The Bermuda Ball Hockey Winter League served up a fifteen-goal spectacle at the PCC Hockey Rink, with Positive Image Dental defeating Alexandra Mosher 9–6 in a wild, high-octane affair.
The first period was a frantic, nine-goal shootout. Positive Image Dental’s Louis Sujir led the charge with an opening-frame hat-trick, supported by two goals from Donald Folkard, to give his side the early edge. Alexandra Mosher kept pace with two goals from Mike Brennan and a strike from Ian Beaudoin.
After a dramatic, scoreless second period, the floodgates reopened in the third. Sujir proved unstoppable, netting two more goals to complete a phenomenal five-goal performance for Positive Image Dental. Further strikes from Jordan Gunter and Brett Williamson secured their 9-6 victory. Despite late efforts, including a second goal from Ian Beaudoin, Alexandra Mosher could not overcome Positive Image Dental’s decisive offensive power.
Finn Moseley and his McKendree Men’s Swim and Diving teammates faced a significant test this week, travelling to the Mizzou Aquatic Center for a dual meet against the highly competitive Division I powerhouse, the University of Missouri (Mizzou).
Moseley, the Bermudian diver, gained valuable experience competing against top-tier collegiate opponents in both the one-meter and three-meter events. He finished the meet with a combined total of 273.53 points across his two disciplines.
The McKendree diver secured a fifth-place finish in both individual events, demonstrating consistent form. In the 1-Meter event, Moseley posted a score of 131.63 points, and followed up with a score of 141.90 points in the 3-Meter event. Competing at this high standard provides critical preparation for Moseley and the McKendree squad as they progress through their season.
CedarBridge Academy Blue were crowned champions of the Bermuda School Sports Federation (BSSF) Senior School Boy’s Over 16 Six-a-Side Tournament, defeating Mount Saint Agnes Academy (MSA) 3-0 in a decisive final at the Shelly Bay Field.
The champions delivered a clinical performance in the final, with Xave Smith, Kruz Iris, and Treazi Gibbons each scoring a goal to secure the 3-0 shutout victory and lift the trophy.
CedarBridge Blue’s journey to the final was marked by drama. They had to overcome their school rivals, CedarBridge Academy Reds, in a chaotic semi-final that ended in a 3-3 goal-fest, forcing the champions to rely on the pressure of a penalty shootout to advance. Gibbons, Smith, and Keori Binns-Leverock all found the net in that thrilling semi-final.
MSA earned their final spot after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Berkeley Institute Gold, with goals from Steven Osborne and Tiago Correia. Ultimately, CedarBridge Academy Blue proved the strongest side on the day, securing the prestigious title.
A packed day for Bermudian footballers in the English non-league system delivered high drama, headlined by a veterans’ clash and a seven-goal thrashing.
The standout fixture saw international veterans Dale Eve (goalkeeper for Stratford Town FC) and Reggie Lambe (Needham Market FC) face off in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central. The two teams fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Arden Garages Stadium, ultimately sharing the points in a tightly contested derby.
In another result involving Bermudians, Ne-Jai Tucker’s Southport Football Club secured a valuable 2-1 victory over Buxton United FC, which features the Bermudian trio of Deniche Hill and Keziah Martin. The result will be a frustrating defeat for the Buxton contingent as they seek to climb the table.
Finally, striker Joshua Joseph and his Cheadle Heath Nomads teammates delivered a devastating offensive performance in the North West Counties Football League, thrashing Haughmond FC 7-0. Joseph, who recently opened his goal-scoring account, was part of an unstoppable attack that secured a huge victory and significantly boosted the Nomads’ goal difference.
Brazil is hosting world leaders at a summit ahead of the COP30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belem
International News via Reuters:
Brazilian authorities are investigating a reported threat to a power substation in the city hosting a United Nations climate summit, with possible links to the gang targeted by a deadly police raid last week, a document seen by Reuters showed on Friday.
Brazil is hosting world leaders at a summit ahead of the COP30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belem, a week after Rio police targeted the Comando Vermelho gang in an operation that killed 121 people, drawing concern from U.N. experts.
On October 30, two days after the raid, Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry was notified by Verene Energia, the company managing the Belem-Marituba energy substation, of a threat made by someone who identified himself as a member of the Comando Vermelho, according to a letter sent to the Justice Ministry.
The individual demanded the immediate suspension of work on the Marituba substation and daily interruption of all operations starting at 3 p.m. local time, the document showed.
