Author: Andrew Rogers

European leaders are pushing forward with a plan to build a “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern flank, aiming to protect member states from Russian aerial threats. The idea, first floated by the Baltic states, gained momentum after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described it as “the bedrock of credible defence” in her September State of the Union address. The proposed system, led by companies in Estonia and Latvia, revolves around Eirshield—a multilayered defence platform that uses radars, cameras, radio frequency detectors, and AI-driven automation to detect and neutralise hostile drones. The technology can jam or block signals, deploy…

Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest against founder Daniel Ek’s €600m (£520m) investment in Helsing, a military AI company. Helsing’s technology includes AI systems for battlefield analysis and the HX-2 military drone. The band cited a “moral and ethical burden” on artists, arguing that revenue from their work ultimately funds lethal technologies. The announcement coincides with the band joining the No Music for Genocide initiative, where over 400 artists and labels are blocking their music from streaming services in Israel. Massive Attack stressed that their Spotify withdrawal is separate from this campaign, highlighting concerns over Ek’s…

Donald Trump announced on Friday that Chinese president Xi Jinping had agreed to approve a deal over TikTok, though no specifics of the agreement or signing timeline were disclosed. The announcement followed a phone call between the two leaders, their first direct contact since June, amid heightened tensions over trade and technology. Trump said earlier this week that Washington and Beijing had reached a deal to place TikTok’s US operations under American control, with Oracle among the investors in talks to take a significant stake. Reports suggest the framework is still incomplete, and negotiations continue over compliance with laws passed…

A major Swedish-led trial has found that a daily low dose of aspirin can cut the risk of colorectal cancer returning by more than half in patients with specific genetic mutations. Researchers tested more than 3,500 patients across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, identifying 1,103 with mutations in the PI3K pathway. Those given 160mg of aspirin daily after surgery were 55% less likely to see their cancer return within three years compared with patients on a placebo. Lead researcher Prof Anna Martling of the Karolinska Institute called the results “a huge effect,” stressing the importance of genetic testing so eligible…

A new daily pill called orforglipron could offer an easier alternative to injections for weight loss, with trial results showing that one in five patients lost 20% or more of their body weight over 72 weeks. Developed by Eli Lilly, the pill acts on GLP-1 receptors, the same mechanism as popular jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, but in a tablet form that is easier to store, distribute, and take. In a study of more than 3,000 adults with obesity but no diabetes, patients on the highest dose lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight, while nearly 55% shed…

Sky has placed 900 UK jobs at risk as it continues restructuring to compete with US streaming rivals. The consultation process is expected to cut about 600 roles, with 300 redeployed. The latest move affects technology, product, and corporate teams, following recent launches of Sky Glass and Sky Glass Air. The Comcast-owned broadcaster has cut nearly 3,500 roles since early 2023, shifting away from traditional satellite pay-TV toward internet-based products. More than 90% of new subscriptions now come from services like Sky Glass and Sky Stream. Sky said it is investing in digital-first services, content, and next-generation products to strengthen…

The US and China have reached a framework agreement to transfer TikTok into US-controlled ownership after years of dispute. US trade representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the deal, while treasury secretary Scott Bessent said commercial terms had been agreed but not disclosed. Chinese negotiator Li Chenggang said both sides reached a consensus on resolving TikTok-related issues through cooperation. The breakthrough follows US security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese parent ByteDance, with legislation signed in 2024 requiring a sale or ban. The saga dates back to 2020, when Donald Trump first ordered ByteDance to divest TikTok. Microsoft, Walmart, and Oracle pursued deals, but…

Former members of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) have called on governor Andrew Bailey to scale back or halt the central bank’s bond-selling programme, warning it is worsening the government’s record-high borrowing costs. Britain’s long-term gilt yields have climbed to their highest level in nearly three decades, piling pressure on chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the autumn budget on 26 November. While global factors, including Donald Trump’s trade war and tensions over the US Federal Reserve, are driving markets, the Bank has acknowledged that its £100bn programme of quantitative tightening (QT) is adding to the strain. Since…

France’s financial and political challenges deepened Friday after Fitch Ratings cut the country’s credit score from “AA-” to “A+”, citing political instability and worsening public debt. The downgrade follows months of turbulence after the collapse of multiple governments since the 2024 snap elections, culminating in the ousting of former Prime Minister François Bayrou. His unpopular budget proposal—which included deep cuts and even scrapping two public holidays—failed to secure parliamentary support. Fitch warned that France’s debt, already 113.2% of GDP in 2024, could climb to 121% by 2027, with little chance of stabilisation before the 2027 presidential election. The agency also…

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has expressed his approval of the world championships now serving as the season finale. The change, which places the global competition at the conclusion of the athletics calendar, is being hailed as a positive step for both athletes and fans. A Strategic Adjustment Coe explained that moving the world championships to the end of the season gives athletes a clear target to work toward. Instead of adjusting to scattered events, competitors can build their training schedules around a single peak performance window. “This creates a natural climax to the season,” Coe said. “It helps athletes…