The Financial Conduct Authority said it will seek views on whether tokenising gold could boost efficiency and competitiveness, while maintaining market integrity and protecting consumers until its October 23 deadline
Signage is seen for the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), the UK’s financial regulatory body, at their head offices in London, Britain March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s financial regulator on Monday said it was seeking views on whether tokenising gold could improve how it is traded, transferred, pledged and held in the UK markets.
• The Financial Conduct Authority said it will seek views on whether tokenising gold could boost efficiency and competitiveness, while maintaining market integrity and protecting consumers until its October 23 deadline.
• The FCA said it was exploring gold tokenisation in line with its wider work on the future of tokenisation in UK wholesale financial markets and was looking at the potential for distributed ledger technology (DLT) to support new growth opportunities.
• In May 2026, the FCA published a joint call for input with the Bank of England on the future of tokenisation in UK wholesale markets. Respondents raised gold specifically, reflecting London’s position as the world’s largest centre for spot gold trading. The FCA said this feedback prompted it to explore tokenised gold in greater detail.
• Gold tokenisation could make gold easier to transfer and use across digital markets, particularly as wholesale collateral, the FCA said, adding that it could also support new forms of retail investment and product innovation.
• London is home to the world’s largest over-the-counter gold trading hub, where participants trade directly with one another rather than via an exchange.
• “We want to understand whether tokenisation could strengthen the efficiency and competitiveness of UK wholesale markets while preserving the strengths of London’s existing gold-market infrastructure,” the FCA added.
Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru and Polina Devitt in London;Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee amd Toby Chopra
In this weeks episode; Shara explores the deep connection between food, culture, and identity, this episode delves into traditional food wisdom, modern eating habits, and how community and history shape our relationship with food.
In this episode, Florence Smtih; VP, Head of Payments at Clarien – shares insights on the evolving landscape of fraud, cybersecurity threats, and practical tips to protect yourself in a digital world. Learn how to recognize scams, safeguard your financial information, and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
The debate about AI was thrust back into the spotlight when two Anthropic researchers issued warnings that the rapidly progressing technology could lead to the extinction of the human race in the not-too-distant future
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s King Charles attends a preview of the Bayeux Tapestry, at British Museum in London, Britain, September 2, 2026. Thomas Krych/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s King Charles will host the leaders of major artificial intelligence companies this week to discuss whether a shared set of principles is needed to guide a technology that has sparked growing warnings about its threat to humanity.
With the biggest names in AI calling for a slowdown in its development, Charles will host executives from Nvidia, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the UK minister for AI, to discuss how the technology can be harnessed to benefit society and uphold human dignity.
The debate about AI was thrust back into the spotlight when two Anthropic researchers issued warnings that the rapidly progressing technology could lead to the extinction of the human race in the not-too-distant future.
The chief executive of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, said on Saturday that companies must slow the pace of advance of AI models.
The San Francisco-based firm released a threat intelligence report last week detailing how several actors had used its Claude AI models for activities ranging from weapons development and cyber operations to surveillance and fraud.
However, securing a global stance will be difficult: U.S. President Donald Trump rejected any talk of a slowdown on Sunday while China’s Global Times tabloid said it was really a “Cold War playbook” targeting Beijing.
Charles, both as king and when he was the Prince of Wales, has used his position to convene meetings to discuss a range of topics, most notably on the environment.
Buckingham Palace said the gathering would discuss how AI could be harnessed in ways that benefit society and contribute “to the flourishing of both people and the planet”.
Britain, the European leader in AI funding and startups, has favoured a light-touch approach to AI regulation, aligning more closely with the United States than the European Union.
Britain’s AI Security Institute, established after the AI Safety Summit in 2023, receives pre-deployment access to AI models under voluntary agreements with the major AI companies, enabling it to assess their capabilities and risks, and giving it a window into frontier AI development.