“This incident demonstrates an imminent and active risk not only to the safety of personnel and property, but also to the continuity of an essential public service, further aggravated by the proximity of COP30,” Verene Energia told the Mines and Energy Ministry.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Comando Vermelho, founded five decades ago in Rio, has since expanded to other Brazilian states including those in the Amazon region in pursuit of new drug and arms trafficking routes. Police said gang leaders from other states were involved in the deadly Rio raid last week.
Brazil’s Justice Ministry said it had “immediately initiated an investigation” and referred the matter to the appropriate authorities upon learning of the reported threat to the power substation.
The country’s federal police launched an investigation on Tuesday to clarify whether the incident involves an isolated move or a link to a criminal organization, it said in a statement, adding that security measures remain in place.
Reporting Ricardo Brito in Brasilia and Leticia Fucuchima in Sao Paulo; Writing by Isabel Teles; Editing by Brad Haynes and Paul Simao
The expansion of the service comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs are denting consumer sentiment
International News via Reuters:
Amazon.com on Friday expanded the reach of its low-cost ecommerce service to 14 additional markets and will call it Amazon Bazaar, as part of a push to compete with Chinese rivals including Shein and PDD Holding’s Temu.
The expansion of the service comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs are denting consumer sentiment, especially of lower-income groups, who are on a constant hunt for cheaper deals.
The new app, similar to Amazon Haul, will deliver a majority of products priced under $10 and some as low as $2, ranging from home goods to fashion, according to the e-commerce giant.
Some of the newer markets for the low-cost ecommerce service include Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan, it said.
Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva
The universal periodic review process is a chance for governments and rights groups to scrutinise all 193 U.N. member states’ records every four to five years
International News via Reuters:
A U.N. meeting to review the United States’ human rights record opened without the U.S. on Friday, with rights groups calling the absence a worrying sign of Washington’s retreat from global engagement on such issues.
The universal periodic review process is a chance for governments and rights groups to scrutinise all 193 U.N. member states’ records every four to five years and recommend improvements. It is rare for a state not to attend the session.
A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. was proud of its human rights record:
“As a founding member of the United Nations and primary champion of individual liberties, we will not be lectured about our human rights record by the likes of HRC (Human Rights Council) members such as Venezuela, China or Sudan.”
Amnesty International called the U.S. absence an “abdication of responsibility”.
Policies under U.S. President Donald Trump, such as flights to deport migrants and a rollback of LGBTQ rights, as well as long-standing issues like the death penalty were on the agenda, according to a U.N. document.
Every government is expected to submit a report on its own record but the U.S. did not.
US SAYS COUNCIL HAS PROTECTED RIGHTS ABUSERS IN THE PAST
Efforts by U.N. Human Rights Council President Juerg Lauber to engage the U.S. ahead of the meeting were unsuccessful, a document showed, and he suspended the review.
The U.S. spokesperson said the council had protected human rights abusers in the past, adding that its own participation in international bodies was focused on advancing American interests and values.
Sarah Decker, senior staff attorney at non-profit organisation Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said the U.S. absence should be of deep concern to all Americans. “It strips away an additional level of oversight for the human rights abuses happening every day under this administration,” she said.
Some diplomats were relieved to be spared the awkward task of commenting on Trump’s record. “It’s a blessing in disguise for nervous NATO allies,” said one Western diplomat.
Trump in February halted engagement with the Geneva rights council as he did in his first term. However, Washington still took part in the UPR in 2020 and submitted a report with the government then saying it was “committed to the principle that leadership in the field of human rights is by example”.
Israel has boycotted the event in the past and Nicaragua ceased cooperation this year.
Reporting by Emma Farge: Editing by Sharon Singleton
It’s a question Government will seek to answer after installing a pilot site in the next 3-4 months
Government has announced a pilot housing project involving modular and expandable container homes.
The move comes in response to urgent housing needs.
As of September, the Bermuda Housing Corporation’s waitlist had grown to more than 300 applicants, with 72 listed as critical and another 192 considered urgent.
Minister of Housing and Municipalities Zane Desilva said more than 60% of applicants are seeking studio and one-bedroom units, representing seniors, single parents and young Bermudians.
He told parliamentarians that his ministry has procured 11 modular and expandable container homes, which will be installed on Government land, and will serve as a live pilot to assess this form of construction as a long-term housing solution.
