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  • Sony Raises PlayStation Prices in Tough Market

    Sony Raises PlayStation Prices in Tough Market

    If you’ve been planning to buy Sony’s PlayStation 5, expect to pay a bit more.

    “Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment,” the tech company wrote in a company blog post Wednesday (Aug. 20). “As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. starting on Aug. 21.”

    The company is recommending $50 price hikes for the three versions of the video game console, meaning the standard PlayStation 5 would now sell for $549.99, the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for $499.99, and the PlayStation 5 Pro for $749.99, the post said.

    Sony is the last of the big three video game companies to raise prices, Ars Technica reported Wednesday. Microsoft increased Xbox prices in March, while Nintendo has gone through two rounds of price hikes, one for Switch and Switch 2 accessories in April and a second for other accessories and Switch 1 consoles earlier this month.

    Such price increases would have been inconceivable a decade ago, as console makers typically lowered prices because of aging hardware, the report said. However, tariffs imposed by the White House have made it more expensive to bring consoles to the United States and are affecting shipping rates, as well as manufacturing and assembling costs.

    Tariff-related costs and a decline in consumer confidence have led to a drop in spending and caused many retailers to lower their forecasts.

    During an earnings call Wednesday, Target Chief Financial Officer Jim Lee said the retailer is taking a “cautious approach” for the back half of the year.

    Meanwhile, Home Depot said during an earnings call Tuesday (Aug. 19) that it is maintaining its guidance, while rival Lowe’s indicated during its earnings call Wednesday that it will continue to be challenged by the effects of high mortgage rates and consumer caution for the remainder of the year.

    As PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster wrote in a column this week, consumers are already seeking ways to cut back on their retail spending. That can mean everything from grocery shoppers swapping out branded goods for private labels to families putting off appliance replacements to people deciding that some aspects of their healthcare can now be discretionary.

    “Tariffs amplify this shift,” Webster wrote. “They are a silent tax that households and businesses ultimately pay. Importers pass the costs on, and consumers encounter them in checkout lanes and grocery aisles. Essentials consume more of the budget, and discretionary categories shrink.”

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  • Doja Cat announces first-ever arena tour dates across Australia and New Zealand on ‘Ma Vie World Tour’

    RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO “JEALOUS TYPE”
    LISTEN HERE / WATCH HERE

    DojaCat-JealousType

    FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM VIE SET TO BE RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 26TH
    PRE-SAVE ALBUM HERE
    WATCH ALBUM TRAILER HERE

    MELBOURNE, Friday August 22, 2025: GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat has today announced the “Ma Vie World Tour”, with dates confirmed for New Zealand and Australia on her first-ever arena tour across the region. It will also include stops in Manila, Tokyo, and more, before wrapping on Sunday, December 21 in Kaohsiung at Kaohsiung Arena. The announcement follows her highly successful 2023 outing, “The Scarlet Tour”.

    The “Ma Vie World Tour” will launch on Tuesday November 18 in Auckland at Spark Arena, followed by Perth’s RAC Arena on Saturday November 22, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Tuesday November 25, Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday November 29, concluding in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Monday December 1.

    TICKETS – NZ + AUS: 
    Tickets for the New Zealand and Australia dates will be available starting with an artist presale on Monday August 25 at 10am local time, running until Thursday August 28 at 10am.

    NZ:
    One NZ
    One NZ customers can be among the first to secure tickets during a 48-hour presale starting Monday 25 August at 10am. Head to one.nz/music.

    Mastercard
    Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in New Zealand. Mastercard Presale starts Monday 25 August at 10am and ends Thursday 28 August at 10am. Plus, Preferred ticket access to some of the best tickets are available from Thursday 28 August at 11am. Check out priceless.com/music for details.

    Live Nation
    The Live Nation Presale starts Wednesday August 27 at 10am running until Thursday August 28 at 10am or until allocation is exhausted. To access presale tickets, sign up now at livenation.co.nz/register.

    AU:
    Vodafone
    Vodafone mobile customers can be among the first to secure tickets during a 48 hour presale commencing 10am Monday, August 25. Visit vodafone.com.au/ticket to find out more.

