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Gemini 4 is almost ready, says new Google DeepMind chief
Google DeepMind is reportedly nearing the release of Gemini 4, with new chief Koray Kavukcuoglu saying the model is in refinement and could launch much earlier than the end of 2026. The timing matters because Google has fallen behind OpenAI and Anthropic, whose newer flagship models are reported to outperform Gemini 3 and have widened…
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The guitarist Jeff Beck slammed as “everything” he didn’t want to be
Jeff Beck recounted how a critical review of Ronnie Wood’s performance—praising Wood for “knowing when to shut up”—struck him deeply in 1999, prompting self-reflection about his own playing style. The experience became formative, influencing how Beck approached his musicianship for decades and shaping his artistic philosophy away from indulgence towards restraint. Beck later cited Eric…
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Housebuilder Vistry slashes profit forecasts as losses balloon
Vistry Group has sharply reduced its annual profit forecast after reporting a £661.3m pre-tax loss in the first half of the year, compared with a £40.9m profit previously. The housebuilder blamed weak summer sales, renegotiated affordable-housing contracts and rising costs, and announced a turnaround involving further job cuts, regional office closures and withdrawal from private…
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EU alarm grows as Chinese hybrid car sales surge
Chinese hybrid car sales have surged dramatically in the European Union since anti-subsidy tariffs on electric vehicles were imposed in 2024, sparking alarm among policymakers and the European automotive industry. Fully hybrid car sales rocketed from just 659 in 2022 to 160,662 in the first seven months of 2026, whilst plug-in hybrids rose from 56,706…
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Judge orders White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore White House credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico after the outlets were denied access, finding that the ban violated due process rights. Following the court order, reporters from the three organisations regained access to the White House, though the incident raised serious concerns about potential…
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2.45bn Gaza plan unveiled as teacher convicted of abuse
Trump’s 2.45 billion-dollar Gaza rebuild plan and a Scottish teacher’s conviction for abusing twelve boys dominate today’s bulletin. International tensions and technology news also feature.
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Judge orders White House to restore access for three outlets
A federal judge has temporarily ordered the White House to restore access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, blocking President Donald Trump’s ban while the outlets’ legal challenge continues. The ruling is significant because it supports their claim that the administration violated press freedom and constitutional due-process protections by removing their credentials without…
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Global bond rout worsens as strong US data fuels rate rise fears
Global bond markets are experiencing a significant sell-off as investors grow alarmed about the strength of the US economy and mounting inflation pressures. Government borrowing costs surged yesterday and are continuing to rise across Asia-Pacific markets this morning, dragging down share prices worldwide. The sell-off was triggered by surprisingly robust US business activity data showing…
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Australia’s jobless rate hits 4.6% as households seek extra income
Australian unemployment has risen to 4.6% in August, the highest level since the pandemic, despite economists’ expectations of stability. This deteriorating labour market is pushing households to seek additional income to cope with soaring living costs and anticipated higher mortgage payments, as the Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to announce a fourth interest…
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Critics say Norfolk Broads housing levy cannot cover ecological damage
The UK government has approved its first Environmental Delivery Plan allowing almost 16,000 homes to be built in the Norfolk Broads, a heavily protected wetland area home to England’s rarest wildlife. Developers will pay a levy of £2,675 per house (£42 million total) into a nature restoration fund to compensate for environmental damage, with the…