“The units comprise six one-bedroom capsules, one two-bedroom capsule, and four expandable container homes offering two- and three-bedroom configurations,” Minister Desilva said. “Installation is scheduled for completion within the next three to four months.”
He continued: “Once deployed, these units will provide immediate relief to families in the most critical need, and serve as a live pilot to assess modular construction as a long-term housing solution.
“The modular initiative forms part of our Emergency Housing Plan (2025–2027) currently begin developed. The plan is designed to deliver rapid, cost-effective, high-quality accommodation on available Government lands.
“Lessons from this pilot, on cost, comfort, and community reception, will guide the future expansion of modular housing across the island.”
You can read Minister Desilva’s full statement below.
Reeves said on November 4 that “each of us must do our bit”, raising expectations of tax hikes, while any spending cuts are likely to be small
International News via Reuters:
British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to raise tens of billions of pounds in taxes in her November 26 budget in order not to break her self-imposed fiscal rules, a key issue for bond investors.
Reeves said on November 4 that “each of us must do our bit”, raising expectations of tax hikes, while any spending cuts are likely to be small.
Following are options Reeves is considering, according to British media reports, or has been urged to introduce to plug a budget shortfall and to increase buffers against economic shocks.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a think tank, has urged Reeves to come up with 50 billion pounds’ ($67 billion) worth of tax and spending consolidation measures.
INCOME TAX
Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said before last year’s election they would not raise taxes for “working people”. But on October 29, Starmer declined to commit to the pledge and said the economy was in a worse state than thought.
The Guardian reported on October 23 that Reeves might increase the main income tax rate for all workers by one percentage point to raise an extra 8 billion pounds a year.
The Telegraph said on October 29 Reeves was eyeing a 2 pence rise in income tax rates and a similar cut to social security contributions, which would raise 6 billion pounds by increasing the tax take from pensioners, landlords and the self-employed.
The Times reported on November 6 that Reeves had formally submitted this as a proposal for the Office for Budget Responsibility to assess, and that higher earners might not get reduced social security contributions to offset the tax rise.
Reeves is expected to extend a freeze on the thresholds at which people pay basic and higher income tax rates by two years until 2030, raising about 8 billion pounds.
VAT
Value-added tax could be simplified by ending lower or zero rates for products such as food and children’s clothes. But that could add to what is already the highest inflation among big, rich economies. Tax experts say a lower starting threshold for businesses paying VAT would bring in more revenue and remove a disincentive for growth among small firms.
FUEL DUTY
Successive governments have kept fuel duty frozen since 2011, fearful of protests by drivers. The duty is a big revenue-raiser, bringing in around 25 billion pounds a year, so ending the freeze could boost tax revenues significantly. The Times reported on November 4 that Reeves was considering scrapping a separate temporary relief introduced in 2022.
ELECTRIC CARS
Electric cars will face a new charge of 3 pence per mile driven, equivalent to 250 pounds a year for the average motorist, under a tax that will be announced to take effect in 2028, the Telegraph reported on November 6.
NEW TAXES
Reeves might introduce a new tax, on incomes for example, dedicated to specific spending in an area like public health. Such a move would probably be seen as breaking the spirit of the 2024 pre-election commitment.
THE WEALTHY
Reeves has ruled out a new wealth tax but said on October 15 that higher taxes on the wealthy “will be part of the story”, leading to speculation that she might increase taxes on capital gains and other income sources.
EXIT TAX
The Times said on October 31 that Reeves might impose a 20% tax on wealthy people leaving the country, based on the value of their business assets, similar to taxes in other countries.
PROPERTY
Many economists say a stamp duty tax paid by homebuyers discourages mobility and holds back economic growth. A separate local tax paid by homeowners is based on out-of-date valuations. Reeves might increase taxes paid by owners of expensive homes and reduce stamp duty.
PENSIONS
Options include charging social security levies on pension contributions made by employers to staff or lowering the 25% tax-free lump sum that individuals can take from a pension. Legal & General CEO Antonio Simoes urged Reeves not to deter pension savers. Money managers are reporting a jump in people withdrawing cash from their pensions before the budget.
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
The 20,000-pound tax-free limit for cash Individual Savings Accounts in the hope of driving more money into the British stock market is likely to be halved, the Telegraph reported on October 25. The Financial Times reported the decrease might be slightly smaller, to 12,000 pounds.
LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS
The Times reported on October 21 that Reeves was considering an increase in tax on people in limited liability partnerships, which are typically used by partners at large accountancy and law firms, triggering protests from professional bodies.
BANKS
Some think tanks have called for higher taxes on banks to claim back some of the billions of pounds of interest that lenders have received on reserves held at the Bank of England. Such a move could hurt lending and slow growth, bankers say.
Reeves said on October 16 she wanted to ensure there was a “competitive environment” for financial services firms.
Tax rises on the sector remained low on the list of options being considered, the Financial Times reported on November 5.
‘SIN TAXES’
Taxes on alcohol, tobacco, gambling and vaping could rise. Other options are air travel, plastics and sugary drinks. Higher “sin” taxes could prompt consumers to change their spending and limit the extra tax revenues. They could also be inflationary.
($1 = 0.7451 pounds)
Writing by William Schomberg and David MillikenEditing by Aidan Lewis and Hugh Lawson
3 cases have been identified in 2025, after a decade with only one case
Overseas photo
The public is being put on alert to protect themselves against an infection transmitted via rodents, pets such as dogs, or farm animals.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection can spread through contact with water, soil or food that has been contaminated by the urine of an infected animal.
Health Minister Kim Wilson, delivering a lengthy statement in the House this morning, warned that the risk of Leptospira spread increases where there is heavy rainfall, floods, or poor sanitation.
Bermuda has reported a small number of cases this year, after almost nothing for the last decade…
The Minister said, “for the year 2025, the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has reported three confirmed cases of leptospirosis in humans, all of which have received appropriate medical care.”
“There has been no identified link between the three cases and their exposures.”
Over the past 10 years, ESU has reported only one confirmed human case in 2023. However, there have been sporadic cases of leptospirosis reported in dogs in past years.”
Minister Wilson said the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit is leading the investigation and response, working alongside Environmental Health and Vector Control to conduct assessments, testing and to increase rodent control.
Minister Wilson elaborated on the symptoms of Leptospira infection, and public protection guidelines…
“While most cases are mild, early symptoms of Leptospirosis often mimic mild flu-like symptoms, as well as yellowing of the skin, skin rashes, or redness of the eyes.”
“It is important to note that if left untreated, severe infections can lead to liver or kidney failure, and other serious complications with the brain, lungs or heart. This is why early detection and treatment are important.”
“It is vital that I remind the public of measures they should be taking to protect themselves, their pets, and their environment: • Wear protective gear when gardening, working outdoors or with animals; • Wash your hands and clean cuts thoroughly after contact with soil or animals; • Avoid swimming or walking in waters that may have been contaminated with animal urine, especially after heavy rains or floods; • Protect food and drinks from rodents by covering them; • Remove all standing water and debris from your outdoor spaces that can serve as breeding grounds for rodents; • Keep your trash tied up tightly and use garbage cans that have lids; • Only take out your garbage on collection days; • Protect your pets by getting them vaccinated; and • Promptly seek medical attention if symptoms develop after possible exposure to contaminated water or soil, or with an infected animal.”
Ministerial Statement by Kim Wilson, Minister of Health:
Minister reflects on the recent hurricanes – and also warns that we are not out of danger yet
BELCO workers are heroes.
That was the message today from Michael Weeks, National Security Minister, as he reflected on the two hurricanes that recently hit the island, Imelda and Melissa.
Some 20,000 customers lost power during Hurricane Melissa, but amazingly, Minister Weeks said, electricity was restored for the vast majority within days.
BELCO workers are heroes in these situations, the Minister added, praising their dedication and efficiency.
In a speech to the House of Assembly today, Mr. Weeks also had high praise for the EMO, the police, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Weather Service, the Parks Department and Public Works, among others, for helping the island to get back on its feet so quickly post-storm.
“We made timely, analytical and strategic decisions ahead of each of these storms,” Mr. Weeks said, “and put in place mitigation plans that enabled us to significantly reduce the threats to our safety and security.
“Our EMO model is a testament to how different entities ought to work together during crises.”
Minister Weeks also praised Bermudians in general, for their pre-storm preparation – which “helped to reduce damage and potential injury” – and for their resilience.
Islanders may have been storm weary, the minister said, but they were not complacent
And he ended with words of caution; hurricane season is not over until the end of November and Minister Weeks called for all Bermudians to remain vigilant and watchful: “We can ill afford to let out guards down.”
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