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Australia tells AI chatbot companies to detail child protection steps

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Australia tells AI chatbot companies to detail child protection steps

The realistic conversational abilities of such services have taken the world by storm, but have also fanned concern that a lack of guardrails exposes vulnerable individuals to dangerous content

International News via Reuters:

Australia has ordered four artificial-intelligence chatbot companies to explain their measures to protect children from exposure to sexual or self-harm material, as its internet regulator beefs up safety measures on the AI fronti

The realistic conversational abilities of such services have taken the world by storm, but have also fanned concern that a lack of guardrails exposes vulnerable individuals to dangerous content.

In a statement, the eSafety Commissioner said it sought details of safeguards against child sexual exploitation, pornography and material promoting suicide or eating disorders.

It sent notices to Character Technologies, owner of celebrity simulation chatbot tool character.ai, and rivals Glimpse.AI, Chai Research and Chub AI.

“There can be a darker side to some of these services, with many … chatbots capable of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with minors,” Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in the statement.

“Concerns have been raised that they may also encourage suicide, self-harm and disordered eating.”

Australia’s online regulatory system gives the commissioner the power to compel internet firms to report internal safety processes or face daily fines of up to A$825,000 ($536,000).

The most popular of the services queried, Character.ai, is being sued in the United States after the mother of a 14-year-old said her son died by suicide following prolonged interaction with an AI companion on the site.

Character.ai has sought to dismiss the lawsuit and says it introduced safety features, such as pop-ups directing users to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if they express thoughts of self-harm.

Schools in Australia have reported children as young as 13 spending up to five hours a day talking with chatbots, sometimes sexually, the regulator said, adding that minors risked forming sexual or emotionally dependent ties with them, or being spurred to self-harm.

However, the regulator did not query OpenAI, owner of the world’s most popular AI search tool, ChatGPT, as its crackdown focused on companion-based tools and ChatGPT is not covered by an industry code until March 2026, an eSafety spokesperson said.

Australia has one of the world’s strictest internet regulation regimes.

From December, social media companies will be forced to deactivate or refuse accounts for users younger than 16 or face a fine of up to A$49.5 million, in a bid to safeguard young people’s mental and physical health.

($1=1.5389 Australian dollars)

Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Clarence Fernandez

Bermuda draw hosts Honduras in CONCACAF U-17 Qualifiers

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Bermuda draw hosts Honduras in CONCACAF U-17 Qualifiers

Bermuda faces a tough test in their path to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup after the official draw for the 2026 CONCACAF Under-17 Qualifiers placed them in a group with the host nation, Honduras.

The crucial qualifying tournament, set for 3rd to 12th February 2026, across six host countries, sees Bermuda drawn into Group H alongside Honduras, Guyana, and Suriname.

The format is a single, compact round of competition, with the 34 participating nations split into eight groups. The stakes are incredibly high: only the eight group winners will earn the coveted spot at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Bermuda will now begin preparations for a geographically diverse group, knowing that overcoming the challenge of the home support and conditions provided by hosts Honduras will be a significant early hurdle in their campaign.

Britain takes aim at Apple and Google’s dominance in smartphones

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Britain takes aim at Apple and Google’s dominance in smartphones

Apple iOS and Google’s Android platforms were used by millions of businesses and consumers, but rules such as restrictions in their app stores may be “limiting innovation and competition”

International News via Reuters:

Britain on Wednesday moved to loosen the grip of Apple and Google in smartphones by designating them as having “strategic market status”, giving it the power to demand specific changes to boost competition.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Apple iOS and Google’s Android platforms were used by millions of businesses and consumers, but rules such as restrictions in their app stores may be “limiting innovation and competition”.

The regulator, which has been told by the government to boost economic growth, said it was joining the United States, the European Union, Japan and others in taking action against the two tech giants.

