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b3f809dd441393717abe3a873d800297c193f56967de83995a39f28852c11f2e
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2026-01-17T15:00:00+00:00
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Gender ambiguity was a tool of power 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia
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Gender-ambiguous people in ancient Mesopotamia were powerful and important members of society more than four millennia ago.
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https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/gender-ambiguity-was-a-tool-of-power-4-500-years-ago-in-mesopotamia
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Science
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40ed121946de2427762dd34e5d66d5acaf285a7d71df80e86f31bdd989bc1420
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2026-01-17T13:15:00+00:00
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'The scientific cost would be severe': A Trump Greenland takeover would put climate research at risk
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Trump's calls for a takeover of Greenland puts open scientific collaboration that is helping our understanding of the threat of global sea-level rise at risk.
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https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/the-scientific-cost-would-be-severe-a-trump-greenland-takeover-would-put-climate-research-at-risk
|
Science
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fba51644b1f1486bba64079ed73f14ecae84a60817c75eb0f1362f1d1f3530cf
|
2026-01-17T12:00:00+00:00
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Science news this week: ISS medical evacuation, Mars Sample Return canceled, and woolly rhino flesh found in permafrost wolf
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Jan. 17, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
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https://www.livescience.com/space/science-news-this-week-iss-medical-evacuation-mars-sample-return-canceled-and-woolly-rhino-flesh-found-in-permafrost-wolf
|
Science
| |
c9543f378d6253b125ac0ac0dda9ee8d4a8a6df48683b644681780910556d9bc
|
2026-01-17T12:00:00+00:00
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Is there anything 'below' Earth in space?
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Earth and its neighbors orbit the sun on a relatively flat plane. But what's below this plane, and is anythign below the Earth?
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https://www.livescience.com/space/is-there-anything-below-earth-in-space
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Science
| |
db586fa436002c5645d01c05d99d84a054a3e41a6a53bd93b005227682364b5a
|
2026-01-17T10:00:00+00:00
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How much of your body could you lose — and still survive?
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Five vital organs are essential for life, but survival is more medically complex.
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https://www.livescience.com/health/how-much-of-your-body-could-you-lose-and-still-survive
|
Science
| |
2d5a38b0812ea9a42f663fb0beda687aa9b6cf6d4e64e8a4367c591a11036ac4
|
2026-01-16T21:19:42+00:00
|
Artemis 2 update: NASA to wheel historic, 11 million-pound rocket to the launch pad this weekend
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NASA's Artemis 2 rocket will roll out Saturday (Jan. 17) ahead of a possible Feb. 6 launch. Here's how to watch.
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https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/artemis-2-update-nasa-to-wheel-historic-11-million-pound-rocket-to-the-launch-pad-this-weekend
|
Science
| |
a16a0ffe292fe6ce7e057fb8e5986a942d64eb4ecdce8fec317f5c4f02ba468c
|
2026-01-17T12:30:00+00:00
|
Best External Hard Drive (2026): SSD to Store Data, Video & More
|
Need an ultrafast drive for video editing or a rugged option to back up your photos in the field? We’ve got a solution for every situation.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/best-portable-external-storage-drives/
|
Technology
| |
6bbdc367b7ddaf9d80feb8b58baf96a79e4889d7ac009fe9108670668baf744b
|
2026-01-17T12:08:00+00:00
|
Reddit Has Thoughts on Paris Hilton Cookware. So Do We
|
I put two viral Paris Hilton-branded kitchen products to the test. I have some thoughts.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/paris-hilton-cookware-reddit/
|
Technology
| |
97b8aa616eeeec6ddb68678ad9e9779831053a1fdfa1262e093c74c7c1aeff09
|
2026-01-17T11:30:00+00:00
|
US Hackers Reportedly Caused a Blackout in Venezuela
|
Plus: AI reportedly caused ICE to send agents into the field without training, Palantir’s app for targeting immigrants gets exposed, and more.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/security-news-this-week-us-hackers-reportedly-caused-a-blackout-in-venezuela/
|
Technology
| |
37a0834152267784d2dec49e4de4d55e25371cf18a53564d799ddfe9aca92fd4
|
2026-01-17T11:30:00+00:00
|
7 Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems (2026), Tested in a Tech Reviewer's Home
|
Forget about patchy internet connections and dead spots in the house. These WIRED-tested multiroom mesh systems will get you online in no time.
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https://www.wired.com/story/best-mesh-wifi-routers/
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Technology
| |
f75dd68f0e7166453c80e6568bee2eac61c84d4971e8034c11c0e53e4f34ea0b
|
2026-01-17T11:00:00+00:00
|
Gear News of the Week: Kia Shows off the EV2, and Fujifilm Debuts New Instax Cameras
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Plus: Fender rebrands its PreSonus music production app, Ricoh unveils a monochrome camera, and Omega has a new Speedmaster.
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https://www.wired.com/story/gear-news-of-the-week-kia-shows-off-the-ev2-and-fujifilm-debuts-new-instax-cameras/
|
Technology
| |
6ce4a1c0175964e1948f209f8f1a381dc6d53a1b08d27a403e08c2e9c72364fa
|
2026-01-17T10:36:00+00:00
|
The Best Mattress for Back Pain: 7 Top Options We Tested (2025)
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Struggling with back pain while you sleep or when you wake up in the morning? These mattresses can help with that.
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https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-mattresses-for-back-pain/
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Technology
| |
60cfafcaf4371b837a761565209052c0208f8f767f7f88c6e3c25ae3fcf63ab1
|
2026-01-17T10:00:00+00:00
|
The 16 Best EVs Coming in 2026
|
We’re expecting fresh electrics from Rivian, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, and newcomer Slate, among others. Here are the EVs arriving this year that we’re most excited about.
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https://www.wired.com/story/the-16-best-evs-coming-in-2026/
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Technology
| |
9797e5d983e350e12800561b84b12222052a24d4459ef64baf6d370baa9e3ee3
|
2026-01-17T06:00:00+00:00
|
Petlibro Discount Codes and Deals: Save Up to 50%
|
Save on Petlibro essentials, including automatic feeders, water fountains, and accessories to keep cats and dogs fed, hydrated, and comfortable every day.
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https://www.wired.com/story/petlibro-discount-code/
|
Technology
| |
14f42a536156486f476554b41035b094392f7523d4d51193028aebfad6dd1800
|
2026-01-17T00:40:41+00:00
|
Thinking Machines Cofounder’s Office Relationship Preceded His Termination
|
Leaders at Mira Murati’s startup believe Barret Zoph engaged in an incident of “serious misconduct.” The details are now coming to light.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/thinking-machines-lab-cofounder-office-relationship-firing-openai/
|
Technology
| |
1e997c129c62e522fcc478211157d0c65de1c6b36ed8dee2326ad0e5d6e84bcf
|
2026-01-16T22:37:01+00:00
|
The Campaign to Destroy Renee Good
|
After an ICE agent shot and killed the Minneapolis mother, conservative media launched an all-out attack on her reputation. Her identity as a queer woman was central to it.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/the-campaign-to-destroy-renee-good/
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Technology
| |
fbb431c40607093e9e2e57a45664ff3e88a54ab90c4cfa95cf765368ac100e7e
|
2026-01-16T21:10:17+00:00
|
Our Favorite Compact Power Station Is on Sale for 33% Off
|
This little power station can keep your stuff topped up, plus you can save some cash on solar panels.
|
https://www.wired.com/story/jackery-explorer-300-plus-deal-126/
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Technology
| |
ae0e80fd525f89891a6e0583db24301e2ff4f527d5c39f9ca40545d8ce6c1c9a
|
2026-01-18T01:17:11+00:00
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Why Silicon Valley is really talking about fleeing California (it’s not the 5%)
|
If you’ve been following the billionaire exodus from California with some confusion, here’s what’s actually driving the nervousness: it’s not the 5% rate. As highlighted Friday in the New York Post, the proposed wealth tax would hit founders on their voting shares rather than the actual equity they own. Take Larry Page, who about 3% […]
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/why-silicon-valley-is-really-talking-about-fleeing-california-its-not-the-5/
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Technology
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svg
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7263e51b0cf7bfcbbac226ecf3eeaee6b856b4b12f773309e6db61d1a3a2d853
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2026-01-17T22:45:09+00:00
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Who gets to inherit the stars? A space ethicist on what we’re not talking about
|
While it's easy to romanticize space as an escape to a pristine frontier where people will float weightlessly among the stars, it’s worth remembering there are no oceans or mountains or chirpy birds in space. It's “not nice up there,” said Rubenstein. “It is not nice at all."
