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UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta

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UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta

Ofcom said its investigation would establish whether Meta carried out a “suitable and sufficient” assessment of the risks of illegal content on the feature and any risks posed to children before its launch

Instagram app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

International News via Reuters:

Britain’s communications regulator opened its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday, questioning whether it properly assessed risks posed by its Instagram Instants feature before launching it in May.

Instants allows content shared by users on Instagram to disappear after being viewed.

Ofcom said its investigation would establish whether Meta carried out a “suitable and sufficient” assessment of the risks of illegal content on the feature and any risks posed to children before its launch.

George Lusty, director of enforcement at Ofcom, said: “Our online safety laws are clear — significant changes to platforms must be risk assessed before they’re launched.”

Safety by design had to be built in and not bolted on, he said. “Today’s investigation shows we’ll take action where we have concerns that providers are failing to comply,” he said.

Meta said it took its regulatory obligations under the Online Safety Act seriously.

“We conducted a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom about this feature on a number of occasions before launching it,” a spokesperson said.

“Instants has in-built protections, including blocking screenshots, reshares and forwarding, no public feed, and Teen Account protections on automatically.”

“We will of course co-operate with Ofcom during this investigation,” the spokesperson said.

Ofcom’s first investigation under the Online Safety Act was into an online suicide discussion forum last year, followed by probes into pornography sites, file-sharing services used to distribute child sexual abuse material, and platforms such as 4chan.

Britain’s online safety regime sets obligations for social media platforms, search engines and adult content providers to tackle illegal content and to protect children’s safety.

Ofcom requires companies to conduct risk assessments and implement safety measures, such as age verification.

If a company fails to comply, Ofcom can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Meta has launched legal challenges against Ofcom over its implementation of the act, including the scale and scope of information it has to provide to the regulator and the level of fees Ofcom charges.

In January, Ofcom launched an investigation into Meta over the provision of information about its WhatsApp Business product under a separate Communications Act.

Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru and Paul Sandle in London; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala, Sarah Young and Tomasz Janowski

Bermuda Tonight – October 6

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Bermuda Tonight – October 6

UK police make further arrest over suspected Fairford airbase plot

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UK police make further arrest over suspected Fairford airbase plot

Counter Terrorism Policing said the man was arrested in Westminster and officers had searched a property in the same area

FILE PHOTO: Armed police officers stand guard on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard/File Photo

International News via Reuters:

British police said on Tuesday they had arrested a 22-year old British man in London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts as part of their investigation into a suspected plot near RAF Fairford, the airbase used by the US to strike Iran.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the man was arrested in Westminster and officers had searched a property in the same area. He remains in custody.

The arrest is the latest in an investigation that has drawn international attention after US President Donald Trump said a threat linked to Iran had subsequently prompted the removal of American B-1 bombers from the base. Iran has denied any involvement in any alleged plot.

“This remains a live investigation and our specialist teams continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford,” Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said on Tuesday.

Six men in their 20s, arrested previously in connection with the investigation, including a dual British-Iranian national arrested on October 1, remain on police bail.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton

Spain approves housing decrees that triggered snap election

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Spain approves housing decrees that triggered snap election

Sanchez said on Monday he was bringing forward an election previously scheduled for 2027 because failing to garner enough support for his proposals to address a housing crisis made him realise he needed more seats in parliament

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after cabinet meeting at Moncloa Palace, in Madrid, Spain, October 6, 2026. REUTERS/Juan Medina

International News via Reuters:

Spain’s government on Tuesday approved two housing decrees whose rejection by parliament last week prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call a snap election.

The measures, which include rent caps, a temporary ban on evictions and limits on corporate purchases of residential property, were “based on plain common sense”, Sanchez said in a press conference, arguing that opinion surveys showed the public was broadly in favour of intervention in the property market.

“They protect the most vulnerable and, in some way, begin to bring order to what is currently a deeply dysfunctional market that does not operate according to the logic of supply and demand because of rampant speculation,” he said.

