Watch CBS News
Food prices could rise more amid the Iran war. Here’s how to cut costs on groceries.
The investment issues Labour must fix before the public can back its bid to join in
On the whole, Britain is not a nation of investors and the government wants that to change.
Following on from Rachel Reeves’ plans last year, the advertising campaign to create more retail investors is underway and with further changes afoot, the overall picture is one of Labour steering savers towards understanding why, and how, they can create better long-term returns with their money.
The cut to the cash ISA limit, however crude and unpopular, is one such upcoming change. We’ve just entered the final year of the £20,000 allowance being able to be put entirely into a cash ISA; as of April 2027, £8,000 of it will be reserved for investing-only. For those who don’t save over that amount annually it’ll make no material difference, but even the existence of the change can be argued is a prod to the consciousness of people to wonder if they should be doing something else entirely.
Then there’s targeted support.
Among industry insiders there is hope this could make a material difference, given time – in essence, those who have significant savings in cash being able to be spoken to by their bank or provider over other options, potentially including investing.
At Innovate Finance this week, a key summit of UK FinTech Week,The Independent heard from a senior executive at one neobank that the average client with them had savings in excess of £15,000 – precisely the sort of consumer who could benefit from targeted support to explain how, over the long term, they might be better off putting a portion of that excess cash into… well, something other than cash, which loses its value over time due to inflation.
Another suggested an uptick in app users branching out from just having current and savings accounts, to other products within their sphere including stocks and shares ISAs – where investing returns will be tax free for consumers.
Economic secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby launched the nationwide ad campaign, along with chancellor Ms Reeves, at the London Stock Exchange on Thursday.
“With greater awareness of the benefits of investing, more people will be able to make informed decisions about how to make their savings work harder for them,” Ms Rigby said. “That will mean greater prosperity and financial resilience for households across the country and strengthened domestic capital markets too.”
The aforementioned plans and prospects certainly all align with raising awareness. That is a first step.
But there are greater key issues to deal with.
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
The advert campaign with Savvy the squirrel – conversational cab rides, explain-it-all website and more – will hopefully fill some painful gaps in the first instance around British people’s knowledge around the subject. Unlike in the US and several European countries, where investing is fairly commonplace, in the UK it’s not often spoken about, let alone fully understood.
Research from Barclays and their Investment Readiness Index showed this week that over a third of people (34 per cent) say fear of losing money is their main reason for not starting to invest, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they believed there was a chance that a portfolio of well-known global companies could become “totally worthless” within five years.
Barclays’ report added for context that outcome was “an extremely unlikely” one.
But to really change some of those would-be investors’ minds, perhaps the response should have been more blunt. Perhaps the Treasury, the government and the campaign as a whole could stand to be a bit more…direct.
There is, in all probability, next to no chance that such a mix of companies would become worth zero in five years – unless something genuinely catastrophic happens to the world in which case we’ve all got more important issues to deal with than our portfolio performance. Maybe the Barclays report itself could likewise have benefited from feeling more freely able to state as such?
So, yes, financial education is absolutely one part, but so too is the language and understanding and framing of risk for people.
Articles, videos, all the learning activities across the web and within companies to help introduce people to investing – in every one of them you’re liable to find the disclaimer-style warning along the lines of: investments can go up as well as down, you may get back less than you invest and so on. Some find it off-putting to begin with, some barely even notice it.
In the words of the FCA, you must always “give a balanced impression of the benefits and risks of an investment product or service”.
That same pointing-out-of-the-risks wording and tone is another aspect which is being re-evaluated and could be switched up.
Now, while nobody wants that removed or watered down unduly to the point that bad actors or bad products are being pushed on newly introduced people to investing, there is still a misrepresentation of what risk means – it’s not always about you could lose all your money.
And, the reward (in theory) for taking on board risk is the possibility for higher returns, over time, than just cash alone (through interest) would give you.
Industry insiders have long also pointed out that the same – or reverse – warning is not applied to cash savings products: the risk here being you lose buying power over time due to inflation.
So language, as well as education, must remain on the table to improve and perhaps nudge people more forcefully towards a choice which helps them, similarly to reminding them to check employer contributions to their workplace pensions or taking out travel insurance before they fly.