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/who-gets-to-inherit-the-stars-a-space-ethicist-on-what-were-not-talking-about/
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Technology
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svg
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aff3803afe56edb9b2880602bf6d783041352525971b6a293e790b6824602a82
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2026-01-17T17:30:00+00:00
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Trump administration’s legal setbacks are good news for offshore wind — and the grid
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Three offshore wind projects under construction on the U.S. East Coast are back to building after judges rebuked the Department of the Interior's actions.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/trump-administrations-legal-setbacks-are-good-news-for-offshore-wind-and-the-grid/
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Technology
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svg
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7b78a3bb39326fbfadfb6588baabd25560074aedf9874e373c2dbca1ecb16d5d
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2026-01-17T16:00:00+00:00
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Oshen built the first ocean robot to collect data in a Category 5 hurricane
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Oshen has signed contracts with multiple government agencies for its C-Star robots to collect ocean data autonomously.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/oshen-built-the-first-ocean-robot-to-collect-data-in-a-category-5-hurricane/
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Technology
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svg
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3eb47a89530f911020167cd3dffd4353e8fa9c0d1d174ec225aa63013fad4899
|
2026-01-17T08:26:08+00:00
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Musk wants up to $134B in OpenAI lawsuit, despite $700B fortune
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Musk's legal team argues he should be compensated as an early startup investor who sees returns "many orders of magnitude greater" than his initial investment.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/musk-wants-up-to-134b-in-openai-lawsuit-despite-700b-fortune/
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Technology
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svg
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cd4bc2367ae3370288004f119ae9b5868dc62df5da4e08e7f900a5f03467e6fc
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2026-01-16T23:46:33+00:00
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AI cloud startup Runpod hits $120M in ARR — and it started with a Reddit post
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Their startup journey is a wild example of how if you build it well and the timing is lucky, they will definitely come.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/ai-cloud-startup-runpod-hits-120m-in-arr-and-it-started-with-a-reddit-post/
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Technology
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svg
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b25953a45cdb285ec4277439bad0031270c895d2a701373cfa8169028fd79417
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2026-01-16T23:21:24+00:00
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California AG sends Musk’s xAI a cease-and-desist order over sexual deepfakes
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The flood of AI-generated sexual imagery has spurred concern from state and congressional officials alike.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/california-ag-sends-musks-xai-a-cease-and-desist-order-over-sexual-deepfakes/
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Technology
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svg
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a18f0866b07b11408fc0527890d43c6ef6cd6d1e738178e949511dfab4008e1b
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2026-01-16T22:05:08+00:00
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Snowflake, Databricks challenger ClickHouse hits $15B valuation
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The $400 million round was led by Dragoneer.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/snowflake-databricks-challenger-clickhouse-hits-15b-valuation/
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Technology
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svg
|
ba64e54ff77693f4f5dbb1cb4aa11d4e4ad981c73db37b0e43d60a6fc98b827b
|
2026-01-16T21:11:11+00:00
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TikTok quietly launches a microdrama app called ‘PineDrama’
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Think TikTok, but every single video you come across is a short episode of a fictional story.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/tiktok-quietly-launches-a-micro-drama-app-called-pinedrama/
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Technology
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svg
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6651887b7d87fbb2d41b9172e951424a606ae019c811fd8188d0afdd0cab7e97
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2026-01-16T20:49:18+00:00
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EPA rules that xAI’s natural gas generators were illegally used
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Elon Musk's AI company had installed and operated 35 natural gas turbines without permits, something the EPA now says was illegal.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/epa-rules-that-xais-natural-gas-generators-were-illegally-used/
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Technology
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svg
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354f0e72ea9c525a230f94d29dcd0a555276475a822e7b0cc6a451f2043854e6
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2026-01-16T20:14:00+00:00
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From OpenAI’s offices to a deal with Eli Lilly — how Chai Discovery became one of the flashiest names in AI drug development
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The startup has partnered with Eli Lilly and enjoys the backing of some of Silicon Valley's most influential VCs.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/from-openais-offices-to-a-deal-with-eli-lilly-how-chai-discovery-became-one-of-the-flashiest-names-in-ai-drug-development/
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Technology
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svg
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fe626a695a87ef1683363c2715568ab1fc05f375bdd310578bcb7ffc21fa4c9b
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2026-01-16T20:01:12+00:00
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Supreme Court hacker posted stolen government data on Instagram
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Nicholas Moore pleaded guilty to stealing victims’ information from the Supreme Court and other federal government agencies, and then posting it on his Instagram @ihackthegovernment.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/supreme-court-hacker-posted-stolen-government-data-on-instagram/
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Technology
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svg
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7475078430e82fa951493c6021b4f442056379c9d0edc3286653112325197f53
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2026-01-16T19:54:19+00:00
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ChatGPT users are about to get hit with targeted ads
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OpenAI says that users impacted by the ads will have some control over what they see.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/chatgpt-users-are-about-to-get-hit-with-targeted-ads/
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Technology
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svg
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0f718ec86f6a8879a922fae3df1e8edc57ef31ce1a9bd182f43d9c2261015497
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2026-01-16T19:38:27+00:00
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Trump administration wants tech companies to buy $15B of power plants they may not use
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In an attempt to alleviate rising electricity prices, the White House wants grid operator PJM to hold an auction for new generating capacity, and it wants tech companies to bid.
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https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/trump-administration-wants-tech-companies-to-buy-15b-of-power-plants-they-may-not-use/
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Technology
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svg
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cbac2a24e8b72e4409824b81ae144505f362bfb3804555f70d0c1ae8a65dd892
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2026-01-17T12:00:11+00:00
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Meta’s layoffs leave Supernatural fitness users in mourning
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Tencia Benavidez, a Supernatural user who lives in New Mexico, started her VR workouts during the Covid pandemic. She has been a regular user in the five years since, calling the ability to work out in VR ideal, given that she lives in a rural area where it’s hard to get to a gym or work out outside during a brutal winter. She stuck with Supernatural because of the community and the eagerness of Supernatural’s coaches. “They seem like really authentic individuals that were not talking down to you,” Benavidez says. “There's just something really special about those coaches.” Meta bought Supernatural in 2022, folding it into its then-heavily-invested-in metaverse efforts. The purchase was not a smooth process, as it triggered a lengthy legal battle in which the US Federal Trade Commission tried to block Meta from purchasing the service due to antitrust concerns about Meta “trying to buy its way to the top” of the VR market. Meta ultimately prevailed. At the time, some Supernatural users were cautiously optimistic, hoping that big bag of Zuckerbucks could keep its workout juggernaut afloat. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/metas-layoffs-leave-supernatural-fitness-users-in-mourning/
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Technology
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85353fa594258fe6eec914edb8d4a37747b0445c5dce67f5c0222f93b612f3aa
|
2026-01-17T04:45:33+00:00
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Managers on alert for “launch fever” as pressure builds for NASA’s Moon mission
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida—The rocket NASA is preparing to send four astronauts on a trip around the Moon will emerge from its assembly building on Florida's Space Coast early Saturday for a slow crawl to its seaside launch pad. Riding atop one of NASA's diesel-powered crawler transporters, the Space Launch System rocket and its mobile launch platform will exit the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center around 7:00 am EST (11:00 UTC). The massive tracked transporter, certified by Guinness as the world's heaviest self-propelled vehicle, is expected to cover the four miles between the assembly building and Launch Complex 39B in about eight to 10 hours. The rollout marks a major step for NASA's Artemis II mission, the first human voyage to the vicinity of the Moon since the last Apollo lunar landing in December 1972. Artemis II will not land. Instead, a crew of four astronauts will travel around the far side of the Moon at a distance of several thousand miles, setting the record for the farthest humans have ever ventured from Earth. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/managers-on-alert-for-launch-fever-as-pressure-builds-for-nasas-moon-mission/
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Technology
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a657c91269536d24f336cc3d7e23d894426c56abb2aca200ce6ff7275e6f743f
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2026-01-16T23:15:27+00:00
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Rackspace customers grapple with “devastating” email hosting price hike
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Rackspace’s new pricing for its email hosting services is “devastating,” according to a partner that has been using Rackspace as its email provider since 1999. In recent weeks, Rackspace updated its email hosting pricing. Its standard plan is now $10 per mailbox per month. Businesses can also pay for the Rackspace Email Plus add-on for an extra $2/mailbox/month (for “file storage, mobile sync, Office-compatible apps, and messaging”), and the Archiving add-on for an extra $6/mailbox/month (for unlimited storage). As recently as November 2025, Rackspace charged $3/mailbox/month for its Standard plan, and an extra $1/mailbox/month for the Email Plus add-on, and an additional $3/mailbox/month for the Archival add-on, according to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/01/rackspace-raises-email-hosting-prices-by-as-much-as-706-percent/
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Technology
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5bb9a1b8aa88d33ce68b1c1094c191c36b32d5acf92d577334ada73a0b21e10a
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2026-01-16T22:07:41+00:00
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Archaeologists find a supersized medieval shipwreck in Denmark
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Archaeologists recently found the wreck of an enormous medieval cargo ship lying on the seafloor off the Danish coast, and it reveals new details of medieval trade and life at sea. Archaeologists discovered the shipwreck while surveying the seabed in preparation for a construction project for the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. It lay on its side, half-buried in the sand, 12 meters below the choppy surface of the Øresund, the straight that runs between Denmark and Sweden. By comparing the tree rings in the wreck’s wooden planks and timbers with rings from other, precisely dated tree samples, the archaeologists concluded that the ship had been built around 1410 CE. Svaelget 2, as archaeologists dubbed the wreck (its original name is long since lost to history), was a type of merchant ship called a cog: a wide, flat-bottomed, high-sided ship with an open cargo hold and a square sail on a single mast. A bigger, heavier, more advanced version of the Viking knarrs of centuries past, the cog was the high-tech supertanker of its day. It was built to carry bulky commodities from ports in the Netherlands, north around the coast of Denmark, and then south through the Øresund to trading ports on the Baltic Sea—but this one didn’t quite make it. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/archaeologists-find-a-supersized-medieval-shipwreck-in-denmark/
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Technology
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3c33e3ed779455add3ad839141dc102d6dbc4f081bf51daa1387d203e48b98bf
|
2026-01-16T21:43:22+00:00
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Judge orders Anna’s Archive to delete scraped data; no one thinks it will comply
