UK broadcasters are celebrating a rare victory against streaming giants like Netflix and Disney in the battle for ad-supported viewers. While shows like Netflix’s Adolescence and Disney’s Rivals keep drawing subscribers, data shows that households watching ad-supported streams consume up to 40% less content—giving traditional broadcasters a slight edge in retaining audience attention.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a sign that traditional TV isn’t dead yet. Even as streaming services dominate with hit shows, the way people watch (and how much they skip ads) still leaves room for broadcasters to compete. For an industry struggling to keep up, any small win is worth noting.

London’s iconic Prince Charles Cinema, beloved by filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and actor Paul Mescal, is locked in a high-stakes battle with billionaire landlord Asif Aziz—dubbed "Britain’s meanest landlord." The cinema, known for its cheeky marquee slogans and cult following, symbolizes a broader struggle: the erosion of London’s cultural landmarks under pressure from wealthy property owners. The piece questions how much of the city’s soul is being traded for profit.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a quirky cinema vs. a rich landlord—it’s a microcosm of how global cities like London are changing. When independent venues get priced out, the city loses more than bricks and mortar; it loses character, history, and the spaces that make it feel alive. For locals and artists, that’s a fight worth spotlighting.

Venice locals, like teacher Marta Sottoriva, are protesting Jeff Bezos’ lavish multi-day wedding in their city, seeing it as another example of how mass tourism and wealthy outsiders exploit Venice without benefiting its residents. While officials argue such events bring economic gains, critics say it just deepens problems like rising rents and overcrowding—issues Sottoriva has long fought against.

Editor’s Note: Venice isn’t just a postcard backdrop—it’s a real city with real struggles. Bezos’ wedding is a flashpoint in the bigger fight over who gets to enjoy Venice (and who pays the price). When locals feel pushed out by glitzy events, it’s a sign that "saving" a city can’t just mean milking it for spectacle.

As Paul Johnson, the outgoing director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), reflects on his 14-year tenure, he laments the lack of "big chancellors" in recent years—figures like Healey, Lawson, Clarke, Brown, and Osborne who left lasting economic legacies. His remarks underscore a broader frustration: politicians and voters alike, he argues, are unwilling to confront tough economic tradeoffs. The absence of current Chancellor Rachel Reeves from his list hints at a deeper critique of today’s fiscal leadership.

Editor’s Note: Johnson’s parting shot isn’t just about naming names—it’s a warning. If leaders keep dodging hard choices (think tax hikes or spending cuts), the UK’s economic stability could pay the price. It’s a sobering reality check from someone who’s spent over a decade crunching the numbers.

A new report from the thinktank Common Wealth argues that England’s current penalties for companies responsible for unsafe cladding—like the kind linked to the Grenfell Tower fire—are too weak. They’re pushing for stricter consequences, including unlimited fines, bans from public contracts, and even barring negligent executives from holding directorships. The report claims existing laws don’t do enough to prevent future disasters or hold corporations properly accountable.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about fines—it’s about fixing a system that lets companies off the hook for putting lives at risk. After Grenfell, public trust in building safety collapsed, and this report highlights how little has changed legally to prevent similar failures. If these recommendations gain traction, it could mean real consequences for negligent firms, not just slap-on-the-wrist penalties. For renters and homeowners, it’s a step toward safer housing—but also a reminder of how slow progress has been.

M&S is scrambling to recover from a cyber-attack that's still disrupting its online services, with shoppers noticing limited stock. The retailer is prioritizing summer clothing like swimwear and sandals, hoping warmer weather will boost sales—but a full recovery before peak season seems unlikely.

Editor’s Note: Cyber-attacks aren’t just tech headaches—they hit sales where it hurts. For M&S, this disruption during crucial summer shopping weeks could mean lost revenue and frustrated customers, showing how vulnerable even big retailers are to digital threats. If they can’t fix things fast, competitors might swoop in.

The UK’s tech minister, Peter Kyle, is urging workers and businesses to stop fearing AI and start embracing it—or risk falling behind. He argues that even a short training session (just 2.5 hours) could help close the generational gap in tech adoption. While he frames AI as an opportunity for "exhilaration," the subtext is clear: adapt or face potential job losses as the workplace evolves.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another "AI is coming for your job" scare story—it’s a nudge (or maybe a shove) from the government to take AI seriously. The minister’s tone tries to balance optimism with urgency, but the underlying message is pragmatic: ignoring AI won’t make it go away. For workers, it’s a heads-up that upskilling isn’t optional anymore. For businesses, it’s a warning that falling behind on tech could mean losing ground to competitors. Either way, the clock’s ticking.

Labour is going all-in on a massive investment push—tens of billions—to tackle the UK’s housing crisis and broader economic decline. Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, is scrambling to get housing associations on board to build more social and affordable homes, promising voters will start seeing relief before the next election. It’s a high-stakes gamble, betting that throwing money at the problem can turn things around.

Editor’s Note: Housing shortages and skyrocketing costs are crushing Brits, and Labour’s throwing everything at the wall to fix it. If this works, it could ease a major pain point for millions—but if it flops, it’ll fuel skepticism about big government spending. Either way, it’s a defining move for a party trying to prove it can deliver.

Oil and gold prices shot up, and stock markets took a hit after Israel launched attacks on Iran. Brent crude oil hit its highest price since April, while airline stocks dropped sharply. The escalating conflict in the Middle East—a key region for global oil production—has rattled markets, sending investors scrambling for safer assets like gold.