'People tell me they haven't eaten in days'

A judge has ruled that Meta does not hold a monopoly following its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. This decision allows the parent company of Instagram to avoid the potential breakup of its business. The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2020, which accused Meta of maintaining monopoly power in the market.

Cloudflare has issued an apology following a significant outage that affected major platforms, including X and ChatGPT. The web infrastructure company acknowledged the disruption and expressed regret to its customers and the broader internet community. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in the infrastructure that supports these widely used services.

Funding has been allocated for the establishment of 40 Warm Spaces during the winter months. These centers aim to provide warmth and additional support to individuals facing difficulties with energy bills, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to necessary resources during colder weather.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is contemplating both tax increases and spending cuts as part of the upcoming Budget scheduled for November 26. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about fiscal policy and economic management in the country. The Chancellor's proposals are expected to address various economic challenges and set the financial direction for the government in the coming year.

In a recent BBC interview, Google CEO Sundar Pichai described the current surge in artificial intelligence investment as an 'extraordinary moment' but cautioned that no company would be safe if the AI market bubble were to burst. He emphasized the potential risks associated with the rapid growth of AI technologies, suggesting that irrational exuberance could lead to significant financial repercussions.

Cornwall Insight has predicted that the average annual energy bill for households in the UK will decrease by £22, bringing the total to £1,733 starting in January. This forecast is seen as a positive development for consumers, potentially easing financial pressures as energy costs have been a significant concern in recent years. The prediction reflects ongoing trends in the energy market and is based on comprehensive analysis by Cornwall Insight, a respected energy consultancy.

The government has announced plans to ban the resale of tickets above their face value. This initiative aims to address the growing concern over ticket scalping, which has been affecting fans seeking access to music, theatre, and sports events at fair prices. Ministers have stated that measures will be implemented to tackle websites that facilitate such practices, ensuring a more equitable ticketing environment for consumers.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into eight firms regarding their online pricing and sales practices. This action follows a comprehensive review aimed at ensuring fair competition and transparency in the digital marketplace. The CMA's scrutiny reflects growing concerns about pricing strategies employed by online retailers and their impact on consumers. The investigation underscores the regulatory body's commitment to maintaining market integrity and protecting consumer rights in an increasingly digital economy.