COMPANIES SAY DON’T FOLLOW THE EUROPEAN UNION

Google, however, said the CMA’s next steps would show if it was “pro-competitive”, while Apple urged it not to follow the EU’s example of intervening, which it said had left users with weaker privacy.  

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

The CMA has previously said this dominance enables them to exert considerable influence over content, services and technological developments.

The regulator said its decision was not a finding of wrongdoing and did not introduce any immediate requirements, but it would now consider “proportionate, targeted interventions” to ensure the platforms were open to effective competition.

Google, which received the first ever SMS designation earlier this month for its search operations, said the decision was “disappointing, disproportionate and unwarranted”.

“The CMA’s next steps will be crucial if the UK’s digital markets regime is to meet its promise of being pro-growth and pro-innovation,” Google’s senior competition director Oliver Bethell said in a blog post.

Apple said it “worked tirelessly” to create the best products, services and user experience, and said Britain risked undermining that, potentially leading to weaker privacy and security, and delayed access to new features.

“We’ve seen the impact of regulation on Apple users in the EU, and we urge the UK not to follow the same path.”

CHEAPER DEALS FOR APP DEVELOPERS

Tom Smith, competition lawyer at Geradin Partners and a former CMA director, said the CMA could now give app developers more freedom, enabling them to tell customers about cheaper deals.

“This is something that has already been adopted in the U.S., so it should not be a controversial measure,” he said.

Matthew Sinclair, the senior director of trade body CCIA, said, however, the “opaque” designation process would lead to huge uncertainty for companies innovating and investing in Britain.

“It is vital that the CMA takes a more careful approach when considering conduct requirements and responds to the clear steer from ministers to prioritise investment and growth,” he said.

Reporting by Paul Sandle; Additional reporting by Sam Tabahriti, Editing by Kate Holton, Alexandra Hudson

New UN forum aims to tackle developing economies debt issues

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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New UN forum aims to tackle developing economies debt issues

The forum aims to find solutions and come up with actions for issues from debt management to sustainability as global public debt levels scale fresh records

International News via Reuters:

A new U.N.-supported forum designed to help tackle some of the most pressing debt issues across emerging economies was launched on Wednesday as policymakers warned that ever-rising burdens divert vital funds away from much-needed investments. 

The Seville Forum on Debt, led by Spain and presented during the 16th session of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development or UNCTAD in Geneva, aims to bring together both creditors and borrowers as well as international financial institutions and academics. 

The forum aims to find solutions and come up with actions for issues from debt management to sustainability as global public debt levels scale fresh records. 

“It’s a trade-off when you have to service your debt with servicing costs that – in many instances – go above 10% of GDP, and that means making sacrifices in terms of public education, of health opportunities or even investing in your future,” said Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for fast and fair debt solutions, expressing his support for the initiatives.

“Borrowing should work for, not against, developing countries. But countries are getting crushed,” Guterres told reporters in Geneva.

Global public debt hit a record $102 trillion in 2024 with developing countries owing $31 trillion and paying $921 billion in interest alone, UNCTAD said in a news release. 

MANY COUNTRIES SPENDING MORE ON DEBT THAN HEALTH, EDUCATION

Some 3.4 billion people – or more than 40% of the global population – now live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on health or education, the agency said, and there needs to be an urgent and systemic response to tackle the situation. 

“The main purpose is not just another report, it’s a report that then can be combined with technical assistance and with a very close link to debtor countries particularly, so that we can have good implementation on the ground and we can help build forward somehow a more sustainable system,” Cuerpo said.

Developing countries spend $1.4 trillion on annual debt servicing, while 61 of them spent 10% or more of their government revenues on interest payments last year, Guterres stated.

“Countries should never have to choose between servicing their debt or serving their people,” Guterres said.

How to tackle debt issues for emerging economies has been a pressing issue for years. 

Forums such as the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable have sought to make progress on key issues and streamline processes as a number of countries from Ghana to Zambia and Ethiopia have struggled to emerge from lengthy sovereign debt defaults. 

