Growth in global demand for ‘green’ office buildings slows amid Trump policies

The growth in global demand for “green” office buildings has slowed after Donald Trump’s assault on environmental protection policies caused a slump in interest in the US, according to a survey of construction industry professionals.Building occupiers and investors across North America and South America expressed significantly lower growth in demand for green commercial buildings, a shift that “seems to be in response to a change in US policy focus”, according to a survey of members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics). Reported demand across the rest of the world also fell, albeit not as sharply.Residential and commercial buildings together accounted for 34% of global carbon emissions in 2023, according to the UN Environment Programme. The majority of those emissions came from heating, cooling and powering buildings, although about a fifth came from construction

US private equity giant poised to take over online retailer The Very Group

The Barclay family is set to lose control of another part of their former business empire with a US private equity firm taking control of online retailer the Very Group.Washington-headquartered Carlyle Group is expected to announce it has taken over the retailer as soon as Monday morning.The change of control will bring to an end more than 20 years under the ownership of the Barclay family, which has been forced to give up a series of businesses – including the Telegraph newspaper, London’s Ritz hotel, and delivery company Yodel – that made them into billionaires, and one of the richest families in Britain.The Very Group’s board, chaired by former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, met on Sunday to confirm the change of ownership, according to Sky News, which first reported the move.The Barclay family, led by identical twins David and Frederick, had owned Very since buying it in 2002 – when it was a catalogue retailer known as Littlewoods – for £750m

Elon Musk makes himself far-right fixture after White House departure

The Tesla CEO once hinted he was done with politics – but he’s been leaning further into the international far rightWhen the far-right activist Tommy Robinson emerged from a London courtroom this week after a judge cleared him of a terrorism charge, he gave thanks to the man he said had bankrolled his defense.“Elon Musk, I’m forever grateful. If you didn’t step in and fund my legal fight I’d probably be in jail,” Robinson said. “Thank you, Elon.”In the period immediately after Musk’s messy departure from the White House, the Tesla CEO repeatedly suggested that he was done with politics

ChatGPT accused of acting as ‘suicide coach’ in series of US lawsuits

ChatGPT has been accused of acting as a “suicide coach” in a series of lawsuits filed this week in California alleging that interactions with the chatbot led to severe mental breakdowns and several deaths.The seven lawsuits include allegations of wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, negligence and product liability.Each of the seven plaintiffs initially used ChatGPT for “general help with schoolwork, research, writing, recipes, work, or spiritual guidance”, according to a joint statement from the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project, which filed the lawsuits in California on Thursday.Over time, however, the chatbot “evolved into a psychologically manipulative presence, positioning itself as a confidant and emotional support”, the groups said.“Rather than guiding people toward professional help when they needed it ChatGPT reinforced harmful delusions, and, in some cases, acted as a ‘suicide coach’

Rewarding mediocrity or providing new hope? AFL confirms divisive finals wildcard plan

The AFL has defended its decision to expand the finals series to 10 clubs with the introduction of a divisive “wildcard round” from next season.The two additional matches will be held during the weekend that has been used for a pre-finals bye in the men’s competition while the AFLW will lose the clear air it has had for early-round fixtures over the past three seasons.The expansion of the finals series will see the clubs that finished seventh and 10th meet in a cut-throat final, while eighth will play ninth with the winner to extend their season.The top six sides at the end of the home and away season will continue to enjoy a week off.“Our fans love finals games, so we think it provides opportunities and hope for our fans,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said

England fan’s life ban for ugly Lord’s clash with Australian team may be overturned

An English cricket fan’s life ban following an incident involving Australia players during the Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2023 may be overturned, despite the hefty sanction that was initially handed out for his “completely unacceptable” behaviour in the Long Room.The MCC immediately suspended three members on the day of the incident, after the behaviour – which followed the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow at a crucial time during the match – was caught on camera and called out by Pat Cummins after the match.A four-month investigation saw each of those members issued with suspensions for varying severity of the charge of “abusive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or language”.One was banned for two and a half years, a second was barred for four and a half years, and a third was expelled from the club. That expulsion is now subject to review, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday