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News from November 11, 2025

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Last week, he was a ‘terrorist’ with a $15m bounty. He just met Trump in the Oval Office
Politics

Last week, he was a ‘terrorist’ with a $15m bounty. He just met Trump in the Oval Office

Washington: Until three days ago, the United States still officially regarded Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president, as a “specially designated global terrorist”. Following one of the most dramatic rehabilitations in recent memory, the former jihadist was received by US President Donald Trump on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) in what may be the most astonishing meeting ever hosted in the White House. That Sharaa is the first Syrian president ever to cross the threshold of the West Wing would make the occasion extraordinary enough, not least because he had a $US10 million ($15.3 million) bounty on his head. A year ago, the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, toppled by Sharaa’s Islamist rebels last December, was a pariah, ostracised by the West and closely allied to Russia and Iran.

Adrian Blomfield
Why the UAE deliberately sank 3 ships: Is it good for the ocean’s ecosystem?
World

Why the UAE deliberately sank 3 ships: Is it good for the ocean’s ecosystem?

Why the UAE deliberately sank 3 ships: Is it bad for the ocIn a unique blend of environmental stewardship and ecotourism, the UAE has deliberately sunk three ships off its east coast, not as an accident, but as a conscious effort to promote marine conservation. The vessels, Inchcape 1, Inchcape 2, and Inchcape 10, have been transformed into thriving artificial reefs that now attract divers from across the world. This innovative approach is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to protecting its natural resources while fostering sustainable tourism.The Concept: Artificial reefs for marine lifeThe concept behind sinking these ships is simple yet effective: to create artificial reefs that mimic the role of natural coral reefs in the ocean. Over time, the ships have become vibrant ecosystems, teeming with marine life. These reefs not only support a wide range of fish species but also help to promote biodiversity, offering an underwater experience for divers.The UAE’s efforts are especially significant given the rising threats to ocean ecosystems, including pollution and coral bleaching. The ships, once decommissioned, serve as a reminder that responsible management can help restore marine habitats.Inchcape 1: A Diver’s haven in Al AqahSunk in 2001, Inchcape 1 lies about 32 meters below the surface, off the coast of Al Aqah, Fujairah. Accessible by boat in just five minutes from Al Aqah, this site is recommended for experienced divers, thanks to its depth and complexity. The wreck has turned into a bustling underwater city, home to large schools of red snapper, cardinal fish, and a wide variety of other marine creatures.Divers exploring the site can witness firsthand how the wreck has evolved into a rich marine habitat. Snorkelling and diving equipment are essential to access the site, and the area is becoming a popular spot for eco-tourists looking to experience the UAE’s commitment to sustainable diving.Inchcape 2: A thriving Reef off Khor FakkanInchcape 2, intentionally sunk in 2002, rests at a depth of around 22 meters off the coast of Khor Fakkan. It has quickly become one of the most popular dive sites in the region. As the wreck has developed into a thriving coral reef, it now attracts a variety of marine life, including parrotfish, moray eels, small boxfish, and long-tailed rays. The presence of barracudas also adds to the site's allure, making it a must-visit destination for professional divers seeking to explore a healthy and diverse underwater ecosystem.To visit, divers typically embark on a 25-minute boat ride from Al Aqah. Diving equipment is mandatory, and access is managed through licensed diving centers. These centers not only ensure safety but also educate visitors on how artificial reefs contribute to ocean health.Inchcape 10: A marine wonderland in FujairahPerhaps the most remarkable of the three, Inchcape 10 (formerly known as 'Awaiz') was sunk in 2003. Resting at a depth of about 23 meters off Fujairah, it is one of the largest ships deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef. This site has become a focal point for divers due to its rich biodiversity, including moray eels, barracudas, and other species.Located just an 8-minute boat ride from the Fujairah International Marine Club, the wreck offers an exciting opportunity to explore the wonders of marine life. The site is open year-round, and divers must book through licensed diving centers to gain access. Similar to the other wrecks, the presence of thriving marine life at Inchcape 10 speaks volumes about the success of the UAE’s ecotourism initiatives.The Impact: Ecological balance and marine conservationSaleh Al-Dhahouri, a diver from Dibba Al Fujairah, has seen firsthand the positive transformation that these shipwrecks have brought to the area. “The diving there is wonderful, a beautiful place, and you couldn't get over the amount of fish and coral,” he said, as told to Khaleej Times. He explained that before the ships were sunk, diving opportunities were limited. “With these ships, diving sites have increased, and they have become part of the weekly diving program,” he added, highlighting how these artificial reefs have revitalized local dive tourism.Emirati diver Mintaha Al Shehhi, who specializes in sharks, has been diving in the region for over three years. She praised the ecological balance at sites like Inchcape 2, where frequent sightings of sharks and turtles indicate a healthy environment. “Sharks do not choose random locations, and turtles only pass through when they feel secure and find natural abundance,” she said, emphasizing that the presence of these larger creatures is a sign of a thriving and balanced marine ecosystem.ean’s ecosystem?

Toi World Desk
Thinking of selling your home to afford aged care? Think again
Technology

Thinking of selling your home to afford aged care? Think again

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the family home is fully assessed for aged care fees. It’s not. When you move into aged care, the value of your home is only counted in the means test up to a capped value of $210,555. This cap can make a dramatic difference. Most homes are worth substantially more than the cap. If you have a $1.2 million home then the cap effectively exempts $1 million of it. If you sell the home and pay the RAD, all the money you put into the RAD is included in your aged care assets and any money left over counts towards your aged care and pension means tests. Selling the family home can feel like the simplest solution – but simple isn’t always smart. There’s a second consideration: your RAD is exempt from your pension assets test. If you keep your home, it’s not counted towards the pension assets test for two years after you move into aged care. If you are a couple, the clock only starts ticking when the second person leaves. However, there is a new piece of the puzzle – the exit fee on your RAD. Before November 1, paying a Refundable Accommodation Deposit meant exactly that: all of your money was refunded when you left. Now, there is an exit fee of up to 10 per cent if you stay for five years or more.