Debt experts have warned that the situation for many developing nations – especially the poorest – is worsening against a backdrop that has seen wealthy nations from the United States to Europe cut aid and slash development financing in favour of defence spending. 

The Group of 20 major economies, under the leadership of South Africa, has vowed to keep the focus on the developing nation’s debt issues. However, presidency of the group will transfer to the United States in a few weeks’ time.     

The Seville Forum on Debt is one of the initiatives coming out of the once-a-decade Conference on Financing for Development that was held in the Spanish city in June. 

Reporting by Karin Strohecker and Olivia Le Poidevin, editing by Sharon Singleton

Drama and dominance: Williams leads after collision-packed Bermuda Gold Cup start

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Drama and dominance: Williams leads after collision-packed Bermuda Gold Cup start

The 73rd Bermuda Gold Cup began with immediate drama on Hamilton Harbour, featuring a collision and an eight-time World Champion asserting early dominance.

The iconic match racing event literally started with a bang as New Zealand’s Nick Egnot-Johnson collided with France’s Ian Garreta in the opening flight.

Despite the early chaos, British sailing legend Ian Williams (sponsored by Pindar) and Switzerland’s Eric Monnin rose to the top of the leaderboard, both going undefeated. Williams was delighted to be back but admitted the classic IOD (International One Design) yachts are always a challenge: “The IODs are so much fun to sail and very challenging… we’re starting to figure it out.”

Meanwhile, the Aspen Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Tour is shaping up for a thrilling week. Three skippers emerged from the opening salvo with perfect records: Sweden’s Anna Östling, Denmark’s Lea Vogelius, and USA’s Nicole Breault.

Vogelius secured a crucial win over defending champion Pauline Courtois but suffered a loss to American Lindsey Baab. Breault and Östling also traded blows with top competitors, setting the stage for escalating drama as the round-robin stage continues.

UK data centre spend to soar to £10 billion a year – Barbour ABI

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UK data centre spend to soar to £10 billion a year – Barbour ABI

A total of 1.75 billion pounds was spent on data centres in the UK last year, with 2.38 billion forecast to be spent in 2025

International News via Reuters:

Spending on new UK data centres is set to rise to 10 billion pounds a year by 2029, a more than five-fold increase from 2024, analysis by construction data firm Barbour ABI has found.

A total of 1.75 billion pounds was spent on data centres in the UK last year, with 2.38 billion forecast to be spent in 2025.

AI-driven demand is fuelling data centre investment. Tech giants are seen investing 25 billion pounds into the UK over the next five years, Barbour ABI found, and almost 100 new data centre projects are planned.

Growth is being supported by government initiatives such as AI Growth Zones which aim to streamline the planning process for new digital infrastructure.

London and surrounding areas have traditionally dominated the data centre sector, but development is increasingly expanding nationwide, according to Barbour ABI.

The largest planned UK data centre project is a $13 billion “hyperscale” data centre in North East England, proposed by U.S. private equity group Blackstone.

Last month, Britain and the United States agreed a technology pact with top U.S. firms including Microsoft, Nvidia and Google, among those pledging investments in the UK.

Global data centre demand and planned projects have surged since ChatGPT was released in late 2022, as big money and governments bet generative AI will revolutionise the way we work and live.

Reporting by Lucy Raitano, editing by Ed Osmond

Fahy blasts cost of living ‘gimmicks’

Gary Foster Skelton
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Fahy blasts cost of living ‘gimmicks’

‘Self-glorifying’ efforts by Government fall short on providing solutions, says Shadow Home Affairs Minister

Michael Fahy, Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, with the OBA’s Linda Smith at the Cost of Living Summit in June. Photo by Gary Foster Skelton

Government’s recent efforts to tackle the cost of living are gimmicky, inadequate and unsustainable, according to Michael Fahy.

