(Brands & Consumers)
Dos Equis has announced the return of its iconic “The Most Interesting Man in the World” advertising campaign in a bid to revive interest in the struggling beer brand. The Heineken-owned Mexican lager has seen a notable drop in sales, reflecting a wider slowdown in beer consumption as drinkers cut back. Company executives are banking…
Google has formally appealed a major US court decision that found the tech giant unlawfully maintained a monopoly in online search, marking the latest twist in one of the most significant antitrust cases in decades. The appeal follows an August 2024 ruling by US District Judge Amit Mehta, who concluded that Google had used anti-competitive…
OpenAI has announced plans to begin displaying adverts on ChatGPT for certain users, marking a major shift in how the popular AI tool is monetised. The trial phase will initially roll out in the United States and will affect users on the free version of ChatGPT, as well as subscribers to a new lower-cost plan…
Nigeria’s banking industry is undergoing a major shake-up following new capital requirements introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In March 2024, the apex bank directed commercial lenders to significantly increase their paid-up capital by March 31, 2026. The policy aims to build stronger, more resilient financial institutions capable of funding large-scale projects, stabilising…
In a packed courtroom in the United States, Ellen Roome sat quietly, clutching a photo of her son, Julian “Jools” Sweeney. It was the first day of a legal battle she never imagined she would have to fight – one against one of the world’s biggest social media companies. Roome is one of several British…
Kathleen Kennedy is stepping aside as president of Lucasfilm after 14 years leading the studio behind the Star Wars franchise, one of the most successful in Hollywood history. The company announced on Thursday that Kennedy, who was personally chosen by Star Wars creator George Lucas to head the studio, will transition into a full-time producing…
The Indian government has asked quick-commerce companies to stop advertising their popular “10-minute delivery” service, following growing concerns about rider safety and working conditions. Sources within the federal labour ministry told the BBC that the directive came after discussions with company executives, prompted by a nationwide strike staged by delivery workers last month. Riders had…
Social media platform X has announced new restrictions on its AI tool, Grok, following widespread criticism over its use in creating sexualised deepfake images. The company confirmed it has introduced technical safeguards to stop Grok from editing photos of real people to make them appear in revealing outfits, such as swimwear, in regions where such…
Amazon has begun automatically upgrading Prime members in the United States to its new AI-powered assistant, Alexa+, sparking backlash from users who say they did not request the change. Reports from Reddit and other online forums indicate that the upgrade is being rolled out without an opt-in option. Several users claim their devices were updated…
On a chilly January morning in midtown Manhattan, tourists lingered over rows of designer handbags at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store. Balenciaga, Burberry and other luxury labels still gleamed behind glass, but behind the polished displays, trouble was brewing. Penelope Nam-Stephen, a longtime customer who splits her time between New York and Boston, approached the…
Apple has announced a multi-year partnership with Google to enhance several of its services, including a more personalised version of its voice assistant, Siri. Under the agreement, Apple will integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models into its ecosystem to drive upcoming AI-powered features. In a joint statement, both companies said the collaboration would deliver “innovative…
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that social media platform X could lose its ability to regulate itself if it fails to control harmful content generated by its AI chatbot, Grok. His comments come as the UK government prepares to activate new laws targeting non-consensual intimate images. Speaking to Labour MPs on Monday, Sir…
Bugatti has long been known for crafting some of the world’s most powerful and expensive supercars. Now, the iconic French brand is shifting gears – away from racetracks and toward real estate. In the heart of Dubai, Bugatti is developing its first-ever residential tower, a 43-storey luxury building where apartments start at around $5.2 million….