    Commbank Yello Mastercard
    Eligible CommBank Yello customers with a CommBank Mastercard have special access to presale tickets starting from Monday 25 August at 10am until Thursday 28 August at 10am as well as access to exclusive preferred tickets from Thursday 28 August at 11am (local time). Tickets are available exclusively to eligible CommBank Yello customers using a CommBank Mastercard at checkout. Visit www.commbank.com.au/mastercardpresales to find out more.

    Live Nation
    The Live Nation Presale starts Wednesday August 27 at 10am running until Thursday August 28 at 10am or until allocation is exhausted. To access presale tickets, sign up now at livenation.com.au/register.

    General onsale will begin Thursday August 28 at 11am at dojacat.com/tour.
    All times are local.

    VIP: The “Ma Vie World Tour” will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert adventure to the next level. Packages vary but include tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merch item, early entry into the venue & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit https://www.livenation.com.au/vipexperiences or https://www.livenation.co.nz/vipexperiences

    In further exciting news for fans, Doja Cat returns with her new single and music video “Jealous Type” out now via Kemosabe Records/ RCA Records – click HERE to listen / click HERE to watch. Doja Cat’s new track “Jealous Type” was produced by Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lorde) and Y2K (Ariana Grande, Tate McRae), with the music video directed by Boni Mata and filmed in Los Angeles. Doja Cat first teased her new track “Jealous Type” in her Summer ’25 campaign with Marc Jacobs. “Jealous Type” will appear on her highly anticipated fifth studio album, Vie, which is slated for release on September 26th. Pre-save album HERE.

    Most recently, Doja Cat headlined the 2025 Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco, CA. During her electrifying set, she surprised fans by debuting “Jealous Type” live on stage. Following her performance, she hosted a surprise album listening after-party at San Francisco’s legendary drag venue, Oasis, where a select group of fans received an exclusive first listen to tracks from her forthcoming album, Vie.

    Last year, Doja Cat released her deluxe album Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. The deluxe featured previously released hits such as “Attention”, “Paint The Town Red”, “Agora Hills”, alongside a collection of brand-new tracks and features. Doja Cat’s hit single “Paint The Town Red” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first rap song to reach the top spot in 2023. The track also held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Global 200 chart for four consecutive weeks. Additionally, her fan-favorite track “Agora Hills” reached No. 1 on Top 40 Radio in February 2024, marking her eighth No. 1 at the format. “Agora Hills” also peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

    DojaCat-1080x1080-AUNZ


    MA VIE WORLD TOUR 2025 DATES
    NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

    SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
    TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18
    RAC ARENA, PERTH
    SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22
    ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE
    TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25
    BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, BRISBANE
    SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29

    QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY
    MONDAY DECEMBER 1
    General tickets onsale Thursday, August 28 at 11am at http://dojacat.com/tour.

    Artist Presale: Monday, August 25 at 10am – Thursday August 28 at 10am
    One NZ: Monday August 25 at 10am – Wednesday August 27 at 10am
    Mastercard NZ: Monday August 25 at 10am – Thursday August 28 at 10am
    Vodafone: Monday August 25 at 10am  – Wednesday August 27 at 10am
    Commbank Yello Mastercard: Monday August 25 at 10am – Thursday August 28 at 10am
    Live Nation: Wednesday August 27 at 10am – Thursday August 28 at 10am
    All times are local.


    MA VIE WORLD TOUR 2025 – INTERNATIONAL DATES
    Dec 07 – Manila – SM Mall of Asia Arena
    Dec 10 – Singapore – Singapore Indoor Stadium
    Dec 13 – Seoul – Kintex Hall 10
    Dec 15 – Tokyo – K-Arena Yokohama
    Dec 18 – Bangkok – Impact Exhibition Hall 5-6
    Dec 21 – Kaohsiung – Kaohsiung Arena

    DOJA Alternative Press 1

    About DOJA CAT:
    GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at just 16 years old. Having grown up in and around the LA area, she developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid and listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and more. Signed to Kemosabe/RCA Records in 2014, she released her Purrr! EP followed that with her debut album Amala in spring 2018, but it was her August 2018 release of “MOOO!” which catapulted her into the mainstream and was met with critical acclaim. 