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The operator of WorldCat won a default judgment against Anna's Archive, with a federal judge ruling yesterday that the shadow library must delete all copies of its WorldCat data and stop scraping, using, storing, or distributing the data. Anna's Archive is a shadow library and search engine for other shadow libraries that was launched in 2022. It archives books and other written materials and makes them available via torrents, and recently expanded its ambitions by scraping Spotify to make a 300TB copy of the most-streamed songs. Anna's Archive lost its .org domain a couple of weeks ago but remains online at other domains. Yesterday's ruling is in a case filed by OCLC, a nonprofit that operates the WorldCat library catalog on behalf of member libraries. OCLC alleged that Anna’s Archive “illegally hacked WorldCat.org” to steal 2.2TB of data. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/judge-orders-annas-archive-to-delete-scraped-data-no-one-thinks-it-will-comply/
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Technology
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c4dc9bda20518c2a56ee75b9e6a27a29e34595cd16804b8b2034234538a43b54
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2026-01-16T21:32:13+00:00
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This may be the grossest eye pic ever—but the cause is what’s truly horrifying
|
A generally healthy 63-year-old man in the New England area went to the hospital with a fever, cough, and vision problems in his right eye. His doctors eventually determined that a dreaded hypervirulent bacteria—which is rising globally—was ravaging several of his organs, including his brain. According to the man, the problems started three weeks before his hospital visit, when he said he ate some bad meat and started vomiting and having diarrhea. Those symptoms faded after about two weeks, but then new problems began—he started coughing and having chills and a fever. His cough only worsened from there. At the hospital, doctors took X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans of his chest and abdomen. The images revealed over 15 nodules and masses in his lungs. But that's not all they found. The imaging also revealed a mass in his liver that was 8.6 cm in diameter (about 3.4 inches). Lab work pointed toward an infection, so doctors admitted him to the hospital and provided oxygen to help with his breathing, as well as antibiotics. But his chills and cough continued. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/features/2026/01/this-may-be-the-grossest-eye-pic-ever-but-the-cause-is-whats-truly-horrifying/
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Technology
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9b074f94af428740ff20822e02f3bd90b1d9665fe230ad241e8714d5b4bd6a1e
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2026-01-16T21:20:03+00:00
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OpenAI to test ads in ChatGPT as it burns through billions
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On Friday, OpenAI announced it will begin testing advertisements inside the ChatGPT app for some US users in a bid to expand its customer base and diversify revenue. The move represents a reversal for CEO Sam Altman, who in 2024 described advertising in ChatGPT as a "last resort" and expressed concerns that ads could erode user trust, although he did not completely rule out the possibility at the time. The banner ads will appear in the coming weeks for logged-in users of the free version of ChatGPT as well as the new $8 per month ChatGPT Go plan, which OpenAI also announced Friday is now available worldwide. OpenAI first launched ChatGPT Go in India in August 2025 and has since rolled it out to over 170 countries. Users paying for the more expensive Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers will not see advertisements. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/01/openai-to-test-ads-in-chatgpt-as-it-burns-through-billions/
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Technology
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40a754b5921a59e4944a447ca7f87377b3988e90b14189f859a6e70f3cd9d5c6
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2026-01-16T21:05:37+00:00
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Mandiant releases rainbow table that cracks weak admin password in 12 hours
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Security firm Mandiant has released a database that allows any administrative password protected by Microsoft’s NTLM.v1 hash algorithm to be hacked in an attempt to nudge users who continue using the deprecated function despite known weaknesses. The database comes in the form of a rainbow table, which is a precomputed table of hash values linked to their corresponding plaintext. These generic tables, which work against multiple hashing schemes, allow hackers to take over accounts by quickly mapping a stolen hash to its password counterpart. NTLMv1 rainbow tables are particularly easy to construct because of NTLMv1’s limited keyspace, meaning the relatively small number of possible passwords the hashing function allows for. NTLMv1 rainbow tables have existed for two decades but typically require large amounts of resources to make any use of them. On Thursday, Mandiant said it had released an NTLMv1 rainbow table that will allow defenders and researchers (and, of course, malicious hackers, too) to recover passwords in under 12 hours using consumer hardware costing less than $600 USD. The table is hosted in Google Cloud. The database works against Net-NTLMv1 passwords, which are used in network authentication for accessing resources such as SMB network sharing. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/01/mandiant-releases-rainbow-table-that-cracks-weak-admin-password-in-12-hours/
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Technology
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66a2b604d91f22b5955baa3719740982bfeff65f9611d5b1d0836671cae78f1d
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2026-01-16T19:56:33+00:00
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RAM shortage chaos expands to GPUs, high-capacity SSDs, and even hard drives
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Big Tech's AI-fueled memory shortage is set to be the PC industry's defining story for 2026 and beyond. Standalone, direct-to-consumer RAM kits were some of the first products to feel the bite, with prices spiking by 300 or 400 percent by the end of 2025; prices for SSDs had also increased noticeably, albeit more modestly. The rest of 2026 is going to be all about where, how, and to what extent those price spikes flow downstream into computers, phones, and other components that use RAM and NAND chips—areas where the existing supply of products and longer-term supply contracts negotiated by big companies have helped keep prices from surging too noticeably so far. This week, we're seeing signs that the RAM crunch is starting to affect the GPU market—Asus made some waves when it inadvertently announced that it was discontinuing its GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. Read full article Comments
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https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/ram-shortage-chaos-expands-to-gpus-high-capacity-ssds-and-even-hard-drives/
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Technology
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a58f2e6cef9af74bc9b03c674b28522bf8eb3c689f24e61f39037492ec7f7423
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2026-01-17T21:15:02+00:00
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‘Fallout’ Returns to ‘Magic: The Gathering’ and Secret Lair
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For the 'Magic' fans, Secret Lair is dropping some new 'Fallout'-themed card packs at the end of the month.
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https://gizmodo.com/fallout-returns-to-magic-the-gathering-and-secret-lair-2000711431
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Technology
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09077f2f670a3dfb97570de613f3258dd38462379c2d2d0469dd8338788f3385
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2026-01-17T20:47:27+00:00
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Report Shows Massive Increase in Iranian Bitcoin Adoption Amid Nationwide Unrest
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Turns out people might like to circumvent centralized financial infrastructure in times of political upheaval.
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https://gizmodo.com/iranian-bitcoin-adoption-amid-nationwide-unrest-2000711457
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Technology
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584e41116466e5debba79daa0165502d30ad76b947706315fae8b53b1dd391eb
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2026-01-17T20:01:48+00:00
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Terrifying Photo from the Minneapolis ICE Protests Will Have You Shopping for Leicas
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A very cool new way to stress test your $4600 camera.
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https://gizmodo.com/terrifying-photo-from-the-minneapolis-ice-protests-will-have-you-shopping-for-leicas-2000711428
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Technology
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bf5382d3298b0af3ce64993b1f0ee568fcf0be09153a8d63cd98cdd7f75e58d4
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2026-01-17T19:50:33+00:00
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Sony and Netflix Will Keep Being Streaming Buddies
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Numbers speak louder than words, and in this case, Netflix will still get dibs on Sony's movie slate for years to come.
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https://gizmodo.com/sony-and-netflix-will-keep-being-streaming-buddies-2000711367
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Technology
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74eef1fcf5d45eb6d68200fa33c42d8cc61db72bae8dba00da78429d6c48392f
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2026-01-17T18:08:45+00:00
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The Wacky Musk-OpenAI Legal War Now Involves a Fittingly Insane Amount of Money
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$134 billion, with more to come.
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https://gizmodo.com/the-wacky-musk-openai-legal-war-now-involves-a-fittingly-insane-amount-of-money-2000709452
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Technology
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245490c16e0408963c4ec21523eec287cb4eee44e2b470ffbd65d4a7fff899f8
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2026-01-17T17:25:49+00:00
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We Finally Know Real Things About the Next J.J. Abrams Movie
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J.J. Abrams is making his return to the big screen this fall with Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega in 'The Great Beyond.'
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https://gizmodo.com/we-finally-know-real-things-about-the-next-j-j-abrams-movie-2000711329
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Technology
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54cce12d3214d5556cf8f5e0bc0430417bea178684e30560dfb05113b13edd24
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2026-01-17T15:30:42+00:00
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The New ‘Exorcist’ and ‘Paranormal Activity’ Will Haunt Your 2027
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Hope you like horror in your spring season, because 'Exorcist' and 'Paramount' are both landing in spring 2027.
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https://gizmodo.com/the-new-exorcist-and-paranormal-activity-will-haunt-your-2027-2000711416
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Technology
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89981fd3d5da3a880f83bb51bb71ec70919872cd29012467543a89515e253af0
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2026-01-17T14:30:07+00:00
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The Atari Hotel in Las Vegas Isn’t Happening Anymore
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The company says the plans for Phoenix are still in play.
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https://gizmodo.com/the-atari-hotel-in-las-vegas-isnt-happening-anymore-2000711372
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Technology
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04d1811ef51fa44648a38ecabca0be0a507505088a2855e472653257c359abc8
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2026-01-17T13:00:54+00:00
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Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E28 Review: A Good Vacuum That Tries to Do Too Much
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Solid vacuuming and a handy deep clean module almost make the Omni E28 a solid choice, if not for a noisy dock and mediocre mopping.
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https://gizmodo.com/eufy-robot-vacuum-omni-e28-review-a-good-vacuum-that-tries-to-do-too-much-2000699135
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Technology
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6934670ddc890a87ccbb0f97ab23c9b4f792d9bb39e85d0a66d6e2028d149d66
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2026-01-17T12:00:41+00:00
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Should I Invest in SpaceX?
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SpaceX could go public in 2026, potentially with the largest IPO in history. For this Giz Asks, we asked experts to weigh in on the potential risks and rewards of investing.
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https://gizmodo.com/should-i-invest-in-spacex-2000710874
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Technology
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722f43e61ab32787d8b4e41d8c697d02c27aafc5c0e4364fd97263d019030d15
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2026-01-16T23:45:06+00:00
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‘Centuria’ Is a Dark Fantasy Manga More People Should Be Obsessed With
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If you love 'Berserk' and 'Vinland Saga,' you'll get a kick out of 'Centuria.'
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https://gizmodo.com/centuria-is-a-dark-fantasy-manga-more-people-should-be-obsessed-with-2000711127
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Technology
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58a7ad908bb4793d3ca26e209151b91f323aa23f5f1c507f92ca53a46cf82b57
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2026-01-16T23:00:00+00:00
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The Trump Phone Is Still (Checks Notes) a Deflating Vortex of BS
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In the latest headache-inducing update, there are now dubious figures surrounding this ultra-dubious phone.
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https://gizmodo.com/the-trump-phone-is-still-checks-notes-a-deflating-vortex-of-bs-2000711144
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Technology
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9248d2ab3ff4e3dd05a53d3f177989b2958985fcc3d6488a4a53359f0c53fe9e
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2026-01-16T22:45:17+00:00
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George R.R. Martin Will Either Finish ‘The Winds of Winter’ or Die Trying
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As 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' arrives on HBO, the author is once again addressing that long-awaited next entry in his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' book series.
