(Brands & Consumers)
Intel’s stock price climbed more than 7% on Thursday after reports emerged that the US government may be considering taking a stake in the semiconductor giant. Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration has held preliminary talks with Intel over a possible investment that could help fund the company’s plans to establish a large-scale manufacturing hub…
For years, 26-year-old Yassmine Boussihmed poured her heart into building her boutique dress brand online. Her Instagram page was more than a storefront – it was a community. Then, one morning in April, it was gone. Without warning, her account was shut down, accused of breaking Meta’s integrity rules. More than 5,000 followers vanished. So…
Fashion accessories retailer Claire’s has entered administration in the UK and Ireland, placing more than 2,150 jobs at risk amid mounting financial pressures and intensifying competition from online and fast-fashion rivals. The chain, which runs 278 stores across the UK and 28 in Ireland, will keep all outlets open for now while administrators from Interpath…
YouTube is introducing a new artificial intelligence system that will estimate users’ ages in a bid to keep minors away from unsuitable content. The feature, which launches Wednesday for a limited group of U.S. users, could eventually roll out globally in the coming months. The AI will analyse viewing habits, search patterns, and account history…
Apple has refuted fresh allegations from Elon Musk that its App Store unfairly limits competition, maintaining that the platform operates “free from bias” and offers equal opportunity to all developers. The dispute began after Musk, who owns social platform X, claimed Apple had made it “impossible” for other apps to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, following…
Australia and Vanuatu have reached a landmark 10-year agreement worth A$500 million (US$328 million), aimed at deepening cooperation on security, climate resilience, and economic development. Announced on Wednesday after months of negotiations, the so-called “Nakamal Agreement” marks a significant step in Canberra’s efforts to strengthen ties with its Pacific neighbours amid growing Chinese influence in…
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), reignited his public feud with OpenAI and took aim at Apple this week, accusing the tech giant of blocking competition within its App Store. Musk claimed Apple’s policies make it “impossible” for apps to compete with ChatGPT – raising legal threats if Apple does not change its…
Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic says the company’s nuclear technology could propel it to become the most valuable business in Britain, overtaking giants such as Shell and AstraZeneca. The engineering group has signed agreements to supply small modular reactors (SMRs) to the UK and Czech Republic, with the aim of powering AI-driven data centres –…
Artificial intelligence start-up Perplexity has put forward a $34.5bn (£25.6bn) bid to acquire Google’s Chrome, in what would be one of the most unexpected moves in the tech industry this year. In a letter to Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai, the company argued that shifting Chrome to an independent operator committed to user safety would…
Marks & Spencer has reinstated its click-and-collect service, more than three months after suspending it in the wake of a severe cyber attack that disrupted operations both online and in stores. The retail giant halted orders for clothing and homeware via its website and app on 25 April, also pausing in-store collection. While home deliveries…
An EasyJet captain has been grounded and placed under investigation after allegedly wandering naked through a luxury resort in Cape Verde following a night of heavy drinking. The incident is said to have taken place in the early hours of 5 August at the five-star Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa. According to reports, the…
AOL will shut down its long-running dial-up internet service at the end of September, closing a chapter that introduced millions of households in the US to life online. The service, which connected users via a phone line and became famous for its distinctive connection tones, was once a dominant force in the internet market. Today,…
Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company founded by Elon Musk, has applied for regulatory approval to supply electricity to households and businesses across Britain. The application, submitted late last month to the UK’s energy regulator Ofgem, was signed by Andrew Payne, head of Tesla’s European energy operations. If approved, the licence would allow…
Adidas Originals and U.S. fashion designer Willy Chavarria have issued public apologies after a shoe from their recent collaboration drew backlash for alleged cultural appropriation. The footwear, called the Oaxaca Slip-On, was modelled after traditional huaraches — handcrafted leather sandals made for generations by Indigenous artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. Critics, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum,…