    Doja Cat released her sophomore GRAMMY-nominated platinum album Hot Pink in November 2019 to mass critical acclaim; the album has garnered 7 billion streams worldwide. It features “Streets”, the viral sensation that soundtracked the ‘Silhouette Challenge,’ one of the biggest TikTok trends to date, and her GRAMMY-nominated #1 smash record “Say So” which has been RIAA certified 6x platinum and catapulted Doja Cat into global superstardom.  

    With over 36 billion worldwide streams to date, Doja Cat’s creativity and showmanship as a performer have been praised time and time again, she has delivered unique and show-stopping performances on nearly all the major Award Show stages and music festivals throughout the world. Doja Cat’s GRAMMY award-winning album Planet Her came out in June 2021 and dominated the charts, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and generated the highest first day Spotify streams for an album by a female rapper. GRAMMY award-winning “Kiss Me More” ft. SZA, the lead single off Planet Her is certified 5x platinum by the RIAA and hit #1 at Top 40 and Rhythm radio with over 3 billion streams worldwide. That fall, Doja Cat became the first rapper to have 3 songs in the Top 10 at Top 40 radio.

    Her hit track “Woman” went to the top of the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay charts which ascended her to become the first woman to have four #1 hits from one album, other hits including “You Right” with The Weeknd and “Need to Know.” She went on to land at #1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart for the first time. Amongst others, Doja Cat has won 5 AMAs, 5 Billboard Music Awards, 5 MTV VMAs, 3 BMI Awards, 2 MTV EMAs, 1 GRAMMY Award, and 1 NAACP Image Award along with garnering a total of 19 GRAMMY Award nominations. Additionally, Doja Cat has been nominated for 20 Billboard Music Awards, 18 MTV VMAs, 9 AMAs, 10 BET Awards, 8 MTV EMAs, 5 BMI Awards, and dozens more. Doja Cat was named one of TIME100’s Most Influential People of 2023, where she was featured on the April 2023 cover issue and performed at the TIME100 Gala in New York City.  

    In September 2023, Doja Cat released her fourth studio album, Scarlet, which has been RIAA certified platinum and features smash hits “Agora Hills” (RIAA certified 2x platinum) and “Paint The Town Red” (RIAA certified 4x platinum). After releasing Scarlet, Doja Cat went on her first-ever North American headline tour, “The Scarlet Tour”. In April 2024, Doja Cat released her latest deluxe album, Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. In that same month, Doja Cat headlined Coachella 2024 and delivered an unforgettable performance. Doja Cat continues to redefine global pop stardom with her boundary-pushing artistry and undeniable impact on music and culture, solidifying her place as one of the most influential voices of her generation.

    Buy/Stream “Jealous Type”:
    Multi: https://dojacat.lnk.to/jealoustype
    YouTube: https://dojacat.lnk.to/JealousTypeVideo

    Pre-Save Vie:
    https://dojacat.lnk.to/vie

    Follow Doja Cat at:
    Instagram |  Facebook | Twitter | YouTube


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  • Coco Gauff Faces Difficult Draw At U.S. Open

    Coco Gauff Faces Difficult Draw At U.S. Open

    If Coco Gauff is to win a second U.S. Open crown in three years, she will likely have to navigate one of the more difficult draws on the women’s side.

    The No. 3 seed and 2023 U.S. Open champion, Gauff opens play against Asla Tomljanovic, ranked No. 84 in the world.

    Gauff, who recently hired Gavin MacMillan to work with her on her serve, could face four-time major champion and No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.

    After that, Gauff could potentially have to beat three other major winners, including Australian Open champion and fellow American No. 6 Madison Keys in the quarters.

    In the semis, Gauff was drawn to meet Iga Swiatek, the No. 2 seed who is coming off winning the Cincinnati Open on hardcourts and also won Wimbledon this summer.

    In the final, Gauff could potentially meet defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, winner of three hardcourt majors.

    Gauff, the highest-paid women’s tennis player in 2025 at $35.2 million, did not participate in the highly successful Mixed Doubles event this week at the U.S. Open, preferring not to “waste mental energy” on it, so she could focus on singles.

