4chan ridicules Ofcom again as watchdog chases unpaid £520k fine July 2, 2026 4chan has again mocked Ofcom after the regulator renewed demands for the controversial image generator to pay its £520,000 Online Safety Act fine, prompting its lawyer to respond with another AI-generated hamster. Preston Byrne, the US lawyer representing 4chan, posted on X on Thursday: “Ofcom wrote. Again. Demanding that 4chan pay its fine. Sent us [...]
Sumo’s London return shows the capital really is a global sport leader July 2, 2026 An astonishing thing is happening in Greenwich’s historic Borough Hall. The somewhat garish landmark of SE10, until next Wednesday, is at the epicentre of London’s love affair with Sumo. Having returned to the capital in 2025 for the first time since the early 1990s, Morning Wire revealed last month that the highest level of the [...]
OpenAI’s proposed ‘Trump stake’ raises ‘governance overhang’ fears ahead of IPO July 2, 2026 OpenAI’s proposal to hand the US government a five per cent stake in the AI firm has triggered fears that the move could complicate a future public listing. The ChatGPT maker has discussed giving the Trump administration a five per cent equity stake as part of a broader proposal that would see America’s leading AI [...]
Would a Burnham premiership deepen the North-South housing divide? July 2, 2026 The UK housing market remained subdued in June, as fallout from the Iran war and long-running cost and regulatory issues continued to plague the sector, but as we enter what promises to be a sizzling summer all eyes are on a possible recovery. Specifically, Manchester – from where the King in the North has emerged [...]
City watchdog suspends parts of £9bn motor finance scheme after industry backlash July 2, 2026 The UK’s financial watchdog has suspended parts of its under-fire £9bn motor finance redress scheme amid fierce backlash from industry and consumer groups. In a statement on Thursday, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the suspension will require firms to continue preparations for its scheme but avoid work that “may need to be repeated” if [...]
The Capitalist: Colonel Carns hosts delulu dinner for leadership bid July 2, 2026 Al Carns thinks he's still in with a shot, the Chancellor practices her times tables and Morning Wire get sporty; catch up on the latest gossip.
‘Good growth in every postcode’? Not in Greater Manchester July 2, 2026 Greater Manchester’s relative growth success story has not translated into a boom in earnings or income for people in outer boroughs, according to a new report. Oxford Economics research has suggested that “exceptional economic growth” has not translated into higher earnings or income growth around the region. Economists said high levels of inactivity and the [...]
Devolution is the shakeup Britain needs July 2, 2026 In France, Germany and Italy, productivity levels in second cities are 20 to 30 per cent higher than in the UK. Devolution could help.
Forvis Mazars and top partner hit with £600,000 fine for audit failings July 2, 2026 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has hit accountancy giant Forvis Mazars and a top partner at the firm, David Allen, with a combined £610,537 for audit failings relating to a retail firm listed on the London Stock Exchange’s main market. The FRC said it has issued the fines following an investigation into both Forvis Mazars [...]
On this day in 1940: Happy birthday Ken Clarke July 2, 2026 For many in parliament, it may feel as if he's always been there. But on this day, 2 July 1940, Kenneth Clarke was born.