There will still be one remaining gap though, even after people tentatively read the info, breathe in the adverts and eventually follow Savvy the squirrel down a new journey to take the plunge in investing: where are those people starting?
The ad campaign will not direct people to choose a particular platform or product, though many – Barclays, Hargreaves Lansdown, NatWest and more – are sponsoring the campaign and will be placed on the website as a result. But people still have to choose, and that particular analysis paralysis point has already left many ready to take the first steps, but unsure where to place their feet.
There are more new stocks and shares ISA providers available, loads of low-cost platforms as well as established, recognised names to choose from and deciding which suits any given person’s initial investment plan is as much a key decision as parting with their first few pounds in the first place.
It is important, for the long-term wealth of families, that more people start to invest. It is a positive thing that more information is therefore being pushed in front of them, to be able to make that call in an informed fashion.
But the reason it’s all needed in the first place is an overabundance of caution, a generational stepping-away from investing as a run-of-the-mill part of individual money management. Getting Brits back on board might therefore require less, not more, of that gentle approach to remedy the situation.
FCC router rule raises questions about future updates
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A new move from the Federal Communications Commission is being framed as a national security step. But if you already have a router at home, the bigger question is simple: how long will it keep getting security updates?
The FCC recently updated its “Covered List” to include routers produced in foreign countries, which blocks new models of that covered equipment from being approved for sale in the U.S.
At the same time, the FCC made something else clear. This change does not affect routers you already own, and it does not stop retailers from continuing to sell models that were previously approved.
So nothing shuts off overnight. However, the policy introduces a new layer of uncertainty around how long some devices will continue receiving updates.
IS YOUR HOME WI-FI REALLY SAFE? THINK AGAIN
The FCC’s router move targets future approvals, not the device already running your home Wi-Fi. Existing models can still be used and sold while update rules keep evolving. (kazakova0684/Getty Images)
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
What the FCC router rule actually changed
The policy focuses on future device approvals, not the devices already in your home.
Here is what the FCC says in plain terms:
- Existing routers can still be used
- Previously approved models can still be sold and imported
- New covered models cannot receive FCC authorization
This action is tied to national security concerns about supply chain risks, not a product-by-product security test of individual routers. The key takeaway is this: your current router is not banned, recalled or disabled.
Why the FCC router rule raises update concerns
The real issue is not about using your router today. It is about future software and firmware updates. Alongside the policy change, the FCC issued a temporary waiver. That waiver allows existing routers to continue receiving updates that patch vulnerabilities, maintain functionality and ensure compatibility with operating systems. Right now, that waiver runs through at least March 1, 2027.
That date is not a guaranteed cutoff. The FCC has said it will re-evaluate the policy before then and may extend or modify the waiver. So the situation is still evolving.
How the FCC router rule could affect your router security
Your router is the gateway to everything connected in your home. Phones, laptops, smart TVs and cameras all depend on it. When a vulnerability is discovered, a software update is usually what fixes it.
If updates slow down or stop, the risk builds over time. That does not mean your router suddenly becomes unsafe. But it can become easier for attackers to exploit known flaws.
Even the FCC acknowledged this in its waiver, noting that continued updates help mitigate harm to consumers and support essential security functions. So the concern is not immediate. It is about what happens over time if support policies change.
BROWSER EXTENSIONS PUT MILLIONS OF GOOGLE CHROME USERS AT RISK
The FCC says home routers already in use can stay in use, but future support for some models now depends on waivers and conditional approvals. (deepblue4you/Getty Images)
Why the FCC is making exceptions for some routers
One important wrinkle is that the FCC has already begun granting conditional approvals for some devices. In April 2026, the agency approved certain products from NETGEAR and Adtran to continue operating under specific conditions through October 1, 2027.
That shows this is not a one-size-fits-all rule. Instead, it is an evolving policy where some devices may continue receiving support while others may face tighter restrictions.
What the FCC says about router risks and next steps
The FCC says the decision is based on national security concerns, including supply chain vulnerabilities and potential cybersecurity risks tied to certain foreign-produced equipment.