Rachel Lane
Three dead after car 'crushed' in collision with truck in Victoria
Technology

Three dead after car 'crushed' in collision with truck in Victoria

Three people, including two children, are dead after a truck and a car collided in regional Victoria this morning. Emergency services were called to the crash scene at the intersection of Eurambeen-Streatham Road and Mount William Road at Stoneleigh, west of Ballarat, shortly after 9.30am. Police said the car appeared to have rolled and been crushed. READ MORE: Jury still out on deposit scheme stoking rise in property prices An adult and two children died at the scene. An adult who was trapped in the car suffered life-threatening injuries and is expected to be airlifted to hospital. The truck driver has been left with minor injuries. The area has been cordoned off and the surrounding roads blocked as part of the emergency response. Any witnesses or anybody with vision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

9News,Adam Vidler
Trader Joe’s makes a private-label mistake
Business

Trader Joe’s makes a private-label mistake

Anyone who shops at Trader Joe’s probably has a favorite private-label item, whether it’s JosephsBrau beer made by Gordon Biersch, Small Organic Pizzas made by Amy’s, or Rocket Ship Crackers from Annie’s. Trader Joe’s has built much of its retail identity around a private‑label portfolio that looks and feels different. On a recent panel discussion published by RetailWire, the chain’s marketing team described its whimsical naming strategy: names such as This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar, Hold the Cone! Ice Cream Cones, Pound Plus, and Avocado’s Number Guacamole aren’t mistakes — they’re crafted to catch the customer’s eye and maybe make them smile. The logic? “We believe that grocery shopping can be fun, that it does not have to be a chore,” said one of the company’s podcast hosts on the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast. The naming strategy works on two fronts. First, it underlines Trader Joe’s positioning as a grocer with personality — less warehouse‑warehouse, more friendly treasure hunt. “Trader Joe’s private labels perfectly reflect its playful, positive brand,” per RetailWire. “These whimsical names differentiate this line, especially compared to other private labels whose simple, logical product names seem more designed for SEO.” Second, the playful names create engagement: Shoppers might pause at the shelf, read the pun, and feel a moment of delight. From the company’s own transcript: “If putting a fun name or even a really strangely long descriptive name of a product on the package helps you find a little bit of fun in your grocery shopping experience, we’re all for that,” Insider Trader Joe’s Co-Host Tara Miller said. What’s in a Trader Joe’s product name? Of course, naming is only half the story. On the podcast episode devoted to the topic of product names, the hosts shared that the Trader Joe’s internal process is deliberate. The team distinguishes between “very descriptive” names (e.g., Mandarin Orange Chicken or Cauliflower Gnocchi) and “whimsical” names that carry meaning and flavor beyond mere description (e.g., Midnight Moo chocolate syrup, or Just the Lobsters). They link the whimsy to the product story: for example, Avocado’s Number Guacamole is a playful nod to Avogadro’s number, to communicate “many avocados per product.” The naming tells the story, while helping the shopper subconsciously think: “This is different, this is fun, this is Trader Joe’s.” Trader Joe’s numbers to know Store count: As of October 2025, Trader Joe’s operates 608 stores across the U.S. Source: ScrapeHero Market position: About 1.6 % of U.S. supermarket and grocery-store industry revenue.Source: IBISWorld Revenue: One estimate puts its annual revenue at around US$16.5 billion. Source: GoRick Expansion plans: In 2024, TJ’s monthly YoY visit growth consistently outpaced the wider grocery category at +8.7 % (versus ~+3.0 %).Source: Placer.ai Store size and SKUs: Trader Joe’s stores are relatively small (around 10,000 square feet) and carry a much more limited number of SKUs (roughly 4,000) compared to large supermarket chains.Source: Acquired Trader Joe’s sued over product name and other product similarities However, there may be a limit to how far playful naming and private‑label positioning can go. A recent lawsuit may test the line between creative private label and unlawful imitation. In October 2025, The J.M. Smucker Company filed suit in federal court in Ohio against Trader Joe’s, alleging that its new “Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches” mimic Smucker’s flagship frozen snack brand Uncrustables. Smucker claims the rounding, crimped‑edge shape, blue packaging, and “bite” imagery all combine to produce consumer confusion. The retailer is accused of leaning on the established brand equity of Uncrustables rather than making a distinct item, as explained on lawcommentary.com. From Trader Joe’s standpoint, the question becomes: When does being inspired by a category veer into copying? Its private‑label strategy rests on being “different,” yet aligned with shopper needs — value, novelty, and curation. The Smucker lawsuit challenges whether Trader Joe’s version is sufficiently distinct. As one legal commenter noted via AP News: “For the brand owner, what is the point of having this brand if I’m not going to enforce it?” More on retail and bankruptcy: Walmart store closing, auctioning off laptops and flat screen TVs Home Depot CEO soundWalmart store closing, auctioning off laptops and flat screen TVs – TheStreets the alarm on a growing problem Famous restaurant files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy What’s at stake is not just this product, but Trader Joe’s broader private‑label business model. Private labels thrive by giving retailers greater control (cost, margins, exclusivity) and by allowing the retailer’s brand (Trader Joe’s) to shine. According to analysis, Trader Joe’s success demonstrates that “authenticity can be a powerful differentiator,” and that its quirky naming plus curated merchandise delivers a connection beyond price alone, writes Shah Mohammad on his Substack. Trader Joe’s walks a fine line with product names But the risk in pushing boundaries is dilution of clarity (do consumers know what they’re buying?) and legal risk (is the company going too far?). As one commenter on Retail Wire put it: “If product names become too clever without any clarity about what’s inside the package… the result can be frustration.” In many ways, the story of Trader Joe’s now mirrors the evolution of private‑label retail generally: from baseline low‑cost store brand, to premium “house brand” with its own identity, to a label that courts emotion, discovery, and brand personality. Trader Joe’s has arguably been ahead of that curve with its naming conventions and limited assortment model. But as it stretches further, launching items that look dangerously close to marquee national brands, its creative strategy encounters a hard boundary: intellectual property, consumer confusion, and brand reputation. “Trader Joe’s use of funny names creates a strong connection with shoppers and makes them laugh or at least smile,” says retail analyst Bruce Widner. “This may differentiate the grocer from others that offer more functional names, but it does not mean they should play with fire from an intellectual property perspective.” For the shopper in the aisle, the result is still interesting. One moment they smile at This Pumpkin Walks Into A Bar, and the next, a frozen sandwich’s packaging may prompt the question: “Is that the same as the national brand? Or is it Trader Joe’s own take?” As the lawsuit plays out, it may force Trader Joe’s to better balance fun and distinctiveness with compliance and clarity.