Reporting by Kate Holton, additional reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Andrew Cawthorne
Governor Andrew Bailey said last week the central bank had no “secret plan” to raise interest rates this year, unless the ongoing climb in oil prices driven by the war in the Middle East translated into more lasting domestic price pressures
A view of the Bank of England in London, Britain, July 27, 2026. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe
International News via Reuters:
The Bank of England looks set to keep interest rates steady this week despite surging oil prices but is expected to slow the pace at which it offloads the government bonds it bought to boost the economy between 2009 and 2021.
Governor Andrew Bailey said last week the central bank had no “secret plan” to raise interest rates this year, unless the ongoing climb in oil prices driven by the war in the Middle East translated into more lasting domestic price pressures.
Economists polled by Reuters this month unanimously predicted the BoE would hold rates steady in September, and most judged the next move was more likely a cut next year than a hike.
But with oil prices topping $100 a barrel and looking in line with the most adverse of three scenarios the BoE outlined in July, some analysts are having doubts.
“Given the speed of the move and the hardening of central bank rhetoric, a surprise 25 basis-point rate hike cannot and should not be ruled out,” Barclays interest rate strategist Moyeen Islam wrote in a note to clients.
Financial markets are pricing in a 30% chance of a quarter-point rate hike on September 17, according to LSEG data on Monday, up from less than 10% at the start of last week, and almost fully pricing in a November move.
But Bailey stressed he wanted to see clearer signs that higher energy prices might foster chunky pay rises this year or broad-based price increases – potentially sustaining above-target medium-term inflation – before backing a rate rise.
Few economists expect a change this month from July’s 6-3 Monetary Policy Committee split to hold rates steady. Chief Economist Huw Pill, Megan Greene and Catherine Mann voted in July for an immediate quarter-point rise to 4.00%, with Mann switching from the hold camp the previous month — a hawkish drift that has widened at every meeting since March.
“In sharp contrast to the European Central Bank this month, we don’t expect the BoE to turn materially more hawkish at its September meeting,” ING economists James Smith and Michiel Tukker said.
BOE TO SLOW PACE OF BOND PORTFOLIO UNWIND
The MPC’s other agenda item is an annual vote on the pace at which the central bank unwinds its £895 billion of bond purchases made between 2009 and 2021.
Since it stopped reinvesting maturing gilt proceeds in February 2022, the BoE’s bond holdings have fallen by over £400 billion, a third of it through active sales – unlike the Fed or ECB.
Last September, the BoE voted to slow quantitative tightening to £70 billion a year from £100 billion, and a July investor survey pointed to a further drop to £50 billion for October 2026 to September 2027.
This fall almost entirely reflects fewer gilts maturing, while the amount sold under this scenario — £19.5 billion — is only slightly below the £21 billion sold over the past 12 months.
Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden told lawmakers last week that central bank research pointed to a cumulative 25 basis-point upward impact on gilt yields from QT, showing the programme was working as designed.
However, estimates vary. Morgan Stanley strategist Fabio Bassanin said the 25 basis-point estimate probably held for 10-year gilts, but for 30-year gilts the impact looked nearer 70 basis points — roughly the gap between 30-year British and U.S. borrowing costs.
Prices of 20- and 30-year gilts fell to their lowest since 1998 last week and further sales by the BoE would lock in those losses. Last year the bank skewed sales away from long-dated gilts, and Deutsche Bank said it expects the BoE to halt them entirely.
Analysts also want hints on the QT programme’s longer-term future. Bailey wants to remove the interest rate risk gilt holdings create, but some BoE watchers argue for holding some gilts permanently.
“We think the balance sheet debate should shift from how quickly the balance sheet shrinks to what its long-run structure should be,” Deutsche Bank Chief UK Economist Sanjay Raja said.
Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Hugh Lawson
Sterling fell to $1.3474, its lowest since August 7, and was last down 0.4%
FILE PHOTO: Pound Sterling notes and change are seen inside a cash resgister in a coffee shop in Manchester, Britain, Septem,ber 21, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
International News via Reuters:
The pound fell to its lowest in more than a month on Monday as investors flocked towards the safe-haven dollar after oil prices jumped on renewed concerns about energy supplies and worries about AI dangers knocked stock markets.