    She now has a new coaching team in place, with an aim to improve her troubled serve. She was out with MacMillan on Arthur Ashe on Wednesday – and the practice courts – to work on her serve.

    “She wants to get better and she’s open to hearing from different people,” Patrick McEnroe said on an ESPN call.

    “But it does tell you that there continues to be a problem with her serve, as it’s been consistently inconsistent.”

    Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert last year after Gauff’s fourth-round exit at the U.S. Open, where she failed to defend her title.

    Gauff is 4-4 since winning Roland Garros and lost to Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.

    “It’s crazy how quickly you can lose your confidence,” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez said this week on air. “You win a Grand Slam title and you think you’re riding this wave and it’s going to carry over and it doesn’t always happen. For Coco, she had a really tough draw at Wimbledon, playing [Dayana] Yastremska in the first round, a big powerful hitter, so that was I think unfortunate for her not being able to work her way into the tournament.

    “And then on the hardcourts she has struggled, primarily with her serve. I think that’s the one shot that if she can settle down and find a way to feel confident that she’s going to make a majority of her first serves and rely on what she did a couple years ago, winning when she wasn’t playing her best and making her opponents beat her some how, making it more physical, then I think she’ll get back to it. But right now, for me, it’s mental.”

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  • Karen Gillan to be tragically outlived by Henry Cavill’s Highlander

    Karen Gillan to be tragically outlived by Henry Cavill’s Highlander

    Although he’s been talking it up for years, it’s starting to sound like Chad Stahelski’s efforts to reboot cult ’80s action-fantasy flick Highlander are finally genuinely coming to fruition. We’ve previously reported on a bunch of big names signing on to the Henry Cavill-led film, including Russell Crowe in the part previously filled by Sean Connery, and Dave Bautista as the new movie’s take on baddie Clancy Brown. Now THR reports that MCU veteran Karen Gillan has just signed on to the remake from the John Wick director, where she’ll play the loving wife of Cavill’s title character—who, given the whole “married to an immortal swordfighter” thing, is probably due for some kind of tragic ending.

    For those unfamiliar with Highlander, the basic thing you need to know is that he’s one of the princes of the universe; no man can be his equal; he’s got to be the ruler of you all. Also, he’s a guy living in 16th century Scotland who finds out he’s immortal in the most direct way possible, i.e., when someone sticks a sharp piece of metal through his chest, kicking off several centuries of swordfights and, occasionally, moping about non-immortal dead wives. Cavill’s been attached to the part previously played by Christopher Lambert for years at this point, even as Stahelski’s reputation has continued to grow on the backs of four consistently kickass (if also sometimes highly convoluted) John Wick movies. Production on the remake finally picked up some momentum earlier this year, as Crowe and Industry‘s Marisa Abela both signed on for the movie, which is supposed to go into production next month. (Bautista formally signed a deal just a few weeks ago, but his name’s been associated with this thing for a full decade at this point.)

    Gillan’s casting suggests that Stahelski is going to hew pretty closely to the plot of Russell Mulcahy’s 1986 original, right down to her character keeping the same name, Heather, that Beatie Edney sported in the original film. (She’s also actually Scottish, something of a rarity for a franchise extremely happy to pass a French-American off as a Scottish Highlander, and its only genuinely Scottish star as an immortal Spaniard.) Gillan most recently appeared on film in Mike Flanagan’s The Life Of Chuck; she also still regularly fulfills her franchise duties, voicing Guardians Of The Galaxy member Nebula as recently as last year’s third season of What If…?

    More from A.V. Club

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  • Stonehenge cow’s tooth provides fresh clue on monument’s origins

    Stonehenge cow’s tooth provides fresh clue on monument’s origins

    Getty Images Stonehenge seen with the sun behind and sun beams streaming through the large stones placed in a circle and lighting up the hills and fields behind.Getty Images

    Scientists have seen evidence for the first time linking cattle remains from Stonehenge to Wales

    New analysis of a Neolithic cow’s tooth found at Stonehenge shows the animal likely came from Wales, and reinforces theories that cattle helped to transport the enormous stones.

    The tooth, from a cow’s jawbone found beside the ancient monument’s south entrance in 1924, was analysed by scientists from the British Geological Society, Cardiff University and University College London.

