Heavy police presence on-site
Bermuda Broadcasting understands that gunshots have been fired in the Court Street area.
There is a major police presence on-site.
We’ll share more details as they become available.
South Korea’s former first lady arrested after court issues warrant, Yonhap reports
The charges against her range from stock fraud to bribery and illegal influence peddling
International News via Reuters:
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee has been arrested after a court late on Tuesday issued a warrant to arrest her following accusations of graft that she denies, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Kim is South Korea’s only former first lady to be arrested, joining her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, in jail as he faces trial, following his ouster in April, over a botched bid to impose martial law in December.
Earlier in the day, Kim, wearing a black suit, bowed as she arrived at court, but did not answer reporters’ questions or make a statement. After the hearing ended she left to await the ruling at a detention centre in Seoul, the capital, in line with customary practice.
The arrest warrant was issued by the Seoul Central District Court.
The charges against her, punishable by years in prison, range from stock fraud to bribery and illegal influence peddling that have implicated business owners, religious figures and a political power broker.
She has been accused of breaking the law over an incident in which she wore a luxury Van Cleef pendant reportedly worth more than 60 million won ($43,000) while attending a NATO summit with her husband in 2022.
The item was not listed in the couple’s financial disclosure as required by law, according to the charge.
Kim is also accused of receiving two Chanel bags together valued at 20 million won and a diamond necklace from a religious group as a bribe in return for influence favourable to its business interests.
The prosecution sought Kim’s arrest because of the risk of her destroying evidence and interfering with the investigation, a spokesperson for the special prosecutor’s team told a press briefing after Tuesday’s hearing.
The spokesperson, Oh Jeong-hee, said Kim had told prosecutors the pendant she wore was a fake bought 20 years ago in Hong Kong.
The prosecution said it was genuine, however, and given by a domestic construction company for Kim to wear at the summit, Oh said.
Kim’s lawyers did not immediately comment on Tuesday but they have previously denied the accusations against her and dismissed as groundless speculation news reports about some of the gifts she allegedly received.
Yoon is on trial on charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The former president, who also faces charges of abuse of power among others, has denied wrongdoing and refused to attend trial hearings or be questioned by prosecutors.
($1=1,391.3000 won)
Reporting by Heejin Kim; Additional reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones, Bhargav Acharya and Jasper Ward; Editing by Ed Davies, Clarence Fernandez, Daniel Wallis and Andrea Ricci
UN’s Haiti appeal has received lowest funding of any response plan, coordinator says
This year’s humanitarian response plan aims to raise over $900 million, mainly from U.N. member countries
International News via Reuters:
The United Nations’ Haiti appeal for 2025 has received the lowest funding of any response plan worldwide, the organization’s humanitarian coordinator for the Caribbean nation said on Tuesday, as armed gangs continue to paralyze transport routes and fuel hunger.
This year’s humanitarian response plan aims to raise over $900 million, mainly from U.N. member countries, but is just 9.2% funded, the coordinator, Ulrika Richardson, said in a briefing marked “the lowest level of funding for any response plan in the world.”
Ukraine’s $2.63-billion appeal for this year is by comparison 38% funded, according to U.N. financial tracking data, while a $4-billion flash appeal for the Palestinian territories received $890 million, or 22% of its target.
“We have tools, but the response from the international community is just not at par with the gravity on the ground,” Richardson said.
More than 3,100 people have been killed this year in a conflict with heavily armed gangs that has pushed more than half the population into food insecurity and around 1.3 million from their homes. More than 8,000 people living in makeshift camps face famine-level hunger.
A partially-deployed U.N.-backed force led by Kenya and based on voluntary contributions, deployed a year ago but has had little effect in helping a cash-strapped police force reclaim territories.
Meanwhile, many aid organizations have had to cut back services due to the difficulty of bringing in supplies and ensuring the safety of the people they work with.
Richardson said strangling the trafficking of arms – which the U.N. estimates are largely shipped from Florida – into Haiti was key to stopping the violence, as well as sanctions against those involved in financial support of the gangs.