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https://gizmodo.com/george-rr-martin-winds-of-winter-progress-2026-2000710720
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Technology
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625b7ce56be0d217be6b780e725131c8d5c3e01ead4422d4ddd066d8d6b22872
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2026-01-16T22:30:11+00:00
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Watch Live as NASA’s Artemis 2 Moon Rocket Rolls Out to the Launch Pad
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The final stage of launch preparations officially kicks off tomorrow.
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https://gizmodo.com/watch-live-as-nasas-artemis-2-moon-rocket-rolls-out-to-the-launch-pad-2000711257
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Technology
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131d2421bb0ea7196e2261116c7737b67db054a9757e2b9c856a81a41eb8a410
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2026-01-16T22:20:07+00:00
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OpenAI Launches Cheaper Subscriptions, Starts Testing Ads Because It’s Time to Pay the Piper
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The inevitable is beginning.
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https://gizmodo.com/openai-launches-cheaper-subscriptions-starts-testing-ads-because-its-time-to-pay-the-piper-2000711284
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Technology
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07ee9f01e1f6454f4f041bfa4703038365765807d8df9ef3bead10b0988e546c
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2026-01-16T22:05:15+00:00
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Trump’s Tariffs Just Opened the Door for Chinese EVs in Canada
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Our neighbors to the north are slashing tariffs on Chinese EVs as tensions with the U.S. continue to rise.
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https://gizmodo.com/trumps-tariffs-just-opened-the-door-for-chinese-evs-in-canada-2000711286
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Technology
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20625813a6e12f1a6fb59c65cda3f1ee3fc44f3d60e32fe9fa47c0870e59fc3f
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2026-01-16T21:50:12+00:00
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Anthropic (an AI Company) Warns That AI Will Worsen Inequality
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It's a shame it's being forced at gunpoint to build the inequality machine.
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https://gizmodo.com/anthropic-an-ai-company-warns-that-ai-will-worsen-inequality-2000710841
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Technology
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939e2f410d5a33e141fabd8aaee0b94d03e2a253123b0fee7a5de81f1e9dea5a
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2026-01-16T21:45:00+00:00
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Marvel Seems Pleased With How Those ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Teasers Did
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The four clips got over a billion views online, mostly from Instagram and TikTok instead of YouTube.
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https://gizmodo.com/marvel-seems-pleased-with-how-those-avengers-doomsday-teasers-did-2000711225
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Technology
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e3163350c4ea57af4eaf7aac25c699d004cb75de8ec00a34830d829b25471ad4
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2026-01-16T21:30:04+00:00
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Satellites Capture the Hidden World Beneath Antarctica’s Ice
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A new map of the landscape beneath the continent's ice sheet reveals a previously undiscovered terrain.
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https://gizmodo.com/satellites-capture-the-hidden-world-beneath-antarcticas-ice-2000711270
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Technology
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48d86204653273e14bcb90edcbdc8b155fda26d998a36dabd0c149d663378b97
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2026-01-16T21:20:12+00:00
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The Best Videos of ICE Agents Eating Shit in the Brutal Minneapolis Winter
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Watch out for that ice, you fascist clowns.
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https://gizmodo.com/the-best-video-supercuts-ice-agents-falling-in-minneapolis-winter-2000711134
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Technology
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aa9da43e7df8cb42a84280490be4a441780743b964e47604350ea1957287a4ab
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2026-01-17T13:38:13-05:00
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Disney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the replies
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/news/863980/disney-deleted-anti-fascist-thread
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Technology
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svg
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61138559bbe8c507df784e65bdf9de74fc95abbedc520680a8095177518ad5d5
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2026-01-17T12:36:54-05:00
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The Setapp Mobile iOS store is shutting down on February 16th
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/news/863978/setapp-mobile-ios-store-shutdown
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Technology
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svg
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5fa22729424cb0f9ebdc8175b2fdf55cc3cf2080e96bbb90365a182205689ebb
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2026-01-17T10:38:25-05:00
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The LG C5 and Apple’s M4 Mac Mini are both steeply discounted this weekend
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Small footprint. Speedy performance. | Image: The Verge Happy Saturday, folks! This week, Best Buy kicked off its so-called “Winter Sale,” introducing a whole host of price cuts that range from not-so-good to legitimately great, at least for this time of year. We’ll be publishing many of the highlights in a dedicated news post tomorrow, though, per usual, not all of this week’s best deals revolve around Best Buy. Apple’s M4 Mac Mini, for instance, is receiving a $100 discount at Amazon and B&H Photo, while LG’s 65-inch C5 OLED TV is on sale at eBay for a little over a grand. There are also steep savings to be had on 45W power banks, the Beats Fit Pro, and more, so let’s dive in. Mac Mini with M4 Where to Buy: $599 $499 at Amazon (256GB) $599 $499 at B&H Photo (256GB) $799 $689 at Amazon (512GB) If you want a Mac and your budget is less than $500, your only real option — aside from going the refurbished route or picking up a model that’s several generations old — is Apple’s latest Mac Mini. Thankfully, the desktop machine makes for a truly excellent daily driver, one that’s currently on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage starting at $499 ($100), which is just $20 shy of its Black Friday low and about $30 less than its best price to date. For most people, the 2024 Mac Mini is a far better (and more economical) choice than the latest Mac Studio. The tiny, M4-powered machine is an excellent value, even at full price, with three Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4) ports, a gigabit ethernet jack, a 3.5mm audio input, and an HDMI port. Its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU provide fast, consistent performance for a wide range of tasks; however, keep in mind that you’ll need to bring your own display, keyboard, and mouse. Read our full Mac Mini (2024) review. Iniu Carry P51L-E2 Power Bank 45W 20000mAh Where to Buy: $36.99 $18.86 at Amazon (at checkout) Last year, we saw a spate of power bank recalls, including those from both Anker and ESR. I replaced one of my aging Anker models during that time with Iniu’s excellent Carry P51L-E2, which is on sale at Amazon for a new low of $18.86 (about $21 off) at checkout. The 20,000mAh power bank isn’t particularly fancy, though it does output up to 45W of power and features a built-in, braided USB-C cable that doubles as a lanyard. You also get an extra USB-C and USB-A port, allowing you to juice your phone, tablet, a pair of wireless earbuds, and other small electronics at the same time. Now, if only Iniu could have packed the extra battery capacity into a charger as compact and colorful as the like-minded Pocket Rocket P50. C’est la vie. LG C5 OLED TV (65-inch) Where to Buy: $2699.99 $1197.59 at eBay (with code FAVEFINDS20) Arguably the best TV deal you can find this weekend would be on the 65-inch Bravia 8 II, which is still hovering around $2,398 (over $1,000 off) at multiple retailers, including Amazon. But not everyone has that kind of money to throw around on an OLED panel, which makes the current discount on LG’s C5 more appealing. Now through January 20th, you can pick up LG’s 65-inch OLED TV at eBay for $1,197.59 ($1,502 off) when you use code FAVEFINDS20 at checkout. Like prior models in the C Series, the C5 is all about value. The 4K set delivers the deep black levels and contrast for which OLEDs are known, and it features LG’s AI Picture Pro, which analyzes what you’re watching and adjusts brightness, resolution, and other settings to improve clarity. It also features a bevy of gaming-friendly features, including a 120Hz refresh rate, support for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to play current-gen titles in 4K at up to 120fps. It’s rounded out with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, further enhancing color and contrast. Beats Fit Pro Where to Buy: $199.95 $89.99 at Woot Having now used both the Beats Fit Pro and the new Powerbeats Fit as part of my weekly workout regimen, I can tell you with absolute certainty that there’s little difference between the two — well, other than the fact that the Powerbeats Fit retail for $199.95 and the last-gen Beats Fit Pro are on sale at Woot in select colors for $89.99 ($110 off) through January 31st. Beats’ latest workout earbuds also feature a smaller charging case and more flexible wing tips, I guess, but with the Fit Pro, you’re still getting solid noise cancellation, good sound, and all the Apple ecosystem tricks you’d expect for less than half the price. Read our full Beats Fit Pro review. More ways to save this weekend Elgato’s Stream Deck Plus is matching its all-time low at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, where you can pick it up for $159.99 ($40 off) for a limited time. Like the standard Stream Deck, the Plus model comes with a slew of large, programmable LCD keys — eight, in this case — which you can use to automate a variety of tasks on your computer or control various smart home devices. The Plus comes with a few neat add-ons, though, specifically four knobs for making finer adjustments and a narrow touchscreen at the bottom for viewing tidbits of information at a glance. Read our review. If you’re a modern gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Genesis, 8BitDo’s M30 Bluetooth Controller is down to an all-time low of $20.98 ($4 off) at Amazon as part of an ongoing lightning deal. The inexpensive, retro-styled gamepad sports a similar layout to Sega’s iconic controller, only it comes with Bluetooth, 20 hours of battery life, and built-in buttons for quick access to the homescreen and snapping screenshots. It also works with a handful of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac, and Android. Speaking of gaming, Steam’s weeklong Detective Fest is set to wind down at 1PM ET on Monday, January 19th. That means that this weekend is one of your last chances to pick up a copy of The Case of the Golden Idol ($8.99), Disco Elysium ($9.99), The Séance of Blake Manor ($14.99), Strange Horticulture ($6.39), or 2025 GOTY contender, Blue Prince ($19.79), at a steep discount.
