[naviga:u]Demonstrators march to 'Take Back the Night'[/naviga:u]

CONCERNED citizens marched through Hamilton to raise awareness of violence against women and children. The third annual 'Take Back the Night' event attracted around 60 women - and a handful of men. Hosted by the Women's Resource Centre and Bermuda Security Group, the walk started at Albuoy's Point and took marchers along Front Street to Crow Lane and back.

PLP delegates turn back two-year election proposal

THE RULING Progressive Labour Party voted not to change its rules back to a scheduled leadership challenge every two years. The PLP delegates' conference debated the proposal but decided to stick with scheduled elections every four years - a system it adopted in 2002. A senior party source said delegates took a mature decision that allowed for more stability, although the branches or the central committee can still trigger leadership challenges.

Football game abandoned after violence at Devonshire Rec

AROUND 20 blade-wielding youths attempted to storm a football match at Devonshire Recreation Club - the game was abandoned as a result. Gang violence and bloodshed like that famously witnessed at Wellington Oval in 2004 appeared to have been narrowly averted due to prompt action by police. A spokesperson said two police officers were monitoring the ground during the Wolves vs. Paget Lions match when they say the group brandishing bladed articles and approaching the gate in an attempt to enter the ground. The officers called for additional police units, which responded immediately. The youths escaped on foot.

BHC leaks: Law Lords protect press freedoms

THE ISLAND'S highest court of appeal has ruled the media have the right to report more revelations from a leaked police dossier on the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) scandal. In a landmark judgement, five Law Lords from the Privy Council in London said previous refusals by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal to interfere with the freedom of the press were correct. They also ruled that the Attorney General and the Police Commisisoner, who brought the case, should pay the costs - expected to run to six figures, they will have to be met from the public purse.

Premier touts Beijing visit

BERMUDA HAS made a major impression during a global tourism summit in China, according to Premier Ewart Brown who delivered a keynote address at the Beijing conference and hosted a dinner for 200 representatives from around the world. "It's been a fantastic experience," the Premier said afterward. "It sets the foundation for an eventual relationship with China, and sets up the likelihood that what is now a trickle of business visitors will grow into a flow."

Anguished mother asks: What about the murders**?>*>*

THE MOTHER of 2003 shooting victim Shaundae Jones attacked police for dedicated so much time and energy to the Bermuda Housing Corporation leak when so many murders remain unsolved. Marsha Jones, who is still awaiting justice following her son's Dockyard shooting, spoke out after it was revealed police had called in the US Secret Service to help investigate how the BHC dossier got into the hands of the media. Said Ms Jones: "Since 2003 we have had approximately 12 murders. And we are worried about everything besides that. They definitely need to get their priorities right."

PLP insider claims 'Dr. Brown has lost a lot of credibility'

PROGRESSIVE LABOUR Party MPs are split over the fallout from Government's costly legal defeat in London, with former Cabinet Minister Renee Webb saying Premier Ewart Brown's declining popularity could lose the party the election. Assessing the situation Ms Webb stated: "As it stands right now I think we could lose under Dr. Brown. And it is whether MPs are disillusioned enough or want to take the risk of going to the polls with Dr. Brown as their leader and potentially losing - that's the question."