Fresh court filings have raised new questions over the extent of the UK government’s efforts to gain access to Apple’s encrypted user data, suggesting the push may have gone further than initially understood. According to documents from the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), Apple was served with a technical capability notice between late 2024 and early…
Apple has issued a strong warning to the UK’s competition regulator, arguing that proposed rules to rein in the dominance of Apple and Google could harm consumers and stifle innovation. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering measures to open up the mobile market, which it says is effectively controlled by the two tech…
The operators of controversial online forums 4chan and Kiwi Farms have filed a lawsuit in the United States against UK regulator Ofcom, challenging its authority to enforce the Online Safety Act on American-based platforms. The complaint, lodged in federal court in Washington, D.C., asks judges to block Ofcom from applying or attempting to apply the…
India has outlawed online real-money gaming platforms, ending a years-long boom that saw hundreds of startups flourish but also left many players in debt and distress. The new law, passed last week, makes it a criminal offence to operate or promote apps that allow users to bet cash on fantasy sports, poker, rummy, or other…
The value of small parcels shipped from China to the UK more than doubled in the past year, sparking concerns among British retailers about unfair competition and lost tax revenues. Figures obtained by the BBC from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show the value of such low-value imports – goods priced at £135 or less…
British car exports to the United States rose in July, boosted by a new trade agreement that eased tariffs after months of decline. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows exports climbed 6.8% during the month, ending a three-month slump. The increase followed a deal between London and Washington that reduced…
Nvidia has posted another blockbuster quarter, fuelled by soaring demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) chips, even as it grapples with ongoing geopolitical challenges between Washington and Beijing. The California-based company reported revenue of $46.7 billion for the three months ending July, a 56% jump compared with the same period last year. The growth underscores…
The parents of a 16-year-old boy in California have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, alleging that the company’s chatbot ChatGPT contributed to their son’s death by suicide. The complaint, submitted Tuesday in California Superior Court, claims that the teenager, identified as Adam Raine, became emotionally dependent on the chatbot…
Korean Air has struck a multibillion-dollar deal with Boeing to purchase 103 aircraft, a move announced in Washington on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump urged trading partners to boost purchases from American companies. Valued at roughly $36 billion, the agreement covers a mix of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners, 777 wide-body jets, and 737 single-aisle planes….
U.S. restaurant chain Cracker Barrel has scrapped its recently unveiled logo after widespread criticism from customers and even political figures. The company confirmed the reversal in a statement on social media, saying it had listened to feedback and would keep its traditional “Old Timer” logo. “We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love…
Jordan Brand is gearing up for the Holiday 2025 season with a new edition of Luka Dončić’s signature sneaker, the Jordan Luka .77, dressed in a color scheme reminiscent of the iconic “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1. The upcoming pair features a predominantly black upper with ribbed mesh side panels in a mix of black…
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has agreed to acquire Dutch coffee company JDE Peet’s in a €15.7 billion ($18.4 billion; £13.6 billion) deal, marking the biggest European takeover in more than two years. The agreement will split the combined businesses into two US-listed entities – one dedicated to global coffee brands such as Douwe Egberts, Peet’s,…
Two businesses backed by Elon Musk, social media platform X and artificial intelligence startup xAI, have filed a lawsuit in the United States accusing Apple and OpenAI of anti-competitive practices. The complaint, lodged in federal court in Texas, challenges Apple’s decision to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its iPhone operating system under an exclusive agreement. Musk’s…
Vans is expanding its OTW line with the launch of a new “Croc Pack” collection, spotlighting updated versions of two of its most recognizable silhouettes: the Era and the Half Cab. The pack introduces three designs, each incorporating croc-embossed textures alongside premium materials. The Vans Era appears in two variations: one reinterprets the model’s original…