    They sliced it into nine horizontal sections and analysed it for clues about the animal’s diet, environment and movement.

    Their work offers evidence for the first time of links between cattle remains at Stonehenge and Wales, at the time when the bluestone megaliths were moved to the site.

    “It is another tie between Stonehenge and Wales,” Prof Jane Evans, from the British Geological Society, said.

    “You can tell that the animal has been grazing on the Palaeozoic rock, typical of those found in Wales, particularly in and around where bluestones are found,” she said.

    While bluestones are also found in the Lake District and Scotland, Prof Evans said the evidence clearly pointed to the animal coming from Wales.

    “We’re beginning to see so many connections between Wales and Stonehenge. Not only is it the closest rock, but there are other links as well,” she added.

    The study also offers the first new piece of evidence since research from 2018 that the boulders were taken to the ancient site with the help of cattle, rather than being dragged there by humans.

    “There’s been no evidence that cattle were used as beasts of burden in the Neolithic, but that changed in 2018 when there was a paper that showed that oxen had structures in their feet that were typical of animals that were pulling additional weight and working of beasts of burden,” Prof Evans said.

    “It feeds into this new narrative that cattle were perhaps important as beasts of burden,” she said, adding that cows could be used to carry more lightweight kit.

    The jawbone dates back to the monument’s very beginning in 2995 to 2900 BC and was placed in a ritually significant place.

    Since its discovery, researchers have speculated about what the animal meant to the population building the monument near Salisbury in south-west England.

    The molar, about an inch (2.5cm) tall, would have grown incrementally, with the bottom near the gum the youngest part and the tooth representing six months of life for the animal from winter to summer during its second year.

    The researchers were able to measure carbon, oxygen, strontium and lead isotopes from the tooth which revealed changes to the animal’s diet with the seasons and showed seasonal food sources came from different geological areas.

    This suggests the cow either moved seasonally or that winter fodder was imported, they said.

    The lead isotopes revealed composition spikes during the late winter to spring, pointing to a lead source that was older than the lead in the rest of the tooth, the research found.

    “The composition suggests the cow originated from an area with Palaeozoic rocks, such as the bluestones found in Wales, before moving to Stonehenge,” the scientists concluded.

    “This is yet more fascinating evidence for Stonehenge’s link with south-west Wales, where its bluestones come from,” said Michael Parker Pearson, professor of British later prehistory at University College London.

    He added that it raised the “tantalising possibility” that cattle helped to haul the stones.

    Reuters People gathered around the Stonehenge as the sky turns a pinky orange. There is a light layer of cloud. Reuters

    The jawbone dates back to the monument’s very beginning in 2995 to 2900 BC and was placed in a ritually significant place

    The scientists also concluded that the cow was likely female and pregnant or nursing during the tooth’s formation

    “To me, this was one of the more interesting aspects of the study,” said Prof Evans.

    She added the thought that researchers were now looking at a more domestic aspect or practical aspect of how the stones were moved was also “quite a new step”.

    Moving the stones from their origins in the Preseli Mountains in west and south Wales to Stonehenge would probably have taken two to four months, she said.

    “You’ve got to have food supplies. A turnover of people and animals to help pulling. You’re probably going to have all the domestic requirements of living on the land,” Prof Evans said.

    The people moving them may also have been based in Stonehenge for a longer period while the stone was being put in place.

    The research has led to more questions about the wider practicalities of the stone movement for the whole community, she said.

    “It’s rarely considered that women were involved,” Prof Evans pointed out.

    “Surely they’ve got to have been there. And probably as many women as men, and children,” she said. “Making food, providing accommodation, there’s a lot involved.”

    Scientists might now try to strengthen their conclusions by providing more evidence of Welsh origins through cattle remains.

    “So much research around Stonehenge has been surprising and unpredicted in the last few years,” Prof Evans said. “But now we’re looking at people and animals.”

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  • Schroder, Wagner help Germany overcome Spain in OT thriller

    Schroder, Wagner help Germany overcome Spain in OT thriller

    The official EuroBasket app

    MADRID (Spain) – Student beating the master? Well, we could describe Germany’s 106-105 win over Spain this way.

