Latest news with #ProjectGuardian
Business Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Imas, UK's Investment Association join MAS' Project Guardian focused on asset tokenisation
[SINGAPORE] The Investment Management Association of Singapore (Imas) and Investment Association (IA) on Wednesday (Aug 6) announced their participation in Project Guardian, an international initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) exploring the potential of blockchain and asset tokenisation. The definition of asset tokenisation is the process of digitally representing assets on the blockchain. The IA and Imas are both the first domestic trade associations and first asset management-specific bodies to join Project Guardian to drive innovation in the investment management industry. Project Guardian is a collaboration between policymakers and the finance industry to enhance the liquidity and efficiency of financial markets through asset tokenisation. It aims to establish industry frameworks and standards on asset tokenisation, foster the use of tokenisation across different asset classes, and to develop a sustainable digital asset ecosystem. This in turn has the potential to improve financial inclusion and efficiency by making tokenised assets available to a wider audience. The project is run by MAS, and includes other regulators such as the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Carmen Wee, chief executive of Imas, said: 'Tokenisation offers real potential to enhance cross-border access, efficiency while reducing costs, making investments accessible. A trusted and inclusive digital economy must be built on connectivity and cooperation... Imas is committed to working with our partners to build a resilient and interoperable ecosystem, one where investors and managers better understand the opportunities and risks of tokenised assets.' MAS announced plans in 2024 to drive the adoption of asset tokenisation across the financial services industry, noting how it was an 'inflection point' in the space, with Project Guardian as an platform to carry out industry trials. Some of these initiatives, as previously reported by The Business Times, include the multi-member network built by Citi, HSBC, Schroders, Standard Chartered and UOB with the aim of commercialising and scaling their respective asset tokenisation trials, and was named the Guardian Wholesale Network Industry Group. This is in addition to the launch of a wholesale central bank digital currency, dubbed the SGD Testnet, to provide financial institutions with access to common settlement assets for market testing purposes.
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
RCMP to launch new approach to South Slave policing
RCMP in the South Slave region are preparing to roll out a new organizational structure they're hoping will improve policing in the area. NT RCMP Sgt. James Lai told NNSL Media that the three major detachments in the area — Hay River, Fort Resolution and Fort Smith — will share resources and staff in an effort to ensure that there's enough presence where it's needed. It will also help police curb drugs and alcohol moving between the communities, he added. The initiative is called 'Project Guardian.' 'We're choosing the name Guardian because it emphasizes and highlights what we do here,' said Lai. 'We're trying to protect not only the communities the RCMP loyally serves in the NWT, but we're also protecting our people. 'In listening to both our community leaders and our (RCMP) members, we've concluded we essentially need to do business different in the NWT, specifically in the South Slave area. 'What community leaders are asking for is more visibility, more police officers and more proactive work. So we are removing the boundaries of our detachment areas to allow us to efficiently and effectively redeploy police officers in areas that have increased criminal activity. Criminals don't abide by borders or boundaries, and our police shouldn't either,' Lai added. Overall, the RCMP in the NWT had a 27 per cent vacancy for positions across the territory, including in the South Slave region. By pooling resources and staff, Lai said local detachments will also be more visible in communities, which he hopes will be reflected in more people reaching out to police when there's trouble. Day-to-day operations are not expected to change much, but there will be more police moving through communities, which Lai says will mean more police vehicles on highways. He said the three detachments will have a rotating schedule with the goal of having enough personnel on hand during peak times in each community. He also noted having the three detachments gives RCMP a 'surge capacity' to quickly move officers to a specific area in the event of an emergency. A second factor in the RCMP's organizational change is for the officers themselves. Lai noted being a police officer can be an isolating job and coming into a Northern community can exacerbate that feeling of isolation. So to help support the mental health of officers, Lai said having the pooled resources would aid officers in feeling at home in their communities. To that end, police are asking community members to help police feel welcome by simply reaching out to them and saying hello. 'You might not know the first name of the community police officer you meet in the store,' said Lai. 'We're encouraging community members when you see police officers you don't know, please introduce them. 'Part of this project is making sure our police officers are exposed to different patrol areas they traditionally wouldn't be.' A little known fact, said Lai, is RCMP officers in smaller communities are on call 24/7 — if a police officer is off duty and gets a call for service, they're effectively on duty. Having to be ready for action at any given point during the day can be taxing enough on mental health, so by pooling resources from the three smaller detachments, officers can actually get a break. This is hoped to reduce burnout and keep officers in the communities they're assigned to. 