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https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/863503/apple-mac-mini-m4-lg-c5-oled-tv-deal-sale
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Technology
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svg
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705d48d4b7f5d0f7ebca8a8f77e9f939c02d67dc99ce57fda6c936332e193699
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2026-01-17T10:00:00-05:00
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All You Need Is Kill is a dazzling movie with the soul of a video game
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/862881/all-you-need-is-kill-review
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Technology
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svg
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251c4a17a88082ce4d3d7c2edf137cc8d4e72fd281711051fe7246452ba3cf47
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2026-01-17T09:00:00-05:00
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A cute frog game that remixes Nintendo’s best
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/games/860917/big-hops-review-pc-nintendo-switch-ps5
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Technology
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svg
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6ef7712a66f261fb19d7b639586bab74f2667c855b8845d1a27a30bfc2de8dc0
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2026-01-17T09:00:00-05:00
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Minnesota wants to win a war of attrition
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/policy/863632/minnesota-walz-trump-sousveillance-ice
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Technology
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svg
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4b4e41d87c2298d7d75db98b527e0b07164a32d6fa968d38da7807c3cb688f7b
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2026-01-17T08:00:00-05:00
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Fear and blogging (and prerelease laptop testing) in Las Vegas
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/tech/862985/asus-zenbook-a16-snapdragon-x2-ces-early-testing-hands-on
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Technology
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svg
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233ff40c60290bc312f6d351d14f14633281d06f0b7283514ccfe477fa7ff2f7
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2026-01-17T08:00:00-05:00
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Our favorite cozy game is back
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/tech/863614/animal-crossing-3-rip-netflix-cowork-installer
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Technology
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svg
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b3432a48b04d2dbac72f1824cf0ba1351caf1f0b5992e4179e66115109a4f826
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2026-01-17T03:55:35-05:00
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TCL’s PlayCube projector is more fun than a Rubik’s Cube
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Read the full story at The Verge.
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https://www.theverge.com/reviews/863910/tcl-playcube-portable-projector-review-battery
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Technology
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svg
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2e7f4eef53c513aae749e81920103ff7ef791d1b551410456e8f3e832a7f60b5
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2026-01-18T05:00:06+00:00
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European defence stocks surge as Greenland tensions mount
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Sector has jumped nearly 15% this month as investors bet domestic military spending will have to keep rising
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https://www.ft.com/content/0bea2bf7-d053-4be3-a6cb-b1ef59da871b
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Business & Finance
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ac2cd2e9c8d14c984b5a384bcb14cb99ee2fa31d4fe3f7bf82d79216acdd76ff
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2026-01-18T05:00:06+00:00
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Denmark’s investment fund has ‘huge appetite’ to invest in Greenland, says CEO
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EIFO says it wants to be ‘a long-term reliable partner’ for the Arctic island
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https://www.ft.com/content/07f9879b-9f06-4b81-b41f-7822ed3797c4
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Business & Finance
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b0f3ab13a4b78f7d2d2865b3eaebd49b1c73e95b1ddacc25629946d70024f1fa
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2026-01-18T05:00:15+00:00
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Tehran after the protests: patrols, propaganda and despair
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Scars of a crackdown, which have brought anti-regime demonstrations to an end for now, are visible across Iran’s capital
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https://www.ft.com/content/941878e6-a33d-44b7-9f04-fb4e9b117a78
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Business & Finance
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0eacedaeb89700ccaccab3600a3e40103e43c4ab0793298e81e7aeabd0665998
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2026-01-18T05:00:06+00:00
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Embrace the Fomo, wear sensible shoes and never take a cab: FT writers share their Davos tips
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Attendees say navigating the elite networking event is not without obstacles
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https://www.ft.com/content/047e7859-1afe-4bc0-ac81-6b3bbb29f66f
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Business & Finance
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2d1ae2ab9204d9878db23076281bc1b520227dcf47ac19dc110104c5dec4224f
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2026-01-18T05:00:06+00:00
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Can India be luxury’s next big thing?
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Slowing demand in China has pushed brands to seek pockets of growth in new markets
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https://www.ft.com/content/1f3f3068-712b-4096-ab55-15af887ca527
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Business & Finance
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e1d8ee25fcfe05126d3a093f8f37778ac1356bcdcfaceb28fad88c0f6974b5fa
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2026-01-18T05:04:03+00:00
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Beijing pours cash into Belt and Road financing in global resources grab
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Spending on Xi Jinping’s signature overseas investment project hit a record in 2025, new research shows
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https://www.ft.com/content/ab8ef57c-66b6-456b-9c20-e5d8896fa759
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Business & Finance
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c363f6752cbeb787f331cc1a164d5527a1af2bc7e2ed26f2a3fdbd631e64c811
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2026-01-18T05:00:15+00:00
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Europe already ‘at war’ with Russia, says central banker
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Latvijas Banka governor and ECB policymaker urges policymakers to prepare financial system for direct military attack
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https://www.ft.com/content/16b95175-6b23-4544-86e5-4d9c6662d6b4
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Business & Finance
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53883df69141af450c779b1f07ea423ea8869594070b0047d405da028b6b40d9
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2026-01-18T05:00:06+00:00
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Demand drop leaves drinks makers with lake of unsold spirits
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Groups are halting production and cutting prices to shift stock as sales declines accelerate in key markets
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https://www.ft.com/content/9e6f024c-63b5-493f-bb35-6c1c05e90e55
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Business & Finance
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b66bf7a18311fc3dc0b9a35575081fd3f1d62707515c867b08b1dbd3b73e4e9c
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2026-01-18T07:37:52+00:00
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Global week ahead: Hopes that cooler heads can prevail in Davos
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The tension between countries that call themselves allies is palpable going into this meeting.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/18/trump-davos.html
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Business & Finance
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fa1094cd895369e8467f19c584ce2038bdb073b1a0bad6dc86bf1def47f995f9
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2026-01-18T07:21:57+00:00
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Who will be next to implement an Australia-style under-16s social media ban?
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U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concerns about children's screen time, as the House of Lords may vote next week on an under-16s social media ban.
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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/18/uk-australia-style-under-16s-social-media-ban.html
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Business & Finance
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f9ad8afc234c96f0dbcec3815a2f6a2b479f547b1fe4ef30ab6a9b6d3f600a9d
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2026-01-18T04:30:53+00:00
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DepEd reports substantial gains after pilot run of reading program
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The Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Friday a ‘substantial’ literacy improvement among learners in Zamboanga Peninsula, following the pilot implementation of the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP). “The lesson here clearly shows that when you focus on a child, give them time, and provide the right support, they learn,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in Filipino in a news release. “This is not a miracle—it is the result of hard work carried out collectively by teachers and the community,” he added. The nationwide literacy crisis is one of the key factors that fueled the launch of the BBMP program. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) in December 2025 showed that only 15% of students in grades 1 to 3 are grade-level readers, while 85% are considered “struggling readers.” The BBMP program is an initiative that aims to help struggling readers reach grade-level proficiency through a multi-sectoral approach involving teachers, volunteer tutors, parents, barangay officials, medical professionals, and private sector partners. The program was piloted in elementary schools across Region 9 as part of the agency’s 2025 Summer Program and is soon to be rolled out nationwide under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. “Without the program, data showed that many learners would have experienced learning losses during school breaks instead of gains,” the DepEd said. The post-program report, which was a collaboration between the World Bank and DepEd, showed that learning gains under the BBMP were estimated to be four to five times faster than those typically achieved through regular classroom instruction over a comparable timeframe. The report also underscored that among grade 2 students in Filipino, grade-level readers increased from 2.23% to 26.22%, about 24% increase after completion of the program. Meanwhile, the reading proficiency levels of learners also rose from 1.28 to 2.40. The DepEd noted that observations from the field, such as improved confidence and class participation among struggling readers, were aligned with the quantitative results of the report. “Teachers reported that struggling readers became more willing to read aloud and engage in class within days of targeted instruction.” One of the field implementers, however, raised concerns about the impacts of parents on children’s literacy rates. “We are gradually working to establish reading corners in the students’ homes by providing localized learning materials…so that students can continue practicing and engaging with the lessons outside school,” the report said, citing the field implementer. “Issues on parents’ literacy levels persist and affect learner engagement,” it added. — Almira Louise S. Martinez
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https://www.bworldonline.com/education/2026/01/18/724743/deped-reports-substantial-gains-after-pilot-run-of-reading-program/
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Business & Finance
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688df97455694781f9b8625498c29e60d3e648d3b47b74b48ffea72cc7f87ead
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2026-01-18T08:26:00+00:00
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How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to generate enough passive income for a ‘comfortable’ retirement?
