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Kate Middleton’s 2017 Remarks on Maternal Loneliness Resurface as a Lesson on Motherhood Isolation

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Kate Middleton and Carole Middleton

LONDON — Remarks Kate, the Princess of Wales, made nearly a decade ago about the isolation many new mothers experience have resurfaced online, offering what commentators describe as a timely reminder that feelings of loneliness in motherhood are far more common than they may appear.

Speaking on April 20, 2017, at the opening of Global Academy, a new school in west London, then-Duchess of Cambridge addressed the emotional difficulty many parents face after having children. “It is lonely at times, and you do feel quite isolated,” she said. “But actually, so many other mothers are going through exactly what you are going through. It is being brave enough, like you obviously were, to reach out to those around you.”

The remarks were directed specifically at Katie Massie-Taylor and Sarah Hesz, the co-founders of Mush, an app designed to connect new mothers with one another. The two women had built the platform after becoming genuine friends themselves while supporting each other through the isolation that often accompanies early motherhood. The event took place as part of the royal family’s Heads Together mental health campaign, and Kate’s husband, Prince William, along with his brother Prince Harry, were also present that day, both speaking openly about their own experiences with grief and mental health following the death of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kate has returned to the theme of maternal isolation on more than one occasion since that 2017 appearance, often drawing on specific personal experience rather than speaking in general terms. During a separate visit to a children’s center in Cardiff, she described the period immediately following the birth of her eldest son, Prince George, when William was still serving as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with the Royal Air Force. “I was chatting to some of the mums, I had just had George and William was still working with search and rescue, so we came up here when George was a tiny, tiny little baby, in the middle of Anglesey,” she said. “It was so isolated, so cut off, I didn’t have my family around me, he was doing night shifts.”

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That specific, personal account has continued to lend particular weight to Kate’s broader public comments on motherhood and mental health, distinguishing her remarks from the kind of generalized advice more commonly associated with royal engagements. Rather than speaking about isolation as an abstract concept, she described a concrete period during which she personally experienced the kind of disconnection many new parents report.

Kate has continued to speak on related themes of connection and isolation in subsequent public appearances. In other remarks attributed to her, she has warned more broadly about the paradox of modern connectivity, observing that current generations may be simultaneously more digitally connected than any before them while also experiencing greater isolation and loneliness. She has also spoken about the importance of early childhood development, saying she believes the experiences children have in their earliest years carry lasting effects throughout the rest of their lives, a theme that has anchored much of her public work, including her long-running early years initiative through the Royal Foundation.

Kate’s 2017 remarks and subsequent related comments have taken on renewed relevance in recent commentary examining the gap between the public perception of motherhood and the private reality many parents describe experiencing. Coverage of her remarks has noted that motherhood is frequently portrayed publicly through milestones and family moments, while more difficult aspects, including exhaustion, uncertainty and loneliness, often remain unspoken. That silence, according to the commentary, can create a misleading impression that other parents are managing the transition to parenthood with relative ease, leaving individual mothers feeling as though their own struggles are unusual or isolating in a way others do not share.

Public health experts and parenting researchers have separately noted that the transition to parenthood often brings substantial disruption to a new parent’s existing social routines and relationships, even when family, friends or other parents remain physically present nearby. The shift in daily responsibilities that accompanies caring for a young child can significantly reduce opportunities for the kind of regular social contact that previously helped maintain a person’s sense of connection, a dynamic that can produce feelings of emotional isolation even in the presence of considerable practical support.

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Kate’s broader public engagement around maternal mental health has continued in the years since her original 2017 remarks, including through her work establishing the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which has focused on raising awareness of the formative importance of a child’s earliest years of development. Her public statements on the topic have generally emphasized both the significance of early childhood experiences and the importance of parents receiving adequate emotional and practical support during that period.

Kate has also spoken publicly about maintaining a positive outlook during difficult periods in her own life, including remarks she made regarding the importance others placed on her mindset during a personal health challenge. “Everyone said to me, please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference,” she has said, reflecting a broader pattern in her public commentary of connecting personal experience to wider themes of resilience and emotional wellbeing. She has also spoken about her professional work bringing her genuine fulfillment, saying in past remarks that her work “has always brought me a deep sense of joy,” and expressing eagerness to return to public engagements when circumstances allow.

Kate’s continued willingness to speak candidly about difficult personal experiences, including isolation during early motherhood, has been credited by commentators with helping normalize public conversations around maternal mental health, a topic that has historically received less open discussion in public life despite affecting a significant proportion of new parents. Her remarks continue to circulate in commentary examining parental mental health nearly a decade after they were first delivered, reflecting the resonance many parents have found in hearing a public figure describe personal struggles with isolation in terms that closely mirror their own experiences.

As renewed attention returns to Kate’s original 2017 comments, the broader message embedded in her remarks — that reaching out for support represents an act of courage rather than a sign of struggling to cope — continues to be cited by parenting advocates and mental health commentators as a meaningful counterpoint to the isolation many new parents report experiencing, even while surrounded by supportive family, friends and communities.