Sterling fell to $1.3474, its lowest since August 7, and was last down 0.4%.
The fall was driven by a rally in the dollar, which was also up against the euro and yen. Sterling rose slightly against the euro, with the single currency down 0.1% at 85.61 pence.
A jump in oil prices worried investors and pushed global bond yields back towards multi-year highs, with Brent crude up 3% to $108 a barrel.
Houthi strikes on the world’s biggest exporter Saudi Arabia, which came after the kingdom shut down its main pipeline for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, added to concerns about energy supplies.
A meeting between Tehran and other Gulf governments was postponed as diplomacy over the U.S.-Iran conflict appeared to falter.
Meanwhile, rising bets on a Federal Reserve rate hike on Wednesday this week have supported the U.S. dollar. The European Central Bank raised borrowing costs last week.
The Bank of England is expected to keep rates on hold on Thursday but traders now expect an increase later this year and more in 2027.
Britain’s bond yields are trading at multi-decade highs as investors worry about inflation and stubbornly high levels of public debt.
Typically rising bond yields and expectations of higher interest rates in one country boost its currency, but the impact on FX markets has been limited as the moves have been global.
Data on Friday showed British gross domestic product grew 0.4% in July, far outstripping economists’ forecasts that the economy would flatline.
“If growth seen in July continues into the coming months, this will likely prompt the Bank of England to consider interest rate rises,” said Michael Pfister, FX analyst at Commerzbank.
Yet Pfister said markets have recently been betting more heavily on rate increases, meaning there is the potential that the BoE hikes less than expected, creating downside risks for the pound.
Reporting by Harry Robertson; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne
Police appeal for witnesses following morning collisions in Southampton and Devonshire
Shortly after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, police officers were dispatched to a road traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a truck.
Details are limited, but the motorcycle rider sustained minor injuries.
The truck driver was not reported to have been injured, but was arrested for outstanding warrants
Around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, police and other first responders attended a serious single vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcar, in the area of Franks Bay, Middle Road, Southampton.
The car was reportedly traveling in a westerly direction, when the female driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall. The vehicle overturned and landed on it’s side with the female driver trapped inside.
Members of the public came to her assistance of the driver and were able to get her out.
The driver was not injured.
Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to call the main police number, 295-0011, or 211.
Bermuda internationals enjoyed an impressive, goal-laden weekend overseas, headlined by Aaliyah Nolan’s decisive strike in England and vital contributions from Eva Frazzoni, Jasmine Spence, Mia Fishel, and Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC.
In the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, Aaliyah Nolan was the match-winner for Barnsley Women as they ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Notts County Women at Coronation Park.
The game’s defining moment arrived in the 17th minute when the ball broke kindly to Nolan, whose snapshot took a slight deflection before looping into the net. Barnsley then dug deep defensively to protect the slender advantage, aided by compatriot Trinae Edwards, who was introduced late in the match to make her club debut and help see out the three points.
In the East Midlands, Eva Frazzoni continued her commanding form in midfield as AFC Sudbury Women dispatched Brentwood Town 4-1.
Frazzoni provided a crucial psychological blow on the stroke of half-time, showing trademark composure from 12 yards to bury a penalty kick and send her side into the interval in control. Sudbury pushed on after the restart with a ruthless display to claim a comfortable victory.
Elsewhere, Jasmine Spence made an immediate impact from the bench to help Newport Pagnell Town Women secure a 3-1 win over Stamford in the East Midlands Regional Women’s League Premier Division.
Introduced in the 62nd minute to inject pace into the forward line, Spence put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute, latching onto an incisive through ball before calmly rolling a composed finish past the onrushing goalkeeper.
Across the Atlantic in the NWSL, Bermudian-eligible forward Mia Fishel played a key role as Seattle Reign closed out their homestand with a clinical 2-0 win over Bay FC at Lumen Field.
After Sofia Huerta’s penalty handed the Reign the lead, Fishel turned provider deep into stoppage time. Receiving the ball under pressure, Fishel sent a pinpoint pass down the line to release substitute Brittany Ratcliffe, who carried the ball into the box and slotted past Bay FC keeper Cassie Miller to put the result to bed.