Dana Sullivan Kilroy
US-Syria meeting: Trump holds first-ever White House meeting with Al-Sharaa; America partially waives Caesar Act sanctions — top points
Politics

US-Syria meeting: Trump holds first-ever White House meeting with Al-Sharaa; America partially waives Caesar Act sanctions — top points

US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, welcoming Syria into a US-led global coalition to fight the Islamic State group. The meeting marked the first visit to the White House by a Syrian head of state since Syria gained independence from France in 1946.Al-Sharaa arrived at the White House around 11.30 am and shortly after began a closed meeting in the Oval Office. He entered via West Executive Avenue rather than the West Wing driveway normally used for foreign leaders’ arrivals. He left about two hours later, greeting a throng of supporters outside before getting into his motorcade, AP reported.Syria to join US-led coalition to defeat IS group: ReportSyria will join the international coalition to combat the Islamic State group, marking a shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East, according to BBC report.Diplomatic relations between Syria and the US have been suspended since 2012, although Trump has moved to restore them after the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.The talks between the two countries focused on Syria’s role in defeating Islamic State, the reconstruction effort and the lifting of sanctions. Trump praises Al-Sharaa “We’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful because that’s part of the Middle East,” Trump told reporters. The US president said of al-Sharaa that “I have confidence that he’ll be able to do the job.”“He’s a very strong leader. He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy,” Trump told reporters. “People said he’s had a rough past, we’ve all had rough pasts...And I think, frankly, if you didn’t have a rough past, you wouldn’t have a chance.” Trump said Syria was a “big part” of his plan for a wider Middle East peace plan, which the US president is hoping will prop up the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.What Syria said about meeting?Syria’s foreign ministry, in a statement, described the meeting as “friendly and constructive.” It said Trump “affirmed the readiness of the United States to provide the support that the Syrian leadership needs to ensure the success of the reconstruction and development process.”The statement added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio then met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who arrived in Washington on Monday, and that they agreed to proceed with implementing an agreement reached in March between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the SDF into the new Syrian army. It was unclear what concrete steps were agreed.The statement said the American side also affirmed its support for reaching a security agreement with Israel, but did not say how Syria had responded.Trump and al-Sharaa first met in May in Saudi Arabia. At the time, the US president described al-Sharaa as a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter.” It was the first official encounter between the US and Syria since 2000, when then-President Bill Clinton met with Hafez Assad.US partially waives Caesar Act sanctions on Syria after meetingThe US partially suspended the imposition of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria for 180 days, the Treasury Department announced on Monday. The suspension replaces a May 23 waiver that also granted a 180-day exemption from mandatory Caesar Act sanctions and represents "our commitment to continued sanctions relief for Syria," according to an advisory from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). It halted the imposition of Caesar Act sanctions except for certain transactions involving the govts of Russia and Iran, or transfers of Russian-origin or Iranian-origin goods, technology, software, funds, financing, or services, the advisory said.Rubio, in a statement, said, "Today, I issued a suspension of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions based on the actions taken by the Syrian government following the fall of the al-Assad regime.""The suspension of Caesar Act sanctions supports Syria’s efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens," he added. While the Caesar Act sanctions are currently waived by Trump, a permanent repeal would require Congress to act.

Toi World Desk
AI reworks the markets maths
Technology

AI reworks the markets maths

The AI midas touch has transformed the fortunes of so-far underdogs like Nvidia redrawing valuations across the tech landscape. While Big Tech continues to surge, traditional IT services and consulting majors are feeling the heat as automation disrupts their outsourcing models. SaaS firms, caught in transition are racing to stay relevant as AI agents threaten their foundations. ETtech Himanshi Lohchab tracks annual stock price changes to chart AI’s dual role of a growth engine and as a disruptor, amid increasing fears of an AI bubbIe. ETtech IT’s facing strainTraditional outsourcing models built on large delivery teams and time-based billing are under strain as the software development lifecycle is fast getting automated.

Himanshi Lohchab
Walmart's bestselling $120 cordless stick vac is now $60
Technology

Walmart's bestselling $120 cordless stick vac is now $60

Why we love this deal If you’ve been considering ditching your broom and dustpan in favor of a cordless stick vac, now is the time. When you’ve got guests on the way to your home, there’s nothing quite as easy as running a lightweight vacuum across your floors for a quick cleanup. Hack your cleaning routine ahead of the holidays with this Walmart Flash deal on a lightweight stick vac. On sale for half off the usual $120 price ahead of Black Friday, you can snag the Carevac Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner for just $60 at Walmart right now. Shoppers are already scooping up this deal at a rapid pace — over 100 have been purchased in the last 24 hours. It’s an especially great vacuum for homes with pets, effortlessly removing rogue fur from carpets, hard floors, and upholstery without having to lug out a heavy-duty carpet cleaner. Carevac Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $60 (was $120) at Walmart Why do shoppers love it? Weighing just 2.6 pounds, this lightweight stick vacuum is a breeze to maneuver in tight spaces and works particularly well for apartments or small homes. This cordless vacuum comes with three attachments: a 2-in-1 crevice tool for getting into tight spaces, an upholstery brush for sofas or vehicle seats, and the motorized LED roller for carpets or hard floors. For pet owners, the roller attachment is designed specifically to pick up pet hair and features strong suction that outperforms pricier pet-specific vacuums. The adjustable height and 180-degree rotating floor head pivot effortlessly around furniture, while the LED lights on the roller brush illuminate areas under sofas and beds, allowing you to see what you’re cleaning. Two suction modes — standard for everyday messes and turbo for deep cleaning — have a color indicator light, so you can tell which one you’re using. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration traps 99.97% of allergens and pet hair, ensuring cleaner air in fur-filled homes, and the 1.3-liter dustbin empties with one touch for no-contact convenience. At just 60 decibels, this vacuum is quieter than a conversation. The 180-watt battery delivers up to 35 minutes of runtime on a single charge, allowing you to quickly clean a room without any cords getting in the way. When the battery is drained, the included charger plugs into a standard outlet for easy charging. Your purchase also comes with an accessory holder and a wall-mount for tidy storage when not in use. Details to know Dimensions: This cordless vacuum cleaner measures 43 inches high, and the largest brush head is 10 inches wide. Capacity: The dust bin has a 1.3-liter capacity. How much does the vacuum weigh? This lightweight vacuum weighs 2.6 pounds. How long will it run on a full charge? The 180-watt battery will operate up to 35 minutes on a full charge. Shoppers are impressed by this “powerful yet lightweight” vacuum. Several reviewers claim that this cordless vacuum performs better than competitor brands that cost three times as much. “It even gets in places my Dyson won’t,” one shopper said. Another shared that it’s “incredibly easy to maneuver across both carpet and hard floors, and it handles pet hair like a pro.” Shop more deals Moosoo Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $79 (was $300) at Walmart Laresar V11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $140 (was $500) at Walmart Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum IX140H, $178 (was $260) at Walmart This Walmart Flash deal for 50% off the Carevac Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner will be gone soon. Don’t miss your chance to snag one while it’s on sale for just $60.

