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Apple and Google agree app store changes to appease UK regulator

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Apple and Google agree app store changes to appease UK regulator

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) designated the two tech giants as having “strategic market status” in smartphones in October, giving it the power to demand specific changes to boost competition

International News via Reuters:

Apple and Google have agreed to make their mobile app stores fairer and more transparent for thousands of developers, Britain’s antitrust regulator said on Tuesday, hailing it as important first steps in its tougher regime.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) designated the two tech giants as having “strategic market status” in smartphones in October, giving it the power to demand specific changes to boost competition.

Nearly all smartphones in Britain run either Apple iOS or Google’s Android operating systems, and their app stores and browsers have exclusive or dominant positions on their platforms.

Under the new commitments, the companies will review apps in a fair, objective and transparent way, the CMA said.

Developers will also be able to request access to more of Apple’s features in iOS to create competing products, for example related to digital wallets or live translation.

The regulator has previously said this dominance enables the two companies to exert considerable influence over content, services and technological developments.

Apple said it faced “fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience”.

“The commitments announced today allow Apple to continue advancing important privacy and security innovations for users and great opportunities for developers,” it said.

Google said that while it believed its existing developer practices were fair, objective, and transparent, it welcomed the opportunity to resolve the CMA’s concerns collaboratively.

Reporting by Paul Sandle and Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton

Sterling drops, politics and BoE easing path in focus

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Sterling drops, politics and BoE easing path in focus

Two-year UK government bond yields were roughly unchanged after falling by almost 11 basis points since Thursday

International News via Reuters:

Sterling dropped against the dollar and the euro on Tuesday as a broad selloff of the U.S. currency faded, while concerns about British politics and the path of Bank of England monetary policy continued to weigh.

Two-year UK government bond yields were roughly unchanged after falling by almost 11 basis points since Thursday, when the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold, but only after an unexpectedly narrow 5-4 vote.

The central bank also said borrowing costs were likely to fall if an expected drop soon in inflation was sustained.

STARMER NOT QUITTING 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused on Monday to heed calls to quit, after a second aide resigned from a team in crisis over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. 

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, seen as a potential challenger, threw her support behind Starmer on Monday.

Lee Hardman, a senior currency analyst at MUFG, noted that Labour sources indicated significant resistance within the party to launching a leadership challenge ahead of May’s local elections.

“A development that should help to reduce the risk of a sharper pound selloff in the near-term,” he argued.

The euro <EURGBP=> was last up 0.26% against the pound at 87.19 pence. It hit 86.96 on Monday, its highest since January 21.

“Nevertheless, it remains questionable whether Starmer will still be prime minister by the end of the year, despite winning the 2024 election with a strong result and setting out to ensure stability,” said Michael Pfister, forex analyst at Commerzbank, before mentioning signs of recovery in the British economy and easing inflation.

“The pound is currently suffering from uncertainty, and this is likely to continue until the matter is resolved sustainably,” he said.

Against the dollar, sterling fell 0.2% at $1.3669.

The greenback was little changed against European currencies before key U.S. economic data due on Wednesday. 

“However, the risk of a leftist turn in the government, particularly under an Angela Rayner-led Labour Party, presents downside risks to the pound and British assets generally,” said Enrique Diaz-Alvarez, chief economist at global financial services firm Ebury.

Reporting by Stefano Rebaudo; editing by Alex Richardson

Junior golfers to play alongside world’s best

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Junior golfers to play alongside world’s best

The fourth annual Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship starts this week

Southampton, Bermuda (February 9, 2026) — Bermuda’s PGA TOUR event will continue its partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to host the fourth annual Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship. Butterfield joins the event as a presenting sponsor advocating education in golf for talented junior golfers. The three-day tournament will be hosted at Port Royal Golf Course, home to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, with a field comprised of 77 of the world’s top junior golfers. 