A rare copy of the 1938 comic that first introduced Superman has been sold for a staggering $15 million (£11.2 million) in a private transaction, setting a new benchmark in comic book sales. The historic issue, Action Comics No. 1, was purchased by an anonymous collector, with the deal confirmed on Friday by New York-based…
When Victoria Woodall reported disturbing behaviour by a senior manager at Google, she believed she was doing the right thing. Instead, she now claims her decision triggered a chain of events that ultimately cost her career. Woodall, a senior industry head in Google UK’s Sales and Agencies team, has told a London employment tribunal that…
In a move that will be welcomed by many people, YouTube has introduced several new search filters to the platform that allow users to, among other things, exclude Shorts from their results. It’s especially pleasing given the huge number of AI slop-filled Shorts that are currently populating YouTube. YouTube writes that as a result of…
OpenAI has unveiled a new feature called ChatGPT Health, allowing users in the United States to upload medical records and fitness data for more personalised health-related responses. While the company says the tool is designed to improve how people access health information, privacy advocates are urging caution. The new feature enables users to share information…
General Motors has announced it will take a further $6bn hit to its earnings after scaling back its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, adding to a $1.6bn charge disclosed in October. The move highlights the growing financial impact on traditional automakers following policy changes under President Donald Trump, who rolled back federal incentives and emissions regulations…
Paramount has confirmed it will not increase its $30-per-share takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for now, despite the media company’s board rejecting the proposal in favour of its existing agreement with Netflix. In a statement released on Thursday, Paramount insisted its offer remains the better option for shareholders, describing it as superior to…
Warner Bros Discovery has urged its shareholders to reject a revised takeover proposal from Paramount Skydance, describing the offer as “inferior” and not in their best interests. This marks the second time in less than a month that the company’s board has advised investors to turn down Paramount’s bid. The warning follows Warner Bros’ earlier…
A coalition of trade unions has accused McDonald’s of breaching international labour standards by failing to adequately address sexual harassment in its UK restaurants and franchises. The allegations follow a BBC investigation that uncovered what it described as a toxic workplace culture, where employees – some as young as 17 – reported being groped and…
Amazon has announced an update to its Fire TV operating system, introducing a cleaner user interface, expanded customization options and deeper integration of its new Alexa+ experience. The redesign does not overhaul Fire TV entirely, but it introduces noticeable visual and functional changes aimed at making the platform feel faster and more modern. Rounded corners…
Lego has unveiled a new range of technology-enabled building blocks known as Smart Bricks, promising to add sound, light and motion-based reactions to traditional play. The announcement, made at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, marks one of the company’s most significant product shifts in decades. The Danish toy maker says the…
Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to introduce humanoid robots into its manufacturing operations from 2028, joining a growing list of global companies turning to advanced robotics to reshape industrial work. The South Korean automaker revealed the move at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where it showcased Atlas, a human-like robot developed…
A giant bluefin tuna has set a new price record at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, selling for 510.3 million yen, equivalent to about $3.2m, during the market’s first auction of the year. The 243kg fish was secured by Kiyomura Corp, the company behind the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain, which operates outlets across Japan and internationally….
Americans lost more than $330 million to Bitcoin ATM scams last year as cryptocurrency-related fraud continued to rise, according to new figures released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI said victims were defrauded of about $333.5 million between January and November 2025 through scams linked to cryptocurrency kiosks, with older adults accounting…
Canada deported 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025, as immigration enforcement activities accelerated to levels not recorded in more than a decade, according to official figures reviewed over the weekend. Data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) removals programme show that an additional 974 Nigerians are currently classified as “removal in progress,”…
Instagram Reels has grown from a rapid response to TikTok’s rise into one of Meta’s most valuable businesses, with the short-form video product now generating an annual revenue run rate of more than $50bn, according to the company. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg disclosed the figure during the company’s October earnings call, noting that Reels…
Unverified claims circulating online have raised concerns about the security of Sony’s PlayStation 5, after reports suggested that the console’s so-called “ROM keys” may have been leaked. According to posts shared on social media in early January, the alleged leak involves the PS5’s BootROM – a deeply embedded component that forms part of the console’s…
In 2025, shopping trips across the United States became quieter, lonelier affairs. Storefronts that once buzzed with teenage energy, birthday balloons, fabric cutters and pharmacy queues went dark, their signs switched off for the last time. For many consumers, it felt like saying goodbye to old friends – brands that had shaped everyday life for…
When Maggie Hildebrand moved into her first Toronto apartment, everything she needed was technically within reach. Her kitchen, dining area, work desk and bed all fit neatly into a single 300-square-foot room. For a young professional eager to live close to downtown, it felt like a practical starting point. That feeling didn’t last. “It became…
China’s BYD is on course to surpass Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles, a milestone that would mark the first time the Chinese carmaker has overtaken its US rival in annual EV sales. BYD announced on Thursday that deliveries of its fully electric cars climbed by nearly 28% last year to more…