Sanchez said on Monday he was bringing forward an election previously scheduled for 2027 because failing to garner enough support for his proposals to address a housing crisis made him realise he needed more seats in parliament.

Calling the election, on November 29, has allowed Sanchez to bring in the new rules with the support of a smaller caretaker body.

The measures will come into effect temporarily when the decree is published in the official state gazette but must then be sent for approval by the caretaker lawmakers who remain in place after parliament was dissolved, Sanchez said.

The standing body of 69 members, when including lower house speaker Francina Armengol from Sanchez’s Socialist Party, has a slim majority in favour of the measures, according to state broadcaster TVE.

A second decree proposing the automatic renewal of rental contracts would only come into effect if approved by the reduced legislature since the government did not have a majority to validate it, Sanchez said.

The interventionist measures will only serve to drive away the investment needed to increase supply, said Carolina Roca, president of the Association of Property Developers of Madrid.

“The legal uncertainty inherent in both decrees will result in a sharp slowdown in the limited investment secured to date in the construction of affordable housing,” she said.

The attempted eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid triggered nationwide protests including calls for a general strike before the election, which Sanchez said his government would respect.

Reporting by Charlie Devereux, Victoria Waldersee and Mireia Merino; Additional reporting by Corina Pons; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Timothy Heritage and Alison Williams

Warwick Academy and Whitney Institute claim Bermuda tournament glory

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Warwick Academy and Whitney Institute claim Bermuda tournament glory

Warwick Academy and Whitney Institute lifted the silverware after a dramatic afternoon of middle school hockey in Bermuda.

Warwick Academy White captured the girls’ championship with a clinical 2-0 win over Somersfield Academy. Following a cagey, scoreless first period, second-half goals from Guadalope Pena and Sianna Seth unlocked a stubborn Somersfield defence to seal the title.

Warwick White had previously survived a high-stakes 2-1 semi-final against Warwick Academy Blue, courtesy of strikes from Pena and Aria Samuels. Somersfield Green reached the final by sweeping past Saltus Grammar 2-0 with goals from Keira Wheeler and Charlotte Henderson.

In the boys’ competition, Whitney Institute stormed to the title with an unblemished 5-0 record in the round-robin stage.

Their defining moment came in the penultimate clash, edging their closest unbeaten rivals 2-1 thanks to decisive finishes from Cyme Dowling and Julian Simmons. Sharp-shooter Tikobi Robinson headlined Whitney’s dominant run, racking up an impressive six goals in five matches.

World shares advance as oil falls, bond yields retreat

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World shares advance as oil falls, bond yields retreat

Futures pointed to a record-high open for the S&P 500 for the first time since mid-August, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was on track for a third consecutive all-time high

International News via Reuters:

World stocks scaled two-week highs on Tuesday as easing oil prices and bond yields helped steady sentiment, while investors looked ahead to an earnings season expected to be powered by continued AI-driven growth.

Futures pointed to a record-high open for the S&P 500 for the first time since mid-August, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was on track for a third consecutive all-time high. The pan-European STOXX 600 firmed 0.6%.

MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe rose 0.2%.

Bond markets found some respite on Tuesday after France’s unpopular budget triggered a French debt rout and fuelled fears of broader stress across the euro zone.

The euro rose 0.2% to 1.1239, stabilising after hitting a 17-month low in the previous session due to concerns about the euro zone’s fiscal outlook. Political uncertainty also deepened after Spain called a snap election on Monday.

France’s 10-year bond yield fell 15.3 basis points to 4.708% after surging to its highest since the 2000s last week. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the frontrunner in next spring’s presidential election, increased her plans to slash spending if elected in 2027.

“On the one hand you’ve got quite material pressure being felt on the government bond side. But elsewhere the corporate side of things actually don’t look too bad. You’ve got companies whose earnings remain very robust. We’re getting into the earnings season fairly soon, expectations for that are pretty high,” said James Klempster, deputy head of multi-asset at Liontrust in London.