In the USL Championship, head coach Khano Smith guided Rhode Island FC back into the win column in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 road triumph against Sporting Club Jacksonville at Hodges Stadium.
Yutaro Tsukada sparked the rout with an audacious first-half bicycle kick, before second-half strikes from Stas Korzeniowski and Jojea Kwizera sealed a commanding performance that strengthens Rhode Island’s push for a post-season playoff berth.
Meanwhile in non-league men’s football, Daizhari Tucker and his Worcester Raiders side had to settle for a share of the spoils following a gruelling 1-1 draw against Falmouth Town in the Southern League Division One South.
Nicholas Narraway and Kaden Hopkins to contest both elite men’s events following confirmation of a second road race place.
Bermuda Bicycle Association has announced Nicholas Narraway (age 24) and Kaden Hopkins (age 26) as Bermuda’s representatives at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, Canada, from September 20–27. Both riders will compete in the elite men’s individual time trial and road race, following confirmation that Bermuda has received a second road race place.
The team will be supported by Peter Dunne as team manager and Dominique Mayho as team mechanic.
Narraway and Hopkins will contest the individual time trial on Sunday, September 20, before lining up for the road race on Sunday, September 27.
Each nation is entitled to enter two riders in the elite men’s individual time trial, while road race places are allocated through qualification. Bermuda earned one road race place by ranking 50th in the world at the close of the qualification ranking period on October 15, 2025.
Bermuda has now received a second road race place as additional spaces became available during the finalisation of national teams. This follows a request to the UCI through continental president José Peláez and means both Narraway and Hopkins will represent Bermuda in both events.
These opportunities reflect the relationships BBA has built through its commitment to developing riders and supporting their progression into high-performance international competition.
Competing in the elite men’s World Championships is an immense challenge. Narraway and Hopkins will race against leading WorldTour professionals, many supported by larger national teams and extensive resources. Bermuda’s riders will need to draw on their international experience, preparation and determination to deliver their strongest possible performances.
The approximately 40-kilometre time trial will demand sustained power, precise pacing and technical execution. The road race presents a significantly longer (6+hrs) test, covering more than 270 kilometres with repeated climbs around Montréal’s Mount Royal circuit. Positioning, fuelling and managing repeated changes in pace will be crucial, with two riders giving Bermuda the opportunity to work together.
Narraway arrives following 39th at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic against WorldTour professionals and 12th overall at the Green Mountain Stage Race, where he helped Competitive Edge Racing secure a final-stage one-two finish. Both provided valuable preparation, although Worlds represents a substantial step up in distance, difficulty and depth of competition.
Hopkins comes into the championships after a season of setbacks and success, having broken his collarbone twice but also won the opening time trial at the UCI Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe. The Montréal time-trial course looks suited to his strengths, while the additional road race place gives him a second opportunity to represent Bermuda at the highest level.
BBA is calling on all Bermudians living in or visiting Montréal to come out and support the team. Wear your pink and blue, bring your Bermuda flags and make your encouragement heard along the course.
Seeing Bermuda’s colours and hearing support from the roadside will mean a great deal as Narraway and Hopkins take on road cycling’s greatest challenges.
The Government of Bermuda is pleased to highlight Ms. Shavana Wilson of the Department of National Drug Control as a recipient of the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA).
Ms. Wilson, who serves within the Prevention Unit, was recognised for her longstanding commitment to drug prevention education and, most recently, for introducing a dedicated “Kid’s Zone” at Bermuda’s Cup Match Classic in Somerset.
Ms. Wilson has worked for decades to provide drug prevention initiatives to the community, with a particular focus on educating children and young people about healthy lifestyles, positive decision-making, resilience and refusal skills relating to drug and alcohol use.
This year, Ms. Wilson put that experience into action by developing the Kid’s Zone as a safe and engaging space for children attending Cup Match. The initiative allowed children to participate in games, art and other activities while receiving age-appropriate drug prevention and healthy lifestyle messaging, providing families with a dedicated space for younger attendees during the event.