“Haiti can quickly spiral up again, but the violence needs to end,” she said.
Reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City and Michelle Nichols at the United NationsEditing by Rod Nickel
BBC Radio News: Tuesday Evening – 12 August 2025
Police identify man found near Fentons Drive on Sunday, no major incidents reported over the Cup Match holiday weekend according to Chief Inspector, traffic delays expected in Flatt’s due to ongoing road paving plus the latest sports news
Palmetto Road lane closure extended for bridge repairs
Drivers urged to use alternative routes as single lane closure under Glebe Road Bridge remains in place until September 19
Government press release:
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises the motoring public that the single lane closure on Palmetto Road, underneath the Glebe Road Bridge in Pembroke Parish, will be extended to facilitate bridge repair works.
The revised closure period will run from Friday, 15 August 2025, to Friday, 19 September 2025. Working hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Sunrise Construction Ltd. representatives will manage traffic control, with temporary traffic lights in place.
Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and use alternative routes via Marsh Folly Road and Bishop Spencer Road. Those travelling through the affected section should expect delays and proceed with caution.
Please refer to the attached Road Traffic Notice for further details.
Police hail ‘peaceful’ Cup Match weekend
Chief Inspector credits public cooperation as arrests remain low and major incidents avoided
Police have credited public cooperation and advance planning for what they describe as a largely “peaceful” Cup Match weekend.
Chief Inspector Andrew Smalling, one of the Silver Commanders for the holiday, said there were “no major incidents” and thanked the public for their role in achieving that outcome.
Chief Inspector Smalling reported a total of around 22 arrests over the weekend: eight for outstanding warrants, three involving the seizure of bladed articles, and four for impaired driving. There was also one drug importation incident.
On the issue of knives, he issued a message aimed at young people and to those who can guide them away from anti-social behaviour.
Police identify body found near Fentons Drive
54 -year-old Jason Liburd was pronounced dead by an on call doctor at the scene on Sunday
Police today have confirmed the identity of the body of a man found in the Fentons Drive area on Sunday as 54-year-old Jason Liburd.
Mr. Liburd was pronounced dead by an on-call physician shortly after his body was found by an area resident, according to police
An autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of his death.
Detectives told media yesterday during a news conference, that they are treating the death as suspicious.
An investigation is underway.
A BPS Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist Mr. Liburd’s family.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Acting Detective Inspector, Anneka Donawa, on 717-2250 or Alternatively, submit any information via the reporting portal at portal.police.bm. or call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.
Minors secures 800m victory at Midland Counties League
Bermudian middle-distance runner Dage Minors has secured a winning performance in the men’s 800m at the Midland Counties League Division 1 meet.
Competing at the Yate Track & Field facility, Minors, a seasoned competitor, showcased his strong form by clocking a winning time of 1:58.14 to claim the top spot.
The victory highlights a determined effort as Minors continues to compete on the UK circuit and builds on a competitive season. This result adds to his recent successes, which have included a personal best in a 5K race earlier this year and a win in a 10K event.
Aeziah Divine makes strong comeback at Thruxton Crash
Bermudian racer Aeziah Divine has displayed remarkable resilience at Round 5 of the Thruxton Race Circuit, bouncing back from a high-speed crash to finish the weekend on a high note.
The weekend began with a dramatic fall for Divine in a practice session at an estimated 110 mph. Thanks to his safety gear, he escaped without injury. Despite a subsequent mechanical issue and grip problems in qualifying, where he started 22nd, Divine’s determination never wavered.
He showed significant improvement on Day Two, dropping his times and finishing 15th in a session. The final race was a testament to his fighting spirit; starting from 22nd, he climbed as high as 13th, leading a group of riders in a thrilling battle. He ultimately finished 16th, a mere 0.024 seconds from a points-scoring position.
Divine concluded the challenging but ultimately rewarding weekend by setting a new personal best time in the 1:23 range, a great achievement following the early setback. He credited his team’s hard work for his impressive comeback.