The OBA’s Shadow Home Affairs Minister says the recently released ‘Affordable Bermuda Agenda’ is “far closer to a public relations exercise than a substantive economic plan.”

“…there are no measurable targets or fiscal commitments and Bermudians are being asked to trust that voluntary business cooperation and policy reviews will lower prices.”

“There is no enforcement, no timeline, no metrics.”

The nine month 20% discount on essential items may temporarily ease costs, he says, but “once the programme ends, prices will likely rebound unless market structure reforms such as competition policy are introduced.”

Mr Fahy harks back to the 10% grocery discount on Wednesdays under the OBA, which ran from December 2013 to February 2015.

He suggests this is “far better” than the essential goods relief, which he says “simply formalises supermarket discount programmes that existed before”.

He also suggests Government has pressured some food sellers to end or reduce pre-existing initiatives to give the new measures more credence – although he does not cite clear examples of such actions.

The Shadow Minister says there is no plan to change our dependency on imported goods, and that “loose commentary that CARICOM will somehow magically reduce importation costs falls short on detail…”.

Turning to OBA plans, Mr Fahy repeats that the “own goal” of the sugar tax needs to be scrapped, and a switch to LNG fuels and different construction methods should be explored.

Subsidising shipping costs and increasing the population are also measures that should be considered, he says.

In conclusion, Michael Fahy acknowledges that lowering living costs is not easy, but says “what is easy are gimmicks.”

“And a cost of living summit and subsequent report which told us what we already know was just that. Gimmicks.”

Midweek mix for Bermudian footballers: Cup exits, league wins & late drama

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Midweek mix for Bermudian footballers: Cup exits, league wins & late drama

A packed midweek schedule saw seven Bermudian footballers in action across the English pyramid, experiencing highs and lows.

In cup action, Justin Donawa and Brackley Town suffered penalty shootout heartbreak, losing 4-2 to Everton U21’s after a 1-1 draw in the National League Cup. However, Coleridge Fubler and Aunde Todd celebrated as Binfield FC secured a convincing 3-0 Velocity Cup win over Carshalton Athletic.

League fixtures brought mixed fortunes. Willie Clemons featured in Leiston FC’s decisive 3-1 Southern League victory against AFC Sudbury. Conversely, Milan Butterfield’s Halesowen Town were denied a win in dramatic fashion, conceding a 95th-minute equaliser for a 2-2 draw with Quorn.

In the National League North, Deniche Hill and Keziah Martin were unused substitutes but saw Buxton FC claim a tight 2-1 win over Peterborough Sports. Finally, Jutorre Burgess and Harborough Town played out a goalless draw against Stratford Town FC in the Southern Football League.

BBC Radio News: Wednesday Noon – 22 October 2025

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BBC Radio News: Wednesday Noon – 22 October 2025
Bermuda BroadcastingBBC Radio News: Wednesday Noon – 22 October 2025
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9:25
  1. BBC Radio News: Wednesday Noon – 22 October 20259:25
SoundCloud

Junior golf crowns three champions at Ocean View

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Junior golf crowns three champions at Ocean View

The ICS Tires Cobra Puma Junior Championship 2025 has concluded at the Ocean View Golf Course, celebrating three talented young champions: Lewis MacFarlane, Arman Newton, and Darina Betschart, each taking titles in their respective divisions.

In the Boys 14-17 Division, Arman Newton masterfully converted his overnight lead into a championship win. Newton shot a composed final round of 3-over par 73, featuring 15 pars, to finish with a total tournament score of 5-over par. Johnny Bart secured second, four strokes back, with Ramsay Soutter in third.

Lewis MacFarlane dominated the Boys 11-13 title, building on his commanding first-round lead. MacFarlane carded a final round of 4-over par 74, concluding the championship at 11-over par overall. Max Parry and Fletcher Logie finished second and third, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the Girls Division, Darina Betschart, the sole competitor, demonstrated strong play, shooting a final round of 8-over par to finish with a two-day total of 12-over par, claiming the title and setting a benchmark for future competitions.

