‘It brings me joy’: how young people are making CDs cool again 22. August 2026 (11:00) Compact discs are back, with searches for players up 96% at John Lewis and popular models sold out onlineWith more than 800 million people subscribing to a music streaming service, wireless speakers have become a familiar sight in homes. But expect to get reacquainted with a different object to play music soon: the CD player, once consigned to obsolescence, is back.John Lewis report that searches for CD players are up 96% since July, possibly owing to students heading to university and buying the systems for their rooms. The £79 Crosley Voyager, and the £129 Pure Classic C-D6 are both sold out online, with the Voyager scheduled to return in October. Portable CD players are also popular. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Unions worry Labour’s plan for zero-hours contracts may break manifesto pledge 22. August 2026 (10:00) Leaders claim scaremongering from business figures may cause key legislation to become ‘meaningless’Trades unions are warning Andy Burnham that Labour’s policy on cutting zero-hours contracts risks failing to live up to the party’s manifesto.Union leaders are seeking reassurances from the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, amid what the TUC has condemned as “scaremongering” from business groups. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
London leaders accuse Andy Burnham of imposing massive council tax rises 22. August 2026 (08:21) Leaders of Westminster, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea town halls argue they are being forced to significantly increase bills or slash services to plug massive budget holes(London News)
Canada vows to match Trump’s 50% tariffs after trade deal talks fail 22. August 2026 (08:05) Mark Carney accuses Washington of ‘unfair’ last-minute changes to deal, as US and Canada fail to reach agreement after three-day extension of talksCanadian prime minister Mark Carney has promised to match US tariffs “dollar for dollar”, after the two sides failed to agree a trade deal by the deadline of midnight on Friday.Canadian officials had worked hard in good faith but “last-minute changes in the US proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic and called into question the reliability of any deal”, Carney said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