At the same time, the policy includes a path for exceptions. Companies can seek conditional approvals through federal agencies, and regulators can revisit the rules as more information becomes available.
That means the final impact will likely depend on how those decisions play out over time.
8 ways to protect your network after the FCC router rule
Until there is more clarity, a few simple steps can help keep your home network secure.
1) Check how long your router is supported
First, find your router’s exact model number. You can usually see it on a label on the bottom or back of the device. Next, go to the manufacturer’s website, such as NETGEAR, Linksys or TP-Link, and search for that model. Open its support page and look for sections like Support, Downloads, Firmware or End of Life. Then, check for a support timeline, the date of the most recent firmware update or any notes saying the product is no longer supported. If you cannot find clear information, that is a warning sign that your router may not receive regular security updates.
2) Keep your router updated
Next, log into your router settings. To do this, open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Common ones include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Then sign in using your admin username and password. Once you are in, look for sections labeled Firmware, Software Update or Administration. Check for available updates and install them if needed. If your router supports automatic updates, turn that on. This helps close security gaps quickly without you having to check manually. If you are not sure where to find these settings, you can also use your router’s mobile app if it has one, which often makes updates easier.
GET FASTER WI-FI WITH THESE SIMPLE HOME FIXES
Security updates remain the key protection for home routers as the FCC blocks new authorizations for covered foreign-produced models. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
3) Plan ahead for replacement
If your router is already a few years old, start planning for a replacement. Do not wait until updates stop. Instead, look for models with clearly stated support timelines. Check out our picks for the Top Routers for best security at cyberguy.com
4) Secure your devices as a backup layer
Your router is the first line of defense. However, your devices matter too. Keep your phone, computer and tablet updated. Also, use strong antivirus software to help catch threats that slip through. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
5) Review connected devices
From time to time, check what is connected to your network. You can do this in your router settings under “Connected Devices” or in your router’s app. If you see anything unfamiliar, remove it right away.
6) Use strong passwords
Create a strong Wi-Fi password and a separate admin password for your router. Avoid using default credentials. A password manager can help you generate and store secure logins. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
7) Turn off remote access
First, log into your router settings using a web browser. Type your router’s IP address, such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, into the address bar and sign in with your admin credentials. Next, look for settings labeled Remote Access, Remote Management, Web Access from WAN, or Cloud Access. These are often found under sections like Advanced, Administration or Security. Then, turn that setting off and save your changes. This prevents your router from being accessed from outside your home network. If you cannot find the option, check your router’s mobile app or the manufacturer’s support page. Some routers hide this setting or disable it by default.
8) Restart your router regularly
First, unplug your router from the power outlet. Wait about 30 seconds to let it fully shut down. Next, plug it back in and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect to the internet. You can also restart your router through its settings. Log in, then look for options like Reboot or Restart under sections such as Administration or System. Doing this every few weeks can help apply updates and clear temporary issues that may affect performance or security. If your router supports scheduled reboots, you can turn that on to automate the process.
Kurt’s key takeaway
This is not a situation where your internet suddenly becomes unsafe. There is no recall. There is no shutdown. Your router will not stop working on a specific date. However, there is a new question mark that did not exist before. The Federal Communications Commission has created a system where future updates for some devices could depend on how the rules evolve. That puts more importance on something most people rarely think about: how long their router will stay supported. For now, you still have time. The current waiver runs into 2027, and regulators have signaled they may revisit the policy before then. The smart move is simple. Know what you own, keep it updated and stay aware as this situation develops.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
As policies around your home tech change, how much responsibility should fall on regulators versus the companies that keep your devices updated? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
At Beijing auto show, Chinese carmakers flaunt new technologies
BEIJING — China’s top automakers are showcasing their latest models and technologies from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging in Beijing as they compete with global rivals in overseas markets.
Analysts say the biennial auto show in China’s capital, which opened to media on Friday, shows how its auto industry is setting the global pace for cutting-edge technologies in areas such as electric vehicles and batteries, eclipsing many foreign brands that used to dominate the global market.
More than 1,450 vehicles are on display at this year’s show, including 181 global debuts. The show runs until May 3.
