soaring rental prices, limited land, high construction costs, and a severe shortage of affordable housing, too many Bermudians are being left without safe and secure housing. The Chamber of Commerce estimates the island is short by 2,500 housing units. This need is even more urgent for our vulnerable and underserved populations.  

At Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, we believe that access to safe, secure, and affordable housing is not a privilege – it’s a basic human right. For more than 25 years, we have been working to address this urgent need by restoring derelict homes and transforming them into safe, livable spaces for families in need, thereby maintaining affordable housing options in the island’s inventory. 

Why Housing Matters 

A safe home is more than a roof and four walls. It’s the foundation for stability, health, and dignity. Families living in unsafe or unstable housing often face increased stress, illness, and financial insecurity. Children in overcrowded or unhealthy homes struggle to focus on their education. Seniors in unsuitable housing face risks to their personal safety and independence. By transforming unsafe housing into secure, affordable homes, Habitat helps build stronger families and stronger communities. 

Our Impact 

  • In the past year, Habitat Bermuda helped 15 families – that’s nearly 75 people – now living in safe and secure housing. 
  • Over the past 25 years, we have completed more than 400 derelict home rehabilitation projects, positively impacting over 1,600 Bermudians. 
  • The majority of those we serve are single mothers with children or seniors living at or below the poverty line. 

The outcomes are life-changing: families go from unsafe, unhealthy housing to secure and safe homes. Children are no longer in danger of displacement, seniors can remain in their homes with dignity, and families living in hardship can stay in their homes thanks to our rehabilitation programmes. 

Our Partnerships 

We know this work cannot be done alone. Habitat partners with local charities, government agencies, and community groups to address the broader challenges linked to housing – such as healthcare, mental health, and family support. Recently, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Anglican Church of Bermuda, and Habitat for Humanity collaborated to transform the old St. James’ Rectory into a community-based Rresidential Ttreatment Ccentre, marking a major shift in mental health care from institutionalisation to recovery-focused, supported living. Partnerships like this ensure that our most vulnerable not only have a safe place to live, but also the resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives, achieve economic independence and participate fully as members of the community.   Through community giving, Habitat’s Restore shop helps fund projects like this by turning sales of donated household items into support for community rebuilding. 

Our Vision 

Our vision is an island where every Bermudian can live in an affordable and safe home. We imagine a Bermuda where no family is forced to choose between food, medication or rent. Where seniors can age in place with dignity, and children can grow up in homes that are stable and secure. We imagine a Bermuda where communities thrive. 

Bermuda’s housing crisis will not solve itself. It requires vision, government investment, and community support. Habitat for Humanity Bermuda is ready to do the work – but we cannot do it without help from the community. Whether by volunteering, donating, or simply raising awareness, everyone has a role to play. Together, we can build not just houses, but hope. 

For more information about the work of Habitat for Humanity or to volunteer your time, please visit www.habitat.bm. 

De Couto: ‘Government says one thing; Auditor General says another’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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De Couto: ‘Government says one thing; Auditor General says another’

Shadow Finance Minister suggests government celebrates while Bermudians face hardship

Statement from Shadow Finance Minister Doug De Couto:

The PLP Government and its Ministers are living in an alternate reality from most Bermudians.

The Government constantly praises and celebrates itself using taxpayer money, but the truth tells a different story.

As the Auditor General’s recent report shows, Ministers have been travelling around on our dime, without even bothering to keep track of their spending properly.

And when asked in Parliament about the total cost of that travel, including that of civil servants, as usual, the Government shamelessly refuses to answer. All this despite being legally required to track that spending in accordance with its own policies.

While Ministers strut and parade around on stages overseas, Bermudians silently face and endure challenges such as high food prices, rent, and electricity bills, along with many other hardships we hear about on their doorsteps.

While Ministers attend private international conferences halfway around the world, we’ve lost a generation of children due to a failing education system, constantly in transition, during years when youth development demands the most stability..

While Ministers turn international travel into self-promotional tours, there are 1,400 fewer Bermudian jobs than in 2017, and according to the Home report, more than 1,100 Bermudians are without stable housing.

Affordability, accountability, and stability are the themes Bermudians are seeking, yet the Government’s hypocrisy and failure to deliver is breathtaking. The irony is not lost when the island sees Ministers invite the youth to be part of Bermuda’s future, then try to block progress on absentee voting.

Ministers proclaim Bermuda’s new Corporate Income Tax as the solution to all our problems, but then say it’s so sensitive that they can’t even tell us how much companies have paid.

Ministers claim progress on Immigration policies, but the Fairmont Southampton project is staffed with up to 150 Cuban nationals, who are granted government waivers for visa requirements*.

The Government claims it’s been working hard for you, but perhaps the most impactful legislation passed this year was to give themselves and their colleagues who lost seats or retired a retroactive pay rise.

The fact that this was the first law passed after the election shows where this Government’s priorities truly lie.

*Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Prohibition of Entry) (No. 2) Order 2025

Opposition criticises government over Bermudiana leases

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Shadow Housing Minister says only five of 90 units rented to Bermudians is “unacceptable” amid growing housing needs

Statement from Shadow Housing Minister Michael Fahy:

The  extent of the failing of the Bermudiana Beach Residences to alleviate the housing crisis affecting Bermudians was exposed in Parliament after answers were given to questions I posed to the Minister:

  1. Will the Honourable Minister please advise this Honourable House of the number of units at Bermudiana Beach Residences (broken down by each size of apartment i.e. studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom) that are leased to Bermudians?

Response:

Five (5) Bermudians have leased units from the Bermudiana Development Company Ltd with the following make up – 1 studio, 3 one-bedroom and 1 two-bedroom.

  1. Will the Honourable Minister please advise this Honourable House of the number of units at Bermudiana Beach Residences (broken down by each size of apartment i.e. studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom) that are leased and have been leased to nonBermudian Government and non-Bermudian quango contractors, consultants and Public Servants?

Response:

* Eight (8) units have been leased from the Bermudiana Development Company Ltd by the Ministry of Public Works & Environment (MoP WE), Estates Department.

* The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities is not aware of the origins, business arrangements and makeup of the persons housed.

* The MoPWE/Estates has leased two of each type, studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.

  1. Will the Honourable Minister please advise this Honourable House of the number of units at Bermudiana Beach Residences (broken down by each size of apartment i.e. studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom) that are leased and have been leased to nonBermudian Government and non-Bermudian quango contractors, consultants and public servants where the lease is or was subsidized or paid for by the Government of Bermuda or quango by way of a housing allowance, bonus or other contractual arrangement?

Response: As the units have been leased by the MoPWE/Estates department the Minister is not aware of subsidies, housing allowances, or other contractual arrangements they have with their clients, as this is not pertinent to the leasing of the units.

Of over 90 units at the complex only five have been rented to Bermudians to date. With over 300 people on waiting lists at BHC and 1100 people homeless or facing homelessness as identified by the charity HOME, this is unacceptable. The matter goes further. It was also revealed that a Government Ministry is leasing a number of units. The question is – for who? What is happening here is that the Bermuda taxpayer is paying twice for this debacle – the revamp of the building and then potentially the rental costs of some of the units if Government is not being reimbursed for renting the units to others.

 In the meantime, Minister DeSilva advised that modular housing will be introduced to Bermuda to help move the dial on BHC waiting lists. As yet the units have not received planning permission which seems strange given that the units have already been purchased. Why not are Bermudians going to be placed in modular housing while perfectly good housing units sit empty on South shore?

Stakeholders in ocean protection given more time to provide input

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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The Ministry of Public Works and Environment today announced an extension to the public consultation on the Marine Resources Enforcement Strategy until Thursday, 13 November 2025.

The extension follows requests from stakeholders for additional time to provide feedback on the Strategy, which outlines a modern and coordinated approach to protecting Bermuda’s ocean and marine resources.

Originally scheduled to close on 6 November, the consultation period will now run until 13 November. Members of the public are encouraged to review the Strategy and complete the online survey at forum.gov.bm.

Developed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with other local and regional partners, the Strategy sets out a framework to strengthen enforcement, improve compliance, and ensure marine resources are managed responsibly for future generations.

The Ministry reminds the public that this consultation remains open and welcomes input from anyone with an interest in Bermuda’s marine environment.

Butterfield launches Toys for Tots campaign

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Hamilton, Bermuda—7 November 2025: Butterfield has teamed up once again with the Coalition for the Protection of Children (CPC) to continue the Toys for Tots tradition and together kickstart this year’s island-wide collection campaign.

From now until Monday, 8 December, those who are able to help can donate new toys for children (up to the age of 12), gift cards for teenagers and vouchers for parents to use on clothing, groceries or utilities. Donations can be dropped off at a number of convenient locations across the island:

  • Butterfield’s Banking Centres: Front Street, St George’s and Somerset
  • Annex Toys at Phoenix
  • Arnold’s Discount Warehouse
  • Gorham’s
  • Little People’s Pharmacy
  • PriceRite stores in Mill’s Creek and in Warwick

Donations must be unwrapped so the CPC can make sure the right gift goes to the right family member.

These donations will help to alleviate stress for many families who are facing hardships during the festive season and provide them with some much-needed support. Following the drive’s completion, the charity will distribute the items to families in mid-December.

Jody Feldman, Butterfield’s Managing Director in Bermuda, said: “As always, we are delighted to be supporting the Toys for Tots campaign. This initiative is a wonderful way for us all to come together and help the Coalition for the Protection of Children in their mission to help others during the holiday season. I’m pleased to let everyone know that Butterfield is ready to receive unwrapped gift donations with collection boxes in each of our Banking Centres, and we encourage those who can to give generously.”

Kelly Hunt, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Butterfield as our Community Sponsor once again this year. The holidays can be an incredibly challenging time for families who are struggling to make ends meet. Toys for Tots aims to bring some extra joy and holiday spirit to support families who need our help. We wouldn’t be able to make this happen without the generous support of everyone involved and, of course, the exceptional kindness of the public. Philanthropy is a language best learned early in life, so we are encouraging parents to get their children involved with this important initiative. Our goal is to reach 2,500 donated items so we implore you to give generously once again this year to ensure that no child has to go without this season.”

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