Stay Informed, Stay Ahead

Natalie Johnston's experience reflects a wider trend of increasing one-child families due to financial and lifestyle factors. The decline in birth rates in England and Wales is part of a global fertility slump attributed to economic challenges and changing social dynamics. Efforts to bridge this 'fertility gap,' such as expanding childcare funding, are underway, though experts highlight that societal norms and delayed family planning contribute to fewer births than desired.

The UK government has announced plans to eradicate child homelessness in bed and breakfasts and improve childcare accessibility for families on Universal Credit, aiming to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030. Key measures include ending unlawful long-term B&B placements and removing the two-child benefit cap. The plan is part of a larger child poverty strategy in response to shock over the deaths of children attributed to temporary accommodation conditions. While the government's initiative has received praise from charities, it has also drawn calls for more comprehensive changes.

Jonathan Armstrong, a sub-postmaster affected by the faulty Horizon accounting software, died before receiving his full compensation. His widow, Sarah, believes the stress from being wrongly accused played a significant role in his health deterioration. Efforts for justice for those impacted by the scandal continue.

US lawmakers are growing concerned that China may land humans on the Moon before NASA returns with its Artemis Program. Recent discussions in a congressional subcommittee have reviewed NASA's strategies, and former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin criticized the current approach that relies on unproven technologies.

Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, previously convicted for State Department hacks, have been charged for trying to delete sensitive government data mere minutes after losing their contractor positions. Despite initial successes, their attempt to cover up the crime using AI assistance failed, leading to another round of charges.

Kohler's new smart toilet product, the Dekoda, is under scrutiny for its privacy claims after an engineer raised concerns about the application of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) with its built-in camera. The discussion has sparked a wider examination of how privacy is maintained in devices that record sensitive activities, such as those within a toilet bowl.

SoFi's shares fell nearly 6% following its announcement of a $1.5 billion stock offering. Despite the dip, the company's market cap has almost doubled in 2025, with substantial revenue and net income growth reported.

As more firms market complex exchange-traded funds like leveraged and inverse ETFs, individual investors are drawn to the potential for significant gains. However, recent market volatility amplifies the risk of losses. Experts warn that these products may underperform, especially in unpredictable markets, while the rapid development of options trading has made the market increasingly difficult for retail investors to navigate.

Kalshi partners with Solana to offer tokenized versions of its event contract wagers, attracting crypto users for increased liquidity and competitive pricing.