Chinese EV maker XPeng is showing off its latest GX model, a six-seater SUV with a third row seats that can lie completely flat, among other new displays and technologies.
Huge crowds gathered for a presentation by its founder and CEO He Xiaopeng, who described more high-tech aspects of the vehicle.
“When you’re driving on the highway, you fall asleep, or if you feel unwell and can no longer control the vehicle, the system can detect the situation, pull over automatically and alert emergency services,” He said. “Many people who have tried it say it’s amazing.”
Chinese EV maker BYD showcased its new generation of the fast charging “blade” EV battery, first unveiled last month, which can achieve a near full charge in nine minutes, at the auto show, as well as demonstrated charging under the low temperature of minus 30 degree Celsius. Also showcased by Yijing, a EV joint venture between Chinese carmaker Dongfeng Motor Corp. and technology giant Huawei, was the X9, their flagship six‑seat SUV.
According to Chairman Wang Junjun, the new model will features some of the latest auto technology, including a next-generation Qiankun intelligent driving system and a new HarmonyOS cockpit and operating system developed by Huawei.
Ahead of the show, Chinese battery giant CATL unveiled on Tuesday a new version of its “Shenxing” battery, which can be charged from 10% to 98% in only about six-and-a-half minutes.
The auto show showcases the “speed and aggressiveness of advancement” among Chinese automakers, said Tu Le, managing director of consultancy Sino Auto Insights. “It just reinforces that the Chinese — whether in EVs, batteries, intelligent driving — are setting the pace for all these important sectors,” he said.
“China has become one of the fastest-moving markets for deploying and iterating new vehicle technologies, giving consumers early access to some of the most advanced features,” said Chris Liu, a senior analyst at research and advisory group Omdia.
China has become the world’s biggest car exporter, benefiting from its ability to reap cost advantages from its huge scale as well as significant government subsidies and support that helped automakers to rapidly scale up and more quickly rolling out new models and technologies than their foreign competitors.
But Chinese automakers has been facing immense pressure from ferocious price wars over the past months. This year, the government has scaled back subsidies encouraging drivers to switch to EVs and plug-in hybrids, weighing on domestic demand.
Sales of passenger cars in China dropped 23% in the January-March quarter from a year earlier to around 4 million vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. But exports jumped 63% to almost 2 million vehicles as Chinese cars made inroads in regions like Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Omdia forecasts China’s passenger vehicle exports will grow by around 14% year-on-year in 2026.
The hypercompetitive Chinese market have pulled vehicle prices down by a fifth over the past two years, according to a report this week by consultancy AlixPartners.
Few of the new technologies showcased at the auto show may be exported to overseas markets in the short term due to regulatory and safety challenges, Liu said. But they signal “capabilities that can be refined and adapted for global markets over time.”
Even as foreign automakers have been losing market share in recent years in China, some are staging a comeback, with Volkswagen Group announcing on Tuesday plans for installing “agentic” AI into its vehicles for China. It also unveiled new EV models for the Chinese market, including the new UNYX 09 electric sedan co-developed with XPeng.
While the foreign car brands may try to “stabilize” their market share in China, “gaining back a significant market share they had before is, to my perspective, not realistic,” said Andreas Radics, managing director at Berylls by AlixPartners specialized in the automotive industry.
Meanwhile, given the growing demand and often better profitability in overseas markets, Chinese automakers have been shifting from exporting cars from China to building more factories overseas, including in Hungary and Turkey, to increase supplies abroad and avert trade friction.
Chinese carmakers are likely to almost triple their overseas production by 2030 to 3.4 million vehicles from 1.2 million last year, according to AlixPartners estimates.
___
Chan reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press video producer Wayne Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
Bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales is set to fall as parliamentary time runs out
LONDON — A proposed bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives is set to fall Friday as parliamentary time runs out, nearly a year since elected members of parliaments gave their backing.
Though the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by the House of Commons last June, the U.K.’s revising chamber, the House of Lords, has effectively talked it out since then.
Proponents of what has been termed “ assisted dying ” — sometimes referred to as “assisted suicide” — hoped it would mark the biggest change to social policy in the U.K. since abortion was partially legalized in 1967.