With few major catalysts on this week’s calendar, investors are increasingly focused on third-quarter earnings, which begin in earnest next week. Goldman Sachs estimates consensus forecasts imply 27% growth in S&P 500 earnings, with more than half that coming from companies benefiting from AI infrastructure spending.

Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company and a bellwether for the AI trade, rose 1% in premarket trading, putting it on track for a market value of about $5.8 trillion. Other megacap tech companies including Meta Platforms and Alphabet also rose about 0.5%.

Brent crude fell 2% to $97.96 a barrel after dropping 1.9% overnight as resilient Middle East crude exports and a G7 emergency stockpile release eased supply concerns, though ongoing security risks in the region limited losses.

BOND WORRIES LINGER

The dollar weakened broadly against most major currencies, reversing some recent advances as investors pared back their bets on US interest rate hikes following a soft US jobs report and policymakers’ calls for more evidence before further tightening.

The dollar index fell 0.35% to 101.80 after rising 3% over the past month.

Traders scaled back expectations of a Federal Reserve rate increase this month to 22% from about 50% a week earlier.

Long-dated US Treasury yields also eased after touching fresh 24-year highs on Monday amid a persistent selloff since late August on inflation and debt concerns. The 10-year yield fell 3 bps to 5.2815%, while the 30-year yield dropped 2.8 bps to 5.6356%.

Attention remained fixed on France’s fiscal outlook.

The premium investors demand to hold 10-year French bonds, known as OATs, over safer German debt, known as Bunds, narrowed to 125 bps after widening last week to 158.67 bps, its highest level since the euro zone debt crisis in 2011. France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescure said market turbulence had not reached a level warranting ECB intervention.

German 10-year bond yields, the euro zone benchmark, dropped 4.6 bps to 3.45%.

“Absent a credible catalyst, OAT-Bund spreads are likely to remain in the 130-150 bp range, while partial progress to reduce political uncertainty could bring them towards 120-130 bp,” ABN AMRO’s senior rates strategist Larissa de Barros Fritz said in a note.

Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,172.97 an ounce. [GOL/]

Reporting by Stella Qiu, Tom Westbrook and Medha SinghEditing by Thomas Derpinghaus, Mark Potter, Peter Graff

AMD plans to substantially increase supply in 2027, CEO says

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AMD plans to substantially increase supply in 2027, CEO says

AMD, Nvidia’s closest rival in AI graphics processors, has been rapidly expanding its AI chip business, with its market value recently topping $1 trillion amid an AI-driven rally

FILE PHOTO: The logo of semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is displayed over a booth at the Web Summit digital trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo

International News via Reuters:

AMD plans to substantially increase chip supply in 2027 as the US chipmaker races to meet booming demand from artificial intelligence, CEO Lisa Su said on Tuesday.

AMD, Nvidia’s closest rival in AI graphics processors, has been rapidly expanding its AI chip business, with its market value recently topping $1 trillion amid an AI-driven rally.

“We’ve been able to increase our supply as we’ve gone through 2026, and we’re going to substantially increase our supply in 2027,” Su told reporters in Taipei.

Su said one purpose of her Taiwan visit was to ensure AMD’s supply chain could ramp up CPU and GPU production to meet growing AI demand. She has met Foxconn and is due to meet TSMC as part of discussions with local partners.

AMD is also working closely with memory chipmakers to secure sufficient supplies, Su said, ahead of a visit to South Korea later on Tuesday. South Korea is home to memory giants Samsung and SK Hynix.

Asked whether TSMC had discussed a potential investment in Texas with AMD, Su did not answer directly, but said the company would need additional advanced wafer capacity to meet strong demand.

“There’s very, very high demand for the next several years. We can see very high demand, and so we need more advanced wafer capacity,” Su said, adding that AMD was now planning three to five years ahead.

Reuters reported last week that TSMC is evaluating potential investment in Texas.

Su also said AI could be “incredibly good for the world” but warned companies must remain mindful of risks and work together on AI safety.

She said coordination among leading technology companies would be important as AI and superintelligence advance, describing last week’s AI summit between US President Donald Trump and technology executives as an important step.