Ms. Wilson also worked with community partners to enhance the experience, securing water and refreshments for children from Barritt’s and art activities and supplies from Strokes City Art Studio. Drug prevention information was also made available to parents and other members of the community.
Despite challenging weather conditions, a delayed set-up and a late start on the first day of Cup Match, Ms. Wilson and the Prevention Unit created a colourful, safe and welcoming environment for children. The initiative was well received by families, with parents expressing interest in seeing the Kid’s Zone return as an annual feature of Cup Match.
Premier David Burt, JP, MP, said, “Good public service often starts with identifying a need and finding a practical way to address it. Shavana recognised that many children attending Cup Match could benefit from a space designed with them in mind, and in keeping with the Prevention Unit’s mission, she turned that idea into a reality. The response from families has shown the value of that effort, and I am pleased to see her recognised with this award. Her achievement serves as a reminder of the important role public officers play in strengthening our communities and supporting the people of Bermuda.”
Head of the Public Service, Ms. Cherie Whitter, added, “Ms. Wilson’s longstanding commitment to prevention, education and community engagement is a valuable example of the dedication our public officers bring to their work each day. Her service has helped strengthen the Prevention Unit’s connection with children, families and the wider community, and her willingness to develop new and creative ways of delivering that work demonstrates both initiative and a genuine commitment to the people we serve. I thank Ms. Wilson for the experience, care and value she continues to bring to the Bermuda Public Service.”
Ms. Wilson’s recognition highlights her creativity, perseverance and continued commitment to improving the lives of Bermuda’s children and families. Her work through the Department of National Drug Control’s Prevention Unit demonstrates how innovative public service initiatives can combine education, prevention and community engagement in practical and meaningful ways.
Each month, the Public Service Excellence Awards recognise individuals and teams who consistently demonstrate exceptional service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the community.
Milan Butterfield produced a decisive performance with a two-goal salvo for Halesowen Town, headlining an eventful weekend for Bermudian footballers across the English pyramid.
Butterfield took centre stage at The Grove, striking twice to inspire the Yeltz to an entertaining 4-2 victory over Leighton Town.
In the Southern League Premier Central, Willie Clemons helped Leiston grind out a hard-fought result on home turf, playing his part as the Suffolk outfit edged past Banbury United 2-1.
Higher up the divisions, goalkeeper Nathan Trott and Cardiff City endured a frustrating afternoon in League One, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Kane Crichlow suffered a similar fate as Dagenham & Redbridge returned empty-handed from their trip to Weston-super-Mare following a 1-0 loss.
Elsewhere, midfielder Keziah Martin remained an unused substitute for Hereford against South Shields in the National League North, while Reggie Lambe was involved in an eight-goal thriller as Ipswich Wanderers fell to a 5-3 defeat against FC Peterborough.
Celebrating Wellness – an annual public health initiative hosted by the Department of Health – is returning for its 15th year, with five days of activities focused on encouraging healthier lifestyles across Bermuda.
This year’s theme, ‘Engage, Empower and Elevate’, will bring together wellness, education, sports and community activities.
Kendal Trott spoke to Dr. Virloy Lewin, Health Promotion and Wellness Coordinator for the Department of Health, and committee member Kemesha Butterfield, who shared more about this year’s programme and the importance of getting young people involved.
They’re encouraging middle and senior school students to register and take part in the activities beginning September 15th.
As part of the five-day Celebrating Wellness programme, young people will also have the opportunity to put their voices and ideas to the test through a youth debate event.
Kendal Trott spoke with Department of Health team member Mckenzie-Kohl Tuckett, who shared more about the debate, what participants can expect, and why young people are encouraged to get involved. Registration is still open for those interested in taking part.
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![The Intention Effect | Episode 4 [Season 2]](https://bbc.bm/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-Intention-Effect-Season-2-Thumbnail-768x432.png "The Intention Effect | Episode 4 [Season 2]")
