Banks rush to swap higher-risk credit assets for BoE cash | JQJO

British commercial banks are increasingly swapping higher-risk assets for central bank cash at the Bank of England (BoE), according to an analysis of public filings. On August 18, lenders pledged £1.9 billion in Level C collateral—the central bank’s highest-risk category—at the weekly Indexed Long-Term Repo auction, marking a three-fold increase from the prior week. Total Level C collateral on the BoE balance sheet reached £17.8 billion, up from £8.7 billion a year earlier. The shift reflects commercial lenders securing liquidity as the BoE reverses its £895 billion quantitative easing program. Eligible assets include vehicle leases, credit card debt, buy-to-let mortgage pools, and peer-to-peer small business loans. While the European Central Bank has tightened collateral standards to exclude similar higher-risk instruments, the BoE defends its framework, citing risk-mitigation measures like tiered interest rates and higher haircuts to protect central bank reserves against default losses.

In true "Housewives" fashion, drama has erupted on "The Real Housewives of New York City" as Daisy Toye and Erin Lichy target the marriages of fellow cast members. Sources say the pair spread false rumors about Jessel Taank, Pavit, Erika Hammond, and Ankur Jain, aiming to damage relationships and gain attention. Carole Radziwill attempts to mediate, while Sai De Silva confronts the duo. The conflict is set to unfold over the next episodes, with a reunion expected to address the tensions.

Friday Night Lights stars Connie Britton, Jesse Plemons and Adrianne Palicki appeared in a campaign spot for Democrat James Talarico, using the show’s battle cry “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” The ad aired over the weekend as Talarico’s tour heads toward Election Day on November third. Kacey Musgraves also greeted the candidate in the spot. Talarico, a four‑term Texas House member, faces GOP rival Ken Paxton, who has received backing from Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The race is the most expensive and star‑studded midterm contest in Texas.

Videos show a Long Beach resident, Ricardo Gonzalez, screaming that his arm is broken while ICE agents pin him to the ground and handcuff him. Gonzalez, a former city employee and U.S. citizen, was struck by a vehicle before the agents arrived. He was later taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, demanding an independent investigation and removal of the agents from field enforcement. The family launched a GoFundMe to cover medical expenses.

CoreWeave’s bonds entered distressed territory last week, defined by investors demanding 1,000 basis points more in yield than government bonds. Shares fell more than 20 percent since Tuesday’s close. Investor Chamath Palihapitiya highlighted the distressed debt and questioned whether the AI buildout represents a private‑credit bubble. Co‑founder Brannin McBee told the Financial Times that the company seeks investment‑grade debt rather than junk to tap insurers’ capital, which has raised fears of further borrowing. As of the second‑quarter earnings, CoreWeave owed more than $35 billion, largely due to using GPUs as collateral for loans. The company’s high debt load could make future borrowing more expensive and challenge profitability.

Anthropic has not yet clarified whether the shares of its new public‑benefit fund will be distributed directly to Americans. Elon Musk has urged the company to give those shares to the public.

Federal authorities charged twenty‑eight people across California with illegally registering to vote or casting ballots in federal elections despite not being U.S. citizens. Eleven were arrested Monday, with seventeen others expected to be taken into custody soon. All defendants are lawful permanent residents, not undocumented immigrants. The charges come weeks before the November third midterm elections, escalating the Trump administration’s fight with state election officials. California officials argue the cases are isolated and not evidence of widespread fraud.

The Los Angeles Lakers waived former first‑round pick Dalton Knecht on Monday, two days before the 2026‑27 NBA season opens and the league’s roster deadline. Knecht, selected 17th overall in 2024 from Tennessee, had been on the roster since a failed trade to the Charlotte Hornets in 2025. His production fell to 4.2 points in about 10 minutes per game last season, prompting the team to cut him to make room for Bronny James and Jaden Hardy. Head coach JJ Redick said the team’s needs and fit had changed. Knecht’s contract had two years remaining on a four‑year, $18.4 million rookie deal. The Lakers will open the season Wednesday night at home against the Golden State Warriors.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new rules to protect motorists from harsh private parking charges. Drivers will receive a guaranteed five‑minute period to decide whether to park and a ten‑minute window to leave without penalty. Charges may be cancelled for vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, or honest mistakes such as wrong registration entry. Maximum appeal charges will be capped at twenty pounds, and operators risking non‑compliance may lose access to DVLA data. The changes aim to address the record seventeen million private parking tickets issued in 2025‑2026, which could cost drivers more than four point six million pounds daily.

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office announced Monday that a police shooting that killed one‑year‑old Kohen Wiley on June 14 was justified. The incident occurred when a Senatobia officer fired at a vehicle after a shoplifting call. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation investigated. Wiley’s family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, challenged the findings and requested body‑camera footage. The AG’s statement was issued four months after the shooting.

Pennsylvania’s health department issued a health alert Monday after measles cases in pregnancy rose sharply, leading to an increase in congenital measles. The alert detailed clinical guidance for managing exposures during pregnancy and newborn care. As of October nineteenth, the state reported one thousand two hundred eighty‑six measles cases across forty‑two counties, with two hundred forty‑seven hospitalizations and six deaths. The first death in the outbreak was a newborn boy who died immediately after birth. The alert follows a decade‑long absence of congenital measles in the United States.