Companies attending the meeting agreed to work with “independent auditors” to assess whether AI systems are operating as intended by their designers, according to a copy of the agreement posted by Trump on his social media platform.   

Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee. Editing by Miyoung Kim and Mark Potter

Muso sparks McDaniel College fightback in Georgia

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Muso sparks McDaniel College fightback in Georgia

Bermuda’s Dylan Muso mounted an impressive second-round turnaround to anchor McDaniel College into a tie for 10th place at the West Pines Collegiate Golf Tournament.

The Maryland-based outfit closed round two on 10 over par at West Pines Golf Club in Douglasville, keeping themselves well within striking distance heading into the final stages.

Muso, tied for 65th individually, rebounded with poise following an erratic start. After struggling to find momentum during a five-over-par 76 on day one—hampered by four bogeys and a double bogey—the Bermudian found his groove on round two.

Shaving four strokes off his opening score, Muso signed for a gritty one-over-par 72 featuring three birdies and 11 steady pars to steady the ship. His vital four-shot swing ensured the Green Terror stayed firmly inside the top 10 on a tight, unforgiving leaderboard.

Revised Customs Traveller Declaration forms are now in effect

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Revised Customs Traveller Declaration forms are now in effect

The Customs Department advises the public that the new Customs Traveller Declaration (Customs Form 98 (3/26) is now in effect as of 1 October 2026. The revised Form 98 updates Bermuda’s customs declaration process for persons arriving in and departing from Bermuda and introduces enhanced requirements for the declaration of certain goods and high-value items.

Under the new requirements, all travellers departing from Bermuda must declare precious metals and precious stones with a cumulative value exceeding BDA $10,000, or the equivalent value in foreign currency. This requirement applies to travellers departing Bermuda by air or by sea.

The new declaration requirement strengthens Bermuda’s customs controls by ensuring that high-value precious metals and precious stones are subject to declaration requirements similar to those that apply to significant amounts of currency and negotiable instruments.

The existing requirement to declare currency and negotiable instruments with a cumulative value exceeding BDA $10,000 remains unchanged.

The revised Form 98 also incorporates the BDA $300 duty-free allowance for Bermuda residents and updates the categories of goods and information required when making a customs declaration.

Travellers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the revised declaration requirements before travelling and to ensure that all required information is declared accurately.

As a transitional measure, the superseded Customs Form 98 (4/16) will continue to be accepted by Customs until 31 October 2026. Travellers are encouraged to use the revised Form 98 (3/26).

The Revenue (Customs Traveller Declaration) Amendment Notice 2026 came into operation on 1 October 2026.

Bermuda target podium in Munich as manager Riley prepares for swansong

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Bermuda target podium in Munich as manager Riley prepares for swansong

Bermuda’s national men’s bowling team depart for Munich this week to contest the 2026 International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Cup, targeting global honours in what will be an emotional finale for long-serving manager Steven Riley.

The tournament, taking place from 12–21 October, brings together elite bowlers from 48 nations in both singles and team match-play divisions.

The Bermudian quartet of LeVinc Samuels, Lamar Richardson, David Maycock, and Anthony Hayward arrive in Germany aiming to build on an impressive showing in Hong Kong, where they reached the last 16 across both disciplines.

“My main goal is staying focused, trusting in my preparation, and helping the team achieve the best possible result,” said Richardson ahead of departure.

Team-mate Maycock is equally bullish about Bermuda’s podium credentials: “The focus will be making good shots which will enable everything else to fall into place. We want to stay confident and come away with a medal.”

The blue-riband team event will be contested under the Baker format, featuring head-to-head pool fixtures to decide which nations advance to the knockout rounds.

Having sharpened their competitive edge at this summer’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo, the squad will lean heavily on recent international experience.

For team manager Riley, who retires after more than four decades representing Bermuda, the expanded 48-team competition marks a bittersweet farewell—and the chance to bow out on a high.