But opponents in the House of Lords have managed to hold up its passing by filing more than 1,200 amendments to the bill. That is believed to be a record high number for a piece of legislation that was tabled by a backbencher rather than by the government. Bills proposed by backbenchers can only be debated on a Friday, limiting the time available.
With the current session coming to an end next week, the bill will fail. Each five-year parliamentary term is subdivided into a number of sessions of the government’s calling, and bills can only become law if they are discussed and voted on within a single session.
Campaigners for assisted dying have expressed their anger at the sight of unelected politicians holding up the will of the elected chamber. They have insisted that they intend to bring the bill back in the next parliamentary session, which begins after King Charles III outlines the government’s upcoming program in a speech to both houses of Parliament on May 13.
The sponsor of the bill in the House of Lords, Charlie Falconer, said he felt “despondent” that a piece of legislation, which he said was “so important to so many, has not failed on its merits, but failed as a result of procedural wrangling.”
He said many terminally ill people and their relatives “have shown such courage and forbearance” and have been “utterly bewildered by the way we have behaved.”
The bill that’s been making its way through parliament over the past 18 months or so had proposed allowing adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death subject to the approval of two doctors and an expert panel.
Those tabling amendments in the House of Lords said they have been providing necessary scrutiny to strengthen the legislation. Some have branded it unsafe and unworkable, citing their concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.
Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the Bill to the House of Commons in late 2024, has said she will “keep pushing for a safer, more compassionate law until Parliament reaches a final decision.”
Last month, lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives. Scotland has a semiautonomous government that has authority over many areas of policy, including health.
Assisted suicide — where patients take a lethal drink prescribed by a doctor — is legal in countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and parts of the U.S., with regulations on qualifying criteria varying by jurisdiction.
Lynette Hooker’s daughter retraces her last steps
The daughter of a woman who has been missing at sea for over two weeks has retraced her mother’s last steps.
Lynette Hooker has been missing since April 4. Her husband, Brian Hooker, told authorities that his wife fell from their dinghy as they sailed in the Bahamas, from Hope Town to Elbow Cay. He said strong currents carried her away and that his wife had the boat’s keys, causing its engine to shut off and forcing him to paddle ashore.
Lynette and Brian Hooker, who are from Michigan and have been married for more than 20 years, chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on social media under the name the Sailing Hookers.
Speaking to NewsNation‘s Jesse Weber Live on Thursday, Karli Aylesworth said she had recently visited the site where her mother disappeared and found the experience “almost eerie.”
The Timeline
Bahamian authorities opened an investigation into Hooker’s disappearance and initiated a search on April 5, one day after she was reported missing. The U.S. Coast Guard opened its own separate investigation into the matter on April 9.
Brian Hooker was released from police custody without charge on April 13 after being held and questioned for several days from April 8 in connection with his wife’s disappearance. His attorney Terrel Butler previously said in a statement that he “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and was cooperating with authorities.
Brian Hooker told NBC on April 14: “I don’t think I’ve ever been apart from her in 25 years for this long.” He left the Bahamas to visit his ailing mother but planned to return, his attorney told the outlet on Wednesday.
What To Know
Aylesworth said visiting the boat “hit me really hard.”
“It felt almost eerie,” she said. She added that she “did not find anything suspicious”.
She added that she retrieved some of her mother’s items including a necklace when she visited the boat. She wore the necklace during the interview.
It comes after Aylesworth previously told NBC’s Dateline that she was concerned her stepfather was “going to get away with this.” Brian Hooker has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and has not been charged with any crime.
“She was a great person, and she didn’t deserve this,” she added, speaking about her mother.
In another interview with NBC News last week, she said it was unlikely her mother, an experienced sailor, would “just fall” off the boat.
She also said the couple’s relationship was volatile, with a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
What Happens Next
Search operations and an investigation are ongoing.
How scientists have changed their minds on insomnia and the best way to get to sleep
Insomnia may have been torturing humanity since ancient times, but over the last 20 years scientists have made progress in their understanding of chronic sleep deprivation.
