Why the ‘stablecoin supercycle’ could rewire banking
Some technologists believe more than 100,000 such payment systems could swamp the world within five years
UK
The quiet rise in the tax burden for UK businesses will hit workers and consumers too
William Barton/ShutterstockMany businesses in the UK saw the 2025 budget as a tightening of the screw in a period of already difficult conditions. While the government insists it is not raising taxes on companies overall, disquiet among businesses could have an impact on jobs, wages and the wider economy.
Unions have been in decline in the UK for 50 years. A new law could begin to reverse that trend
The UK’s employment rights bill will usher in major changes for workers from April 2026. But beyond promising improved rights for employees over unfair dismissal and sick pay, one of the most controversial aspects of the bill concerns the rights of trade unions.
Growing a mix of plants in fields can save farmers money and help the environment – new research
goodluz/ShutterstockFarmers have increasingly sown a single type of grass in their fields over the past 100 years, and then added che
Why big shops are trying to sell you a glamorous Christmas
In the dark months of winter, the warm glow of Christmas fairy lights and flickering candles brings some welcome atmospheric respite. And that atmosphere is something many retailers try to capture as they tempt shoppers with their festive marketing campaigns.
The John Lewis Christmas advert for example, has become a seasonal staple, while rival Marks and Spencer has found success with its “Magic and Sparkle” campaign, which plays on the company’s brand name.
Driverless taxis are heading to the UK, but it’s still not clear who to blame when something goes wrong
Driverless in San Francisco. Tada Images/ShutterstockDriverless taxis are a bit like buses. You wait ages for one, and then a fleet arrives all at once. The US firms Waymo and Uber have both said their vehicles will be on the streets of London in 2026.
Farmers and supermarkets worry that extreme weather will stop food getting to consumers – here’s what needs to change
www.hollandfoto.net/ShutterstockStorm Amy with its gusts of nearly 100mph brought heavy rain, fallen trees, and transport disr
‘Mindful gifting’ could be the kindest thing you do for yourself and others this Christmas
Mr. SEPTEMBER/ShutterstockThis year’s Christmas advert from UK department store John Lewis is notable for its emotional impact and captivating storytelling. In it, a middle-aged former raver is gifted a vintage vinyl record by his son. The focus is on this fairly modest gift, which quietly speaks a language of love amid the noise and excess of the festivities.
The metaverse is ushering in a new era of behind-the-scenes exploitation
Pools for the extraction of lithium in Salinas Grandes, Jujuy, Argentina Brester IrinaFrom ancient slavery to the factory floor, progress has often relied on the exploitation of human beings. We might like to believe those days are well behind us. But in the digital age, AI and the metaverse risk repeating that pattern with new forms of invisible labour and inequality.
How ‘everyday AI’ encourages overconsumption
Foto Eak/ShutterstockFrom automatically generated overviews to chatbots in spreadsheets, so-called artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into our watches, phones, home assistants and other smart devices.
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