Ashley Jones
1st of its kind: Lumby energized over EV charge station
Technology

1st of its kind: Lumby energized over EV charge station

Electric vehicle owners can now get a charge in Lumby. BC Hydro has energized its first-ever portable skid-mounted fast charging station in Lumby, marking a breakthrough in how electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure can be deployed quickly and flexibly across British Columbia. The skid-mounted station is a fully self-contained unit built on a metal frame and is designed for rapid deployment with minimal civil construction. Power is delivered via overhead service from a nearby transformer pole – eliminating the need for underground excavation. “This design is ideal for sites with complex permitting, northern regions with short construction windows due to winter weather conditions, or temporary installations for events and emergencies,” BC Hydro reports. The site was installed in a paved parking lot at the Lumby Curling Rink and is adjacent to a power pole. “Thanks to its unique design, which eliminated the need for traditional construction, the site was fully operational within days instead of weeks,” said Hydro, adding it features one 180-kilowatt charger, which can add up to 180-kilometres of driving to an average EV in about 10 minutes. “In addition to being faster, the unit also offers dual charging or power sharing, which allows two customers to use the same charger.” A second 100-kilowatt charger is also available, offering additional capacity for drivers. The adoption of EVs across British Columbia has increased significantly with more than 215,000 EVs on the road in B.C. As BC Hydro continues to build its fast-charging network, it plans to focus on building more hub sites with multiple chargers along highway corridors and highly populated areas to provide a faster and more convenient experience for its customers. BC Hydro is working to build a robust EV charging network across the province. In the past year alone, BC Hydro has tripled the size of its public charging network, adding 418 new charging ports. About two-dozen new hubs have opened in every region of the province, each featuring eight to 22 charging ports, to help minimize wait times for drivers. BC Hydro deployed new 350-kilowatt chargers at some locations, capable of delivering up to 100 kilometers of range in just five minutes. With fast chargers placed about every 150 kilometers along major routes, the Government of B.C. completed the Electric Highway in September 2024. BC Hydro operates 114 of the highway’s 155 charging locations, making up more than 70 per cent of the network. BC Hydro’s provincewide fast charging network currently includes 729 charging ports at 163 sites in communities throughout B.C. BC Hydro is looking to reach 800 charging ports in its network by spring 2026. Later this year, BC Hydro will debut its first 400-kilowatt charger, offering 100 kilometres of range in just three minutes. The chargers are funded in a partnership with the Province of B.C. and Natural Resources Canada.

None
ET in the Valley | IT can’t compete on costs as AI takes over software grunt work: Replit founder Amjad Masad
Technology

ET in the Valley | IT can’t compete on costs as AI takes over software grunt work: Replit founder Amjad Masad

IT companies in India can no longer compete on wage arbitrage, as AI agents are rapidly taking over low-value tasks in software development, said Amjad Masad, founder of Replit – the $3-billion AI coding platform, currently the third most-used AI tool by startups globally after OpenAI and Anthropic.“India has the talent, has the brainpower to be a truly independent innovator of technology. And I would push more towards that, than being more of an outsourcing shop,” he said, adding that companies can still provide solutions to the West but not purely on cost. Replit recently partnered with Mumbai-based Hexaware Technologies, which is deploying AI to stay ahead of the curve, said Masad. “I think a lot of the system integrators, companies, and the consultants have a huge opportunity…you come to India because this is an innovation centre, not a cost advantage centre,” he said.This September, Replit closed a $250 million funding round led by Prysm Capital, Amex Ventures, and Google’s AI Futures Fund, at a $3 billion valuation, a threefold jump from its last raise in 2023. Replit’s annual recurring revenue has surged to $150 million from $2.8 million in less than a year, with a global base of 40 million users.With India currently Replit’s second-largest user base, the company is also exploring special pricing, similar to OpenAI’s local plans.“We're going to be investing in India…we're going to have people on the ground there helping us grow our community, and we're going to be announcing some partnerships as well,” he said, without elaborating. Meanwhile, Masad, a Jordanian immigrant, is dismayed by the ongoing anti-immigration policy environment in the US but believes that “America’s loss is India’s gain”. “If Sundar (Pichai) and Satya (Nadella) stayed in India, they would be running big companies here.”Masad envisions creating the next billion software creators who won't learn to code at all. He advises high-schoolers and undergrads to become “generalists” – master design, communication, and problem-solving, and letting AI handle the code.“Deep specialised knowledge is always going to be more highly paid and more competitive. But now, if I was a computer science student, I would build a broad base of knowledge. I need to be indispensable to the company that hires me because I'm very good at the rest of it,” he said. Replit’s coding Agent 3 recently beat Anthropic’s Claude Code, OpenAI’s Codex, and Cursor Agent by working autonomously for three to four hours. Masad said, soon, users would be able to delegate end-to-end development work to its upcoming Agent 4, which he claimed could work for 10-12 hours. When asked what this means for the future of work, he said, “It would be philosophical to say that teams would need to work fewer hours…because you see, capitalism rewards growth. Even if you are 10%-50% more productive, you will have to compete more.” On his journey towards entrepreneurship, Masad recalled hacking video games as a teenager, being an average student who built open-source software, and eventually moving to Silicon Valley on an O-1 visa. “My path was incredibly untraditional…I wasn't a straight A student. I wanted to go to university in the US. My parents didn't have the money for it. I wanted to get scholarships. I wanted to get an internship at Google. I got rejected from all of that, but I still made it because I made something valuable. Eventually, I joined Codecademy as the first engineer. They got me an O-1 visa and I came to the US to do that.”He also urged policymakers around the world to add AI literacy in early education instead of banning AI’s use. “I think AI starts to benefit softer skills than harder skills in many ways, because you need to be a clear thinker. Are we teaching those skills? Like, is there a skill about learning how to manage AI agents? I think it should be in high school.”

