Gamers want games, not better consoles September 19, 2025 As Microsoft and Sony prepare new consoles despite many gamers still playing on older hardware, the real challenge lies in offering distinctive, exclusive games to keep players engaged rather than competing with high-end PCs on raw power, says Will Cooling The video game world is currently dominated by talk of the next generation of consoles [...]
Housing in London now classed as unaffordable at every income level September 18, 2025 London housing has been officially classed as unaffordable for every income decile in a ‘pretty grim’ picture of the housing market. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the average English home costs 7.9 times the average salary. If you live in London, conditions are far worse: Someone earning an average [...]
Was this actually Starmer’s best week? September 18, 2025 £150bn of investment has been pledged by US giants, itching to pour their money into the UK – including more than £30bn to turbocharge our artificial intelligence base. The choreography was masterful, and I don’t just mean the military and Royal welcome dolled out to the Trumps and their entourage, although it was pretty spectacular. [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates and slows down QT to £70bn September 18, 2025 The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 7-2 to hold interest rates amid sticky inflation, with a decision to slow down its quantitative tightening (QT) process also made in light of febrile markets raising borrowing costs. MPC members made a dual decision at its September meeting on interest rates and the sale of [...]
The remote Maldives island blending local culture with luxury September 18, 2025 We all do the same thing when we arrive in paradise. Snap-happy eager beavers, scrambling to photograph the first swinging hammock, the first lopsided shell, the welcome coconut drink raised towards the sea, held out like a newborn Simba over Pride Rock. Arriving at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives, you will undoubtedly do this. [...]
Mercury13 acquires Bristol City as fund expands into English football September 18, 2025 Women’s football investment fund Mercury13 has entered the English market, acquiring a majority stake in second tier Bristol City Women. The Juan Mata and Giorgio Chiellini-backed investment vehicle is adding to its portfolio, which counts FC Como Women as its crown jewel, by forging a presence in the West Country. The deal, subject to league [...]
Next share price slumps on gloomy prediction for UK economy September 18, 2025 Next shares sunk on Thursday morning after the retailer issued a stark warning that the UK faces ‘anaemic’ growth due to a combination of technological and regulatory changes. Despite reporting a 10 per cent rise in half-year sales, the FTSE100 company flagged “strong evidence” of a material squeeze on wider UK employment levels due to [...]
Was Trump right about “horrible” and “lousy” Battersea? September 18, 2025 Donald Trump may well swing by the new US Embassy in Nine Elms during the state visit, so does he still hate it? President Trump, on his September U.K. visit, will possibly swing by the US Embassy, the imposing glass block located in Nine Elms, between Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station. What would be interesting [...]
Greg Jackson spins off Kraken from Octopus Energy September 18, 2025 Greg Jackson’s Octopus Energy has announced the spin-off of its technology arm Kraken to become a standalone business. The group said the move is aimed at “speeding up the platform’s expansion across the globe” and allowing Kraken to “fast-track investments into its technology, expand into new energy markets and regions, and drive innovation”. Kraken has [...]
Aon’s tech startup approach is redefining life insurance September 18, 2025 When Michelle Lister joined Aon to startup a life consulting practice, she didn’t expect to find a high-performing GPU based life actuarial software ready to use for her projects. But that’s exactly what happened. “The draw was the excitement of having this startup of a business within a global corporate,” says Lister, now UK/EMEA head [...]