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With a Stocks and Shares ISA, it’s not hard to generate income for retirement. These accounts typically provide access to a vast range of dividend stocks and income funds. But how much money do you need to build up in this type of ISA to generate enough income for a comfortable retirement? Let’s crunch the numbers. Everyone has their own version of what a ‘comfortable’ retirement might be. However, according to Retirement Living Standards, it’s one in which someone can have a degree of financial freedom and some luxuries (like a two-week holiday in the Mediterranean every year and several weekends away). As for how much money is needed to obtain this, the research firm believes that a single person today would need £43,900 per year. That assumes no mortgage payments but includes any money received from the State Pension. So, let’s go with that number. And just for this exercise, let’s also assume that there is no State Pension or other pension money available. In this scenario, I calculate that someone would need between £630,000 and £730,000 in an ISA to generate the level of income required. I obtained these figures by assuming that it’s possible to generate an annual yield of 6%-7% within an investment ISA by investing in a range of high-yield stocks/funds. I’ll point out that it’s possible to generate higher yields than this in an ISA with super-high-yield stocks. But this is risky (the higher the yield, the higher the risk), hence why I’ve used 6%-7% in my calculations. Of course, an investor could also try to obtain £43,900 per year by going with a lower average yield and spending their capital over time. With my calculations, however, the investor doesn’t need to touch their capital. In terms of investment ideas, one example of a high-yield stock that could help to generate the average yield we’re aiming for is Aviva (LSE: AV.). It’s a well-known insurance and investment company. For the 2026 financial year, analysts expect this stock to pay out 41.2p per share in dividends to investors. At today’s share price of 680p, that translates to a yield of about 6%. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is about 11.6. So, the valuation looks quite reasonable. Now, this company has been a bit of an underperformer at times in the past. However, CEO Amanda Blanc – who came on board in 2020 – has been able to boost performance. She’s offloaded non-core divisions in an effort to make the company more profitable. And this has worked – in the first half of 2025 operating profit was up 22% year on year. Of course, there’s no guarantee that the company will continue to be profitable and pay big dividends. Insurance is a complex industry with lots of moving parts and Aviva could face challenges in the future, leading to a cut in the dividend payout (and/or share price weakness). Right now, however, the company has momentum. So, I think it’s worth a look as an income play. But it’s not the only high-yielder that seems attractive to me right now. The post How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to generate enough passive income for a ‘comfortable’ retirement? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Aviva plc made the list? More reading Edward Sheldon has no positions in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/how-much-do-you-need-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-generate-enough-passive-income-for-a-comfortable-retirement/
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Business & Finance
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a7366e2f18e13b58d4f111770f74adcb8a3ceb3aaeaf78ce26add6f382758ed0
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2026-01-18T08:18:00+00:00
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New to investing? Here’s how to find passive income opportunities
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There’s a lot of different information for new investors concerning passive income. But is earning significant money while you sleep – literally doing nothing – actually a realistic ambition? I think it is, but there are some important rules to follow. And the biggest one is to have realistic expectations about what can be achieved and how. The stock market’s a great place for passive income investors. When things go well, the amount of cash that businesses return their earnings to shareholders as dividends goes up. That means investors can find that they don’t just get money for doing nothing. They can be in a position where their income stream actually increases while they just sit and watch. This doesn’t happen with owning bonds. Returns from bonds are generally more stable and less likely to fall, but it’s also guaranteed that they won’t go up in the future. The trouble is, inflation means this is almost certain to involve going backwards in real terms. But while dividends aren’t guaranteed, shares give investors a chance at moving forwards. Fluctuating share prices mean that not all stocks come with the same dividend yield. Taylor Wimpey shares currently have a 9% yield, while National Grid stock yields just 4%. On the face of it, that means an investment in Taylor Wimpey should generate twice as much passive income as an investment in National Grid. But things aren’t so simple. Taylor Wimpey’s dividend looks much riskier. The firm’s currently paying out more to investors than it’s making in net income and this isn’t going to be sustainable indefinitely. By contrast, National Grid’s about to enter into a more favourable regulatory environment where its profits should go up. So the lower dividend looks less risky in the near future. As with so many things, the key with dividend shares is to find a balance. Some sort of risk is inevitable, but investors need to make sure the potential returns are high enough to be worth it. Primary Health Properties (LSE:PHP) is a company that makes money by leasing GP surgeries. Its largest tenant is the NHS, which means high occupancy levels and low risk of unpaid rent. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. On top of this, the firm just merged with its main competitor, significantly reducing competition in the industry. That should give it long-term power when it comes to renegotiating leases. There’s a 7% dividend yield on offer right now, which is pretty high. And I think it’s a good stock to consider for investors setting out on a passive income journey. The big risk with Primary Health Properties is the possibility of a change in government policy affecting demand for GP surgeries. That’s something to take seriously. The firm’s average lease though, doesn’t expire for another 10 years. So investors who buy today have a decent chance of getting their money back in dividends before any change can take effect. There’s more to earning passive income in the stock market than just comparing dividend yields. But there could be real rewards on offer for investors who are willing to look for opportunities. The post New to investing? Here’s how to find passive income opportunities appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if National Grid plc made the list? More reading Stephen Wright has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended National Grid Plc and Primary Health Properties Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/new-to-investing-heres-how-to-find-passive-income-opportunities/
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Business & Finance
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30717c690a5a81fe28f8b1db823c6bc42b805818d84458ff799f7db7e34ef3cc
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2026-01-18T08:09:00+00:00
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How much would I need invested in an ISA to earn £2,317 a month in passive income?
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ISAs remain one of the most powerful tools for building passive income, because every penny of interest, dividends, and capital gains is completely tax free. But with cash rates drifting lower, relying on a Cash ISA alone makes it increasingly difficult to generate meaningful income. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions. So how much would I need invested in an ISA to earn £2,317 a month? That’s equates to £27,804 a year – roughly 75% of the average UK salary – enough to meaningfully replace part of a full-time income. Using the 4% rule, which already accounts for inflation, a portfolio would need to be worth around £700,000 in today’s money to generate this income. Put another way, this is the purchasing power you’d want at age 65; you don’t need £700k sitting in your account today. Instead, disciplined investing over the years builds a portfolio that grows to this target in real terms, adjusting naturally for inflation along the way. The chart below shows how tiered contributions totalling £272,500 over a 25-year investing horizon (age 40 to 64) could build an ISA portfolio under three different annual return assumptions. Chart generated by author Many investors assume that building passive income means owning high-yield shares from day one. I don’t take that view. During the contribution phase, long-term growth can be far more powerful – especially when dividends are reinvested. That’s why Prudential (LSE: PRU) earns a place in my Stocks and Shares ISA. Its current dividend yield of around 2% isn’t the attraction. Instead, I see it as a compounding growth opportunity across in Asian markets, where insurance penetration remains in the low single digits. The region’s protection gap is estimated at well over $100trn, providing a structural backdrop for decades of growth. In 2025, the shares are up around 75%, making the company the strongest performer among its FTSE 100 insurance peers. Even after that rally, I’d argue the stock remains underappreciated, partly because lingering concerns around China continue to dominate the narrative. The insurer’s capital-light model gives it significant flexibility. Between 2024 and 2027, the group expects to return more than $5bn to shareholders, combining steady dividend growth with a sizeable share buyback programme. More broadly, Asia’s expanding middle class is driving rising demand for financial protection, savings, and health products – services many Western investors take for granted. The main risks are regulatory or policy changes in China, currency swings, and uneven economic growth across Asia, which could cause short-term volatility. Nevertheless, in my opinion, these factors don’t alter the long-term growth thesis. Reaching a £700k target over a 25-year investing horizon requires not only discipline and patience, but also a focus on growth opportunities that the market may be overlooking. Prudential is an example that illustrates this approach, which is why it features in my Stocks and Shares ISA – though it’s far from the only stock I have my eye on. The post How much would I need invested in an ISA to earn £2,317 a month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Prudential plc made the list? More reading Andrew Mackie owns shares in Prudential. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Prudential Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/how-much-would-i-need-invested-in-an-isa-to-earn-2317-a-month-in-passive-income/
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Business & Finance
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47dc97b516f11a4d5a7491027b7092058ecb469abd1e81db9e8ee782337fecc4
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2026-01-18T08:06:00+00:00
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Why I bought the dip on this FTSE 250 stock this week
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Shares in FTSE 250 housebuilder Vistry (LSE:VTY) fell 8% on Wednesday (14 January) after the firm’s latest update. I can see why, but I’m still optimistic about this one. Recent trading has been disappointing, but the company’s long-term competitive position is still intact. So I took the opportunity to add to my investment. At first sight, Vistry’s results for the 12 months leading up to 31 December 2025 look pretty uninspiring. But beneath the surface, I think there are reasons to be positive. The company recorded £4.2bn in revenues, which was largely in line with the previous year. And a 2% increase in pre-tax profits isn’t really anything for investors to get excited about. The big issue is that Vistry managed to sell fewer properties. The number of units sold fell 9% with open market sales down 11% and partner-funded units down 11%. While the firm began to move past its accounting difficulties in 2025, it wasn’t a particularly strong year operationally. And that’s why the stock initially fell 8% on Wednesday morning. The headline numbers weren’t strong, but there were some encouraging signs. The most obvious is that affordable homes completions were up 30% during the second half of the year. That’s a clear sign that things are moving in the right direction. And the firm’s partnership model helped limit the effects of inflation, which is a key risk for housebuilders. This didn’t result in higher overall sales, because a number of the company’s partners paused deliveries in order to refinance. That’s a reminder of the risks of Vistry’s partnership model. Based on what the firm has said, though, these revenues should show up in the next 12 months. And there’s something else investors need to look at for this year as well. The UK is about to set out on a £39bn initiative called the Social and Affordable Housing Programme (SAHP) backed by the government. This is set to run between 2026 and 2036. Local authorities, housing associations, and other providers are set to apply for subsidies to allow them to build affordable homes. And they’ll need partners to help them achieve this. Vistry is already a leader in this space, having shifted its focus from building for the open market to partnerships some time ago. So I think they stand to benefit in a big way. SAHP proposals are expected to be submitted in the next six months or so. And for a company with a market value of £2bn, the potential opportunity could be huge. I think Vistry’s latest results highlight an important point about the housebuilding industry. There are reasons to be optimistic over the long term, but the near future is hard to predict. Short-term disruptions in the housing market or with partner funding can create volatility in any given period. But the long-term picture hasn’t really changed. The UK still has a huge shortage of housing and a strategy for addressing this that I think should benefit Vistry in a big way. That’s why I bought the stock on Wednesday when it fell. The post Why I bought the dip on this FTSE 250 stock this week appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Vistry Group Plc made the list? More reading Stephen Wright has positions in Vistry Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Vistry Group Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/why-i-bought-the-dip-on-this-ftse-250-stock-this-week/
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Business & Finance
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df8900dd56118f4ed85ebf4a7d0adf01a99b614bb98540e0e120958a9609c1e3
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2026-01-18T08:01:00+00:00
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Should I buy this dividend stock with a 7%+ yield?
