Author: Edward Langley

ChatGPT users faced significant disruption on Monday as technical problems caused increased errors and slower response times across parts of OpenAI’s service. The incident affected multiple subscription tiers, with some users unable to start new tasks or continue existing work. OpenAI Confirms Problems Affecting ChatGPT Work OpenAI acknowledged the disruption on its official status page, saying it was “currently experiencing issues” and identifying ChatGPT among the affected services. According to the company, ChatGPT Work was experiencing elevated errors and latency. The problems meant that users on several subscription plans could encounter difficulties when attempting to launch or continue tasks. The…

UK second-hand retailer CeX appears to have confirmed plans to launch a dedicated retro gaming store in Birmingham, following earlier reports that the company is preparing to expand its presence in the growing market for classic and imported video games. The retailer’s website now includes a listing for a “Retro Birmingham” branch, providing the strongest indication yet that CeX intends to open a specialist shop focused on older games, consoles and potentially international imports. CeX Retro Birmingham Store Appears on Retailer’s Website Reports of CeX’s retro gaming plans first emerged earlier in August, when retro gaming YouTuber Retro Ghetto said…

Artificial intelligence has become one of the dominant forces shaping global financial markets, but soaring valuations and increasingly interconnected investments could pose significant risks to economic stability. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has warned that a sharp correction in AI-related companies could spread across borders and potentially contribute to a wider global downturn. Andrew Bailey Warns of ‘Disorderly’ AI Market Correction Andrew Bailey has raised concerns that financial markets remain vulnerable to a sudden fall in the valuations of artificial intelligence companies. Writing to G20 finance ministers meeting in North Carolina in the United States, Bailey said a future…

Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are driving stronger grass growth across some of Africa’s dry savannas, according to new research led by the University of Sheffield. Scientists say the trend could have significant implications for wildlife, wildfire activity and the global carbon cycle as atmospheric CO₂ concentrations continue to increase. Higher CO₂ levels help savanna grasses conserve water The research challenges a longstanding assumption about C₄ grasses, which dominate many tropical and subtropical savannas. These plants have generally been considered relatively unresponsive to increasing carbon dioxide because they already use an efficient form of photosynthesis suited to…

Fortnite’s latest Override update has introduced a new collection of developer-approved cheats, giving players access to Lobby Hack codes, special rewards and cheat codes scattered across the Battle Royale island. The additions range from character-themed Sprites and Sprite Dust to loading screens, Gizmos and other useful items. The update also brings several familiar video game characters into Fortnite, with some appearing as Sprites that can provide useful advantages during matches. Players can unlock a selection of these rewards through the Admin Panel before entering a game. Full list of Fortnite Lobby Hack codes and rewards The current Fortnite Lobby Hack…

Passengers using East Midlands Railway face further disruption after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union announced new strike dates as part of an ongoing dispute over alleged safety and reliability problems affecting the operator’s new Aurora trains. The dispute between the RMT and East Midlands Railway (EMR) has continued since April, with the union raising concerns about faults reported on the Class 810 fleet. EMR maintains that no safety-critical faults have been identified that would prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger services. Fresh strikes planned for August bank holiday and September RMT members are set to strike…

More than 46,000 music fans are expected to gather at Watergate Bay for this year’s Boardmasters festival, with around 90 artists set to perform across the weekend. Alongside established headline names, a new generation of South West musicians will also take the spotlight. The festival line-up includes Mercury Prize nominee Loyle Carner, singer-songwriter Joy Crookes and Brit Award-nominated jungle artist Nia Archives. All three artists received early backing from BBC Introducing, which supports unsigned and emerging musicians through radio exposure, live opportunities and festival partnerships. This year, BBC Introducing in the South West has worked with Boardmasters to help select…

Xbox players have another opportunity to try a selection of popular games at no additional cost through the latest Free Play Days promotion. This week’s lineup includes major titles such as NBA 2K26 and two entries from the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series, giving subscribers a range of action, sports and simulation experiences to explore. The limited-time offer allows eligible Xbox users to download and play selected titles before the promotion ends, with several games also available at discounted prices for those who decide to purchase them. Ghost Recon and NBA 2K26 Lead This Week’s Free Play Days Line-up The…

Passengers travelling through Bristol Airport are facing delays after an overnight closure disrupted flight operations. The airport temporarily suspended all activity following the discovery of a runway defect, with services restarting after safety checks and repairs were completed. Bristol Airport Suspends Flights Over Runway Issue Operations at Bristol Airport were halted on the evening of Friday 7 August after a defect was identified on part of the runway. The closure was described as a precautionary measure, allowing airport teams to inspect the affected area and carry out necessary repairs before flights could resume. Bristol Airport confirmed that services restarted at…

A remarkable partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of the UK on 12 August 2026, offering one of the best opportunities in decades to witness the phenomenon from British skies. While the eclipse will be total over parts of the Atlantic and other regions, observers in London can still expect around 90% of the Sun to be obscured, making it a memorable event for astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike. A Rare Solar Eclipse for UK Skywatchers According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the August 2026 eclipse will provide the greatest coverage seen across the UK and Ireland since…