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American Airlines adding 4K seatback screens to 800+ aircraft

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American Airlines flights briefly grounded nationwide

American Airlines passengers could soon notice some big changes when they settle into their seats, as the carrier rolls out a major overhaul of the onboard experience.

The company said Tuesday that more than 800 narrowbody aircraft will ultimately receive new entertainment systems featuring 4K displays, Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C charging.

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“Big enhancements are taking flight,” American said in a post on X announcing the changes.

New aircraft equipped with the screens are expected to begin arriving in the second half of 2028, while retrofits of existing jets are scheduled to start later that year.

CHICK-FIL-A REIMAGINES SOUTHERN BREAKFAST CLASSIC AS AMERICANS PILE ON THE PROTEIN

American Airlines plane departs Los Angeles

American Airlines is planning a major cabin overhaul that will add seatback entertainment, faster connectivity and more premium seating across much of its narrowbody fleet. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The retrofit program is expected to stretch into the early 2030s, according to American.

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The move marks a notable shift for the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier, which has for years relied heavily on passengers streaming entertainment to their own phones, tablets and laptops on many domestic flights.

The airline told Fox News Digital that changing passenger habits helped drive the decision.

“Customer preferences have evolved,” the airline shared with Fox News Digital, adding that the shift has become particularly apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The carrier added that younger travelers, in particular, increasingly expect access to multiple devices and larger screens during their trips.

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At the same time, improvements in satellite internet are changing what airlines can offer passengers in the cabin. American plans to begin installing high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on its narrowbody aircraft in 2027.

AMERICAN AIRLINES REPORTEDLY PAUSES 6 DOMESTIC ROUTES AMID FUEL PRICE PRESSURE TIED TO IRAN CONFLICT

American Airlines

The changes, beginning in 2028 and continuing into the early 2030s, are aimed at attracting travelers willing to pay more for comfort and upgraded amenities. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The airline said combining built-in screens, passengers’ personal devices and faster connectivity could create a more personalized in-flight experience, while also opening up “new opportunities for engagement and revenue growth.”

The upgrades will cover both new aircraft and planes already in American’s fleet. Newly delivered Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft will receive the entertainment systems, while existing narrowbody aircraft will be retrofitted.

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American’s current Airbus A320 fleet is the exception and will not receive the new seatback entertainment systems, the carrier told Fox News Digital.

The cabin overhaul goes beyond screens.

American is also increasing the number of higher-priced seats across its narrowbody operation, as airlines increasingly compete for travelers willing to pay more for additional space and premium amenities.

Premium seating currently represents roughly 25% of seats on American’s narrowbody departures. The airline expects that figure to climb to approximately 40% in the coming years.

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UNITED AIRLINES DROPS MERGER PURSUIT WITH AMERICAN, CEO KIRBY DETAILS WHY

American Airlines flight encounters problems in Miami

American Airlines is betting on premium travelers by expanding first-class and extra-legroom seating across its narrowbody fleet, part of a broader push to make the onboard experience more upscale and competitive. (Courtesy Terri and Bobbie Barbour)

American is already modifying its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft to add another row of first class. Its future Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft are expected to have 24 first-class seats, while the airline also plans to reconfigure its A321neo fleet with additional first-class seating.

The carrier is expanding Main Cabin Extra, its extra-legroom economy product, across most of the narrowbody fleet as well.

“We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history,” American Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said.

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The airline’s decision comes as carriers increasingly focus on premium travelers and cabin amenities as another way to differentiate themselves beyond ticket prices and schedules.

American’s new screens are expected to rank among the largest offered on narrowbody aircraft in North America, according to the carrier. The system will also offer personalized movie and television recommendations, interactive flight maps and destination information.

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The first newly delivered aircraft with the technology are still roughly two years away, meaning passengers will see the changes gradually rather than through an immediate fleetwide overhaul.

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American Airlines expects the retrofit program to be completed in the early 2030s.

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Outshine Fruit Bars Recalled Nationwide Over Possible Glass Contamination in Five Popular Flavors

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People visit the Nike store at 5th Avenue during the holiday season in New York

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Outshine Fruit Bar flavors nationwide over concerns that the frozen treats could be contaminated with glass, according to a media release distributed via PR Newswire.

The recall, dated Aug. 16, affects Outshine Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine and Black Cherry fruit bars, which were distributed to retailers across the country in 6-count boxes. The company emphasized that only these five flavors, packaged as 6-count, 2.5-ounce paddle bars, are included in the recall, meaning other Outshine products and flavors not specifically listed are not affected.

According to the company, no illnesses or injuries connected to the recalled products have been reported to date. Dreyer’s said in its statement that it remains focused on ensuring consumer safety as the recall moves forward. “The safety, quality, and integrity of our products remain our highest priority. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this action may cause our consumers and retail customers,” the company said in its release. “We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality and to earning the trust of our consumers and customers every day.”

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are being urged to check specific batch codes and best-before dates printed on the bottom of each package, along with the corresponding UPC codes, to determine whether their particular boxes fall within the recall.