    After all, Alex Mumbru has won tons of medals representing his country under Sergio Scariolo’s coaching instructions, with Dennis Schroder coming up clutch for Germany.

    We perhaps weren’t expecting such a crazy outcome, with Spain first returning into the game’s picture and forcing overtime; then, La Roja almost ran away in the extra period, but the reigning World champions reacted.

    Schroder and Franz Wagner were the absolute protagonists for the winners. The team’s captain ended with a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists, followed by the swingman adding 19 points and 7 assists in the win.

    For Spain, which will try getting revenge in two days in Cologne, Dario Brizuela had a 20-point losing effort. He must have felt in a good mood, wanting to express gratitude to the legend Sergio Llull, celebrated by his people.

    While Germany are on a 4-1 record in friendly games ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025, after this defeat, Spain find themselves exactly on an opposite run, having won only against Czechia out of their five preparation encounters.

    The best news for them? Everybody was counting the Spanish national team out in 2022 as well, and then they came out on top as FIBA EuroBasket champions. Again.

    FIBA

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  • Kendall Jenner shuts down cosmetic surgery buzz with recent post

    Kendall Jenner shuts down cosmetic surgery buzz with recent post



    Kendall Jenner shuts down cosmetic surgery buzz with recent post

    Kendall Jenner revealed the secret behind her famously full lips on Thursday, shutting down once again the idea that she relied on fillers.

    The 29 year old model, who 0has long faced speculation about cosmetic procedures, demonstrated how her look came together during a casual tutorial filmed at her Los Angeles home.

    Kendell appeared in a yellow dress with lace details as she sat in her backyard, pulling her brunette hair back into a clip before walking viewers through the steps of her routine.

    The reality star lined her lips carefully then finished with a glossy coat that created the illusion of a plumper pout.

    Experts note that makeup techniques like overlining, paired with lip gloss, can make lips appear temporarily fuller by boosting definition and shine. However, the effect lasts only a few hours but is enough to give the lifted shape that Kendall is often praised for.

    Furthermore, Kendall Jenner has repeatedly denied ever using fillers, crediting her look instead to clever makeup tricks.

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  • UK Financial Services Reform: Strategic Opportunities for Asset Managers | Insights

    The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at recalibrating the regulatory environment, unlocking productive capital, and reinforcing the country’s status as a global financial hub. For asset managers, these changes present new opportunities and potentially a more agile landscape for growth and innovation. The reforms are structured around four key pillars:

    1. Rolling Back Over-Regulation
    2. Targeted Changes Leveraging UK Strengths
    3. Reforming Capital Requirements
    4. Boosting Retail Investment

    Key Proposals for Asset Managers

    Major Regulatory Reforms 

    A number of key regulatory reforms have been proposed, including:

    1. Regulatory processes are being streamlined, with new targets for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to expedite authorisations and approvals. This will be welcome for new entrants to the market. 
    2.  The FCA is also reviewing the impact of the Consumer Duty to ensure it does not unduly affect wholesale activities and hamper growth. This will benefit asset managers marketing products to retail investors (which has been an increasing market for asset managers).
    3. Additionally, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime will be simplified, reducing compliance burdens by 50% and significantly shortening approval timelines – enabling firms to attract and onboard talent more efficiently. This will be helpful for firms although the introduction of rules on non – financial misconduct will have an impact in this area – see our post here.
    4. Whilst less relevant for institutional asset managers, a significant overhaul of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is proposed, including a ten-year limit for claims and a reduction in the interest rate applied before decisions. These changes will expedite consumer redress and reduce financial burdens for firms.

    Driving Innovation

    The government is futureproofing the regulatory regime for asset managers, with draft legislation expected in early 2026. Sustainable finance remains a priority, but rather than implementing a rigid green taxonomy, the government will collaborate with regulators through the Transition Finance Council to unlock the £200 billion opportunity in the global transition to net zero. Recognizing the UK’s leadership in Fintech – with nearly half of Europe’s Fintechs based in the UK – the PRA and FCA are launching a scale-up unit to support innovative firms, particularly in payments, ensuring the UK remains a magnet for financial technology investment.