Cryptocurrency users in the UK are now required to provide their account details to tax officials or risk financial penalties, following new rules that took effect on 1 January. The changes, introduced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), are aimed at tightening compliance and ensuring investors pay the correct tax on crypto transactions, including capital…
Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, a Chinese-founded artificial intelligence start-up, in a deal aimed at strengthening the company’s AI capabilities and expanding its work on autonomous digital tools. While financial terms were not officially disclosed, analysts cited by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal estimate the transaction could be valued at more than $2bn…
Bulgaria has officially joined the eurozone, becoming the 21st country to adopt the single European currency after a long and often turbulent path to membership. The move places the Balkan nation ahead of larger and wealthier EU members such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, which have yet to make the transition. For many…
The Walt Disney Company has agreed to pay $10 million (£7.4 million) to resolve allegations that it violated US children’s privacy laws by failing to properly label certain YouTube videos as content made for children, regulators have said. The settlement follows an investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which found that Disney allegedly…
A Cardiff-based technology company has taken a major step toward manufacturing materials in space after successfully sending a miniature factory into orbit and activating its high-temperature furnace. Space Forge confirmed that the microwave-sized facility, launched aboard a SpaceX rocket earlier this summer, has demonstrated the ability to switch on its onboard furnace and reach temperatures…
Everyman Media Group has announced the departure of its chief executive, Alex Scrimgeour, less than three weeks after the cinema chain issued a profit warning and downgraded its financial outlook. The company said on Monday that Mr Scrimgeour had stepped down with immediate effect. Non-executive director Farah Golant has been appointed as interim chief executive…
Beyoncé has officially entered billionaire territory, according to Forbes, becoming the fifth musician to achieve a 10-figure fortune. The US business magazine says the global superstar now joins an exclusive circle that includes Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and her husband, Jay-Z, who Forbes estimates is worth $2.5bn (£1.85bn). Earlier this month, Forbes had valued…
For more than 30 years, the ritual has been the same. You step up to the turnstile, swipe your blue-and-yellow MetroCard, and hope you’ve nailed the perfect speed. Too fast, too slow, stripe facing the wrong way – and the turnstile responds with a blunt metallic rejection that draws the attention of everyone behind you….
Valve has announced plans to discontinue support for 32-bit versions of Windows on Steam, marking a full transition of the platform to a 64-bit architecture. The company has begun rolling out an updated Steam client that runs exclusively as a 64-bit application on Windows 10 and Windows 11. As part of this change, official support…
A vast pirate archive has emerged online, claiming to contain almost every song ever streamed on Spotify, raising fresh concerns about large-scale music piracy and data security on the world’s biggest audio streaming platform. The archive, reportedly assembled by Anna’s Archive, a shadow library search engine, is said to include audio files for about 86…
The global push to commercialise robotaxis gathered significant pace in 2025, as autonomous vehicle developers and ride-hailing platforms moved beyond controlled testing into limited passenger operations across multiple regions. After years of pilot programmes overseen by safety drivers, companies in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia are increasingly betting that driverless taxis will…
A recent hacking incident involving a French technology journalist has raised fresh concerns about the security of PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts, after an alleged flaw allowed access despite two-factor authentication being enabled. The case, first reported by French outlet Numerama, details how the journalist’s PSN account was compromised, with the attacker changing the registered email…
Microsoft has dismissed claims that it imposed a 30% profit margin target on its Xbox gaming division, pushing back against reports that linked the figure to recent layoffs and project cancellations. The clarification was included in a new CNBC report, which cited discussions with Microsoft about several narratives that have circulated around the company over…
BP has agreed to sell a controlling stake in its Castrol lubricants business in a deal worth $6bn (£4.4bn), as the energy giant accelerates efforts to streamline operations and reduce debt. The London-listed company said it has sold a 65% stake in Castrol to US investment firm Stonepeak, valuing the motor oil brand at $10.1bn…
More than a year after it was first reported, a persistent Bluetooth connectivity issue affecting Android smartphones and in-car infotainment systems remains unresolved, leaving many users frustrated by unreliable audio connections. Bluetooth technology is designed to enable seamless short-range communication between devices, but numerous reports suggest that some high-end Android phones are struggling to maintain…
Paramount has escalated its hostile takeover attempt of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) by announcing that Oracle founder Larry Ellison will personally guarantee the full equity portion of the proposed deal, a move aimed at easing concerns over its financing structure. In a statement released on Monday, Paramount said Ellison will back the entire $40.4 billion…
Ride-hailing firms Uber and Lyft have announced plans to trial autonomous taxis developed by Chinese technology company Baidu on UK roads from 2026, pending regulatory approval. Both companies said they are seeking permission to begin testing Baidu’s Apollo Go driverless vehicles in London. The service already operates in dozens of cities, largely in China, where…
Amazon has prevented more than 1,800 job applications from individuals believed to be linked to North Korea, according to the company’s chief security officer. Stephen Schmidt said the applicants attempted to secure remote IT roles using stolen or fabricated identities, with the aim of earning salaries that could be redirected to support the North Korean…