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For Outshine Strawberry 6-Count 2.5-ounce Fruit Bars, under UPC 041548610047, the affected batch codes include a lengthy list of codes beginning with the prefix “LLA,” with best-before dates ranging from Sept. 30, 2027, through Nov. 30, 2027. The affected codes span LLA616903 through LLA617603 with a Sept. 30, 2027, best-before date, followed by a separate group of codes from LLA620303 through LLA621603 carrying best-before dates spread across Oct. 31, 2027, and Nov. 30, 2027.

Outshine Grape 6-Count 2.5-ounce Fruit Bars are affected under two separate UPC codes. Under UPC 041548244044, affected batch codes include LLA616803, LLA616903, and a range from LLA619703 through LLA620303, with best-before dates of either Sept. 30, 2027, or Oct. 31, 2027, depending on the specific code. A separate set of Grape fruit bars, packaged under UPC 041548000121, carries affected batch codes ranging from LLA618503 through LLA619003, all with a July 31, 2027, best-before date.

Outshine Watermelon 6-Count 2.5-ounce Fruit Bars, listed under UPC 041548413624, have affected batch codes spanning LLA617603 through LLA619503, with best-before dates falling on either June 30, 2027, or July 31, 2027, depending on the specific batch.

Outshine Tangerine 6-Count 2.5-ounce Fruit Bars, under UPC 041548612041, have a more limited set of affected batch codes, specifically LLA619603 and LLA619703, both carrying an Oct. 31, 2027, best-before date.

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The company has directed consumers with additional questions about the recall, including how to determine eligibility for a refund or how to properly dispose of affected products, to consult additional details available through the company’s official recall notice. Consumers who discover they have purchased any of the affected batch codes are generally advised in cases like this to avoid consuming the product and to either discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund, consistent with standard food safety recall guidance.

Glass contamination recalls, while relatively uncommon, are treated with particular seriousness by food safety regulators and manufacturers given the potential for serious injury if small glass fragments are inadvertently consumed. Such recalls typically originate from a manufacturing or packaging line issue, such as damage to glass components used somewhere in the production or filling process, though Dreyer’s release did not specify the exact source of the potential contamination risk identified in this case.

Outshine, a brand owned by Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, has built a reputation in the frozen treats market for producing fruit-based frozen bars marketed as a lower-calorie, fruit-forward alternative to traditional ice cream novelties. The recalled flavors, including Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine and Black Cherry, represent some of the brand’s more widely distributed and popular product offerings, meaning the recall is likely to affect a substantial number of households that had purchased the products before the potential contamination issue was identified.

Given the wide distribution of the affected boxes to retailers nationwide, consumers across the country are being encouraged to check their freezers for any of the specific batch codes outlined in the recall notice, rather than assuming that simply purchasing one of the five listed flavors necessarily means their particular box is affected, since the recall applies specifically to certain identified batch codes and best-before date ranges rather than to the flavors as a whole indefinitely.

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This recall adds to a broader pattern of food safety recalls that consumers have periodically had to navigate across various product categories throughout the year, underscoring the ongoing importance of manufacturers’ internal quality control processes in catching potential contamination risks before they result in consumer injury. In this instance, the company has stated that its internal processes identified the potential glass contamination risk before any injuries were reported, prompting the voluntary recall action.

Consumers seeking further information about the recall, including specific guidance on refunds or additional batch codes not explicitly detailed in initial reporting, are encouraged to consult the full recall notice provided by Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream directly, as the company’s official release contains the complete and authoritative listing of all affected product codes and consumer guidance associated with this voluntary recall action.

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the best web hosting and domain bundle for UK small businesses?

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The Role of Dedicated Servers in Scaling Modern Businesses

Most small business owners do not want to think about servers. They want a website that loads, professional-looking email, and a bill that does not triple in year two.

That is the gap one.com has aimed at for over twenty years, and why the Danish provider keeps making shortlists alongside far larger American brands. Here is what the bundle contains, what it costs after year one, and who it suits.

For many businesses, hosting is also a purchase made only once every few years. Once a website is live, email addresses are printed on business cards and customers know where to find you, moving providers becomes an inconvenience few owners want to deal with. That makes choosing the right platform at the outset more important than chasing the cheapest introductory offer. A provider that keeps domains, hosting, email and website management under one roof can remove a surprising amount of day-to-day administration, particularly for businesses without dedicated IT support.

What one.com is

one.com launched in Denmark in 2002 and is now one of Europe’s better known small business providers. The proposition: one account holding your domain, hosting, email and site builder, managed from one control panel rather than three renewal dates, three support queues and three places for something to break. one.com UK lists the current plans side by side.

Pricing and the renewal question

Entry level hosting starts from around £1 per month, with a standard domain at roughly £10 a year once promotional pricing ends — attractive numbers for a brochure site, a contact form and a few email addresses.

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The caveat applies across this market: introductory pricing covers the first term, and renewals cost more. Compare providers on three years of costs, not one: the host that looks pricier on day one is sometimes cheaper by month eighteen. A 15 day money back guarantee covers new hosting orders, though domain registration fees sit outside it.