Himanshi Lohchab
Digital lending fintech Finnable raises Rs 250 crore from Z47, TVS Capital
Technology

Digital lending fintech Finnable raises Rs 250 crore from Z47, TVS Capital

Digital lending startup Finnable has raised Rs 250 crore this August in a funding round led by Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners) and TVS Capital. This is the company’s second tranche, with the first Rs 250 crore being infused by the same investors back in November 2024. Post this round, the total capital raised by the Bengaluru-based lending startup stands at Rs 540 crore. The MEMG family office, led by Ranjan Pai, has also invested in the company.The firm plans to invest the fresh funds in technology, expand its branch network, and build new product lines. It launched loans against property (LAP) in April this year, and is offering the product through 15 branches currently."The equity we have raised is primarily for lending," cofounder Nitin Gupta told ET. "We will also invest some of it in AI and technology and expansion into more geographies." Founded in 2015 by ex-bankers Gupta and Amit Kumar, along with Viraj Tyagi, the company offers personal loans to salaried professionals, with an average tenure of 42 months.The company has an RBI-registered NBFC arm called Finnable Credit. As of June 30, 2025, its assets under management (AUM) stood at Rs 2,924 crore, up from Rs 370 crore in March 2022, according to a CareEdge rating released in September this year. "We are proud to double down on our partnership with them as they continue scaling their business and introducing new loan products designed around customer life goals," said Z47 managing director Vikram Vaidyanathan.The company is also into co-lending and currently partners with Axis Bank, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Vivriti Capital, TVS Credit, and others. Part of the co-lending business operates under a first loss default guarantee (FLDG) arrangement, where the fintech covers a certain percentage of loan defaults for its partner bank.Almost 95% of the firm's business comes from personal loans, and the rest from loans against property, focussing on micro, small, and medium enterprises. In FY25, Finnable reported a consolidated revenue of Rs 278.49 crore, and a profit of Rs 6.74 crore.

Alenjith K Johny
AI risk management platform GreenFi raises $2 million in round led by Transition VC
Technology

AI risk management platform GreenFi raises $2 million in round led by Transition VC

Greenfi, an AI-powered ESG risk management platform, has raised its first round of $2 million led by Transition VC. The Kerala-based startup’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance tool helps companies automate risk management and provide personalised, role-based recommendations on improving the user’s sustainability performance and addressing flagged risks.For instance, if a bank is investing $100 million in a solar power plant project, instead of having 20 people manually collecting data over weeks or months and spending half a million dollars on consultants, Greenfi claims to automate the entire due diligence process and provide actionable recommendations in real-time. "We're actively on the lookout for good talent, and fundraising comes with a lot of excitement (and) responsibilities,” founder and CEO Barun Chandran told ET.Founded in 2023, the startup has clients in Singapore, Japan, and the UK and caters to industries like fashion and apparel, food and agriculture, retail, banking and financial services, and manufacturing.The company currently operates with a lean team of 16 people, down from 26 after adopting AI systems that now handle over 60% of its operations. The company retained core ESG subject matter experts and developers for quality oversight and cut back on engineering and research teams. Going forward, it plans to expand in sales, marketing, and branding roles to support its global growth plans.“As ESG risks increasingly influence underwriting and financial performance, GreenFi stands out for building an end-to-end, AI-driven platform that helps financial institutions monitor, assess, and underwrite their customers more intelligently,” said Mohammed Shoeb Ali, managing partner and cofounder, Transition VC.The startup claims to be in direct competition with McKinsey, KPMG, and PWC, replacing consultants with this tool.

