The Marks & Spencer (M&S) website is currently down, leaving users unable to shop online, due to ongoing issues from a cyber-attack last month. M&S has stated that the attack will affect their profits by around £300 million and that their online services will face disruptions until July. Personal customer data was stolen, but payment details and account passwords were not affected.
Key Facts
The M&S website is not accessible due to a recent cyber-attack.
The cyber-attack happened over the Easter weekend.
M&S estimates it will lose about £300 million in profits this year because of the attack.
The disruption to online services is expected to last until July.
Some personal customer data, like phone numbers and addresses, was stolen.
Payment details and passwords were not accessed by the attackers.
The suspected hackers are an English-speaking group called Scattered Spider.
This group is also believed to have attacked other retailers like Co-op and Harrods.
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Sir Jony Ive, the well-known designer behind the Apple iPhone, is teaming up with OpenAI to work on creating new technology devices that focus on artificial intelligence. OpenAI, known for developing the AI chatbot ChatGPT, plans to buy a start-up company founded by Sir Jony, aiming to build a new type of computer device.
Key Facts
Sir Jony Ive is joining OpenAI to develop AI-focused hardware.
OpenAI is a company that created ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot.
OpenAI will acquire a start-up founded by Sir Jony Ive.
Sir Jony will take on major design roles at OpenAI.
Apple’s stock dropped by more than 2% after the partnership was announced.
Sir Jony worked at Apple for over 30 years and left in 2019.
OpenAI owned 23% of Sir Jony's start-up, which was valued at about $6.4 billion.
The tech industry is looking for the next major product, similar to the impact of the iPhone.
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The UK government has introduced a National Parking Platform (NPP) to allow drivers to pay for parking using any major app, eliminating the need to download multiple apps for different car parks. The system is being expanded across the UK through voluntary sign-ups by car parks and app providers, under the management of the British Parking Association.
Key Facts
The government announced a "one app fits all" program to simplify parking payments.
The National Parking Platform lets drivers pay with any major app at participating car parks.
The NPP was tested with 10 local authorities, handling over half a million transactions.
The British Parking Association now manages the NPP, taking over from the government.
The scheme aims to lower hassle and potentially increase competition, without raising parking fees.
The RAC supports the initiative but notes more car parks need to join for widespread impact.
The NPP welcomes both local authorities and private parking providers to join.
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Fortnite is available again on Apple's app store in the US after being removed almost five years ago. The game had been taken down because its developer, Epic Games, set up its own payment system, bypassing Apple's fees. This led to a legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple.
Key Facts
Fortnite is back on the US Apple app store after nearly five years.
The game was removed in August 2020 because Epic Games created its own in-app payment system, avoiding Apple’s 30% fee.
This action led to a legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, with claims of unfair fees and a monopoly.
Fortnite is also available on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the European Union.
Last January, Fortnite returned to the EU app store due to new competition laws.
Fortnite has about 400 million registered players worldwide.
The game is known for its online battle royale mode, where up to 100 players fight to be the last one standing.
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Police in the UK are investigating a series of cyber attacks on major retailers. The attacks are linked to a group called Scattered Spider, thought to include young, English-speaking individuals. These cyber attacks have caused disruptions in stores, halted online orders, and exposed private data.
Key Facts
The UK police are focusing on a cyber criminal group known as Scattered Spider.
This group is believed to consist of young, English-speaking individuals, possibly operating in both the UK and US.
Attacks have targeted UK retailers like M&S, Co-op, and Harrods, as well as some US businesses.
The attacks have resulted in empty store shelves, online shopping disruptions, and stolen private data.
Hackers use a platform called DragonForce to carry out these cyber attacks.
There have been no arrests yet, and the actual individuals behind the attacks are still unidentified.
The term "Scattered Spider" was given by cyber researchers due to the group's dispersed activity.
A few individuals linked to Scattered Spider have been charged in the US, including a 23-year-old from Scotland.
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The BBC Sounds program "Tech Life" released an episode called "Protecting your invention" on May 20, 2025. This episode discusses the steps inventors need to take to secure a patent for their new ideas.
Key Facts
The episode is available on BBC Sounds and will be accessible for over a year.
"Tech Life" is the program on which "Protecting your invention" is featured.
The episode was released on May 20, 2025.
It talks about how inventors can protect their ideas by obtaining a patent.
A patent is a legal document that gives inventors exclusive rights to their invention.
The episode lasts 26 minutes.
BBC Sounds offers help and contact information for users on its website.
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The head of HSBC UK, Ian Stuart, has expressed concern over the increasing threat of cyber attacks on banks. HSBC and other major banks are investing significant amounts of money to strengthen their IT systems due to the constant and growing number of cyber threats.
Key Facts
Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, stated that cyber attacks are a major worry and occur frequently.
HSBC is spending hundreds of millions of pounds to improve IT security.
In the last two years, major UK banks and societies had 803 hours of tech outages.
Recent cyber attacks affected retailers like Co-op and Marks and Spencer.
Cyber security expert Lisa Forte noted that cyber attack frequency and severity are increasing.
Banks process numerous transactions and updates; HSBC manages 1000 payments per second.
Other banks like Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest have also experienced IT failures.
The Barclays outage in January led to customer disruptions and potential compensation payouts.
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The actors' union, Sag-Aftra, has filed a complaint against Fortnite's creator, Epic Games, for using artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of Darth Vader without proper negotiations. The union claims the company did not notify or negotiate with them, which they believe impacts the rights and work of human voice actors.
Key Facts
Sag-Aftra filed a complaint with the US National Labor Relations Board.
The complaint is about using AI to replace Darth Vader's voice in Fortnite.
The union claims the company did not discuss these changes with them.
Epic Games has not yet responded to requests for comments.
The AI voice recreation is tied to James Earl Jones' estate agreement.
Sag-Aftra wants to ensure actors can negotiate AI usage that affects their work.
Concerns in the acting community are growing over AI's role in reducing work for human performers.
Voice actors related to the union have been protesting similar issues since last year.
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The world's largest electric vehicle battery maker, China's CATL, began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a successful debut, raising nearly $4.55 billion. The company supplies major car manufacturers and continues to expand its global operations.
Key Facts
CATL started trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the largest initial public offering (IPO) of the year.
The company raised about HK$35.7 billion ($4.55 billion) from the IPO.
CATL supplies batteries to major automakers like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
CATL’s shares increased by more than 10% when the market opened.
The US Department of Defense added CATL to a list of companies it says are linked to China's military, which CATL denies.
CATL employs over 100,000 people and has 13 production plants worldwide.
The company is building a second European factory in Hungary and planning a new plant in Spain.
CATL recently introduced a fast-charging battery that can achieve 323 miles of range in five minutes.
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The article discusses the challenges of keeping cool in a warming climate, highlighting the need for new cooling technologies. It explains the problems with traditional cooling systems and explores potential alternatives, like using solid materials instead of liquid refrigerants.
Key Facts
Climate change is making heat more intense, affecting daily life and work, especially for outdoor workers.
Refrigerants in traditional cooling systems can leak and are harmful to the environment.
Current refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), contribute significantly to global warming.
New refrigerants have issues, like being flammable or toxic, but are seen as necessary for the time being.
Some scientists are developing cooling technologies that do not use liquid refrigerants.
Solid-state cooling is one promising technology, using solid materials and forces like magnets to change temperatures.
Magnotherm, a German company, is exploring magnetic cooling systems that are safe and efficient.
The cooling market is expected to grow rapidly, potentially doubling by 2030, due to rising global temperatures.
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A woman named Kelly used AI chatbots from character.ai for support while waiting for mental health therapy. These chatbots provided her with a sense of encouragement and availability, although concerns exist about the reliability and safety of AI chatbots for mental health advice.
Key Facts
Kelly used AI chatbots to help cope with anxiety and low self-esteem while waiting for traditional therapy.
Chatbots offer 24-hour availability but are considered less reliable than professional therapy.
AI chatbots have been involved in legal cases due to giving potentially harmful advice.
Chatbots like Wysa are used by about 30 local NHS services to aid mental health.