The domain, and what “free” means

Every hosting plan includes a free first year domain on eligible extensions, the single biggest reason the bundle undercuts buying the pieces separately; for a .co.uk buyer it removes a line item in year one. Read “free” precisely: it means twelve months, then the standard renewal rate applies. Unlike some registrars, one.com does not tie the domain up in ways that make leaving difficult. Our guide to where to buy a domain in the UK compares first year and renewal pricing across the main players.

Website Builder and WordPress

one.com runs two routes to a finished site. The Website Builder now leads with AI: describe the business and it generates a starting layout with drafted copy, refined in a drag and drop editor with an AI writing assistant, analytics, contact forms and a cookie banner. Independent reviewers find the templates narrower and customisation shallower than the specialists’, but for a plumber, consultancy or small shop needing five good pages, the ceiling is far above what you need. Our roundup of the best AI website builders puts it against the dedicated platforms. The alternative is WordPress, installed in one click, with managed plans covering updates, staging and security patching — better if you expect to grow into plugins, a blog or an online shop.

Email, security and support

Email is included rather than sold as an extra — several better known providers charge monthly per mailbox on top of hosting. SSL certificates are included, backups run daily, and support runs through chat, phone and email. One fair criticism: one.com does not publish an uptime guarantee, unlike some UK hosts.

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Performance and the upgrade path

Shared hosting is sufficient for the traffic most small business sites see, and third party speed tests have been favourable for the price bracket. If a site outgrows it, one.com offers managed VPS and cloud servers with dedicated CPU, memory and NVMe storage. Few £1 per month customers will ever need one, but an upgrade path inside the same account beats migrating hosts under pressure.

Where it sits against the competition

The natural comparison is IONOS, the largest player across the UK and Europe, which offers deeper technical specification, Tier IV certified data centres and a named personal consultant. one.com offers fewer options and a simpler journey to a live site; our head to head on one.com vs IONOS works through which suits which business. Against the wider field, one.com competes on the bundle: not the fastest, not the most configurable, not the cheapest at renewal, but hard to assemble more cheaply elsewhere. The full ranking sits in our guide to the best web hosting UK businesses can buy this year.

Who should buy it

one.com is a strong fit for sole traders, small firms and first time site owners who value fewer decisions over more control. It is a weaker fit for developers who want granular server control, businesses that need a contractual uptime commitment, and design led brands that will fight the builder’s constraints.

It also makes sense for businesses replacing an ageing website or moving away from separate providers for domains, email and hosting. Consolidating those services into a single account reduces administration, simplifies renewals and makes it easier for non-technical owners to manage their online presence without relying on outside support for routine tasks.

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Verdict

The bundle is the product. Judged component by component, one.com finishes mid table. Judged as the fastest way for a UK small business to get a professional website, a .co.uk domain and working email under one login and one renewal date, it remains one of the better value options — go in with clear eyes about year two pricing. If your priority is squeezing every last performance benchmark from a server or having complete technical control, there are stronger specialist providers. But if your goal is simply to get online quickly, manage everything in one place and avoid juggling multiple suppliers, one.com remains one of the strongest all-round packages in the market. As with any hosting purchase, compare the full cost over several years rather than the first invoice alone, and the value proposition becomes much easier to judge.

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The critical tech staying safe by going underground

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Four engineers stand close to a large metal cylinder which containers the Earthgrid boring machine.

A wall of white granite towered above a small team of engineers gathered in a California quarry. The ancient, ultra-hard material before them was, to most things, completely impermeable.

Then the rock-melting tunnel-boring machine (TBR) roared to life.

“It’s kind of like igniting a rocket,” says Troy Helming, founder and chief executive of EarthGrid, as he describes the initially loud process of lighting up three plasma torches at the front of his company’s machine.

Those torches, set within a spinning head, soon quieten down as they produce a stream of super-heated plasma reaching 27,000C – significantly hotter than the surface of the Sun.

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During the California test this January, EarthGrid’s cigar-shaped boring machine chewed through three metres of granite. “We create, basically, a tornado – a violent vortex inside the tunnel,” says Helming, as he explains how this helps the machine to suck away debris, which at times takes the form of lava.

“I actually got a little bit emotional watching it,” adds the entrepreneur. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for 10 years.”

Emerging technologies like this could make tunnel boring quicker and easier. Putting electricity or telecommunications cables, substations, data centres and other critical infrastructure underground, while good for securing such equipment, has long been a very expensive and difficult option.

Engineering firms told BBC News they are seeing rising demand for undergrounding, in part due to Russia’s war with Ukraine, which has revealed just how vulnerable above-ground facilities can be to drone attacks.

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Helming says he has fielded interest from companies that want to use his tunnel boring machine for power and fibre optic cables, or pipelines that could transport water, natural gas, or ammonia, for example.

One project the company has eyed up would involve boring tunnels for an underground freight-distribution system around airports and warehouses. “To take more trucks off the road,” says Helming.