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The FTSE 250 is filled with terrific dividend stocks, and some even offer yields beyond 7%. In many cases, these high yields are unsustainable, driven by a falling share price as investors jump ship. But every once in a while, the market overreacts to what may only be a short-term problem. And this is where buying opportunities can emerge. Right now, PageGroup (LSE:PAGE) currently has the 18th-largest yield in the UK growth index, at 7.5%. This indicates that for every £1,000 invested, the shares will generate £75 in annual passive income – more than double the £33 offered by FTSE 250 index funds right now. So is this dividend stock an income trap? Or could it be one of the rare exceptions that goes on to generate stellar returns? Let’s explore. As a quick crash course, PageGroup’s a global recruitment and staffing enterprise. And in oversimplified terms, the business makes its money by charging fees to employers for finding and placing talent across entry-level, all the way to executive-level positions. The last few years have been a rough time for its shareholders. Since hitting record profitability following the post-pandemic hiring boom, hiring activity has since slowed to a crawl as wider economic uncertainty, particularly surrounding inflation, crept in. The impact on its financials wasn’t subtle. In 2021, the firm’s operating profit surged to £168.5m. Skip ahead to 2025, and its earnings are on track to hit £21.1m. And with that, it’s unsurprising that PageGroup shares have fallen close to 70% over the same time period. As we enter 2026, the wider economic landscape continues to be challenging, with hiring activity remaining subdued. Yet there’s room for optimism. As management seeks to minimise costs through this market down cycle, £5m of efficiencies were delivered in 2025, with another £15m expected by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, there are some early signs of a potential market recovery. During the fourth quarter of 2025, gross profits from North America climbed by 3% while Asia grew 7%, with India seeing some of the strongest growth at 17%. Around half of the group’s gross profits stem from Europe and the Middle East, which continue to suffer from a weaker hiring environment. But should these trends stabilise, or better yet, reverse, the company could enjoy a rapid upward earnings inflection triggering a wider share price recovery. While the prospect of a rapid recovery alongside a chunky dividend yield is undeniably exciting, it’s important to recognise that the challenges surrounding PageGroup aren’t over. As of 2026, there remains no clear catalyst to trigger a wider European recovery, with countries like France experiencing particularly tough business conditions. The UK isn’t much better, with higher National Insurance contributions and Minimum Wage increases deterring businesses from hiring new staff. Consequently, even with cost-saving initiatives starting to bear fruit, the company’s still paying out more in dividends than it’s bringing in. And with its net cash reserves steadily shrinking, there’s a real and significant risk of a potential dividend cut if a wider European recovery fails to materialise in time. That’s why, without more recovery progress, I’m not rushing to buy the shares right now, especially since there are other high-yield dividend stocks that look far less risky to me in 2026. The post Should I buy this dividend stock with a 7%+ yield? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if PageGroup plc made the list? More reading Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/should-i-buy-this-dividend-stock-with-a-7-yield/
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a20d225704af11b7caf299365c52b440e4e56b6e17c0829e06536d527881fbeb
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2026-01-18T08:00:00+00:00
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As Warren Buffett retires, what have been his best pieces of advice to investors?
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After making billions from investing in the stock market, Warren Buffett’s probably the most famous investor of all time. But the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ has left his position as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A). Hopefully, he will continue to deliver some of his clever insights and pithy quotes, a bit like the valuable advice he gave in his 1985 letter to shareholders. After discussing a textile business that the group had owned, and explaining that for six years he had unsuccessfully tried to prove that it would deliver a modest cash return, Buffett wrote: “Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.†Although he was discussing Berkshire’s majority position in an operating business, I think the same advice applies to investing in the stock market. If it’s clear that a company’s not going anywhere, it’s best to sell up, even if you’re sitting on a loss. Personally, I think investors should take a long-term view. But there’s a big difference between a stock price falling as a result of the ‘normal’ economic cycle and one that’s going down due to the underlying business being fundamentally broken. Another excellent quote points to the benefits of passive income, and earning dividends from doing very little. The American billionaire once observed: “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.†Ironically, since Buffett took over in 1965, Berkshire Hathaway has only paid one dividend, in 1967. The group’s boss would rather use surplus cash to repurchase the group’s stock. He also recently wrote: “I can’t remember why I suggested this action to Berkshire’s board of directors. Now it seems like a bad dream.†In many respects, Berkshire Hathaway is an unusual investment vehicle. It owns all of the stock of many operating businesses in the textile, insurance, and energy sectors. In 2024, these generated $47.4bn of operating earnings compared to the group’s $52.8bn of investment gains from minority positions in quoted companies. The group’s also unconventional in that it’s sitting on a huge amount of cash and US Treasury bills — $377bn at 30 September 2025. This is $94bn more than the value of its stocks. But Buffett isn’t perfect. He admits he’s made many mistakes. In 20 years out of the six decades from 1964-2024, the group’s shares underperformed those of the S&P 500. However, over this period, Berkshire Hathaway’s share price has risen by an astonishing 5,502,284% compared to 39,054% for the index as a whole. Remember what I said about long-term investing? As the American retires, an obvious concern is whether the company will continue to deliver exceptional returns in a post-Buffett era. Also, its apparent lack of interest in the tech sector – for example, it’s recently been reducing its stake in Apple — could prove to be a mistake. However, I still think the group’s shares are worth considering, although I suspect its Class A stock’s beyond the reach of most investors. Each share currently (18 January) costs over $738,000! Fortunately, its B shares are changing hands for a more affordable $492, although they don’t carry the same voting rights. The post As Warren Buffett retires, what have been his best pieces of advice to investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Berkshire Hathaway (A shares) made the list? More reading James Beard has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Apple. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/as-warren-buffett-retires-what-have-been-his-best-pieces-of-advice-to-investors/
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Business & Finance
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cba54b7531b3982e176c86cfeacf67d3dc2ea71a782876aa9e367b3ab7926c68
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2026-01-18T07:52:00+00:00
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3 brilliant funds for passive income in the UK
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Passive income is the holy grail of personal finance. With this type of income, you get regular cash flow without having to lift a finger. Looking to create a passive income stream with minimal effort? Here are three brilliant funds to consider investing in. First up, we have the Fidelity Cash fund. This is a short-term money market fund, meaning that it invests in high-quality, short-term fixed income securities and cash-like securities in an effort to provide a healthy yield for investors with minimal risk. Currently, the yield here is about 4.5% (fees on Hargreaves Lansdown are 0.15%). Income can be tax-free if the fund is held in a Stocks and Shares ISA. I have some money in this fund as I see it as a great place to park cash I’m not investing (in the stock market). With this product, I can pick up a solid yield and not have to worry about the value of my investment falling. It’s worth noting that while short-term money market funds are designed to be risk-free, a large-scale global financial collapse (like the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/2009) could impact them negatively. That’s something to keep in mind – while they’re very low risk, they’re not as safe as cash itself. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions. Next we have the Merchants Trust (LSE: MRCH). This is an income-focused investment trust that aims to deliver a high-and-rising income (along with some capital growth). It predominantly invests in higher-yield UK stocks. Currently, its yield is about 4.8% (fees are 0.52%). There are a few things I like about this trust. One is that it has increased its payout every year for over 40 years (so it has provided inflation protection for investors). I also like the fact that its overall performance has been solid. Over the five-year period to the end of November, it outperformed the FTSE All-Share index while simultaneously generating a higher yield for investors. I’ll point out that it’s possible to lose money with this fund. If UK dividend stocks underperform, this fund’s likely to underperform too. I think it’s worth considering as a part of a diversified income portfolio however. Finally, we have the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income UCITS ETF (LSE: EEI). This is an exchange-traded fund that’s income focused. A rules-based fund, it invests in the highest dividend-yielding European companies (including UK companies) but takes quality and share price momentum into consideration when selecting companies for investment (and excludes companies that do not meet ESG criteria). At present, it offers a yield of about 5.3% (fees are 0.29%). I see this product as a good portfolio diversifier. While it provides exposure to UK stocks, the majority of the fund (about 80%) is allocated to European equities. Of course, an economic slowdown in Europe is a risk here. Sized properly within a portfolio however, I think considering it could potentially add value and help to generate a solid passive income stream. The post 3 brilliant funds for passive income in the UK appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if WisdomTree Issuer Icav – WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Ucits ETF made the list? More reading Edward Sheldon has positions in the Fidelity Cash fund. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/3-brilliant-funds-for-passive-income-in-the-uk/
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Business & Finance
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763bebc3f2b4f2690bc581ac5acaf50f9a3e991f3439aa481e8ae7e1ff962f27
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2026-01-18T07:51:00+00:00
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Here are the best dividend-focused stocks to buy right now, according to experts
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As 2026 kicks off, investors are already busy hunting for the best stocks to buy. And while there are lots of potential candidates for top performers this year, professional institutional investors have their sights locked onto just a handful of quality UK shares. Here are what the pros think are worth considering. Domino’s Pizza Group (LSE:DOM) had a pretty rough 2025. Weak economic conditions hampered demand for pizza takeaway, resulting in lacklustre growth. Throw in the added pressure of inflation on its bottom line leading to earnings stumbling and, ultimately, the CEO stepped down from his role. With all that in mind, seeing Domino’s shares fall by over 30% since January last year isn’t a major surprise. But could this be a buying opportunity? The analysts at Peel Hunt certainly seem to think so. With Domino’s free cash flow remaining strong supporting its 6.2% dividend yield, its technological competitive advantages intact, and its price-to-earnings ratio sitting at just 9.1, the stock’s valuation now looks divorced from the underlying business. And subsequently, the shares could see a rapid recovery once UK economic conditions recover. Of course, there’s no guarantee this recovery will happen anytime soon. If fragile consumer confidence persists throughout 2026 and into 2027, Domino’s shares could remain in dirt-cheap territory for a while. Nevertheless, with the challenges surrounding the company seemingly temporary, it could be a dividend stock worth investigating further. Another stock to buy, according to Peel Hunt, is the business communications specialist Gamma Communications (LSE:GAMA). The firm specialises in helping corporations move away from traditional phone systems and use cloud-based internet communications instead. Like Domino’s, the last 12 months have also been a bit rough for the FTSE 250 stock, falling by more than 30%. Wider economic uncertainty has seen a sharp drop in demand for Gamma’s services among small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK. And alongside other headwinds, management went on to reduce its earnings guidance, spooking investors in the process. Yet the experts at Peel Hunt, once again, see a buying opportunity. As UK economic conditions improve, IT investments among SMBs are expected to recover. And looking to the longer term, the secular tailwind of switching to cloud-based communications remains intact. Perhaps a yellow flag for investors to consider carefully is the upcoming departure of the group’s CFO in March. Considering the business is at a critical junction, navigating through a tough operating landscape, a leadership transition introduces significant execution risk, especially if a talented successor isn’t identified in time. Nevertheless, with its long-term trajectory still intact and the price-to-earnings ratio sitting at just 12.7, the bar for performance seems to have been set relatively low. For income investors, the yield may not look too impressive at just 2.3%. But with the company currently on track to deliver its 10th consecutive year of dividend hikes backed by cash flows, this payout could eventually grow to something far more substantial in the long run. The post Here are the best dividend-focused stocks to buy right now, according to experts appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Domino's Pizza Group plc made the list? More reading Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Domino’s Pizza Group Plc and Gamma Communications Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/here-are-the-best-dividend-focused-stocks-to-buy-right-now-according-to-experts/