    The reforms also advance the UK’s position in digital assets, with initiatives to develop blockchain technology, tokenised securities, stablecoins, and an ambitious new digital gilt instrument. These steps are designed to place UK financial services at the forefront of digital asset innovation.

    Another notable feature is the introduction of a new “concierge service” by the Office for Investment, launching in October. This tailored service will support firms – especially new entrants and innovative businesses – through the FCA authorisation process, making the UK’s regulatory environment more accessible and attractive for investment and competition. Whilst less relevant for asset managers directly this may be helpful for portfolio companies. 

    Empowering Savers and Retail Investment

     Of particular interest for asset managers looking to target retail capital, the reforms include measures to broaden retail investment, such as permitting Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs) within stocks and shares ISAs and further enhancements to ISA rules in the coming months. The government is committed to improving outcomes for UK savers and the economy, working with the FCA to introduce targeted consumer support ahead of the new financial year. A campaign to promote the benefits of retail investment will launch next April, and a review of risk warnings is underway taking into account that we are too focused on highlighting the risks of investments without highlighting the benefits -– recommendations are expected in January.

    This drive by the UK government is accompanied by the FCA’s announcement in July that it will consult on its client categorisation rules giving the market the opportunity to shape the rules to ensure that they remain proportionate for firms dealing with wealthy and very experienced investors. The timing of the consultation has not been announced and firms should keep an eye on any development in this area over the next half of 2025. Any changes to the client categorisation system will be welcome to asset managers who are increasingly accessing broader pools of capital, including from high-net-worth individual investors. 

    Conclusion

    These reforms represent a decisive commitment to growth, innovation, and competitiveness in UK financial services. For asset managers, they potentially offer a more flexible regulatory framework and expanded opportunities to drive value for clients, attract retail capital and the broader economy.

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  • 4 Foods High in Calcium (That Aren’t Dairy), According to Nutrition Experts

    4 Foods High in Calcium (That Aren’t Dairy), According to Nutrition Experts

    You might remember the milk mustaches from the Got Milk? ads of the ‘90s. That’s because dairy has long been the poster child for calcium, a mineral most famous for keeping our bones strong. But calcium does so much more than that, from supporting nerve and muscle function to preventing blood clots. “More than 99% of your body’s calcium is located in your bones and teeth,” explains registered dietitian Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND. Meanwhile, the other 1% helps with “muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting,” adds registered dietitian, Avery Zenker, RD, MAN. 

    And calcium’s benefits don’t stop there. “A diet with plenty of foods containing calcium may reduce the risk of developing benign tumors in the colon that may eventually lead to cancer,” Dr. Blake says.

    According to the National Institutes of Health, most adults should get approximately 1,000 mg per day. Women over 50 and men over 70 need a little more, ideally getting close to 1,200 mg per day. You’ve probably heard of fortified foods like orange juice and plant-based milk, which provide about the same calcium as a glass of dairy milk (approximately 300 mg in 1 cup). Canned fish with edible bones—including sardines, salmon, and mackerel—are another excellent source. But there are plenty of other foods, some surprising, that deliver a healthy dose of calcium.

    Leafy Greens

    Leafy greens are one of the biggest carriers of salmonella.
    Credit: (Photo: Africa Studios/Shutterstock)

    While collard greens are one of the more popular high-calcium vegetables, offering 440 mg of calcium in 1 cup, they’re not the only leafy option worth piling on your plate.

    • Amaranth leaves: 284 mg calcium in one cup
    • Kale: 177 mg calcium in one cup cooked
    • Dandelion greens: 147 mg calcium in one cup cooked
    • Bok Choy: 158 mg calcium in one cup cooked
    • Broccoli: 60 mg calcium in one cup cooked
    • Broccoli rabe: 200 mg calcium in one cup cooked

    One note of caution: some leafy greens—like spinach, okra, swiss chard, and beet greens—are high in oxalates, which bind to calcium and make it harder to be absorbed. “Light steaming or [sauteing] helps reduce oxalates,” says dentist Dr. Sandip Sachar, DDS. For an easy, budget-friendly option, Dr. Blake recommends buying these veggies frozen and tossing them into soups, casseroles, stir-fries, and side dishes.