OUTBermuda announces 2026 Education Bursary recipient

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OUTBermuda announces 2026 Education Bursary recipient

OUTBermuda is proud to announce that Jasiah Durham has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 OUTBermuda Education Bursary, which supports the academic pursuits of LGBTQ+ Bermudians and allies committed to equity, inclusion, and social change.

The $10,000 Education bursary is generously sponsored by Talcott Financial Group. Their commitment to advancing access to education has led them to double their previous financial contribution.

Many LGBTQ+ students in Bermuda do not feel safe in schools. Bermuda’s national LGBTQ+ survey found that over 70% of LGBTQ+ people surveyed had experienced bullying in Bermuda’s schools. The education bursary helps uplift Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ students by providing financial support for their pursuit of higher education.

Sara Corday, Chair of OUTBermuda, said:

“Our bursary programme not only provides financial support to LGBTQ+ Bermudians seeking higher education but also gives them an opportunity to observe OUTBermuda board meetings. Jasiah went beyond observing and was instrumental in the creation of Bermuda’s first National LGBTQ+ Survey. His drive and commitment to advancing support for LGBTQ+ Bermudians while navigating his studies abroad is a testament to his character.”

Jasiah is currently enrolled at the University of London, where he is studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Hispanic Studies. His academic journey is rooted in a deep commitment to public service and a vision for a more inclusive Bermuda.

The annual bursary is one of several initiatives supported through Bermuda Pride and OUTBermuda’s year-round fundraising efforts. The OUTBermuda Education Bursary was

created to reduce financial barriers for LGBTQ+ students and their allies who are pursuing post-secondary education. In doing so, it affirms that LGBTQ+ students deserve not just access to education, but recognition and respect as future changemakers. For more information about OUTBermuda’s programs and how to support them, please visit www.outbermuda.org.

Mass General Brigham to host sleep education event

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Mass General Brigham to host sleep education event

Mass General Brigham will host an upcoming Continuing Medical Education (CME) event in Bermuda focused on the assessment and management of sleep health and disorders across the lifespan.

Sleep Health at Every Age: Assessment and Management, will take place on Monday, 12 October 2026, at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), and will cover best practices for evaluating and treating sleep disorders in adults, children and adolescents. The event will also explore treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to caring for patients with sleep-related conditions.

Mass General Brigham and its member hospitals care for hundreds of Bermudian patients each year, working closely with local physicians to ensure patients receive high-quality care both on-island and in Boston. The organisation also visits Bermuda regularly to support local healthcare initiatives and strengthen partnerships with the island’s medical community.

The education event will feature presentations from three sleep medicine specialists from Mass General Brigham, covering adult sleep health, sleep in children and adolescents and treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea. The programme will conclude with an interactive panel discussion, Q&A and case discussions involving the visiting faculty and local providers. Following the educational programme, attendees will enjoy dinner catered by Harbourfront Restaurant with the presenters and Mass General Brigham international team.

Dr James Mojica – Course Director and Clinical Director and Vice Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, said: ‘Sleep problems are extremely common, but they are not always recognised or appropriately evaluated in clinical practice. We hope this programme gives Bermuda’s healthcare professionals practical tools for identifying sleep disorders, understanding the available treatment options and knowing when a patient may benefit from referral to a sleep specialist.’

Also presenting are Dr Bernard Kinane – Chief of the Pediatric Pulmonary Unit and Director of the Sleep Pediatric Program at Mass General Brigham for Children – who will discuss sleep in children and adolescents, and Dr Phillip Huyett – Director of Sleep Surgery at Mass Eye and Ear – who will present on treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea.

The event is free of charge and open to Bermudian general practitioners, family practitioners, family medicine specialists, paediatricians, pulmonary specialists, dental professionals treating sleep-disordered breathing and public health professionals. A maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ will be offered to physicians.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to register in advance to attend the event and enjoy the complimentary dinner. Registration will also be available on the night, subject to availability. The educational programme begins at 5:30pm on Monday, 12 October at the BUEI Auditorium, with dinner following from 7:30pm.

To register and find full programme details, please visit: https://i.massgeneralbrigham.org/btf64

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