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Business & Finance
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41d2f012b8460e27f9683cd67f51740b72b98cbb2ef58df43b5c76b1717f6cd6
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2026-01-18T07:50:00+00:00
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Move over FTSE 100 banks, there’s value in smaller lenders
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FTSE 100 banks have delivered extraordinary gains over the past three years. For me, the Silicon Valley Bank fiasco in 2023, which took place almost three years ago now, was one of the most obvious opportunities to buy UK banks at discounted levels. Yet, while the largest lenders recovered quickly and then pushed on from inflation-linked concerns, some smaller and mid-sized banks remained underappreciated, offering compelling value for patient investors. These institutions often benefit from niche exposures, leaner cost structures, and more flexible balance sheets. This can translate into stronger returns once market confidence returns. With interest rates now moderating and credit conditions stabilising, smaller lenders could see their earnings power re-rated, particularly if they avoid headline-making crises and maintain disciplined lending. For investors looking beyond the megabanks, the question is not whether UK banks can perform, but which ones remain overlooked and undervalued. So, who do I have in mind? I believe Arbuthnot Banking Group (LSE:ARBB) is worth considering for both long‑term growth and income‑oriented investors after a decade of steady expansion. Revenue climbed from £74.7m in 2019 to around £181m in 2024, underpinning a progressive dividend policy. The forward yield currently sits at 6.6% with cover comfortably above 2 times. Deposits and wealth inflows have remained resilient, reflecting the group’s niche private banking and wealth management franchise. At current levels, Arbuthnot trades on a modest forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 7.8 times, signalling cheapness relative to larger peers. The valuation looks even more stark on price‑to‑book. At around 0.53 times, the market is pricing the shares at barely half reported equity. That discount suggests either a compelling opportunity or lingering scepticism about future earnings momentum. A key risk is economic sensitivity. This includes weaker lending margins, slower credit growth, or softer wealth management inflows could weigh on profits and dividends. However, for investors focused on yield and value, Arbuthnot’s track record, attractive multiples, and sizeable dividend make it a name worth a closer look. TBC Group (LSE:TBCG) is another attractive and more niche opportunity. This FTSE 250 bank operates in two of Eurasia’s fastest growing economies — Georgia and Uzbekistan. Analysts forecast revenue growth around 17% on average over the next two years making it one of the fastest growing companies listed on the UK exchange. Earnings growth also looks strong — around 11% on average. Profitability is high, with return on equity above 23%-24%, driven by Georgia’s underbanked, high-margin market and an improving Uzbek franchise. The shares trade on just 4.9 times forward earnings while offering a dividend yield of 6.9% on a forward basis. The yield is covered nearly three times by earnings. The main risk lies in Uzbekistan, where regulatory tightening, including loan growth limits and higher capital requirements, could constrain expansion and compress margins. However, TBC’s strategic adaptations and resilient Georgian core franchise remain intact. Personally, I’m very bullish. It’s certainly worth considering very strongly. The post Move over FTSE 100 banks, there’s value in smaller lenders appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC made the list? More reading James Fox has positions in Arbuthnot Banking Group Plc and TBC Bank. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/move-over-ftse-100-banks-theres-value-in-smaller-lenders/
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Business & Finance
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svg
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5769ed736decaaa8de4a598852c4c678641f6130883189ccdb01d00a729a40ec
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2026-01-18T07:41:00+00:00
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With a 7.2% yield, is now the time to buy this dirt cheap stock?
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Investing in cheap stocks can generate explosive stock market gains. Rolls-Royce shareholders have learned that firsthand over the last few years, enjoying a staggering 1,200%+ return after new management turned the once-sinking ship around. The challenge, of course, is figuring out which stocks are cheap for a good reason and which ones are hidden bargains. In my experience, a good place to start is looking at the worst-performing shares over the last 12 months. And right now, Hilton Food Group‘s (LSE:HFG) on that list. After two share price crashes in 2025, the stock’s now trading near a decade-low. The forward price-to-earnings ratio now stands at an attractive 8.9 with a dividend yield of 7.2%. But if the broker forecasts are right, the share price could surge by as much as 92% by this time next year! So is this a screaming bargain that investors should rush to buy? Let’s find out. While not a household name, most consumers interact with Hilton’s products every day. The company’s a British food producer and packer that supplies private-label products to leading retailers around the world. As such, when buying packaged steak or fish fillets from Tesco, there’s a good chance Hilton prepared them. In 2025, the company encountered numerous surprise challenges. This included a massive 44% slash to whitefish fishing quotas in the North Sea that triggered significant price inflation for the protein. With UK consumers already under financial pressure, whitefish volumes tumbled on the back of affordability concerns. Meanwhile, the group’s Foppen business had its own set of challenges with regulatory intervention disrupting salmon shipments to America. And with the later US government shutdown delaying operational restarts, Foppen was left in limbo. These enormous headwinds effectively crippled Hilton’s seafood segment. And with profit warnings subsequently emerging alongside a weakened outlook for 2026, the share price understandably crashed. Despite the numerous problems this business has encountered, there’s room for optimism. Fishing quotas are ultimately cyclical, while the regulatory hurdles for Foppen are slowly being worked out. Meanwhile, management’s currently executing an operational review to identify where new efficiencies can be implemented. As external headwinds soften and normalise, the demand destruction for white fish should taper off as inflationary forces ease and consumers adjust to the new price environment. In the meantime, demand for its meat, vegan, and convenience meals seems to still be intact, generating solid and slowly expanding cash flows. Combined, that certainly sets the stage for a potential recovery. And it explains why institutional analysts are placing aggressive share price targets, especially if the operational review unlocks new shareholder value. However, it’s important to recognise that until the seafood situation is resolved, the recovery timeline remains unclear. Economic weakness across the UK, US, and Europe could keep consumer spending on fish weak. And based on management’s cautious comments about 2026, the recovery analysts are expecting it may take much longer than 12 months to materialise. The collapse of free cash flow generation back into negative territory is also a concern, along with the sudden jump in the group’s net debt position. Nevertheless, with these concerns seemingly already priced into the stock, Hilton Food Group could be worth a deeper investigation for patient investors. The post With a 7.2% yield, is now the time to buy this dirt cheap stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Hilton Food Group plc made the list? More reading Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tesco Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/18/with-a-7-2-yield-is-now-the-time-to-buy-this-dirt-cheap-stock/
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Business & Finance
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svg
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6ea765f484f74d1576bfe76b64632b4fef962ad7a6e10b71c12dd8fd072541c4
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2026-01-18T08:12:28+00:00
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Molly Russell's dad says under-16 social media ban would be wrong
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The online safety campaigner says it is better to enforce current laws than use "sledgehammer" techniques.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwn1vjy0y5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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8bbe124df17ff3a8ddb79644db028e275b05c68ebde540d0bfd32280b6aebdd0
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2026-01-17T07:15:40+00:00
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Plaid Cymru would take minority government over coalition, leader says
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Polling suggests Plaid or Reform UK could win the Senedd election - but fall short of getting a majority.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4grqnjr1qxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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fed0c4d82c48e8ff06e376f69a822600f9b64cd169285c573577499c20d5cf04
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2026-01-18T06:20:30+00:00
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Jackie Weaver: Councils should have more 'authority'
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Parish councils could play a bigger role in democracy, the internet star of a viral meeting says.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjgmm3lzwxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
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World & Politics
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3f75632b7844165f8f21b2fbb4ac920049d53ed91edf46a2ddc575fcffce56c8
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2026-01-14T18:00:00+00:00
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The science that will help you feel more fulfilled with your life
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January is a good time to take stock of our lives – but where to start? David Robson finds some answers in the latest psychological research
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https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26935781-100-the-science-that-will-help-you-feel-more-fulfilled-with-your-life/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home
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Science
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a2bf613354595a3a84855e86aceaa6cab3ea044772f68a479df3239dca02f7d9
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2026-01-21T00:00:00
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Girls are starting puberty younger — why, and what are the risks?
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Nature, Published online: 21 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00089-8
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00089-8
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Academic Papers
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svg
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6d4457938b7a56b20e56af17a98b80b00d57e2cf1503b0dbd52db3d2b35f0e4e
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2026-01-20T00:00:00
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Author Correction: Anthropogenic influences on major tropical cyclone events
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Nature, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10109-2
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https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10109-2
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Academic Papers
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svg
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d23cc3d3490685eb069b140a61ef454c8deb300a5ce8833a298ace8c4cde950d
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2026-01-20T00:00:00
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How much protein do you actually need?
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Nature, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00151-5
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00151-5
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Academic Papers
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svg
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7d96f6801ef415d9b68ce09e2b227420d26816da0dbefc40dca7c7424eec6e12
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2026-01-20T00:00:00
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To gain public trust, make art central to science communication
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Nature, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00210-x
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00210-x
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Academic Papers
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svg
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8e2031ff12fbca943887e3bd71c5636ce6ee940cdf487b244c42a7787503553c
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2026-01-20T00:00:00
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US funding cuts harm aspiring young scientists, too
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Nature, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00182-y
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00182-y
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Academic Papers
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svg
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d41532845101b7792eb4e515eecba5f49326db9bb3ab19052f79556bcc870e57
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2026-01-20T00:00:00
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Study decision-making to understand how technology will affect behaviour
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Nature, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00209-4
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00209-4
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Academic Papers
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