Today, sleep deprivation is one of the most widespread reported psychological problems in Britain, with about a third of the adult population in England reporting frequent insomnia symptoms.
Insomnia rarely occurs on its own, which brings us to one of the biggest changes scientists have made in our understanding of chronic sleep deprivation. The vast majority of people with insomnia often have other mental and physical health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain, thyroid disease, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety or depression.
In its diagnostic history, insomnia coupled with another illness or disorder was called secondary insomnia. That meant that insomnia was considered a consequence of those other underlying conditions. As such, until fairly recently clinicians did not generally attempt to treat secondary insomnia.
But in the early 2000s, both research and clinical practice evidence started to indicate that this approach was wrong. Scientists argued that insomnia could precede or long survive a primary condition. Abandoning this distinction between primary and secondary insomnia was a major advance in acknowledging that insomnia frequently was an independent disorder, requiring its own treatment.
What’s more, researchers have been accumulating strong evidence that helping people with their sleeping problems could actually lead to improvements in their other health conditions. Chronic pain, chronic heart failure, depression, psychosis, alcohol dependency, bipolar disorder, PTSD, can all improve for patients if they address their sleeping problems.
Who gets insomnia?
Over the past two decades, we have acquired more rigorous and international data illustrating how ubiquitous insomnia is. Insomnia affects almost everyone, though women, older people, and people of lower socio-economic status are more vulnerable to it.
These groups experience a combination of biological, psychological and social risk factors that expose them to long-term sleep-disruption. For example, women often experience acute hormone fluctuations, pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding, menopause, domestic violence, caregiving roles, higher prevalence of depression and anxiety – all of which can lead to more opportunities for prolonged sleep disruption.
Some current issues in insomnia research include the need to understand different types of insomnia symptoms, and their relationship to health and performance risks. For example, there is evidence that difficulty initiating sleep (as opposed to difficulty staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning) is associated with an increased risk of depression. Similarly, scientists still have questions on changes in things like brain activity, heart rate, or stress hormones that accompany insomnia. In common with all other mental health disorders, we are still yet to find biomarkers of insomnia.
However, research has helped us understand some things people can do to prevent insonmia episodes progressing to chronic insomnia, which is harder to treat. When insomnia symptoms happen more nights than not, and last for more than three months, then a diagnosis of insomnia disorder, or chronic insomnia, can be made.
One of the most common and harmful habits that develop during periods of insomnia is lying in bed, trying to sleep. Scientists have learned that lying in bed awake leads to perpetual cognitive arousal and, in time, it teaches your brain to stop connecting bed and being asleep.
About the author
Iuliana Hartescu is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Loughborough University.
This article was originally published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.
Thus, if you cannot sleep at night, get up and do something else absorbing, but calming – read, write a list for the following day, listen to calming music or do some breathing exercises. When you feel sleepy again, get back to bed. If you are tired the following day, a well-placed short nap is fine, in the afternoon, for a maximum of 20 minutes. However, one must be careful with daytime sleeping, as it may reduce sleepiness at nighttime, and going to sleep may become even more difficult.
For those who do struggle with insomnia, there are effective treatments recommended. The story of the profound changes from secondary insomnia to insomnia disorder speaks of the power of clinical diagnosis in providing a pathway to treatment.
Cognitive behavioural treatment for insomnia (CBTI) is a package of techniques designed to maximise sleepiness at bedtime. It involves structured steps which aim to modify behaviour and mental activity. There are some predictors of treatment success: shorter duration of insomnia symptoms (years, rather than decades), less depression or pain and more positive expectations towards CBTI. But CBTI is broadly effective across all groups of people with insomnia.
Even so, only a tiny proportion of people reporting insomnia symptoms seek medical help. People may consider insomnia symptoms trivial or manageable, or they may be unaware of the options. It may also be due to the unavailability of treatment options. CBTI remains largely unavailable in clinical practice, mainly due to clinicians’ unfamiliarity with the treatment programme, and limited funding.
This pushes patients towards sleeping tablets, which are not an acceptable long-term solution. Sleeping tablets are associated with significant cognitive and motor impairment, increased risk of falls, dependence, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, daytime lethargy, dizziness and headaches.