Transition Vc
Wealthtech scouts for pros to go beyond metros
Business

Wealthtech scouts for pros to go beyond metros

As venture-funded wealthtech firms expand their operations beyond metro cities, targeting new customer segments, the competition to hire relationship managers (RMs) and private bankers is intensifying. This is straining the limited talent pool in the sector and driving up operating costs in the wealth management segment, according to industry executives.The demand for experienced professionals is far outpacing supply, with firms aggressively poaching from banks, brokerages and traditional wealth managers, they said.In addition, many of these RMs are starting up as mutual fund distributors or personal wealth managers, resulting in a further strain on the talent pool.In some cases, compensation packages for RMs have surged 50-100% over the past six months as competition sharpens between legacy players and well-funded entrants, including the likes of Dezerv, Ionic Wealth and Centricity.ETtech Stockbroking firm Groww, in order to diversify from its core operations and enter the wealth management segment, recently acquired wealthtech platform Fisdom in a transaction valued at $140-160 million.“From conventional banks and NBFCs (non-banking finance companies) to stockbroking, fintech and wealthtech firms, and even large teams of experienced relationship managers who are now starting on their own, everyone is looking to hire people,” Srikanth Subramanian, CEO and cofounder of Ionic Wealth, told ET.“Since it was an industry which had a limited supply pool and limited players, it’s the same supply pool which is being attracted by all. Hence, it is giving this mirage of being a talent war and the price of recruitment has gone up. Once the dust settles, people will take position and recruit people who fit their bill,” he said.Ionic Wealth by Angel One currently employs about 80 relationship managers on its platform, while its peer Neo Wealth Management has around 75 and has plans to scale up to 100–125 over the next six-seven months.Large incumbents are also ramping up hiring, intensifying the talent squeeze. 360 One WAM (formerly IIFL Wealth) plans to add seven to 10 teams, or about 60–80 RMs, over the next 12-18 months.“We have a lot of exciting teams hopefully joining us over the next 3 to 9 months,” Karan Bhagat, managing director and CEO of 360 ONE WAM, said during the company’s latest quarterly earnings call. “I would be disappointed if we can't add seven to 10 teams over the next 12 to 18 months, which effectively would mean around 60 to 80 RMs.”The hiring surge also marks a strategic shift for digital-first wealthtech platforms that built their brands on technology but are now adding on-ground human touchpoints to engage wealthy and ultra-wealthy clients.Gurgaon-based Centricity recently brought on 30 senior private bankers to scale up its ultra-high-net-worth individual (ultra-HNI) vertical as it looks to expand beyond metros and strengthen its presence in smaller cities. The new hires come from companies such as UBS, Barclays, Kotak and ICICI Securities. The firm plans to double its private banking team by the end of this financial year.Similarly, Dezerv, which recently raised Rs 350 crore from the likes of Premji Invest and Accel, said it aims to hire nearly 200 RMs by the end of this fiscal.“As more millionaires and billionaires are made in India, that would mean that more wealth managers are required. But if we look broadly, the wealth manager ratio to the expected HNI and ultra HNI growth over the next four to five years shows a clear gap in relationship manager talent in the country. I believe this industry will continue to offer strong opportunities and ample space for new talent to enter and grow,” said Shajikumar Devakar, chief executive of Neo Wealth Management.Bhagat of 360 One WAM said the firm currently manages relationships with 4,000-4,500 families and aims to expand the base to around 10,000 families over the next three to four years. To support that growth, it will need 280-340 RMs, he said.For the second quarter of this fiscal, 360 One WAM recorded revenue of Rs 763 crore and net profit of Rs 316 crore.From a macroeconomic context, 360 One WAM noted that despite near-term volatility driven by global and geopolitical factors, India’s long-term growth outlook remains strong. Besides, the surge in domestic liquidity events, including more than 50 initial public offerings (IPOs) in the first half of this fiscal reinforced investor confidence and acted as a tailwind for wealth managers.Building the pipelineFirms expect the talent pool to gradually expand as they recruit from adjacent sectors such as mutual funds, investment banks and global capability centres, and invest in training fresh graduates. Neo Wealth has partnered with IIM Bombay to co-create a one-year wealth management course aimed at building a pipeline of trained professionals.According to a report by Goldman Sachs, India’s affluent population is likely to reach 100 million by 2027.Even retail-focused fintechs are now experimenting with on-ground presence. Saurabh Jain, founder of Bengaluru-based Stable Money, said the firm has begun pilot programmes in cities such as Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi, deploying wealth managers to assist customers in understanding the company’s offerings and resolving queries.“We now have people across Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi. These are the three locations where we are running pilots. Once we see success on these pilots, our idea is to go deeper,” said Jain.Globally too, wealth management firms and private banks are expanding their relationship manager base to meet increasing demand from affluent clients. UBS, after integrating Credit Suisse, has announced plans to strengthen its teams in several markets, as have HSBC and Standard Chartered.Tech as enablerHowever, global banks are also turning to technology to boost efficiency. JPMorgan Chase earlier this year said it had begun moderating headcount expansion as part of a plan to pivot toward leveraging artificial intelligence to support productivity and client servicing.“Technology plays a massive enabling role, both direct to the client and to the relationship manager,” said Sandeep Jethwani, cofounder and CEO of Dezerv. “The idea is to create an institutional memory of clients, help RMs deliver high-quality service in a timely way and improve governance to avoid even the chances of mis-selling.”

Ajay Rag
VCs take Y Combinator cue for AI bets
Technology

VCs take Y Combinator cue for AI bets

The number of Indian startups entering famed US accelerator and investor Y Combinator’s startup programme might have dwindled to just one in 2025, down from the high of 2021, when 64 were selected. But not so for Indian investors, who are queuing up to find the next big thing in AI by relying on shortlists made by YC to help them filter their investments.In 2025, Indian investors have invested in close to 10 Y Combinator (YC) AI startups in the US. These include Tesora AI, CodeAnt, Alter AI and Frizzle, all with Indian-origin founders but based in the US. Peak XV recently invested in Hyperbound, an AI sales platform, MarqVision, founded by Mark Lee and focused on combating piracy through AI, and PostHog, a developer tooling company, all of them YC-backed startups.For Indian investors doubling down on AI, YC has once more become a guiding light. Together Fund cofounder Manav Garg said YC makes for a good filter as the companies have been vetted and makes a good starting point. Siddhartha Ahluwalia, managing partner, Neon Fund, explained that many AI startups founded by persons of Indian origin, such as Emergent and Reducto, are outliers. “So they are lining up at YC to tap into companies early,” Ahluwalia said. ETtech Race to YCMultiple investors told ET on condition of anonymity that compared to a few years ago, there are more Indian VCs at YC demo days to meet startups. A Bengaluru-based investor who did not want to be named said that one of the reasons for the shift is the value creation in AI that’s happening in the US, besides the shortage of good AI startups. “If you have the money and want to invest, there are few opportunities in India,” he said.ET had earlier reported that more investors are moving to the US to be closer to the AI epicentre and tap into companies and trends early. Natasha Malpani, founder, Boundless Ventures, which has invested in YC-backed Alter AI, said, they focus on Indian founders, and their US presence helps us stay close to frontier AI developments and support founders as they scale. But investing in the US is a challenge given that the landscape is highly competitive. Anand Krishna, founder of AI accounting startup Inkle, said he’s seeing early-stage Indian-origin and corridor-focused funds willing to invest in YC-backed companies at 2-3x higher valuations than they have ever been willing to reach before the AI boom. “The deal flow competitiveness to get in early and buy large ownership on these AI startup captables is visible,” he pointed out.Garg, who was cited earlier, said that apart from acting as a funnel, this is also a gateway to learn and expand investments beyond YC companies.In startup circles, getting into Y Combinator is a matter of pride for companies and a sign to investors that they are worth considering.India-origin companies that have been part of the YC cohort include RazorPay, Meesho, Groww and Zepto, all preparing for public listing in India.ChallengesWhile there is much enthusiasm on investing in US companies, they come with expensive valuations. According to data from RebelFund, average valuation for YC companies is $20-25 million.A US-based investor said that a part of these investments is also signalling access to the Valley in some form. Some of it is also driven by FOMO, fear of missing out, he said.Another AI investor pointed out that Indian investors are new in the ecosystem and exceptional startups would have their pick of marquee investors in the US willing to offer premium valuations.