    Grains and Seeds

    Antinutrients are found in many plant-based foods like legumes, grains and seeds.
    Credit: barmalini/Shutterstock

    Seeds and grains aren’t just about carbs or fiber for digestion—they’re also tiny packages of calcium and other micronutrients.

    • Amaranth: 116 mg of calcium per cup cooked
    • Poppy seeds: 260 mg calcium per two tablespoons (almost as much as a cup of milk)
    • Chia seeds: 167 mg calcium per two tablespoons
    • Sesame seeds: 88 mg calcium per one tablespoon

    Dry Snacks

    Credit:

    Plateresca/Getty Images


    Sometimes calcium hides in the foods you already reach for between meals. From dried fruit, to edamame to seaweed, these snackable sources can sneak in an extra boost. Just keep an eye out for sugar and sodium. 

    • Dried figs: 120 mg per 1.4 oz (approximately four figs). Just remember, Dr. Sachar recommends rinsing your mouth with water after eating, since sticky dried fruit can cling to teeth and feed bacteria
    • Seaweed (Wakame): 150 mg calcium per cup, just watch the sodium
    • Shelled edamame: 100 mg calcium in one cup cooked

    Fortified Foods

    White Bean Soup.
    Credit: Alexandra Grablewski/Digital Vision/Getty Images

    Everyday basics like tofu or tortillas can be surprisingly rich in calcium, but check the nutrition label, since calcium levels depend on whether the brand is fortified.

    • Tofu: 250-300 mg calcium in 3.5 oz.
    • White beans: 160 mg calcium in one cup cooked
    • Corn tortilla: 46 mg calcium in a six-inch tortilla

    How to Include More Calcium in Every Meal

    “With proper planning, it is entirely possible to meet calcium recommended daily intake levels without consuming dairy,” Dr. Sachar says. Whether you’re sprinkling seeds, stirring greens into soups, or choosing fortified plant milk, every little bit adds up. Your bones, teeth, and muscles will thank you.

    • Breakfast: Chia pudding with fortified almond milk plus a glass of calcium-fortified orange juice
    • Snack: Dried figs with a handful of almonds.
    • Lunch: Stir-fry with tofu, broccoli, bok choy, edamame in a tahini sauce topped with parsley flakes. Alternatively, corn tortillas stuffed with broccoli and tofu.
    • Dinner: Pasta with white beans and tahini.

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  • Trump administration says it’s reviewing all 55 million US visa holders | Donald Trump News

    Trump administration says it’s reviewing all 55 million US visa holders | Donald Trump News

    US State Department said it was continuously vetting all visa holders for possible violations.

    The United States Department of State has said that it’s reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreigners who hold valid US visas for potential revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules.

    The news came shortly before an announcement on Thursday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the country was immediately pausing the issuance of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers, who claimed on X that foreign truck drivers were “endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.”

    In a written response to a question posed by The Associated Press, the department said that all US visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” with an eye towards any indication that they could be ineligible for the document.

    Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked and, if the visa holder is in the US, he or she would be subject to deportation.

    The department said it was looking for indicators of ineligibility, including visa overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of “terrorist activity”, or providing support to a “terrorist organization”.

    “We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,” the department said.

    Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has directed a large-scale crackdown on migration, going after those with legal status as well as undocumented migrants.

    While the government initially said it would focus only on dangerous criminals, thousands of people are being arrested daily, with the New York Times estimating this week that the government is on track to deport 400,000 people in 2025.

    Authorities have gone after working immigrants through unprecedented raids of restaurants, construction sites, and farms – as well as in courthouses where immigration agents arrest those attending civil appointments needed to help legalise their status.

    The government has also sought to roll back humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status, which has given hundreds of thousands of people from a range of countries facing adverse conditions the right to live and work in the US.

    Student visa holders have similarly been targeted, with the State Department saying earlier this week that 6,000 students have seen their visas revoked this year. While the department maintains that those students have either “broken the law or expressed support for terrorism”, many documented cases have involved students who took part in pro-Palestinian protests or even simply wrote an opinion piece – all of which are protected free speech. Others who have seen their visas revoked, however, had not engaged in any sort of activism.

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