The American Junior Golf Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization aiming to bring opportunity to talented and enthusiastic juniors hoping to make it as future professional sportsmen and women. The AJGA holds upwards of 130 events annually with varying field sizes, with over 7,000 juniors participating in monthly competitions providing a limitless opportunity for the aspiring next generation of professional PGA TOUR golfers.

We are thrilled to be back in Bermuda for our fourth Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship,” says Director of Business Development at the AJGA, Patrick Cansfield. “The golfers and families love Bermuda, and this event continues to provide many opportunities for junior golfers around the world that are trying to earn college golf scholarships. We are excited to work once again with the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Butterfield and the Butterfield Bermuda Championship team.”

The junior championship aims to grow the game of golf in Bermuda through its passionate, skillful youth players. A celebration of upcoming talent and ability is being showcased to spread interest and access to golf on the island for years to come.

The tournament will be hosted at Port Royal Golf Course, home to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, February 12-15. The full and final field will feature four Bermudian juniors, Darina Betschart, Oliver Betschart, John Bart, and Arman Newton.

Media and spectators are encouraged to watch and support the next generation of professional golfers as they compete in Bermudas PGA TOUR accredited golf course testing conditions. Visitors do not require a ticket to attend the event. Admission is free. Follow the championship social media accounts for news and updates.  

‘The pressures on young people are real’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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‘The pressures on young people are real’

Minister of Health explains the importance of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

Overseas file image

As Bermuda marks Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, 9- 15 February, Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, is calling on the community to continue prioritising the wellbeing of young people and to work together to reduce stigma, strengthen early support, and create environments where they feel safe to seek help.

Minister Wilson stated, “Youth Mental Health Awareness Week is an important reminder that the emotional and psychological wellbeing of our young people must remain at the forefront of our national agenda. The pressures facing today’s youth, academic expectations, social dynamics, family stress, and the influence of the digital world, are real, and they require our collective attention. We cannot dismiss these challenges as a phase or something young people should simply ‘get over’. When a young person is struggling, what they need most is to be seen, listened to, and supported early.”

Minister Wilson emphasised that youth mental health is not the responsibility of one agency alone. It requires collaboration across sectors, families, and community partners grounded in compassion and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of Bermuda’s young people.

“Too many young people hesitate to reach out because they fear being judged,” Minister Wilson added. “Stigma continues to be one of the greatest barriers to care. We must all work together to create safe, supportive spaces where our children and adolescents feel heard, valued, and understood. That starts with how we respond when a young person opens up: with patience, with respect, and with compassion.

“We all have a role to play. A kind conversation, a check-in, making time to listen, and knowing when to encourage professional support can make a real difference. By working together, we can build a Bermuda where every young person has the support they need to thrive. Our children deserve nothing less.”

The Ministry encourages families and community members to participate in Youth Mental Health Awareness Week activities and to access available resources throughout the year.

Bermuda Tonight – 09 February 2026

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bermuda Tonight – 09 February 2026

Street survey: How can we reduce the number of power outages during storms?

Kendal Trott
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Street survey: How can we reduce the number of power outages during storms?

It’s a routine most Bermudians have become wearily familiar with … heavy winds followed by power cuts.
But is it something we simply must accept as the norm?

Or could changes be made to infrastructure to ensure that heavy storms do not always equate to widespread outages?

When Kendal Trott asked the public about it today, a consensus emerged … ‘bury the power lines underground’.

Bermuda records one of its coldest weekends

Alisa Bernardo
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Bermuda records one of its coldest weekends

Winter gale brings bone-chilling temps, fierce winds and leaves thousands in the dark

Extreme weather hit the island once again this weekend – perhaps not quite record breaking but certainly close to it.

The Bermuda Weather Service places it among the most significant cold extremes in Bermuda’s modern records.

It might be the coldest spell since the early 20th century, depending on how records are interpreted.

More in the above report.

