UK food delivery firms step up checks after claims of illegal workers

The UK’s three largest food delivery companies have announced increased security checks for riders after ministers raised concerns about people working illegally for the firms.Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat have committed to increasing the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology in efforts to ensure only those with registered accounts can work on their platforms.The changes were announced after the firms met Home Office ministers on Monday to discuss people using the platforms to work illegally. Last week the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, claimed to have found people working illegally for the firms during a visit to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.The new checks will be rolled out in the next 90 days

US dollar has worst first half in more than 50 years amid Trump tariffs

The US dollar has had its worst first half-year in more than 50 years, as the financial markets over the last six months were dominated by geopolitical crises and Donald Trump’s trade war.The dollar has fallen by more than 10% against a basket of currencies since the start of 2025. That is its worst performance over the first six months of any year since 1973, and the worst half-year since the second half of 1991.This sell-off has pulled the dollar index down to its lowest level since March 2022 and lifted the pound to a three-year high of $1.37, up from $1

China hosts first fully autonomous AI robot football match

They think it’s all over … for human footballers at least.The pitch wasn’t the only artificial element on display at a football match on Saturday. Four teams of humanoid robots took each other on in Beijing, in games of three-a-side powered by artificial intelligence.While the modern game has faced accusations of becoming near-robotic in its obsession with tactical perfection, the games in China showed that AI won’t be taking Kylian Mbappé’s job just yet.Footage of the humanoid kickabout showed the robots struggling to kick the ball or stay upright, performing pratfalls that would have earned their flesh-and-blood counterparts a yellow card for diving

Microsoft says AI system better than doctors at diagnosing complex health conditions

Microsoft has revealed details of an artificial intelligence system that performs better than human doctors at complex health diagnoses, creating a “path to medical superintelligence”.The company’s AI unit, which is led by the British tech pioneer Mustafa Suleyman, has developed a system that imitates a panel of expert physicians tackling “diagnostically complex and intellectually demanding” cases.Microsoft said that when paired with OpenAI’s advanced o3 AI model, its approach “solved” more than eight of 10 case studies specially chosen for the diagnostic challenge. When those case studies were tried on practising physicians – who had no access to colleagues, textbooks or chatbots – the accuracy rate was two out of 10.Microsoft said it was also a cheaper option than using human doctors because it was more efficient at ordering tests

Wimbledon 2025 day one: Raducanu eases through, Alcaraz survives huge scare, and more – live

Perricard has taken the second set, on a tie-break. Fritz will need a five-setter to make it through.There’s still games being played out there. France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is on Court No 1, and won the first set against Taylor Fritz. The late man on Centre Court is Sasha Zverev, who is taking on Arthur Rinderknech, another Frenchman, under the lights presumably, in the Newsnight slot

Emma Raducanu too strong for teenager Mimi Xu in British battle

“Come on Britain!” echoed through the sweltering 31C heat on No 1 Court as Emma Raducanu defeated Mimi Xu in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. The all-British clash featured two players, similarly attired in matching outfits and golf visors, who uniquely captivated the home crowd. Raducanu has been a fan favourite since her fairytale 2021 US Open triumph, while the grand slam debutant Xu, ranked world No 300, has impressed in junior circuits and shown significant promise on the senior tour.However, in their inaugural tour meeting, the gulf in class was evident from the outset. Raducanu’s powerful forehands down the line, blistering serves, and astute court craft allowed her to seize control immediately