There is a significant waiting list for mental health services, with around one million people affected.
AI technologies, including chatbots, are becoming more common in healthcare for various tasks.
Experts have concerns about chatbots, including biases, information security, and lack of proper safeguards.
In 2024, mental health referrals in England increased by 40% over five years.
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The UK's Met Office has launched a new supercomputer, hosted on Microsoft's Azure cloud, which aims to improve weather forecasts, offering more detailed predictions up to 14 days in advance. This new system, powered entirely by renewable energy, was delayed from its original release due to the pandemic but promises enhanced weather prediction capabilities and improved climate change assessments.
Key Facts
The Met Office's new supercomputer improves weather predictions, offering detailed forecasts up to 14 days ahead.
The system is cloud-based and runs on Microsoft's Azure, marking the first time the Met Office is not hosting it independently.
It performs 60 quadrillion calculations per second, which is four times more than its previous system.
The supercomputer will help improve forecasts for airports and energy companies, aiding in planning for blackouts and energy surges.
It is powered entirely by renewable energy and aims to help with climate change-related challenges like flooding and wildfires.
The exact location of the supercomputer is secret, but it is located in the south of England across two data centers.
Security is a priority following recent cyber hacks, and the Met Office is confident in the system's security enhancements.
The project was delayed from its original schedule due to the pandemic affecting silicon availability.
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The DNA testing company 23andMe is being bought by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for $256 million after filing for bankruptcy protection. Regeneron will take over almost all of 23andMe's assets and plans to use the company's data for drug development, while ensuring customer data privacy.
Key Facts
23andMe will be acquired by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for $256 million.
The acquisition follows 23andMe's bankruptcy filing in the U.S.
Regeneron promises to follow 23andMe's privacy policies and protect user data.
23andMe agreed to have an ombudsman (a person appointed to oversee certain issues) to ensure data protection.
Regeneron will use 23andMe's data for developing new drugs.
23andMe experienced a major data breach in 2023, exposing user information.
The company laid off about 200 employees, which is roughly 40% of its workforce.
23andMe's co-founder Anne Wojcicki attempted to keep the company private before agreeing to the acquisition.
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A cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has resulted in the theft of a large amount of private data, including criminal records, dating back to 2010. As a response, the Ministry of Justice is advising past legal aid applicants to be cautious and protect their personal information.
Key Facts
A cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online system occurred, involving data going back to 2010.
The Ministry of Justice reported the breach and is urging the public to watch for suspicious activity.
The stolen data might include contact details, birth dates, national ID numbers, criminal records, job information, and financial data.
The hackers claim to have accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, but this number is not confirmed by the Ministry of Justice.
Legal Aid’s online services, essential for providers to log work and receive payments, have been taken offline.
The National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre are involved in handling the incident.
The Ministry has advised people to verify the identity of anyone contacting them online or by phone before sharing any information.
The breach follows other recent cyber-attacks on businesses like Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and Co-op, leading to operational disruptions.
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In February 2020, a cyber-attack hit Redcar and Cleveland Council's computer network in England, causing major disruption to services like social care and waste collection. Hackers locked staff out of their systems, and the attack took weeks to manage. Experts from the National Cyber Safety Centre (NCSC) were involved to help restore services.
Key Facts
The cyber-attack occurred in February 2020 and affected Redcar and Cleveland Council in England.
The attack was caused by a virus hidden in an email attachment that spread through the council's computer network.
Hackers demanded payment (a ransom) to unlock the council's IT systems.
Services disrupted included social services, bin collections, and sharing information with police and the NHS.
By Monday, February 10, IT staff were trying to fix the damage by isolating infected computers.
The National Cyber Safety Centre (NCSC) assisted in managing the crisis.
The former council leader, Mary Lanigan, stated the attack was "devastating" for everyone involved.
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Apple plans to move most of its iPhone production destined for the U.S. from China to India. However, a recent trade agreement between the U.S. and China might impact India's manufacturing ambitions. Despite this, there are early signs of India gaining from changes in global supply chains.
Key Facts
Apple is moving most of its iPhone production for the U.S. from China to India.