‘A vibrant celebration of our heritage’

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‘A vibrant celebration of our heritage’

Gombey Festival delights crowds

The 2025 Gombey Festival, held by The Department of Culture, took place on Sunday, 19 October, and drew an exceptional turnout from residents and visitors alike. The event, held under the stars, was a vibrant celebration of Bermuda’s rich cultural heritage and the artistry of its iconic Gombey tradition. This year’s festival honoured Kent Henry of the Phoenix Gombeys for his dedication and contribution to the preservation of the Gombey legacy, marking yet another memorable chapter in Bermuda’s cultural calendar.

The evening began with a captivating opening performance by the Bermuda Donquili, whose energy and rhythm set the tone for the night’s festivities. Audiences were treated to dazzling showcases from several of the island’s finest Gombey troupes, including Place’s New Generation Gombeys, SMS Village Gombeys, Phoenix Gombeys, Vibe Tribe Gombeys, H&H Gombeys, Gombey Evolution, and Warwick Gombeys. The programme also featured electrifying performances by Fire Wayne, Aalai, and the PHC Majorettes and Drum Corps, creating an atmosphere of unity, pride, and celebration throughout the event.

In her welcoming remarks, Acting Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, praised the festival’s enduring significance, stating, “The Gombey Festival is more than just a performance; it is a powerful expression of our identity, resilience, and community spirit. This year’s celebration showcases the strength of our cultural traditions and the passion of those who keep them alive. Congratulations to all involved for making this event such a resounding success.”

Earlier this year, Gombey Fest received the 2025 Best of Bermuda Award for Best Cultural Event, recognising its outstanding contribution to preserving and promoting Bermuda’s cultural heritage. This year’s successful celebration once again demonstrated why the festival continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of the Bermudian community.

To view the full Gombey Fest 2025 photo album, click here.  

Donna Raynor to lead Bermuda team at Commonwealth Games

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Donna Raynor to lead Bermuda team at Commonwealth Games

The Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) proudly announces the appointment of Donna Raynor as Chef de Mission for Team Bermuda at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23 to August 2, 2026.

Raynor returns to the Chef de Mission role following her successful leadership of Team Bermuda at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her extensive experience and proven ability to lead Bermuda’s delegation at the highest level of multi-sport competition makes her the natural choice to guide the team as the Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow, twelve years after the city’s highly successful hosting of the 2014 Games.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature a streamlined 10-sport programme, including the largest ever Para Sport medal event programme in Commonwealth Games history, providing opportunities for Bermudian athletes across a few sports to compete on the international stage.

Ms Raynor confirmed her selection by saying. “I am honoured and excited to serve as Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026. The Commonwealth Games hold a special place in Bermuda’s sporting history, and I am committed to creating the best possible environment for our athletes to excel. Glasgow will only host 10 sports in 2026 but promises to deliver a unique and exciting Games, and I look forward to leading Team Bermuda with pride. I would like to thank the BOA for the confidence they have in me and providing me with this opportunity.”

As Chef de Mission, Raynor will oversee all aspects of Team Bermuda’s participation at Glasgow 2026, including managing delegation operations, coordinating with the organizing committee, ensuring optimal support for athletes and staff, and representing Bermuda in official capacities throughout the Games.

“Donna Raynor’s appointment reflects our confidence in her outstanding leadership abilities. Her experience at Birmingham 2022 was invaluable, and we are thrilled to have her lead Team Bermuda once again as we head to Glasgow. Her commitment to our athletes’ success and wellbeing is exemplary,” President Dunne replied.

The Commonwealth Games represent one of the most significant opportunities for Bermudian athletes to compete internationally, with the event bringing together athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations in a celebration of sport, culture and shared values.

Additional details about Team Bermuda’s sports selection, team composition, and pre-Games preparations will be announced as preparations progress toward July 2026.

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