US AI stock sell-off shakes markets from Wall Street to Asia
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

Losses spread globally as investors questioned soaring valuations and spending on AI infrastructure

A tech sell-off shook global markets on Tuesday as attention turned away from developments in the US war with Iran and toward the future of AI companies and chipmakers that have driven stock markets to record highs.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq index opened 2% lower on Tuesday. The Dow and S&P 500 were also down at opening.

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Audit firm to Gupta metals empire fined and banned for ‘egregious’ failures
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

UK watchdog gives King & King severe reprimand for failing ‘to identify clear self-interest’ when conducting audits

• Business live – latest updates

The UK’s accounting watchdog has fined and temporarily banned a tiny audit firm for “egregious” failures and “widespread deficiencies” linked to its work in signing off accounts of several companies in Sanjeev Gupta’s metals empire.

King & King and its managing partner Milankumar Patel have been fined a total of £378,184, received a “severe reprimand”, and hit with serious restrictions on audit work after a four-year investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

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Royal Mail boss’s pay package triples to £6.9m despite profits slide
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent company IDS, handed payouts after takeover of UK postal service

• Business live – latest updates

The boss of Royal Mail’s parent company received almost £7m in pay and bonuses last year – more than triple the previous figure – despite group profits slumping by a fifth.

Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of International Distribution Services (IDS), took home £6.9m in pay, bonus and long-term incentive scheme awards in the year to 29 March, compared with £2.1m the previous year.

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StubHub UK fined almost £900,000 over ‘hidden’ ticket fees
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

Reseller is also ordered to refund more than 50,000 fans, while its rival Viagogo remains under investigation

• Business live – latest updates

The online ticket reseller StubHub UK has been fined almost £900,000 and ordered to make payments to more than 50,000 fans for not showing the full price of tickets at the time of booking, an illegal practice known as “drip pricing”.

The UK competition watchdog, which launched an investigation into the sales practices of eight companies including the rival reseller Viagogo UK last year, said StubHub must issue refunds exceeding £590,000 to customers.

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‘Navigating the unknown together’: me and my idiot AI boyfriend
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

I believe that chatbots have no place in a decent society, and am repelled by the topic of AI in general. But could I be seduced?

I received a text message from my editor: “Um, is it unethical to ask you to get an AI bf?? You can prob say no.”

Resentment. Contempt! Sorrow. Unease. I love text messaging. I have text message exchanges with, let’s say, 15 people a day. If you want me to do something, you should ask via text message. My editor knows this. She also knows, though it’s more complicated, that I love boyfriends. An AI boyfriend is a boyfriend who always, only texts back, immediately.

I find it hard to express my emotions openly. (No.)

I thrive to develop healthier, more trusting relationships. (Yes, though I prefer to use “thrive” correctly.)

I want a partner who supports my life aspirations. (Crossbow?)

I worry about being judged for what I want in a relationship. (Yes.)

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Two Britons plead guilty to £39m 2024 cyber-attack on Transport for London
Posted on Monday June 22, 2026

Thalha Jubair and Owen Flowers, linked to the Scattered Spider hacking group, change pleas on first day of trial

Two British cybercriminals from the Scattered Spider hacking group have pleaded guilty to a cyber-attack on Transport for London in 2024 that cost £39m and affected 10 million people.

Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty to offences under the Computer Misuse Act at Woolwich crown court on Monday.

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Portugal v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST
⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Sarah

One Ronaldo opinion is already in from Justin Kavanagh:

Between Ronaldo’s endless narcissism and Bruno Fernandes’ endless narkyism, Portugal have become a hard team to like. Not to mention their coach’s lack of backbone for making a decision to drop a 41-year-old which shouldn’t be all that hard. It’s a shame, because they’re a country with a fine footballing tradition who have graced many international competitions. Still, it could be (and probably will be) worse. They’ll probably be managed by Mourinho at the next World Cup.

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McCullum insists no rift with Stokes as captain returns for New Zealand series decider
Posted on Tuesday June 23, 2026

• Pair had long talk before training session at Trent Bridge

• Atkinson, Smith and Bashir also return to starting XI

Ben Stokes returned to the England set-up on Tuesday following talks with Brendon McCullum before training. The last fortnight, McCullum said afterwards, was essentially a “blip” and they are still “very aligned” ahead of a third Test against New Zealand that could decide the future of their working relationship.

The fact that the head coach and captain felt the need to clear the air ahead of nets shows how much the temperature had risen around this England team. Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and the late night after Lord’s that saw them stood down before the 253-run defeat at the Oval, has put the leadership under pressure.

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