The main truly “new” class of sleeping pills are the dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs), which have shown a safety profile in many ways better than the traditional sedatives, especially around dependence concerns. But DORAs are not risk free or “mild” pills. They are relatively new to the market, first approved in the UK in 2022. So we lack long-term data to assess their safety for long-term use in people with insomnia.
A decent alternative is online self-delivered CBTI, on platforms such as Sleepful, which are free to access.
We have made great strides in sleep medicine over the past 20 years for people with insomnia, we just need to realise the potential of such profound changes by providing the right help for those suffering with it.
Bank of England expert predicts global stock market fall and warns ‘are we prepared?’
The Bank of England’s (BoE) deputy governor has warned of a fall in global stock markets, saying near-record valuations are unsustainable.
Both the UK and US stock markets are sitting near all-time highs due to investors continuing to bet on big future earnings, but Sarah Breeden said the bank expects an “adjustment at some point”.
The BoE appears concerned about the stability of financial systems if a market drop occurs in conjunction with other issues, including the Iran and Ukraine wars that are driving up inflation globally and private credit, which has grown exponentially and is provided by private firms, not banks. There are some worries that it may become a more widespread problem if the companies that have borrowed that money become unable to pay it back, which in turn could lead to shortfalls for their backers.
Ms Breeden said: “There’s a lot of risk out there and yet asset prices are at all-time highs. We expect there will be an adjustment at some point.
“The thing that really keeps me awake at night is the likelihood of a number of risks crystallising at the same time – a major macroeconomic shock, confidence in private credit goes, AI and other risky valuations readjust – what happens in that environment and are we prepared for it?”
The most recent significant market crash was in 2020 as a result of the Covid pandemic, which saw steep drops in most markets but also very swift rebounds. Since then, the US market in particular suffered drops in 2022 and 2025, the latter after Donald Trump first announced his plan to slap tariffs on trading partners around the world.
Stock market falls happen when share prices of multiple companies drop in tandem after being sold off in large amounts. There’s no specific amount a market has to drop to be termed a “crash”, though 20 per cent or more in a short period of time is usually considered one.
While a falling or even crashing stock market will not always lead to an economic decline or recession, there is a knock-on effect on both the businesses on the market and those who invest in them.
London’s major index, the FTSE 100, is up 5.2 per cent this year so far despite the impending economic hit to the UK and the rest of the world over oil prices, while across the past year it is up 24.4 per cent. Adding to the lack of absolute correlation is the globalisation of many businesses within the FTSE indices and the fact that they operate in markets outside the UK economy.
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the US, the S&P 500 is up 3.8 per cent for the year and 32.2 per cent over a year, having hit a new all-time high earlier this week despite the Iran war. The biggest six public companies in the world – led by Nvidia, Alphabet and Apple – and ten of the top 12, are listed in the US.
That said, impacts arise from such huge companies taking a dive in share price.
What does it mean for your money?
For those invested in the market, either through stocks and shares ISAs or pensions, their portfolios would drop in value.
In theory, that is not a problem, unless assets were sold at that lower valuation point. Most experts recommend riding out market downturns or else continuing to cost-average purchase, regardless of price, instead of panic selling. When markets return to upward, those downturns are actually when the greatest returns tend to be made, when assessed over the long term. There is no definitive timeframe for when markets recover from even the deepest downturns, but historically, they always have done so. The UK government is encouraging more British people to take up retail investing to boost their long-term wealth.
The other issue is if pensions drop in value at a moment when someone is close to retirement, which would mean their pot is worth less right when they need it most. This makes it important for people to be aware of their overall financial picture, the closer they get to that point in their lives.
For those who get dividend income from investments – firms which pay out a portion of their profits to shareholders – this could be reduced or cut off entirely if businesses decide they need to reallocate money, which could in turn see households reduce their spending.
When large numbers of people do that, it naturally has an economic knock-on impact, with lower spending meaning less income for businesses. That could then mean they decide not hire as many people or invest in projects, meaning potentially fewer jobs on the market.