The January TBR test went well, though the machine “over-bored” slightly to the top and left of the tunnel, says Helming. His team plans to adjust the machine so that it will create a vortex that spins in alternate directions every five minutes or so, in order to correct this, and they hope the TBR could see commercial deployment as early as next year.

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FirstCash AFF president Hambleton sells $425,960 in shares

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FirstCash AFF president Hambleton sells $425,960 in shares

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Supreme Court denies Verizon rehearing in $46.9M FCC location-data case

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Supreme Court denies Verizon rehearing in $46.9M FCC location-data case

The Supreme Court has denied Verizon’s request for rehearing in its fight over a $46.9 million Federal Communications Commission penalty tied to the telecom giant’s former customer location data program.

The justices denied the petition Monday without explanation, leaving the court’s earlier judgment against Verizon in place, according to the court’s Aug. 17 order list.

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The denial closes off Verizon’s effort to alter the disposition of a June Supreme Court ruling that upheld the FCC’s forfeiture process against a Seventh Amendment challenge. 

The court found that an FCC penalty order does not automatically force a company to pay. If a company refuses, the government must go to federal court to collect, where the company can fully challenge the case before a judge or jury.

META HEADS TO TRIAL OVER ALLEGED SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION, RISKS TO CHILDREN

verizon storefront florida

The exterior of Verizon and AT&T stores, Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

In that June 4 ruling, the Supreme Court left the lower court’s decision against Verizon in place but sent AT&T’s separate case back to the Fifth Circuit for further review. That difference in how the two cases were resolved became central to Verizon’s rehearing request.

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The FCC imposed the nearly $47 million forfeiture in 2024 after finding that Verizon failed to adequately protect customer location information made available through a program involving third-party location service providers.

WAYMO GETS REGULATORY APPROVAL TO SCALE UP ROBOTAXI SERVICE ACROSS CALIFORNIA, ENTER 2 NEW MARKETS

Verizon paid the penalty under protest and challenged the FCC’s order in federal court. The Second Circuit rejected the company’s challenge last year, including its argument that the device-location information at issue fell outside the customer-information protections of Section 222 of the Communications Act.

Verizon logo on phone

Verizon said Monday, Sept. 30 that it is “aware of an issue impacting service for some customers.” (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images / Getty Images)

In its rehearing petition, Verizon argued that the FCC’s forfeiture order appeared to impose an immediate obligation to pay within 30 days, while the government later maintained before the Supreme Court that carriers could decline to pay and instead await enforcement action.

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The Supreme Court’s June opinion did not decide whether the carriers had been misled into paying or whether a refund could be appropriate. The justices said they expressed no view on the merits of that argument, what relief might be available or in what proceeding.

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In this photo illustration, the Verizon Wireless logo is seen displayed on a smartphone and in the background.  (Photo Illustration by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Verizon then asked the Supreme Court to send the case back to the Second Circuit so the appeals court could consider whether the company had been misled into paying the penalty and whether it should receive a refund.

The Supreme Court’s denial Monday leaves the Second Circuit judgment affirmed and Verizon’s requested remand off the table.

FOX Business reached out to Verizon and the FCC for comment.

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The broader dispute over the FCC’s authority remains active. T-Mobile and Sprint have separately asked the Supreme Court to review their own location data penalties, challenging, among other issues, whether the location information at issue falls within the Communications Act’s definition of protected customer proprietary network information. 

Their petition was filed June 22 and remains pending.

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The continuing litigation could have implications for how the FCC applies federal customer data protections and structures large civil forfeitures against telecommunications companies.

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Growing US national debt drives Treasury yields to historic highs

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Social Security COLA change could reduce 75-year shortfall by half

Financial markets and investors are reacting to the rapidly growing U.S. national debt, which is approaching a record of $40 trillion, by requiring greater returns for those who invest in America’s debt obligations.

Yields on U.S. Treasurys have been elevated recently, in part due to the growth in debt, with the federal government projected to run a roughly $2.1 trillion budget deficit this fiscal year, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

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Two recent Treasury auctions in the last week drew attention due to the yields reaching historic levels – the sale of 10-year notes cleared at a high of 4.683%, the highest in 19 years, while the 30-year bond auction stopped at 5.216%, a 25-year peak.

Demand from investors has remained steady despite the higher yields, as they navigate concerns over the growing debt, widening budget deficits and inflation – with the higher yields attracting investors.

FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT ON TRACK TO SURPASS $2T THIS FISCAL YEAR AS SPENDING OUTPACES REVENUE

The higher yields at last week’s auctions showed no sign of an abrupt decline in demand from domestic and foreign investors for Treasurys. Analysts also indicated there weren’t signs that so-called bond vigilantes, who are concerned with fiscal policy and inflation risks and demand higher yields to invest, are actively selling Treasurys.

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Yields on U.S. debt are higher than those on the debt issued by other developed countries like Japan, contributing to the stronger demand for Treasurys.