The U.S. and China reached a trade agreement to lower import taxes on goods, which could affect India's manufacturing plans.
U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have dropped significantly, from 145% to 30%.
India's export orders have recently surged, reaching a 14-year high according to a survey.
India has agreed to a trade pact with the UK, reducing duties in sectors like whiskey and automobiles.
India's government is encouraging foreign investment by opening up its markets after years of protectionist policies.
Despite trade shifts, countries like Vietnam remain competitive in manufacturing, challenging India's position.
India's government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have had limited success in boosting manufacturing growth.
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Driverless cars in the UK are expected to be approved by 2027, although Uber claims it is ready now with its technology. Currently, some self-driving features are allowed, but a human driver must stay in control. Uber is working with technology firms and already operates driverless taxis in other countries, but the UK government plans to finalize legislation by the second half of 2027.
Key Facts
Uber says it is ready to use driverless taxis in the UK, but government approval is delayed.
The UK government expects full self-driving cars on roads by the second half of 2027.
Current UK laws require a human driver to be in control, even with automated technology.
Uber has partnered with Wayve and other tech companies for developing driverless car systems.
Driverless taxis by Uber are already in use in the US, China, UAE, and Singapore.
In the US, Uber’s driverless taxis are operational 20 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are public safety concerns, as shown by a 2024 poll where 37% of Brits felt very unsafe in driverless cars.
Studies in the US suggest automated vehicles have fewer accidents than human-driven cars.
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A new semiconductor factory is being constructed near Phoenix, Arizona, by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This facility aims to produce the world's most advanced chips and represents a significant shift in semiconductor manufacturing from Taiwan to the United States. The expansion is influenced by the U.S. government's economic policies, such as tariffs, and addresses global supply chain concerns.
Key Facts
TSMC is building a semiconductor factory in Arizona.
This factory will produce advanced semiconductor chips.
TSMC is a major company, making 90% of the world's top semiconductors.
The factory's construction is influenced by U.S. tariffs on imported chips.
TSMC plans to invest $100 billion in the U.S. to expand its facilities.
The factory is part of efforts to reduce reliance on Taiwan for chip manufacturing.
The facility follows TSMC's design models from Taiwan.
China's government is monitoring the situation due to geopolitical implications.
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Sir Elton John expressed anger over the UK government's plans to allow AI companies to use artists' content without paying them. The government rejected a proposal from the House of Lords to require AI companies to disclose their sources, causing concern among artists about their rights and income.
Key Facts
Sir Elton John criticized the UK government's plan to exempt AI companies from certain copyright laws.
The House of Lords proposed changes to require AI firms to be transparent about the materials they use but the government rejected this.
Generative AI creates new content by learning from large amounts of existing data like text and music.
Sir Elton John and other artists believe these changes could harm young artists financially.
The House of Lords voted to add transparency to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, but the House of Commons rejected it.
Sir Elton threatened legal action if the government does not adjust its plans.
Over 400 artists, including Sir Paul McCartney, wrote to the prime minister asking for better copyright protection.
The government stated they want both the creative industries and AI companies to thrive.
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A BBC reporter named Joe Tidy communicated with hackers claiming they attacked M&S and Co-op, causing disruptions. The hackers provided evidence of stealing customer and employee data, which led the companies to confirm the data breach. The hackers are linked to a cybercrime group called DragonForce, known for offering ransomware services to other criminals.
Key Facts
Joe Tidy, a BBC reporter, received messages from hackers claiming responsibility for the M&S and Co-op cyber attacks.
The hackers shared evidence of stolen data from customers and employees of these companies.
The Co-op initially downplayed the hack but later admitted to a significant data breach after contact from Tidy.
The hackers were demanding ransom in Bitcoin but did not disclose the amount.
The cybercrime group DragonForce is linked to the attacks, known for providing ransomware services.
DragonForce operates on the darknet, offering tools for data encryption and extortion for a share of the ransom.
DragonForce recently expanded its services to include more options and 24/7 customer support.
DragonForce has been active since at least 2023, targeting organizations with their rebranded cybercrime services.
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