'I strongly feel that will increase our service delivery,' said Lai. 'So that way when the members are attending calls for service, they're refreshed, rested and able to provide the service communities are expecting of us. 'The long-term plan is not only protecting our members but retaining our members who are here. If they're supported, rested and able to see other areas, once we start showing our membership the gems of the North, we're going to have retention up here.' Project Guardian will be rolled out in a phased approached. The initial push was getting the word out and the program will be implemented throughout the rest of the year. A review of the project with feedback from community partners is planned for completion by Dec. 31. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Man charged after alleged sexual assault at gunpoint in Fort Smith
Fort Smith RCMP have arrested a man who they allege sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint. Police were first notified of the incident on July 14 and the complainant filed a statement on July 21. Based on that information provided, police say the accusations include the suspect pointing a firearm at the victim while sexually assaulting her, then pointing the firearm at three other people and firing the gun into the air following the alleged assault. Resources from nearby detachments were gathered under Project Guardian and an investigation was launched. Police were able to obtain a search warrant and collect evidence. A man was formally charged on July 22 and taken into custody. The 48-year-old man, whose name has not been released to protect the identity of the victim, is charged with sexual assault, pointing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats. Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to phone Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Fort Smith RCMP on the hunt for masked machete assailants and gunman
Additional RCMP officers are in Fort Smith to find a number of suspects following two serious incidents on Sunday — one involving three men breaking into a home with machetes and a separate robbery at gunpoint. Police say they received a complaint at 4:30 a.m. July 20 from an individual who had escaped their home after three masked men allegedly broke in and threatened the occupant with machetes. The three suspects were still at large as of Monday afternoon. Then, police say they received another call at 6:33 a.m., this time in regards to a person who was allegedly assaulted and robbed at gunpoint by an unidentified assailant. The culprit escaped on foot with 'a quantity of cash and other goods,' according to the Mounties. NT media relations officer RCMP Const. Josh Seaward said additional forces have been deployed from Hay River and beyond under the recently launched 'Project Guardian' and police were combing the community to find the suspects. 'Additional support from Yellowknife, including members of the Territorial Crime Reduction Unit, Emergency Response Team, General Investigation Section, Forensic Identification Services and Police Dog Services have also been deployed to Fort Smith,' said Seaward. 'Residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the community in the coming days. 'Anyone with information on this matter is asked to contact the Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111 or Crime Stoppers at . In the event of an emergency call, 911.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
RCMP investigating alleged armed robbery, and threat with machetes in Fort Smith, N.W.T.
N.W.T. RCMP say they responded to two "serious" incidents in Fort Smith on Sunday, including one in which someone was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint, and another where someone was threatened by masked men with machetes. In a news release Monday, RCMP say they received a call around 4:30 a.m. on July 20 that three masked men had broken into a home and threatened the person inside with machetes. The person was able to escape, RCMP said. About two hours later, there was another call that a person had been assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. "The assailant had fled with a quantity of cash and other goods," RCMP said. Residents of the South Slave region and Fort Smith have spoken out about drug-related crimes in their communities. There have been numerous reports of arsons, gunfire, and assaults in recent months. The RCMP announced on Friday that it's launching Project Guardian, "a strategy to bring together three detachments in the South Slave and redeploy resources to target illicit activities." The detachments in Hay River, Fort Smith and Fort Resolution will work together and the new project will allow them to be more flexible and deploy officers based on needs, the Friday news release said. "Community leaders and residents have expressed concerns on illicit drug trade and other criminal activities reaching our communities. We are responding with a proactive approach that will serve their needs," said RCMP Sgt. James Lai in the statement. As a result of this new framework, which was developed with local leadership, the RCMP said resources were available and immediately deployed from Hay River to assist with the incidents in Fort Smith on Sunday. Yellowknife also sent additional support, including police dog services, forensic identification services, and the emergency response team. "Residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the community in the coming days," RCMP said Monday. "These investigations remain ongoing and no arrests have been made."
