The International Energy Agency forecasts that electricity consumption by global data centres will double within five years, largely driven by the rise of powerful AI models.
Author: WTX News Editor
The Trump administration has initiated a controversial move to classify over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased, effectively cancelling their Social Security numbers. This action is designed to compel these individuals to leave the United States.
Space Forge, founded by two entrepreneurs in Cardiff, is set to launch its ForgeStar-1 satellite, aimed at revolutionising semiconductor manufacturing in microgravity.
Cassius Walker-Hunt, a former steelworker in Port Talbot, has transitioned to running a coffee shop after being made redundant due to Tata Steel’s closure of blast furnaces, marking a significant shift for the local workforce and community.
A helicopter crash in New York’s Hudson River resulted in the deaths of six Spanish tourists, including three children and the pilot, as confirmed by Mayor Eric Adams.
The King and Queen of the UK engaged positively with the public during a visit to Ravenna, showcasing their resilience and dedication to royal duties despite recent health concerns related to the King’s cancer treatment.
Cliff Notes The father of a grooming gang victim criticises the government for causing confusion regarding the promised local inquiries, stating it is "messing around with survivors’ lives." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed five local inquiries will proceed, but the uncertainty continues to trouble survivors and their families. The victim’s father, Marlon West, expresses disappointment with the government’s decision to opt for regional inquiries instead of a statutory national inquiry that could compel professionals to…
Cliff Notes President Trump has paused retaliatory tariffs, leading to greater market stability and expectations for three interest rate cuts by the Bank of England, reducing borrowing costs. Mortgage rates are falling, with the average two-year fixed rate expected to drop to 4.3% by year-end, benefitting those looking to re-fix their loans. Lower oil prices, now at $63.75 per barrel, are anticipated to lead to cheaper fuel costs for motorists and potentially lower inflation across…
Cliff Notes A Hungarian official has suggested the country’s first foot-and-mouth disease cases in over 50 years may have originated from a "biological attack". Thousands of cattle have been slaughtered following an outbreak in the northwest, leading Austria and Slovakia to close multiple border crossings. The suspicion of a biological attack stemmed from unverified information from a foreign laboratory, with no new outbreaks reported since. Hungary suggests foot-and-mouth outbreak could be ‘biological attack’ | World…
Donald Trump announced a temporary 90-day suspension of certain tariffs less than a day after they came into effect. Many see it as the president backing down from his policy after US government bonds were being sold off, and the president likely under pressure from his rich and powerful friends (Elon Musk).
Whilst he came back from the brink for most countries he had hit, all countries (interestingly, Russia was not hit with tariffs) still face a blanket 10% tariff.
The administration intensified its stance on China by elevating tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, underscoring a complex and strained U.S.- China trade relationship.
China responded firmly to the increased tariffs, maintaining a resolute position and implementing retaliatory measures. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced an 84% tariff on all U.S. goods, signaling Beijing’s unwillingness to yield to U.S. pressure. This escalation has heightened concerns about a prolonged trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
The financial markets have reacted with notable volatility to these developments. Following the announcement of the tariff suspension, global markets experienced a relief rally. However, this optimism is tempered by underlying uncertainties, as analysts caution that the fundamental issues driving the trade tensions remain unresolved. The bond market, in particular, has exhibited signs of distress, with the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield climbing from under 4% to 4.5%, reflecting diminished confidence in U.S. fiscal stability.
Amid these economic fluctuations, there have been murmurs of potential market manipulation.
The current trajectory of U.S. trade policy, characterized by abrupt shifts and escalating tariffs, has prompted warnings from economic leaders. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon cautioned that the ongoing trade war could precipitate a U.S. recession this year.
With so much politics dominating the news this week – lots of uncertainty too- it’s important to get back to nature and enjoy the positivity in the world.
Cliff Notes A 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested at Stansted airport on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service linked to a fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham. The investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing was prompted by a package fire on 22 July, with reports suggesting a possible connection to a Russian-backed plot. Polish and German authorities are also investigating related incidents involving suspected incendiary devices and explosives in parcel deliveries across Europe. Man…
Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian citizen, was jailed in Russia for 12 years after her £40 donation to a Ukrainian charity was deemed treasonous.
Donald Trump has backed down on his tariffs (higher than the baseline 10%) on countries that did not retaliate against the levies. The US president announced via social media that there would be a 90-day pause on those tariffs and they would instead be dropped to the blanket 10% rate. But since China did retaliate, Trump announced that the tariffs on China would be hiked to 125%.
Much of the global media sees the announcement of Trump backing down from the trade war he started, likely amid US government bond sell-offs.
King Charles and Camilla are in Italy for a state visit, meeting with politicians and the pope and delivering a historic speech to both houses of the Italian parliament. The UK media is suggesting it is an exercise in Britain’s soft powers and that the royals are being used to help reset the UK’s relationship with the rest of Europe following the fraught and turbulent times of the Brexit era.
The state visit also coincides with the pair’s 20th wedding anniversary, and several of the royal-supporting news media offer insights into the couple’s marriage – the ups and downs and how they finally got together. There is also commentary on the King’s relationship with his youngest son, who is back in Britain for a court case regarding his personal security. The pair reportedly did not meet before Charles headed to Italy.
Thursday’s UK headlines, like much of the rest of the world, are, of course, dominated by the latest from the escalating trade war between the United States and the rest of the world. Trump announced a 90-day pause on the highest tariffs, dropping them all down to 10% except for China, which was hit with 125% levies. The stock markets have bounced back since the announcement, but the ball is very much back in China’s court, and all eyes are on Beijing to see how it responds. Everything that is coming out of China at the moment suggests they won’t back down and believe they can ride this out.
A little closer to home, there are a handful of royal headlines, including King Charles’s state visit to Italy, which is being viewed as Britain exercising the royal family’s soft powers to help reset Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe, nine years on from the Brexit mess. Charles and Camilla met with politicians and the Pope during their visit.
Cliff Notes The Home Secretary has rejected claims that the government is lessening its response to child grooming gangs, asserting increased action is being taken. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips introduced a £5m fund for local authorities but faced criticism for lacking updates on specific local inquiries. Concerns have been raised from Conservative MPs regarding the effectiveness of the government’s flexible approach to local inquiries, suggesting it is inadequate. Home secretary denies ‘watering down’ grooming gangs…
China’s tariffs on exports to the US have risen to 125%, prompting speculation about potential retaliation and the future scope of trade relations.
Jillian Lauren, the author and wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was shot and injured by Los Angeles police after allegedly pointing a handgun at officers in her front yard, leading to her arrest on suspicion of attempted murder.