Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
Vodafone franchisees raised concerns about the “massive impact” of commission cuts on their mental health four years before 62 of them launched a £120m high court claim against the telecoms group. In a 2020 survey, carried out shortly after Vodafone reduced fees paid to franchisees for selling its products and services, small business owners reported feeling extreme stress and anxiety. The changes came on the heels of months of trading uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic. Franchisees gave Vodafone a score of just 1.75 out of 5 for trust and 1.67 for feeling “truly valued” as partners. In written responses,…
European leaders are considering the creation of a “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern border after repeated incidents involving Russian drones. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius have backed the concept, which was first proposed by the Baltic states. The Baltic Drone Wall, a joint effort by Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, aims to deploy layered anti-drone defences. At its core is Eirshield, a platform developed by Estonian firm DefSecIntel and Latvia’s Origin Robotics. Using radar, cameras, and radio-frequency detection, the system can automatically identify, jam, or intercept hostile drones. Equipped with AI,…
Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest at founder Daniel Ek investing €600m (£520m) in military AI company Helsing, which produces AI-enabled weapons systems and drones. The band said the move reflects a “moral and ethical burden” on artists whose work indirectly funds lethal technologies. Ek’s investment comes through his venture capital firm, Prima Materia, which led Helsing’s latest funding round. Helsing’s technology is currently deployed in Europe for defense against Russian aggression in Ukraine, according to the company, which denied involvement in other war zones. Spotify said it is a separate entity from Helsing. The band’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 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 certain genetic mutations. The Alascca trial, led by Prof Anna Martling at the Karolinska Institute, tested 160mg aspirin daily on patients after tumour removal. Among those with mutations in the PI3K pathway, aspirin users were 55% less likely to see their cancer return than those on placebo. About 40% of colorectal cancer patients carry such mutations. Researchers say the drug works by reducing inflammation, disrupting the PI3K pathway, and preventing blood platelets…
A new weight loss pill, orforglipron, has helped patients shed up to 20% of their body weight in a major trial, raising hopes of a more accessible alternative to injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. The once-daily pill, developed by Eli Lilly, was tested on more than 3,100 adults with obesity across nine countries. After 72 weeks, nearly one in five participants on the highest dose lost at least a fifth of their body weight, while over half saw reductions of 10% or more. Patients also recorded improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist size. Unlike injectable GLP-1 agonists, orforglipron…
Sky has placed 900 jobs at risk as it adapts to the shift from satellite pay-TV to streaming. The company, which employs 23,000 staff in the UK, expects about 600 roles to be cut and 300 redeployed following a consultation. This marks the third round of cuts in 18 months, bringing total job losses to nearly 3,500 since early 2023. The changes will mainly affect Sky’s technology, product, and corporate teams as the broadcaster focuses on digital-first services. Sky said more than 90% of new subscriptions now come through internet-based products such as Sky Glass and Sky Stream. Earlier this…
US trade representative Jamieson Greer announced a framework agreement with China to transfer TikTok into US-controlled ownership. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that commercial terms are settled but withheld details, saying they are between private parties. Chinese negotiator Li Chenggang said both sides agreed on a basic framework through cooperation. The deal marks progress in the long-running dispute over TikTok’s Chinese ownership, which raised security concerns in Washington. President Joe Biden’s 2024 law required ByteDance to sell TikTok within nine months or face a ban, a deadline extended multiple times by Donald Trump. Previous acquisition attempts by Microsoft, Walmart, and…
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 driving up government borrowing costs. Britain’s long-term borrowing costs are now at their highest level in 27 years, piling pressure on chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her 26 November autumn budget. The Bank has attributed much of the rise to global factors, including Donald Trump’s trade war and his attacks on the US Federal Reserve, but admitted its £100bn of recent bond sales are also playing a role. The Bank…
Fitch Ratings has cut France’s credit rating from AA- to A+, citing political instability and worsening public finances, a move that intensifies pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The downgrade follows months of political upheaval, including the ousting of former Prime Minister François Bayrou after his austerity-driven budget failed to win parliamentary support. Fitch warned that France’s debt, already at 113.2% of GDP in 2024, could rise to 121% by 2027, with little chance of stabilisation before the 2027 presidential elections. The agency expressed doubts about the government’s ability to reduce the deficit below 3%…