Swathi Moorthy
Not rushing our firms to public markets; no pressure to exit: SoftBank's Sumer Juneja
Business

Not rushing our firms to public markets; no pressure to exit: SoftBank's Sumer Juneja

SoftBank in India has deployed around $10 billion across Vision Fund 1 and 2, with realised and still-liquid positions worth at least that amount, said Sumer Juneja, managing partner and head of EMEA & India at SoftBank Investment Advisers.As an increasing number of portfolio firms tap domestic public markets, Juneja told ET in an interview that SoftBank’s 13% stake in Lenskart--which listed on Monday and closed at a market cap of Rs 69,967 crore--has a paper value of about $1 billion, emerging as one of its biggest positions and potentially the largest return on capital for the investor in India if the price holds up for the omnichannel eyewear retailer.The initial public offering (IPO) from Lenskart came under scrutiny for being excessively priced as new-age economy stocks have still to show consistent profits.“It’s still very early in their journey... You can’t really put a verdict out yet... There’s a six-month lock-in, and during that period there’s pressure. FIIs (foreign institutional investors) have been big sellers in the Indian public market, and while domestic investors have absorbed a large chunk, there’s only so much they can take. The Indian market itself is up about 5-6% year-to-date, so it’s not booming…,” Juneja said. ETtech In the cohort of new age listed internet companies in India, Zomato and Blinkit’s parent Eternal; PB Fintech which operates Policybazaar; and beauty ecommerce platform Nykaa are among a few that have turned in profits, while most others are in need of cash to sustain growth. SoftBank sold shares worth $200 million through the offer-for-sale process and an earlier secondary transaction in Lenskart. Juneja said there was no pressure to exit.Among the Japanese group’s nine firms that have gone public over the past four years are Swiggy, Ola Electric, Delhivery and FirstCry.“There’s no pressure to sell because the parent or Vision Fund needs capital. Of course, we’re in the business of making money, so if incremental IRR (internal rate of return) isn’t attractive, we redeploy, but there’s no mandate to liquidate. We don’t report performance by region, but it’s safe to say India is one of the strongest-performing geographies in the Vision Fund,” said Juneja, who shuttles between London and Mumbai. SoftBank had ploughed around $200 million in the Peyush Bansal-led venture after having first backed it in 2019, when it was valued at $1.5 billion.The Masayoshi Son-founded conglomerate fully exited its position in Paytm and Policybazaar but Juneja said that despite several companies going public, SoftBank isn’t rushing to sell or list holdings. “We believe in compounding. Historically, SoftBank has held Alibaba and others for years. We evaluate execution, competition, macro conditions, and decide case by case. Sometimes we trim positions strategically; sometimes we hold,” he said. Ecommerce marketplace Meesho, where SoftBank holds 9.3% stake, is the next to go public with a Rs 6,500-7,000 crore IPO slated for December.Also Read: SoftBank expected to book $1.87 billion profit on IPOsFrothy public market valuationsSarthak Misra, partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, said that while there’s debate about valuations, Lenskart and other startups have been able to snag a high-quality anchor book.“There are market factors and competitive dynamics, but it’s still too early to judge performance,” he said. Misra said that if one looks at Nykaa, the fashion business is still sub-scale; if they replicate what they achieved in beauty, today’s valuation will look cheap. “Maybe they execute, maybe not, but that’s the entrepreneur’s job- capital allocation,” he said.Similarly, Urban Company has built a strong platform, and now the instant house help category is emerging. “If they capture that effectively, we’ll look back and call today’s price conservative. Entrepreneurs who can spot and fund the next growth leg create outsized value”, Misra said.“Valuation is really a collective judgement… if companies can grow 25% or more for the next five to seven years, these valuations will hold”, he said.Also Read: SoftBank posts first annual profit in four years, but Ola and Swiggy weigh on Vision Fund 2 in Q4AI bets, new investmentsGlobally, SoftBank has been actively making big-ticket investments in artificial intelligence (AI), such as OpenAI, Perplexity, Runway, Tractable in Europe, Poolside, Graphcore and others, but with AI still not significant in India, the group has not closed a new investment here for more than three years. But Juneja said India remains a focus for SoftBank. Last year, it invested over $75 million across some of its existing portfolio firms Meesho, Juspay, Eruditus and Whatfix.“It’s been about three years since a new India investment, but we’re seeing a much better pipeline than 18 months ago. The AI opportunity is exciting…but we’re careful. You can always get carried away by hype…we’d rather get it right,” Juneja said.ET had reported in June that SoftBank was exploring buyout opportunities in India, marking a significant shift from being a growth- and late-stage technology investor to that of a direct acquirer of assets, according to two people aware of its plans. The group was considering acquiring Indian IT and BPO firms to integrate AI, having held talks with AGS Health, which didn't fructify into a deal.“We do want to deploy more capital. You’ve seen SoftBank group companies like Graphcore commit large amounts to infrastructure; Arm keeps committing more to compute. The intent is very high,” Juneja said, noting that Son visited India last year and met entrepreneurs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.As for deploying smaller cheques, he said SoftBank is fairly flexible. “If we find a great company, we can go earlier. Our first cheque in Juspay was $35 million because it was a unique asset… We’ll adjust cheque sizes; there’s no rigid threshold,” he said.On AI valuations running into frothy territory, Juneja said, “Bubbles don’t mean you can’t make money. We’ve seen that before. We did much of our best investing in 2019-2021, which some called a tech bubble. But we backed strong founders with solid fundamentals and stayed disciplined. Now we’re seeing the rewards--Swiggy, Lenskart, Meesho, FirstCry. Even in a bubble you can win if you price right and pick well.”

Samidha Sharma
The Dismissal: How ‘the most tumultuous day in Australian political history’ unfolded
Politics

The Dismissal: How ‘the most tumultuous day in Australian political history’ unfolded

For some, it was proof the system worked. For others, it was a betrayal. But how did we get there and what have we learnt from it? The events that led up to it are manifold. And while most Australians actually agreed that Whitlam’s Labor government should have been deposed – and Malcolm Fraser’s opposition was officially voted in one month later – the Dismissal changed the way Australia operated and how it saw itself. Watch the video above to see why. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Bella Ann Sanchez, Tony Wright
Technology

After clutch catches Sunday, Bears WR Luther Burden could be in line for more work

Luther Burden picked the perfect time Sunday to make his biggest impact in a month.On the last play before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, the Bears’ second round rookie ran a fade stop route against Giants cornerback Korie Black, plucking Caleb Williams’ pass from the air at the Giants’ 28 and pushing two defenders nine yards for a gain of 27.“It was a pretty easy deep stopper,” Burden said. “Get him going, stop on a dime, get a good completion.”In the three weeks leading up to Sunday’s 24-20 win against the Giants, Burden had caught three passes for 21 yards...