Microsoft has unveiled a major update to its Windows gaming ecosystem aimed at reducing one of PC gaming’s most notorious frustrations – long load times and in-game stuttering caused by shader compilation. The announcement came during Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, where the company also showcased new Asus ROG Xbox handheld devices. At the heart of…
Chinese property giant Evergrande has been formally removed from the Hong Kong stock exchange, drawing a line under the dramatic downfall of what was once the country’s largest real estate developer. The delisting ends more than 15 years of trading for the company, whose market value at its peak exceeded $50bn (£37bn). Its implosion, triggered…
Nike is adding a bold twist to its outdoor-inspired lineup with the latest version of the ACG Izy, a silhouette known for its Wallabee-like design. Unlike previous editions, which often feature smooth leather and suede constructions, the upcoming release showcases a textured, wrinkled exterior. The material takes on a striking look when exposed to light,…
Apple has raised subscription prices for its streaming platform Apple TV+ across multiple markets, with viewers in the UK and US facing higher monthly costs. In the UK, the monthly fee has increased by £1 to £9.99, while the annual plan remains at £89. This marks a doubling of the monthly cost since Apple TV+…
On a weekday morning in Seoul’s affluent Daechi district, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as sunlight filters through a café’s wide windows. At one corner table, a university student unpacks two laptops, a stack of textbooks, and even a six-port power strip. By mid-afternoon, he’s still there – sipping slowly on…
When 18-year-old Brianna LeDoux from Florida stepped into her black, sequined gown, she didn’t just feel dressed for her high school prom – she felt transformed. “I wanted more than a dress,” she says. “I wanted to wear a story.” Her gown, crafted from traditional Yoruba lace fabric, shimmered with beads and sequins. For Brianna,…
When Paige Louise Williams walked away from her job at a beauty counter, she had no qualifications, no business plan, and little more than a dream. What she did have was belief—and a £20,000 loan from her nana, a part-time cleaner who staked her savings on her granddaughter’s ambition. Ten years later, that leap of…
The White House on Friday announced a landmark agreement under which the federal government will take a 10% ownership stake in US semiconductor giant Intel, in a move officials say is designed to safeguard America’s technological leadership. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the arrangement as “historic,” adding in a post on X that it would…
Netflix has added another major YouTube creator to its line-up, announcing a new deal with former NASA engineer and science content creator Mark Rober. Rober, 45, has built a massive following of over 70 million subscribers on YouTube, where his inventive videos on science, engineering, and technology frequently attract tens of millions of views. Some…
McDonald’s Japan has postponed its upcoming “Happy Set” toy campaign following criticism that a recent Pokémon-themed giveaway triggered widespread food waste and profiteering. The fast-food chain announced on Thursday that its collaboration with the hit manga and anime franchise One Piece – scheduled to launch on 29 August – will no longer proceed as planned….
Elon Musk’s social media company, X, has reached a tentative settlement with thousands of former employees who accused the firm of withholding severance benefits following mass layoffs. In a joint filing submitted on Wednesday, lawyers for both sides asked the US Court of Appeals in San Francisco to delay a scheduled hearing while they finalize…
Sony has announced that the cost of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States will rise by about $50 starting Thursday, citing mounting economic pressures and uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs. The move affects all three versions of the console, with the top-tier PlayStation 5 Pro now set at $749.99. The base edition will…
Two of America’s largest airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, are facing lawsuits from passengers who claim they were misled into paying extra for window seats that had no actual windows. The suits, filed separately but nearly identical in wording, accuse both carriers of deceptive practices for charging premium fees without alerting travelers that…
Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, will stop delivering letters at the end of this year, marking the end of more than four centuries of state-run mail delivery. The move comes as letter volumes have collapsed in one of the world’s most digitalised nations. For postal workers like Herman Moyano, who has spent the past seven…
A television advert for Sanex shower gel has been pulled from broadcast after the UK’s advertising watchdog ruled it reinforced harmful racial stereotypes. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that the commercial, which aired in June, portrayed black skin as dry, cracked and itchy, while showing white skin as smooth and problem-free. The regulator upheld…
