Author: Ben Waine

Apple has confirmed the existence of a sophisticated class of cyber attacks capable of forcing iPhone devices to restart repeatedly, a tactic that security researchers say can disrupt protections designed to safeguard user data. While the company has acknowledged the threat, it has also conceded that there is currently no direct fix available for most users, raising fresh concerns about the limits of mobile security even on tightly controlled platforms. The issue, first detailed by security researchers and later confirmed by Apple, centres on targeted attacks that exploit system behaviour rather than traditional software vulnerabilities. By triggering repeated restarts, attackers…

Liverpool FC booked their place in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 4–1 win over Barnsley FC at Anfield, though the scoreline only partially reflected the nature of a tie that demanded patience and control from the Premier League side. In front of a lively home crowd, Liverpool combined moments of attacking quality with spells of vulnerability before eventually asserting their superiority late on. The third-round tie, played against a Barnsley side sitting well below Liverpool in the English football pyramid, served as a reminder of the FA Cup’s capacity to test even elite teams. While…

Xabi Alonso’s brief but eventful managerial spell at Real Madrid has come to an end after less than eight months in charge of one of world football’s biggest clubs. Following a gripping 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final, the club and Alonso agreed to part ways, a decision that marks a dramatic conclusion to what began as a highly anticipated chapter in both his managerial career and Real Madrid’s recent history. Alonso’s appointment on 25 May 2025 had been met with optimism after an impressive period at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the German side to domestic…

In the shifting landscape of English football, few stories have captured the attention of fans and talent scouts alike as much as the rise of Max Dowman, the 15-year-old midfielder currently making waves at Arsenal Football Club. His rapid progression from Hale End academy prospect to first-team contender represents both a success story and a case study in the modern academy contract system in elite football. As Arsenal formalises Dowman’s scholarship contract, experts are watching closely to see how his development is managed amid intense competition and regulatory constraints. With the Premier League and UEFA frameworks governing early contracts and…

After several years of sharp movement, mortgage rates in the UK have entered a period of relative stability. While rates remain higher than the ultra-low levels seen in the late 2010s, recent data suggests that pricing has become more predictable, offering households greater clarity when making borrowing decisions. This shift follows a prolonged period of adjustment in response to inflationary pressures and tighter monetary conditions. For both first-time buyers and existing borrowers, stability rather than rapid declines has become the defining feature of the current mortgage environment. Where Mortgage Rates Are Settling According to lending market data compiled by the…

Demand for social housing in the UK has continued to rise faster than supply, creating sustained pressure on local authorities and households. While private rental and home ownership markets attract much of the public attention, social housing plays a critical role in providing stable, affordable accommodation for lower-income households and those with specific needs. Official housing records indicate that the gap between households seeking social housing and the number of available homes has widened steadily over the past decade. This imbalance reflects long-term structural factors rather than short-term market fluctuations. Rising Waiting Lists Across Local Authorities Data compiled by the…

Planning policy plays a decisive role in determining how much housing is delivered in the UK and where that development takes place. Long before construction begins, decisions made through local plans, land allocation frameworks, and approval processes shape the scale and timing of new housing supply. While housing demand has remained elevated across much of the country, planning capacity and policy consistency vary widely between local authorities. This variation has become a central factor in explaining why housing delivery remains uneven despite sustained demand. Permissions Granted Versus Homes Delivered Official housing statistics show a persistent gap between the number of…

Rental affordability has become an increasingly prominent issue across the UK, with pressures varying significantly by region. While rising housing costs are often discussed at a national level, official data suggests that local factors play a decisive role in shaping rental outcomes for households. According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, average private rents have continued to increase across most regions, though the pace of growth has differed sharply between urban centres and less densely populated areas. These variations reflect differences in local demand, housing supply, and labour market conditions rather than a single national trend. Demand…

Housing supply has remained one of the most persistent structural challenges facing the UK economy. Despite repeated policy interventions and periods of strong construction activity, the number of homes built each year has continued to fall short of underlying demand. This imbalance has contributed to sustained affordability pressures, particularly in urban areas and regions with strong employment growth. Official figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that household formation has consistently outpaced new housing delivery over the past decade. Population growth, longer life expectancy, and changing household patterns have all added to demand, while supply-side constraints have proven…

In modern workplaces, conversations about productivity often revolve around software, training, and management strategies, yet one of the most powerful performance drivers is far more basic: temperature. The climate inside an office shapes how employees feel, think, and work, influencing everything from concentration and accuracy to mood and collaboration. As companies continue to optimize their environments for hybrid and in‑person teams, attention to heating and cooling systems is moving from the background to a core part of workplace strategy. Research and facilities experience consistently show that when office temperatures drift too high or too low, productivity drops and error rates…