UK watchdog plans to publish all trading data for London shares

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UK watchdog plans to publish all trading data for London shares

The FCA believes most UK market share liquidity data is under-reported because it is only based on the London Stock Exchange’s central limit order book and excludes many trades

International News via Reuters:

Britain’s financial regulator wants to publish all trading data for London-listed shares in a bid to tackle the under-reporting of market liquidity that has driven some companies to shift their listing to the United States, the watchdog said on Monday.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s interim director of markets, Simon Walls, told the Financial Times in a story published earlier on Monday that the regulator planned to collect and publish all share-trading data from every venue, including exchanges and dark pools.

Dark pools are private exchanges for trading securities often popular with institutional investors who want to execute large transactions without unduly affecting prices.

A spokesperson for the FCA confirmed the plans to Reuters. 

“The truth is we have way more liquidity here than is often reported and that is just silly,” Walls told the FT. “We are talking to loads of parties at the moment about whether the FCA can, at a little bit of risk to ourselves, step in and just sort this out.”

The FCA’s plans are a stopgap, the FT reported, before the regulator launches its “consolidated tape” for equities, likely next year. This tape will combine real-time data from different equity trading platforms into a single feed.

The proposals are part of a wider effort by the FCA to boost the appeal of the London Stock Exchange, which is battling a downturn in the number of new stock market listings and the shift of some existing companies to other exchanges, typically in the United States, where executives think they can get a better valuation.

In January, Britain’s revamped framework for raising capital came into force, aiming to make it easier and cheaper for listed and private companies to attract funding.

The FCA believes most UK market share liquidity data is under-reported because it is only based on the London Stock Exchange’s central limit order book and excludes many trades, including periodic orders at the LSE, the FT reported.

Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru and Phoebe Seers in London; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar and Anil D’Silva

UN seeks clarity on when US will pay dues, and how much

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UN seeks clarity on when US will pay dues, and how much

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sounded the alarm on U.N. finances and warned that the 193-country organization is at risk of “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid fees

International News via Reuters:

The United Nations said on Monday it is waiting for details on when and how much the United States will pay toward its delayed budget dues, following a promise last week that Washington would make an initial payment within weeks.

“We’ve seen the statements, and frankly, the secretary-general has been in touch for quite some time on this issue with Ambassador (Mike) Waltz,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a briefing.

“Our (budget) controller has been in touch with the U.S.; indications were given. We’re waiting to see exactly when payments will be made and in what amounts,” he added. 

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sounded the alarm on U.N. finances in a January 28 letter to member states and warned that the 193-country organization is at risk of “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid fees.

The majority of the fees are owed by Washington, which under President Donald Trump has been retreating from multilateralism on numerous fronts and demanded that the U.N. reform and cut costs.

“You’ll certainly see an initial tranche of money very shortly,” Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told Reuters on Friday. “It’ll be a significant … down payment on our annual dues … I don’t believe that the ultimate figure is decided, but it’ll be in a matter of weeks.”

U.N. officials say the U.S. is responsible for more than 95% of outstanding dues toward the regular U.N. budget. The nation owes $2.19 billion by the start of February, plus another $2.4 billion for current and past peacekeeping missions and $43.6 million for U.N. tribunals.

U.N. officials say the U.S. did not pay into the regular budget last year and owes $827 million for that, as well as $767 million for 2026, with the remainder of its debt made up of arrears from previous years.

Asked if the money would go toward last year’s dues or those for 2026, or both, Waltz said: “Just in general, towards the arrears, and also in recognition of some of the reforms that we’ve seen.”

As of last Friday, 55 countries had paid their contributions to the regular U.N. budget for this year before a February 8 due date, U.N. data showed.

Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Ethan Smith

Lebanon’s Tripoli building collapse kills 15

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Lebanon’s Tripoli building collapse kills 15

Civil defence director general Imad Khreiss said rescue teams rescued eight people from the rubble of the collapsed buildings in the northern city’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood

International News via Reuters:

The death toll from the collapse of residential buildings in the Lebanese city of Tripoli rose to 15 after search and rescue operations ended, Lebanon’s National News Agency said on Monday, citing the civil defence chief.