Pizza Hut is banking on a new budget-friendly menu item to revive its struggling U.S. business. The chain on Wednesday introduced Crafted Flatzz, a thinner, crispier spin on its Personal Pan Pizza, priced at $5 for a single serving. The offer, available for a limited time until 5 p.m., is aimed squarely at lunch customers…
Nexstar Media Group, already the largest owner of local TV stations in the United States, has announced plans to buy rival broadcaster Tegna in a deal valued at $6.2 billion, including debt. The acquisition, unveiled Tuesday, would further expand Nexstar’s national footprint but is subject to regulatory approval. If approved, the transaction would mark one…
The United Kingdom has backed away from its demand that Apple create a backdoor to access encrypted data of users worldwide, according to the US director of national intelligence. In a statement shared on X, Tulsi Gabbard said the UK had agreed to withdraw the controversial order, which would have forced the technology giant to…
Swiss watchmaker Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign after sparking outrage in China over imagery deemed offensive. The ad, which showed a male model stretching the corners of his eyes, was widely criticised on Chinese social media as echoing a racist gesture historically used to mock people of Asian descent. Hashtags condemning the…
Private members’ club group Soho House has been bought in a £2bn ($2.7bn) deal that brings Hollywood actor and investor Ashton Kutcher onto its board. The takeover is being led by MCR Hotels, the third-largest hotel owner in the US, in partnership with private equity firm Apollo. The move will see the company return to…
Nike is once again blending streetwear heritage with sports functionality as it adapts one of its most iconic sneakers, the Air Max 1, for the golf course. The brand has been steadily expanding its golf catalog, giving classic designs a performance-driven makeover. Among these, the Air Max 1 has become a favorite silhouette, reappearing in…
Roblox is facing fresh legal pressure as Louisiana’s Attorney General, Liz Murrill, filed a lawsuit against the gaming platform, accusing it of failing to adequately safeguard children. The development comes amid a turbulent week for the company, which saw its stock value drop by 10% following renewed scrutiny over safety concerns. The 42-page suit alleges…
Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, has been hit with a record A$90m (£43m; $59m) penalty after a court ruled the airline illegally dismissed more than 1,800 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. The fine, the largest ever imposed under Australia’s workplace laws, follows years of legal disputes after the airline outsourced its ground handling operations in…
Telecoms giant AT&T has agreed to a $177 million settlement following two major data breaches in 2024 that exposed the personal information of millions of customers. The settlement, which combines payouts from both incidents, could see eligible customers receive as much as $7,500 if they can provide documentation of financial losses tied to the leaks….
The future of Spirit Airlines is in question, raising fears that travelers across the United States could face higher ticket prices if the discount carrier shuts down or is acquired. The Florida-based airline, long known for its no-frills, low-cost fares, disclosed in a recent filing that it faces “substantial doubt” about its ability to remain…
Once the crown jewel of Britain’s High Street, Topshop is preparing a major return to physical retail – but the question remains whether it can recapture the cool factor that defined its peak years. The brand, which became a rite of passage for teenagers in the 2000s and 2010s, closed all its stores after parent…
Supermarket chain Iceland has launched a new initiative that will see customers rewarded with £1 credit on their Bonus Card if they report shoplifting incidents in-store. The company’s executive chairman, Richard Walker, said the move is aimed at tackling the growing problem of retail theft, which costs the business an estimated £20m annually. He stressed…
Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein recorded a sharp rise in UK sales in 2024, with revenues climbing by a third to reach just over £2 billion, newly filed accounts reveal. The retailer’s pre-tax profit also jumped 57% year-on-year, rising to £38.3 million from £24.4 million in 2023. But Shein cautioned that ongoing inflationary pressures and the…
Volkswagen has rolled out a new subscription service in the UK, allowing owners of certain electric vehicles in its ID.3 lineup to pay for extra engine power. Drivers can activate what the automaker calls an “optional power upgrade” at a cost of £16.50 per month, £165 per year, or a one-off payment of £649 that…
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…