A bag of mixed fortunes for Bermuda’s footballers
It’s been a weekend of contrasting results for Bermudian footballers plying their trade overseas, with everything from hard-fought draws to season-opening wins and difficult defeats.
In the USL Championship, Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC battled to a scoreless draw against Loudoun United FC. In a physical encounter, both sides had chances, but neither could find a breakthrough, with a pair of shots hitting the woodwork. The result sees Rhode Island take a point from the match.
Across the Atlantic, Remi Coddington and his Bracknell Town FC teammates have started their new season in the Pitching In Southern Football League with a positive result. They secured a 1-0 victory over Berkhamsted at the Glencar Community Stadium, a perfect way to kick off their campaign.
In the NWSL, Mia Fishel was on the road with Seattle Reign against rivals Portland. Despite a high-scoring affair, her team came up short, falling 4-2 in a tough contest.
Meanwhile, in Finland, Djair Parfitt and his FC Haka teammates suffered a defeat in a crucial match against FF Jaro. The home side secured all three points with a 2-1 victory, leaving Haka without the desired result.
Finally, looking ahead, Nia Christopher is preparing for her second season with Fort Lauderdale United FC. After a rookie year where she appeared in 13 matches, notching one assist and four shots on target, the 24-year-old forward will be looking to build on her experience as she heads into the new campaign.
Bermuda athletes shine in Junior Pan Am Games day two
Bermudian athletes have delivered a strong second day at the Junior Pan American Games, with impressive performances in both the pool and on the archery range.
In the aquatics preliminaries, Marleigh Howes finished 24th overall in the Women’s 200m Freestyle, while Elijah Daley placed 20th in the Men’s 100m Butterfly. The standout swimming performance came from Jack Harvey, who advanced to the Men’s 200m Backstroke ‘A’ Final with the fourth-fastest qualifying time. He then delivered a superb swim in the final, finishing an impressive fourth with a time of 2:02.27.
On the archery range, Jaydon Roberts and Robin Selley put in a series of exceptional performances. Roberts advanced to the Men’s Individual Recurve semi-finals after a thrilling 6-5 victory over Bolivia’s Nanuq Herzog, before falling to Columbia’s Andres Hernandez. Selley’s individual run ended in the quarter-finals.
The pair then teamed up for the Mixed Recurve Team event, where they defeated both Guatemala and a strong Brazilian team before being stopped by the USA in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, their combined efforts have earned them a spot in the bronze medal match, a testament to their teamwork and skill on the international stage.
Robot dog in Mexico teaches animal kindness on the streets
With a metallic, friendly voice, Waldog is about the size of a beagle and initiates conversations with children and adults about animal rights
International News via Reuters:
He walks, he talks, he runs and he plays. He’s “Waldog,” an AI-powered robot that is making the rounds in the northern city of Monterrey, Mexico to raise awareness about animal abuse and welfare.
With a metallic, friendly voice, Waldog is about the size of a beagle and initiates conversations with children and adults about animal rights.
“Hi, I’m Waldog, and I’m here to give a voice to those who don’t have one, the animals who live on the streets,” he told one group of laughing residents in the low-income neighborhood of Santa Catarina in Monterrey on August 8.
Waldog told them his job is to “raise awareness” about animal treatment.
Federal Senator Waldo Fernandez of Monterrey told Reuters that he paid $4,084 for Waldog with his own money and named the pet after himself. Waldog needs adult accompaniment and is operated by a remote control.
Fernandez, a self-professed animal activist, said Waldog seeks to encourage kindness and responsibility toward animals and humans alike.
But it will also serve a practical purpose, Fernandez said in an Instagram post: Waldog will flag trash on the street, potholes and register fellow street dogs.
Robot dogs have also been used in search and rescue missions following natural disasters. U.S. authorities are also working on developing robot dogs for patrol along the U.S.-Mexico border.
For now, Fernandez said, Waldog has a full agenda: It will visit schools, plazas and neighborhoods across Monterrey’s metro area, in addition to posing for lots of selfies.
Reporting by Alberto Fajardo and Mariana Hernandez; Editing by Emily Green and Sonali Paul