For firms on the stock markets, a falling share price could mean less cash available for reinvestment into the business and lowered ability to borrow. If there are stock-price-linked obligations that can create wider problems for the business and naturally, consumer confidence can double down on such issues.
Rather than stock market worries around what that directly means for people, the BoE appears to harbour concerns about wider resilience to such shocks.
“What we are watching for: is how might those prices fall? Will there be a sharp adjustment downwards? And if there is such an adjustment, how will that affect the economy? I’m not saying it will happen today, tomorrow, in 12 months’ time. It’s ensuring that if it happens the system is resilient,” Ms Breeden, the BoE’s head of financial stability, added.
“Private credit has gone from nothing to two-and-a-half trillion dollars in the last 15 to 20 years. It hasn’t been tested at this scale with the degree of complexity and interconnections it has with the rest of the financial system so far. It’s a private credit crunch, rather than a banking-driven credit crunch, that we’re worried about.”
What do American children carry in their school bags? How it is different from India | – The Times of India
School bags are one of the very first steps towards a child’s transition into becoming a school-going student. With colorful styles and different designs, these bags carry not just stationery, but also hope for the future. But sometimes, instead of hope, these bags carry weight that goes far beyond a child’s capacity.In India, many parents and children suffer through the same. Thick books, multiple notebooks, a lunch box, a water bottle; certainly, these are the non-negotiables, but is the story the same everywhere in the world? We have to break it to you: IT’S NOT.
What exactly goes inside a typical American school bag, and why does it look so different from the Indian one?
The contrast feels almost surprising in the US. While Indian students often take an entire “mini library” with them, kids in American public schools tend to travel lighter, thanks to different classroom systems, digital resources, and locker facilities.A video shared by Sonal Chaudhary (@sonalbisla), an Instagram influencer and mom living in America, highlighted something similar. In the video shared on Instagram, Sonal asks her school-going son, Lavin, to show all the things he has in his bag. Here are the things Lavin picks out from his bag:
- A book, which he issued from the library
- A water bottle
- A lunch box
- One folder
- The mom and son also listed one laptop, which the son left at school.
Recalling her school days, Sonal then highlights how the story is different now. The mom then notes that kids in America are allotted individual baskets to keep their books and notebooks. Sonal writes, “In America, elementary school feels so different… less homework, lighter bags, and less pressure on kids.While the video may surprise many of us, in the US, it isn’t a special ritual.
The difference isn’t just about convenience, it’s about a child’s growth and health
The need for lighter school bags isn’t just a matter of convenience, research has consistently shown the ill-effects of heavy school bags. A recent study by the British Journal of Pain highlights how heavy school bags are associated with back pain, poor posture, and even long-term musculoskeletal issues in school-going children.This is where the difference becomes more significant than it first appears. Seen through that lens, the contrast between Indian and American school bags feels less like a comparison and more like a wake-up call.What’s your take on heavy bags and where does the fault lie? Share your thoughts with us.
Food inflation may jump to 7% as energy prices rise, firms tell Bank of England
UK firms have warned they think food inflation could jump as high as 7% this year as they increased their inflation outlook for the next year, according to Bank of England data.
It came as Bank officials also found that the conflict in the Middle East has “eroded” confidence that the economy will improve later this year.
A survey by the central bank of finance bosses across UK companies highlighted continued uncertainty over the business outlook.
The Decision Maker Panel (DMP) survey showed that firms expected to increase their prices by 3.8% over the next 12 months, according to data for the three months to April.
This is 0.3 percentage points higher than predicted over the three months to March.
Almost two-thirds of bosses (64%) said they expect to adjust to the recent energy shock by increasing their prices over the next 12 months.
Separate research by the Bank’s agents across the UK also highlighted concerns over rising inflation.
Businesses told Bank staff that they are worried about the conflict’s “potential impact on demand, supply chains and input costs”.
“But despite the uncertainty, apart from the small number of contacts who trade directly with the Middle East, few report significant impacts on their output, activity and intentions yet,” according to the research.
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nevertheless, firms said they fear that food inflation is likely to rise through 2026, “perhaps to 6% to 7%”, rather than falling back as previously expected.
Other sectors have also highlighted concerns over the impact of higher transport and energy costs.