DLR strike, £82m Somerset House revamp, Cyberpunk 2077’s big win – plus Which? on Black Friday “fake deals”
On today’s Tech and Science Daily from The Standard, we cover DLR cleaners striking over sick pay on London’s driverless railway, the Courtauld’s £82m plan to transform Somerset House into a state-of-the-art campus, and new UK analysis warning that over-reliance on carbon removals could push up climate costs. In gaming, Cyberpunk 2077 passes 35 million sales and outpaces The Witcher 3, while in consumer tech Apple is tipped to overtake Samsung as the world’s top smartphone seller thanks to the iPhone 17. Plus, we’re joined by Which? to reveal why eight in ten Black Friday “bargains” are often the same price, or cheaper, at other times of the year – and how to shop smarter this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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City Hall questions skinny jabs as physicists spot a cosmic clue
City Hall is probing the surge in so-called “skinny jabs”, as London Assembly members warn of unlicensed sellers, counterfeit pens and off-label prescriptions. The hearing digs into how Londoners are accessing GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro — and whether people are being properly protected and informed.The Environment Agency has released new bathing-water rankings, showing a slight improvement across England’s coasts and lakes — but river sites are still performing badly, with only two out of fourteen meeting basic standards. Plus, a landmark study in Wales has mapped its most threatened species, revealing around 3,000 plants and animals surviving in just a handful of locations. Also in this episode:UK firm Lacuna Space prepares to launch four new “Wisdom of the Trail” satellites to connect remote sensors directly to orbit.Tokyo astronomers report a potentially promising dark-matter signal in 15 years of Fermi telescope data.Fujitsu unveils an “ocean digital twin” to speed up certification of blue-carbon projects.Saudi Arabia’s PIF faces scrutiny over finances amid its $55bn deal to buy EA.Battlefield 6 launches its free trial via Redsec, unlocking three playlists and maps until 2 December. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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11:35
NHS approves ‘living drug’, plus Apple TV’s latest Ice Age epic
The NHS approves a groundbreaking new “living drug” for aggressive leukaemia, offering fresh hope for patients whose cancer has returned or resisted treatment — and marking a major win for London’s life sciences sector. Plus, UCL and Royal Free researchers push forward with greener, cheaper ways to manufacture next-gen cell therapies.We also look at how UK scientists are repurposing Covid-era mRNA tech to protect against snake venom, and why new climate data shows Europe’s winters — including London’s — are becoming wetter far faster than models predicted.Later in the episode, we speak to Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age executive producer Mike Gunton about snow sloths, Ice Age surprises, and the lessons ancient climate change still holds today.Also in this episode:A new germanium-based quantum material sets a record for hole mobility — and could support faster, cooler and more efficient future chipsGhost of Yotei drops its biggest update yet, including New Game Plus and a 120Hz mode for PS5 and PS5 ProNintendo rolls out a stability patch for both Switch and Switch 2, fixing data-transfer and Bluetooth issuesFor all the latest news, head to standard.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The UK's science and innovation push, plus Grammys chief on tech shaping music
The UK’s science and tech sector takes centre stage as leaders gather at the Science Museum for the Innovation for Growth summit, discussing how Britain can turn world-class research into real economic impact. Plus, London Global Cancer Week shines a spotlight on major new data revealing global differences in cancer survival.We also speak to Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy, about how streaming and global connectivity are reshaping music tastes — and why artists performing in non-English languages are thriving like never before.Also in this episode:A new report warns the UK is now the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear power.UK clinicians report early hope in a groundbreaking gene therapy for Hunter syndrome.The MoD launches the world’s first military esports tournament.The digital-only PS5 hits its lowest price yet in early Black Friday deals.For all the latest news, visit standard.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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UK Navy takes aim at drones with £316m laser system
Britain’s defence tech gets a major boost as the Ministry of Defence signs a £316 million contract to equip Royal Navy ships with DragonFire laser weapon systems — capable of hitting a £1 coin from over a kilometre away. We break down what this leap in naval protection means for jobs, defence, and the UK’s future warfare capabilities.Plus, one of the UK’s largest prostate cancer studies gets underway, aiming to transform diagnosis and reduce harm for thousands of men.We also speak to Professor Mark Rowlands about why Plymouth has been crowned the happiest place in the UK to be a dog.Also in this episode:UCL scientists identify what triggered a huge ‘earthquake swarm’ near Santorini, detecting magma flows deep beneath the seafloor.James Webb Space Telescope spots a supermassive black hole that shouldn’t exist, challenging theories of early-universe formation.Cricket 26 launches ahead of the Ashes, with updated squads, stadiums and “Bazball”-inspired modes.Google tests Quick Share compatibility with Apple’s AirDrop, hinting at smoother cross-platform file transfers.For all the latest news, head to standard.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Daily bulletins reporting the latest news from the world of science and technology, from the Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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