Civil defence director general Imad Khreiss said rescue teams rescued eight people from the rubble of the collapsed buildings in the northern city’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood.

Officials said on Sunday that two adjoining buildings had collapsed.  

Abdel Hamid Karimeh, head of Tripoli’s municipal council, said he could not confirm how many people remained missing. Earlier, the head of Lebanon’s civil defence rescue service said the two buildings were home to 22 residents.

A number of aging residential buildings have collapsed in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city, in recent weeks, highlighting deteriorating infrastructure and years of neglect, state media reported, citing municipal officials.

The Lebanese cabinet said following a meeting that the city’s municipal council is set to issue a decision to evacuate 114 buildings at risk of collapse within a period not exceeding one month.

Temporary housing assistance would be made available for families being evacuated for one year, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on X.

Karimeh said the issue of unsafe buildings in Tripoli was longstanding and driven by multiple factors, including construction violations, years of disorder, weak oversight and a lack of regular maintenance, partly linked to restrictive rent control laws that discourage owners from investing in repairs.

He said many buildings in the city were between 60 and 70 years old and had exceeded their structural lifespan without undergoing essential maintenance, increasing the risk of collapse. The problem, he added, exceeded the capacity of the municipality and residents alone, calling for direct state intervention.

Authorities have begun providing temporary shelter to displaced families, while Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee is offering housing allowances for up to three months, Karimeh said.

He added that charities, the Ministry of Social Affairs and international organisations were coordinating to provide assistance, saying the aim was to secure a minimum acceptable level of support for affected households.

Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Holmes

US to turn over two NATO command posts to Europeans, military source says

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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US to turn over two NATO command posts to Europeans, military source says

The move is in keeping with U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands that European nations take more responsibility for their own security

International News via Reuters:

The United States will turn over two of NATO’s major command posts – in Naples, Italy and Norfolk, Virginia – to European officers, a military source told Reuters on Monday.

The move is in keeping with U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands that European nations take more responsibility for their own security. His administration has called for the military alliance, long dominated by the United States, to become a “European-led NATO”.

As part of the command reshuffle, European officers would take over NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command in Naples and Joint Force Command Norfolk, both currently led by U.S. admirals, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

However, the U.S. would take the reins of three commands slightly lower in the hierarchy but which bear significant responsibility for operations – Allied Air Command, Allied Maritime Command and Allied Land Command, the military source and another person familiar with the matter said.

Asked about the planned changes, a NATO official said: “Allies have agreed on a new distribution of senior officer responsibility across the NATO Command Structure in which European Allies, including NATO’s newest members, will play a more prominent role in the Alliance’s military leadership.”

The official said the decision related to “planning for future rotations” and more details would be provided in due course.

The command changes were earlier reported by French outlet La Lettre and by Politico.

Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Humeyra Pamuk and Andrew Gray; Writing by Andrew Gray; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Deepa Babington

Logos Hope diverts to help lone sailor

Alisa Bernardo
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Logos Hope diverts to help lone sailor

Floating book fair may be delayed en route to Bermuda

MV Logos Hope, known as the world’s largest floating bookfair, is making its way to Bermuda, however, its arrival may be delayed.

At 9 am this morning, the Bermuda Rescue Coordination Center requested that Logos Hope deviate from her planned course to assist a lone sailor aboard a drifting sailboat experiencing rough weather conditions.

Captain Matt Stephens of Logos Hope said the ship is expected to reach the sailor’s location by noon tomorrow to provide assistance.

It is not yet clear how this operation will affect the ship’s scheduled arrival in Hamilton.

Logos Hope, which is returning to the island more than a decade after its last visit, was originally due to dock along Front Street on Wednesday.

The vessel operates under the non-profit organisation GBA Ships, which aims to promote literacy, education, cross-cultural cooperation, and social awareness.

Once in Bermuda, residents will be able to purchase tickets to go on board and visit the ship’s in-house book fair, offering more than 5,000 titles for sale.

The organisation says further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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