Jim Barnes, director of fixed income at Bryn Mawr Trust in Pennsylvania said in a Reuters report that the “appetite for Treasurys is still there and it’s just a matter of – at what yield,” adding that the “10-year at close to 5% and the 30-year at multi-decade highs will attract more buyers for risk-free Treasurys.”

Treasurys are considered to be “risk-free” in theory, because the federal government is perceived as having little to no chance of entering into a formal default because of its ability to tax and control its money supply through the Federal Reserve. In practice, they do carry some risks for investors that owe to shifts in inflation and interest rates, despite the unlikely prospect of default.

US DEBT SET TO CRUSH WORLD WAR II RECORD AS ANNUAL DEFICITS EXPLODE TO $3T WITHIN DECADE

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U.S. Capitol at sunrise.

The growth in the national debt has contributed to higher Treasury yields, and higher debt servicing costs for the government. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)

Elevated yields on U.S. debt do pose a challenge for consumers, as the yield on the 10-year Treasury note is a key guide for mortgage rates and they typically move in tandem. 

Higher mortgage rates can make it harder for buyers to afford monthly payments and can discourage existing homeowners whose current mortgages are at lower rates from moving, while also weighing on construction activity.

Other types of consumer debt, including auto loans and other fixed-rate loans, also tend to rise with market rates, though there is a lag in the pass-through of the higher borrowing costs, and it’s less exact than in other types of consumer borrowing. Credit card rates are more closely linked to banks’ prime rates, which tend to follow the Fed’s monetary policy moves.

Higher yields on Treasurys can also contribute to bigger budget deficits – and in turn, a larger national debt – as the federal government’s debt service costs rise due to the higher yields.

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US NATIONAL DEBT SURPASSES SIZE OF THE ECONOMY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II

Treasury check and tax forms.

Investor demand for Treasurys has persisted despite higher yields. (Getty Images)

A 10-year budget and economic outlook released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) earlier this year projected that the government’s net interest costs are projected to exceed $1 trillion in fiscal year 2026, amounting to about 3.3% of GDP and nearly 14% of federal spending this year.

Interest costs are forecasted to continue to rise over the next 10 years, with the CBO projecting the annual interest expense will rise to $2.1 trillion in fiscal year 2036, when it would amount to 4.6% of GDP and account for 19% of federal spending that year.

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Reuters contributed to this report.

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Where to buy a domain name in the UK 2026: the best registrars compared

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Domain Listings on Building Trust in a Digital Industry

A domain name is one of the cheapest purchases you’ll make for your business, but also one of the hardest to replace. Change your host and few people notice.

Change your web address after years of building brand recognition and search visibility, and the cost can be significant. A .co.uk domain costs less than a round of drinks, but most registrars advertise heavily discounted first-year prices. What matters is the total cost over time, not the introductory offer. This guide compares the main UK registrars on the factors that matter most over the life of a domain.

The market has become increasingly competitive, with most registrars offering similar basic features including DNS management, domain forwarding and automatic renewals. As a result, the biggest differences are often hidden in the details: how much the name costs after the first year, whether privacy protection is included, how easy it is to transfer elsewhere and whether managing the domain becomes simpler if you later buy hosting from the same company. Choosing well at the start can save both money and unnecessary administration for years to come.

How UK domains work

The .uk family, including .co.uk, is run by Nominet, which has operated as the .uk registry since 1996. You do not buy from Nominet directly in normal circumstances. You register through an accredited registrar, which files the registration on your behalf and holds the commercial relationship with you.

That distinction matters when things go wrong. Your rights, including the right to transfer your name elsewhere and to receive clear information about pricing and renewal, sit with the registrar under the registry’s rules and, for generic extensions, under ICANN’s framework for registrant rights. Whoever you choose, the domain is yours, not theirs.

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1. one.com: best value with hosting

If you intend to build a website rather than simply park a name, buy a domain from one.com and the arithmetic changes. Hosting plans include the domain free for the first year on eligible extensions, so the registration line disappears entirely at launch. Standalone domain pricing is competitive rather than market leading, with one.com’s own guidance putting a typical name at around £10 a year at standard rates. The value case rests on the bundle: register the name, get hosting from roughly £1 per month, and pick up email addresses on that domain and an SSL certificate without a separate purchase. Practically, the registration completes at checkout and DNS, email and SSL are configurable from the control panel within minutes. There is no requirement to buy hosting, but doing so is where the saving sits. Our fullone.com review covers what the rest of the bundle includes.

Best for: anyone registering a domain and building a site at the same time.

2. Namecheap: most transparent pricing

Namecheap has built a following by keeping renewal pricing close to the registration price. For .co.uk domains, that narrow gap can save meaningful money over long-term ownership. Free WHOIS privacy is included, the management interface is straightforward, transfers are uncomplicated and support is available 24/7 via chat and tickets. The trade-offs are a lack of UK phone support, pricing in US dollars and a hosting platform that’s less comprehensive than all-in-one providers.

Best for: buyers who want predictable long-term pricing and free privacy.