Patrick Finley
BBC Leadership Resigns Over Bias Reports
Entertainment

BBC Leadership Resigns Over Bias Reports

In the wake of explosive reporting from The Telegraph that the BBC's own internal investigators had informed top leadership of systematic bias and deceptive editing in BBC "journalism," both the Director General of the BBC and the leader of the news division are resigning. 🚨 BREAKING: Tim Davie is set to resign as director-general of the BBC after a Telegraph investigation into bias at the broadcaster, according to reportsFind out more ⬇️https://t.co/kxu9TdKFjI pic.twitter.com/SGXliF8rHQ— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 9, 2025 The internal report was given to the top leadership of the BBC months ago, and in response, they buried it, defended the network against accusations of bias, and maintained the policies of deceptive reporting and censorship of certain views. 🚨 EXCLUSIVE: BBC’s bias ‘pushed Hamas lies around the world’Leaked dossier says corporation’s Arabic service boosted terror group’s claims and minimised Israeli sufferingFind out more from @gordonrayner: https://t.co/ddcEzqtMnl pic.twitter.com/GzBPITPxpc— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 4, 2025 Tim Davie has resigned as director-general of the BBC after a Telegraph investigation into bias at the broadcaster. Mr Davie had been under pressure to quit after a 19-page memo revealed that a speech by Donald Trump which made him appear to encourage the Capitol Riot was doctored. It also revealed anti-Israel bias at the broadcaster as well as claims gender-critical issues had been downplayed. Deborah Turness, the broadcaster’s CEO of News, has also resigned. Mr Davie said it was “entirely” his decision” to leave the BBC after 20 years and he would work with the BBC’s board to “allow for an orderly transition to a successor”.In a message to staff on Sunday afternoon, Mr Davie also defended the BBC saying it was unique and represented the “best of us” but needed to be accountable. Over the past week The Telegraph has disclosed the broadcaster’s one-sided reporting over Gaza, censorship of the trans debate and doctoring of a speech by Donald Trump. Doctoring video, promoting Hamas propaganda, and censoring gender-critical views? Who could have guessed? BREAKING: BBC’s director general Tim Davie, and the chief executive of the news division, Deborah Turness, have RESIGNED after it was revealed that BBC EDITED Trump‘s quotes on January 6th to make it look like Trump was calling for an insurrectionpic.twitter.com/uQKfMyP0pf— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 9, 2025 Neither Mr. Davie nor Ms Turness is admitting any wrongdoing; they say they are resigning to help the BBC get past the controversy. That's the thing.The leadership inside the BBC had the dossier. They were fine with it. They didn't resign because they did something wrong. They resigned because they were caught. https://t.co/8TEgCoZlzG— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) November 10, 2025 The problem is that the BBC is, even after all the revelations of its manipulation, continuing on the same path. The resignation of these two is unlikely to change the culture at the broadcaster without major reforms. BBC rebukes newsreader who corrected ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women’ https://t.co/7KMfxL30cW— The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) November 6, 2025 The "mistakes were made..." line is unlikely to satisfy critics of the BBC, especially given that there is no admission that the "mistakes" were intentional. There is no way you can manipulate a speech by splicing together two quotes said an hour apart and claim that it was just poor quality editing. Even the Labour government has expressed concerns, although I am not clear about the exact nature of those concerns. What IS clear is that the BBC's prestige and power have eroded significantly as it has done such a poor job of navigating the political and cultural landscape. On Sunday, the Culture Secretary claimed the BBC’s editorial decisions were not always “well thought through” and fell short of the “highest” expectations.She said: “My concern about what is happening at the BBC is twofold. I’ve had countless conversations with the senior leadership there, too many to name, and far more than I would like, over the last 15 months since we were elected.“The first concern that I have is that in all of these areas, whether it’s Israel, Gaza, whether it’s the concerns that were raised this week about the way they report on trans people, or on this issue about President Trump, that what tends to happen at the BBC is that decisions about editorial standards, editorial guidelines, the sort of language that is used in reporting, is entirely inconsistent.“It doesn’t always meet the highest standards.” Which brings up another issue about which most Americans are likely unaware: the British pay mandatory fees to watch television, even on a computer. £174 a year. BBC trans coverage 'censored' by own reporters.The national broadcaster failed to report on the WPATH files – leaked recordings and internal chats between gender clinicians which showed a casual disregard for patient wellbeing, together with open admissions from that they had… https://t.co/uywLvEWVo8— Sex Matters (@SexMattersOrg) November 5, 2025 The license fee, as you would imagine, is unpopular, and as it funds the BBC, the BBC's prestige is about more than ratings. There's real money at stake. watch or record live TV on any channel or serviceuse BBC iPlayerYou may be able to get a free or discounted TV Licence if you’re 75 or over and get Pension Credit, or if you’re blind or in residential care.You do not need a TV Licence to watch:streaming services like Netflix and Disney Pluson-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Videovideos on websites like YouTubevideos or DVDsHow much it costsA TV Licence costs £174.50 (£58.50 for black and white TV sets) for both homes and businesses.If you live in a shared householdYou need your own TV Licence if you have separate tenancy agreements and you watch TV in your own room.You can have one TV Licence for the whole household if you either:watch TV in a single shared areahave a joint tenancy agreementStudentsIf you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a TV Licence to watch TV in your own room. Shared areas may already be covered by a TV Licence.If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s:battery powerednot plugged innot connected to an aerial Fines and penaltiesYou can be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV Licence. If an American TV network screws up badly, it may take a bit of a hit for a while; if the BBC loses the support of the British people to the extent that Parliament starts looking into it, it could be a disaster for the BBC. ‘The BBC has an inbuilt bias, it might be groupthink.’Journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti believe there is ‘institutional rot’ within the BBC, saying the organisation is a ‘pathetic institution’ and the two resignations are not enough.📺 Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 pic.twitter.com/lj8xf3D0P1— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 9, 2025 I'm hoping for a bigger shakeup than this, since the BBC's influence extends far beyond the UK. It is one of the pillars of the transnationalist propaganda machine. At HotAir, we’ve been dealing with real government suppression of free speech for YEARS. Despite the threats and consequences, we refuse to go silent and remain committed to delivering the truth. But we can't do it without your support. Please help Ed, Beege, John, and me continue fighting back against government censorship by joining our terrific HotAir VIP community today. Use promo code POTUS47 to receive 74% off your membership. And thank you so much again for being here with us at HotAir.

David Strom
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