U.S. semiconductor leaders Nvidia and AMD have agreed to channel 15% of their Chinese sales from certain high-end chips directly to Washington in exchange for permission to resume exports to the world’s second-largest economy, according to information obtained by the BBC. The deal, described by industry analysts as unprecedented, marks a significant shift in the…
Toyota Motor Corporation, the world’s largest carmaker, has cautioned that U.S. import tariffs could slash its annual operating profit by as much as 1.4 trillion yen ($9.5 billion) – the steepest projected impact disclosed by any automaker to date. The Japanese giant also lowered its full-year profit outlook by 16%, now forecasting 3.2 trillion yen…
Kentucky bourbon, long celebrated as a hallmark of American culture, is facing a sharp downturn after more than a decade of rapid growth. Once a post-recession success story, the industry is now grappling with weakening demand, changing drinking habits, and mounting trade disputes that are threatening both exports and domestic sales. Bourbon – traditionally made…
When Chinese AI firm DeepSeek released its chatbot, DeepSeek-R1, in late January, few in the United States had heard of it. Within 48 hours, it was the most downloaded free app on Apple’s US store – and by Monday morning, it had rattled global markets. The company claimed its system could match OpenAI’s ChatGPT while…
France’s renowned bottled water industry – worth billions annually – is facing mounting questions over whether some of its most famous labels, including Perrier, can still legally claim the title “natural mineral water.” A decision on Perrier’s status is expected in the coming months, following media investigations that revealed the use of microfiltration systems –…
Elon Musk’s AI video generator, Grok Imagine, is facing criticism after reports claimed it could produce sexually explicit videos of Taylor Swift without being asked to do so. According to The Verge, the platform’s “spicy” mode generated fully uncensored topless clips of the pop star in response to a non-explicit prompt, raising concerns over safety…
The Ford Transit, a vehicle as beloved by tradespeople as it once was by touring rock bands – and even a few criminals – is celebrating its 60th anniversary. First launched on 9 August 1965 at Ford’s plant in Langley, Berkshire, the original Transit was a game-changer in the commercial vehicle market. Compared to rivals…
OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5, the newest version of the artificial intelligence model powering ChatGPT, claiming it delivers performance equivalent to a PhD-level expert across various disciplines, including writing and coding. Described as “smarter, faster, and more useful,” GPT-5 is being positioned by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as a major leap forward for AI-driven conversations. “It’s…
Beijing has unveiled one of its most ambitious retail ventures yet – a sprawling robot mall where members of the public can now purchase humanoid machines, robotic pets, and even lifelike versions of historical figures such as Albert Einstein. The newly launched Robot Mall, which opened its doors on Friday, is among the first stores…
Shares in Crocs tumbled by nearly 30% on Thursday, marking the brand’s worst single-day drop in almost 15 years, as the American footwear maker flagged a sharp downturn in consumer demand. The company now expects revenue for the third quarter – ending in August – to decline by around 10% year-on-year. Crocs attributed the forecast…
Apple Inc. has announced plans to inject an additional $100 billion into its U.S. operations, responding to mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to shift more of its production stateside. The move builds on Apple’s earlier commitment of $500 billion in domestic spending over four years. According to the White House, this latest pledge is…
The UK government has unveiled plans to introduce mandatory licensing for cosmetic clinics in England, in a move aimed at tightening safety standards and protecting the public from unqualified practitioners. Under the proposed rules, only medically trained professionals will be allowed to perform high-risk non-surgical procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and breast fillers….
Italy has officially greenlit an ambitious €13.5 billion project to construct the world’s longest suspension bridge, linking the island of Sicily with Calabria on the Italian mainland. The approval marks a major milestone for a long-debated project that has faced decades of delays and opposition. The proposed Messina Bridge will stretch 3.3km across the Strait…
Two advertisements from global fashion brand Zara have been banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring models deemed to appear “unhealthily thin.” The regulatory body raised concerns after receiving complaints about images used on Zara’s app and website, which showcased clothing on visibly slim models. In one case, the ASA highlighted that…
WhatsApp has disabled more than 6.8 million accounts linked to scam operations in the first six months of 2025, according to a statement from its parent company, Meta. Many of the removed accounts were reportedly tied to criminal scam centres in Southeast Asia, where organised networks often exploit forced labour to run large-scale fraud operations….
Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly orchestrating the illegal export of advanced Nvidia AI chips worth millions of dollars to China over a three-year period. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that the individuals – Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang – were involved in running a…
Singaporean billionaire and hotel magnate Ong Beng Seng has pleaded guilty to a charge of abetting the obstruction of justice in a rare corruption case that rocked the nation last year. The 79-year-old tycoon, best known for bringing the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Singapore, admitted to helping former transport minister S. Iswaran conceal evidence…
Tesla has approved a new $29 billion share award for CEO Elon Musk in a bid to retain the billionaire tech mogul as competition for AI talent heats up globally. The decision follows a legal blow earlier this year when a Delaware court voided Musk’s previous $56 billion compensation package from 2018, calling it “unfair…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as the company undergoes a major leadership transition and a bold brand overhaul. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed JLR was in “absolute turmoil” following the recent resignation of CEO Adrian Mardell, whom he said…
Before the upcoming release of the Bad Bunny x adidas Stone Slide, a previously unknown chapter in the partnership between the Puerto Rican artist and adidas Originals has come to light. Recently uncovered samples of an unreleased collaboration reveal Bad Bunny’s early take on the classic adidas Reptossage slide, originally introduced in 1999. Designed in…
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a landmark jury verdict that found Google’s Play Store to be operating as an illegal monopoly, handing a significant win to Epic Games in a long-running antitrust battle over mobile app distribution. The case stems from Epic’s 2020 decision to bypass Google’s in-app payment system in…
Electronic Arts has officially revealed that Battlefield 6 will include a free-to-play Battle Royale mode alongside its core premium title. The announcement confirms earlier reports that the next instalment in the Battlefield franchise would expand into the free-to-play space. While EA has not released extensive details, the Battle Royale mode will feature both a traditional…
Meta is set to mark a new milestone in the world of fashion through a collaboration with Nigerian designer Ifeanyi Nwune’s label, I.N. Official, to unveil what is being described as the first artificial intelligence-powered fashion collection at this year’s Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL). Scheduled for showcase on Saturday, the Fall/Winter 2025 collection, titled…
Nike is set to release a new colourway of its SB PS8 model, drawing on a timeless black-and-gum aesthetic that has long been popular in skate culture. The SB PS8 pays tribute to the late Sandy Boedecker, a key figure in the rise of Nike SB, whose influence helped transform the brand into a dominant…
Nearly four decades after the launch of its best-selling “Cool Ranch” flavor, Doritos is banking on “Golden Sriracha” to become its next big hit. The PepsiCo-owned brand has added the new flavor permanently to its lineup, hoping it will rival the success of Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese. The launch comes as PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division…
Microsoft has joined Nvidia in the exclusive $4 trillion valuation club, becoming the second company in history to reach the milestone. The tech giant’s shares surged nearly 4.5% on Thursday, lifting its market value to $4.01 trillion after a strong earnings report the previous evening. The company’s stock has climbed about 28% since January, fueled…
A Florida jury has ruled that Tesla bears partial responsibility for a 2019 crash in which a Model S using the company’s Autopilot system killed a pedestrian and left another person with life-changing injuries. The case was brought by the family of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, who died after being struck at a T-intersection in…
Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand Skims has sparked controversy after releasing a £52 “face wrap” marketed as overnight shapewear to sculpt the jawline. The product, which sold out in under 24 hours, is part of a growing TikTok trend where users showcase elaborate bedtime skincare routines in so-called “morning shed” videos. Skims, valued at around $4bn…
Tata Steel has been fined £1.5 million following the death of contractor Justin Day, who was crushed by a moving steel beam at the company’s Port Talbot site in 2019. Mr Day, 44, from Llansamlet in Swansea, was found slumped in a “hot rolling channel” on 25 September 2019 after returning to an area that…
Switzerland has been hit with a 39% US tariff on its exports, the steepest in Europe and the fourth highest globally, sparking confusion and outrage across the country. The shock decision was announced just hours before the 1 August deadline, despite last-minute talks between Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and US President Donald Trump. Until recently,…
Heathrow Airport has announced a £49bn plan to expand and modernise the UK’s busiest airport, including a third runway and new terminal facilities. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye described the project as “urgent”, saying Heathrow is operating at full capacity “to the detriment of trade and connectivity”. The expansion would be funded entirely through private investment…
Samsung Electronics has reported a sharp 55% drop in second-quarter operating profit, falling to ₩4.7 trillion ($3.4bn) from ₩10.4 trillion ($7.5bn) a year earlier, as the company continues to lose ground in the fast-growing artificial intelligence chip market. The firm’s once-dominant semiconductor division – historically its biggest profit driver – saw operating earnings plunge 94%…
TikTok has taken down a video posted by beauty mogul Huda Kattan, founder of the global cosmetics brand Huda Beauty, after she made a series of conspiracy-laden claims about Israel. In the video, shared with her 1.7 million TikTok followers on Sunday, Kattan alleged that Israel was behind “every world war,” including the First and…
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reported a sharp rise in profits as it ramps up spending on artificial intelligence projects. The company said revenue for the April–June quarter climbed 22% year-on-year to $47.5 billion, while profits jumped 36% to $18.3 billion. However, expenses also grew by 12% to $27 billion,…
Domino’s Pizza is trialling a robot dog delivery system to bring pizzas to beachgoers in Eastbourne, UK, while also protecting the food from opportunistic seagulls. The pilot uses Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot Spot, rebranded as “Domidog”, and modified to handle sandy terrain. Equipped with cameras, sensors, and autonomous navigation, the robot can carry insulated pizza…
Starbucks has announced plans to phase out its mobile order and pickup-only stores, saying the format fails to deliver the sense of connection that defines the brand. The world’s largest coffee chain operates around 90 such outlets in the US, designed without seating to cater to customers collecting pre-ordered drinks. While the move will not…