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3. GoDaddy: widest extension range

GoDaddy is the world’s largest registrar, offering one of the broadest selections of domain extensions and the deepest aftermarket for already-registered names. Privacy is now included free of charge, but renewal prices are considerably higher than introductory offers, and the checkout still includes pre-selected add-ons for services such as email and security. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both make it worth checking the basket carefully and keeping an eye on renewal dates.

Best for: unusual domain extensions and aftermarket purchases.

4. 123 Reg: most UK focused interface

123 Reg remains one of the simplest places for UK businesses to register a .co.uk, with a familiar interface, UK support and additional services including hosting, email and Microsoft 365. Two caveats: it’s now owned by the same group as GoDaddy, and its headline introductory prices usually require multi-year registrations before higher renewal rates apply.

Best for: UK buyers looking for a familiar, all-in-one provider.

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5. IONOS: best if you need infrastructure too

IONOS combines competitive first-year domain pricing with extras such as an SSL certificate and email account. Its platform also scales from shared hosting to VPS and dedicated servers as a business grows. The biggest advantage is integration. If you’re already using IONOS hosting—or expect to later—keeping everything in one account makes management easier. If you only need a domain, the purchase journey includes more upselling than many buyers will want. Our one.com vs IONOS comparison sets the two side by side in detail.

Best for: businesses already using, or planning to use, the IONOS platform.

What to check before you buy

  • Compare renewal prices, not just registration. A £1 first year followed by £16 renewals is often worse value than paying £8 every year.
  • Check whether privacy is included. Some registrars include WHOIS privacy for free, while others charge annually.
  • Review the transfer policy. You should be able to move your domain without unnecessary fees or delays.
  • Enable auto-renewal. An expired payment card is one of the easiest ways to lose a domain.
  • Buy the right name, not the cheapest one. Saving a few pounds isn’t worth years of explaining or correcting your web address.

The short answer

If you’re building a website, registering your domain with your hosting provider is usually the simplest option, and one.com’s bundle offers strong value in the first year. Ultimately, the best registrar depends less on the domain itself than on what you intend to do with it. Most companies can register exactly the same .co.uk name, but the ownership experience varies considerably over the following years. Pay attention to renewal pricing, support quality and how easy it is to leave if your needs change. A domain should be a long-term business asset, not a subscription that becomes increasingly expensive or difficult to manage as your business grows.

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California replacement tire limits: new rules phase out inefficient options

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California replacement tire limits: new rules phase out inefficient options

California regulators on Monday approved new rules that will restrict which replacement tires can be sold across the state in an effort to meet energy-efficiency standards.

The new regulations, unanimously adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC), will phase out tires that fail to meet these standards — a move that could restrict a large portion of the tires currently available to drivers.

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“This ultimately is about protecting consumers,” said David Hochschild, Chairman of the California Energy Commission, as reported by KCRA-TV. “I see this as sheltering the public from higher costs in the long run.”

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Tire manufacturing plant

A tire at a manufacturing plant.  (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to several tire manufacturers, including Goodyear, Michelin, and Bridgestone.

The new rules target rolling resistance: the amount of energy it takes for a tire to roll down a road. Lower rolling resistance allows vehicles to consume less gasoline or electricity.

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While factory-installed tires on new vehicles typically feature low rolling resistance, drivers often replace them with cheaper, less efficient tires. The new rules aim to ensure that replacement tires maintain energy efficiency levels similar to those of original factory tires.

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Mechanic fitting a wheel on a car during tire change.

A mechanic fits a wheel on a car in Heilgersdorf, Bavaria, on Oct. 4, 2024. California regulators on Monday approved a new set of rules that would limit the kinds of replacement tires consumers could purchase. (dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The first phase of the program begins in 2029, targeting the most inefficient replacement tires on the market. The allowable rolling-resistance threshold drops even further starting in 2033.

According to the CEC, California drivers could save $79 in fuel or electricity costs over four months during Phase 1, and about $153 over seven months during Phase 2. The CEC estimates that Phase 2 rules will add an average of about $6.50 to the cost of each tire, the New York Post reported.

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These regulations are a tool within our authority that can save money for every Californian,” said Commissioner Nancy Skinner.

Goodyear voiced concerns over the mandate, arguing that it would pass additional costs onto consumers. Representatives noted that around 70% of tires currently sold in the state would be eliminated by 2033.

Used vehicle tires piled outside an auto repair shop in Toronto.

Used vehicle tires are piled outside an auto repair shop in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on July 26, 2026.  (Getty Images)

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Several categories are excluded from the new rules, including snow tires, used and retreaded tires, deep-tread off-road tires, motorcycle tires, and tires sold for emergency vehicles.

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The regulations stem from Assembly Bill 844, a 2003 California law requiring the commission to set state tire-efficiency standards.

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The best AI website builders for small businesses 2026

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The best AI website builders for small businesses 2026

Two years ago, AI in a website builder meant a chatbot bolted onto the help centre. Now it means describing your business in a sentence and watching a structured site appear with drafted copy, sensible page architecture and images already placed.

For a small business owner who has been putting off building a website since 2019, that changes the calculation entirely.

