Move to use shared posts follows information commissioner concerns and sets collision course with EU over privacy Mark Zuckberg’s Meta is to go ahead with controversial plans to use millions of UK Facebook and Instagram posts to train its artificial intelligence (AI) technology, in a practice that is effectively outlawed under EU privacy laws.Meta said it had “engaged positively” with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over the plan, after it paused similar proposals in June in the UK and EU. The pause came after the ICO warned tech firms to respect the privacy of users when...

Court rules against West Cumbria Mining’s fossil fuel development in Whitehaven The UK’s first new deep coalmine in 30 years will not be allowed to go ahead after a ruling in the high court.On Friday morning, Justice Holgate ruled that plans to build the facility in Whitehaven, Cumbria, would not proceed, in what campaigners called a “victory for the environment”.The headline and body text of this article were updated on 13 September 2024 to clarify that the Cumbria development would have been the UK’s first new deep coalmine, rather than its first new coalmine of any kind, in 30...

The firm is being penalised for its role in the failure of property giant Evergrande.

A private consortium proposes a 50-mile (80km) link after a review commissioned by the regions' mayors.

The UK's competition watchdog has said the planned deal coudl lead to higher prices for millions of people.

From a barn conversion with a modern annexe to a city centre cottage transformed into a contemporary home Continue reading...

Report claims 50-mile line would be slightly slower and significantly cheaper but deliver most of the benefitsA plan for a new high-speed rail line linking Birmingham and Manchester has been unveiled, claiming to deliver most of the benefits of the scrapped northern leg of HS2 at significantly cheaper cost and with only slightly longer journey times.The 50-mile track would run from where the HS2 line is now due to end in Staffordshire to join a planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line west of Manchester airport, under a plan unveiled by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands...

Start-ups launch drinks that look and taste like coffee but they say are better for the environment.

The row erupted when Tesco proposed firing staff at some distribution centres and rehiring them on lower pay.

An ageing population, climate change and geopolitical tensions all add pressure to the public finances, a report says.

Sales at its department stores fell in what it calls a "challenging market", but revenues at Waitrose grew.

Worst net closures so far this year are on high streets, while retail parks and shopping centres fair betterA wave of closures by chemist, pub and bank chains led to almost 2,300 more empty stores on high streets, shopping centres and retail parks in Great Britain in the first half of this year, according to new research.Chain stores were shuttered at a net rate of 12 a day, with the three services accounting for half of those closures, according to a survey by Green Street for the advisory firm PwC. Continue reading...

Investors raise bets on bumper half-point Fed rate cut  Financial TimesView Full coverage on Google News

Interest rates to fall to 3pc within a year, says Goldman Sachs - latest updates  The TelegraphBank of England to pause rate cuts, focus shifts to bond sales  Reuters UKBank of England to cut interest rates, economists forecast  Property Industry EyeBank of England set to resist calls for interest rate cut - and hold it at 5%  inewsBank of England to keep rates on hold, but faster cuts are coming  ING Think

Scotland's last oil refinery at Grangemouth is set to close next year, leading to 400 job losses and increasing the UK's reliance on imported fuel. Learn about the impact on the local economy and potential future uses for the site.Read more: Grangemouth oil refinery to close in 2024, risking 400 jobs and increasing UK fuel imports

OpenAI launches its latest AI model, the o1 series, featuring human-like reasoning and deliberate problem-solving abilities. Discover how this breakthrough technology aims to transform science, healthcare, and education.Read more: OpenAI unveils new AI model with human-like reasoning capabilities

A new report reveals that 72% of UK companies struggle with skills shortages in AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity, leading to a £275m annual productivity loss. Discover how firms are tackling this with AI tools and upskilling strategies.Read more: 72% of UK firms face skills gaps, turn to AI and upskilling amid £275m productivity loss

The UK rental market crisis has intensified, with 21 tenants vying for every available property. With rents rising and a shrinking supply, discover how policy changes and market dynamics are affecting tenants and landlords alike.Read more: Housing crisis leaves 21 hopeful tenants battling for each rental property

The Office for Budget Responsibility warns that UK public debt could reach 300% of GDP in the next 50 years due to challenges like climate change, an ageing population, and sluggish productivity growth. Learn more about the potential economic impact and policy challenges.Read more: UK debt could triple to 300% of GDP within 50 years, OBR warns

HSBC UK has introduced a £250 million initiative to support women-led businesses, offering funding, masterclasses, and networking opportunities to help female entrepreneurs overcome financial barriers and drive growth.Read more: HSBC UK launches £250m growth fund to empower women-led businesses

New EU border checks requiring fingerprint and facial recognition at Dover could disrupt Christmas food deliveries, warns Logistics UK. Learn how the changes may lead to long delays and increased costs, threatening the UK’s supply chain during the festive season.Read more: Christmas food supplies at risk as new eu border rules threaten chaos, logistics leaders warn

With so many ways to pay both in-store and online, consumers now expect this level of choice in every aspect of their lives - and we’ve seen B2C businesses adapt and cater to this.Read more: Why all B2B Businesses should embrace digital payments

AI innovation is continuing to surge at an exponential rate - with research from McKinsey revealing that 72% of businesses have implemented AI into at least one business function.Read more: What a Chief AI Officer would unlock for your business

SEC Signals That Ethereum Is Not Security  U.TodayTrading Platform eToro Settles With SEC, Limits US Crypto Activity  Yahoo FinanceEtoro Restricts US Crypto Trading to 3 Cryptocurrencies Following SEC $1.5M Fine  Bitcoin.com NewseToro Pares Down Crypto Biz in $1.5 Million SEC Settlement  PYMNTS.comEToro reaches $1.5 million settlement with the SEC: CNBC Crypto World  CNBC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has dismissed 179 employees for gross misconduct so far this year, marking a 43% increase since 2020 and the highest number of such dismissals in at least five yearsRead more: HMRC dismissals for gross misconduct hit five-year high as 179 civil servants sacked