What has not changed is the commercial small print. Builders are priced per month, the cheapest tiers often carry the platform’s own branding, and the things a business actually needs, a proper domain and email on it, are frequently sold separately. This guide ranks five options on what a working business site really costs once those pieces are included.

1. one.com Website Builder: best all in one value

one.com wins here on bundling rather than on raw design power, and for the target reader that is the right trade.

The one.com AI website builder generates a starting site from a description of your business, drafts the copy across the standard pages, and hands you a drag and drop editor to refine it. An AI writing assistant helps with the text you rewrite afterwards, and the practical necessities are present: contact forms, analytics integration, social components and a cookie banner.

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The reason it ranks first is what comes with it. The builder sits inside a hosting plan that already includes a free domain for the first year, email addresses on that domain, an SSL certificate and daily backups, starting from around £1 per month. Compare that with paying a builder subscription, then a domain, then a mailbox subscription, and the gap is substantial.

Be clear about the ceiling. Reviewers consistently find the template range narrower and the design controls shallower than the specialist platforms offer. If your website is your brand, you will feel constrained. If your website needs to explain what you do, prove you are real and take enquiries, you will not. The wider bundle is covered in our one.com review.

Best for: small businesses that want a site, a domain and email for one price.

2. Wix: best AI generation and app ecosystem

Wix has the most mature AI site generation on the market. Answer a short series of questions and it produces a genuinely complete site, images included, that many owners would publish with light editing. The editor gives you pixel level control if you want it, and the app market covers bookings, payments, memberships and almost anything else a small business needs bolted on.

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The pricing needs care. The free tier carries Wix branding and is not suitable for a business. Paid plans are reasonable in isolation, a domain is usually included free for the first year on annual plans, but professional email is typically a paid add on through Google Workspace rather than something bundled. Add that per mailbox cost and the monthly total climbs.

One structural limitation: your site is not portable. There is no meaningful export, so moving to another platform later means rebuilding.

Best for: businesses that want maximum design control and add on functionality.

3. Squarespace: best design quality

Nothing else produces a site that looks this good with this little effort. Squarespace templates are genuinely well designed rather than merely numerous, and the AI tooling now handles first draft layout and copy competently. For photographers, restaurants, studios and anyone whose customers judge on appearance, it remains the strongest option available.

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The costs are the highest here. There is no free tier, monthly pricing sits above the alternatives, and email again arrives as a paid Google Workspace subscription after an introductory period. A domain is typically included for the first year on annual billing.

The editor also trades flexibility for polish. Templates guide you firmly, which is why the output looks good and why designers find it restrictive.

Best for: visually led businesses where presentation drives sales.

4. GoDaddy: fastest route to live

GoDaddy’s builder is built around speed. Its AI tooling produces a functional site quickly, marketing features such as email campaigns and social posting are integrated rather than bolted on, and the whole thing connects directly to a domain bought in the same checkout.

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Design ambition is limited. The output is competent and generic, and customisation runs out sooner than on Wix or Squarespace. As with the rest of GoDaddy’s range, watch the basket for pre selected extras and check the renewal rate against the introductory offer.

Best for: businesses that need something live this week.

5. Hostinger: best for growing into WordPress

Hostinger bundles its builder with hosting, so the pricing structure is closer to one.com’s than to the pure builder platforms. The AI tools are capable, performance is strong for the price, and the same account gives you a route into WordPress, and eventually VPS resources, if the site outgrows a drag and drop editor.

The trade off is the commitment. Hostinger’s headline prices generally require paying several years upfront, and renewal rates are considerably higher. The builder itself is younger and less refined than the established names.

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Best for: businesses expecting to migrate to WordPress later.

What to compare before you subscribe

The total monthly cost, with email. A builder at £10 plus a mailbox at £6 is a £16 product. Compare like with like.

Whether hosting is included. Builder only platforms include hosting in the subscription. Bundled builders sit inside a hosting plan. Either works, but you should know which you are buying, and our guide to the best web hosting UK businesses can choose explains where the value sits.

Domain ownership. Register the name in your own account rather than accepting whatever a builder assigns. If the relationship ends, you want to walk away with the address.

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Whether you can leave. Most builders lock content to the platform. Weigh that against the convenience before you build fifty pages.

How much you will actually maintain it. An AI generated site is a starting point, not a finished asset. Opening hours change, prices change, and a site that still advertises last year’s services does more harm than no site at all. Choose the platform you will find least irritating to edit on a Tuesday evening, because that is when the updates get made.

Compliance basics. Any site collecting enquiries handles personal data, so check that your builder gives you a privacy notice, a cookie banner and a lawful way to store what people submit. The ICO’s UK GDPR guidance sets out what is expected, and the government’s cyber security guidance covers protecting the account itself.

The verdict

For most UK small businesses, the winner is whichever platform gets a professional site live at a total cost you can justify. Squarespace produces the best looking result and Wix the most capable one, but both price the domain and mailbox separately once the first year ends.

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one.com takes the top position because it treats the website, the domain and the email as one purchase rather than three, which is how a small business actually experiences the problem.

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