AI-generated music has long been a concern for fans and artists.

Musician Alex Winn tells BBC Newsbeat he thinks the incoming feature is a “really good thing”.

“It almost separates the people who have created music properly from the people just using AI,” says guitarist Winn, who plays in the North East band Swindled.

The musician feels people want to “connect emotionally with music” and he thinks “AI can’t really do that”.

The 19-year-old also says having the AI label will help people make an informed choice about their listening habits, and he hopes it will redirect users to other artists and help level the playing field.

“Bands are finding it hard to compete no matter what, nevermind with some AI bands taking over,” he says.

Music fan Leon Keenan thinks AI music shouldn’t be removed completely from Spotify, but agrees that clearly labelling it is a “really good” idea.

“I definitely don’t like AI music, it’s really bad, music is about the passion,” the 20-year-old adds.

Ellie Sumner, 21, also welcomes the new label as she says she has not realised work was AI-generated before.

“It’s very easy to be like ‘AI is so obvious’ and maybe look down on my parents and grandparents falling for it, but I’ve definitely fallen for AI before,” she says.

“It’s sad that we have to label it, but also quite necessary.”

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (MCX) and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Global Commodity Conclave 2026 to establish the MCX-NISM Centre for Commodity Markets, a dedicated platform focused on strengthening professional capability, research and responsible participation in India’s commodity markets.

Housed at NISM, it will combine MCX’s industry and market expertise with NISM’s academic infrastructure and research capabilities. As India’s commodity markets become more sophisticated and globally integrated, the initiative fulfils a need for specialised skills, research, and market awareness.

The core focus areas include capacity building and professional development, applied research, investor awareness, and academic engagement. Its programmes will be helpful for market participants, corporates, investors and the wider academic community. It will emphasise practical knowledge and informed participation.

The key objective is to sharpen the understanding of commodity derivatives and their role in managing market risks. The training programmes will cover multiple issues, including hedging, corporate risk management, ethical conduct, suitability, compliance and good market practices.

It will also conduct research and draft policy and white papers. A slew of faculty development programmes, doctoral fellowships, visiting scholar initiatives, and academic symposia will help build a sustained talent pipeline.

MCX will contribute its domain expertise and aid in content development, instructional design and assessment development, helping break down market knowledge into structured learning programmes with clear outcomes.
Sashi Krishnan, Director, National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) said, “The development of commodity markets rests on research that is rigorous, current, and grounded in the realities of the Indian market as well as on a steady supply of well-trained professionals. NISM’s mandate is centred on capacity building for the securities markets. As commodity trading grows more intr.icate, with new products, wider market linkages, and a regulatory framework that continues to evolve, the case for dedicated research only grows stronger. NISM-MCX Centre for Commodity Markets is a direct expression of that commitment, built to strengthen the knowledge base on which this market depends. NISM welcomes the Multi Commodity Exchange of India as a partner in this initiative and looks forward to the depth its market expertise will bring to our research and capacity building. Through focused research, considered policy analysis, and structured training, the Centre will help regulators, market participants, and professionals engage with India’s commodity markets with greater clarity and confidence.”Praveena Rai, MD and CEO, MCX said, “An efficient commodity market relies fundamentally on informed and skilled market participants. As an exchange, our priority is not only to provide a secure platform for price discovery and risk management, but also to bridge the knowledge gap as commodity derivatives evolve with new products, digital tools, and regulations. Partnering with NISM reflects our commitment to fostering a sophisticated, transparent, and resilient market ecosystem. Through targeted training, joint certifications, and specialized workshops, we aim to empower professionals and build a deep pool of talented expert practioners with the practical risk-management skills required to operate and navigate in commodity markets.”

The centre will strengthen industry-academia collaboration and support the development of skills, research, and responsible participation across India’s commodity markets.

It is the fifth extension to Holes Bay Premier Inn since it was first built 30 years ago

Premier Inn has received planning permission to extend one of its hotels in Poole. The Holes Bay Premier Inn on Sterte Avenue is set to grow following the submission of plans incorporating 17 extra bedrooms and a revamped restaurant with outdoor seating.

The changes mark the fifth extension to the building since it was first built in 1996. At present, the hotel has 146 bedrooms alongside an adjoining restaurant.

The proposed development will see the existing restaurant demolished and replaced with a brand-new extension. This addition will house a new restaurant and bar, guest rooms and staff facilities.

The restaurant will feature outdoor seating beneath a canopy, with direct access from the reception area.

Five new ground-floor bedrooms will be complemented by a further 12 on the first floor, accessible via a new corridor linking to the reception.

A design and access statement submitted alongside the plans highlights the necessity of the extension.

It argues it is essential for “helping to secure its future and enabling it to continually support the local economy and provide important services to its customers”.

The Society of Poole has voiced its backing for the hotel’s expansion.

BCP Public Health has put forward recommendations regarding improvements to cycle storage, lighting and electric vehicle charging facilities.

The hotel currently employs 33 members of staff, equivalent to 23 full-time positions. It has been confirmed that the expansion will raise each figure by two.

The approval comes attached to a series of conditions that must be satisfied prior to any work starting.

These include carrying out investigations into potential land contamination, securing nutrient mitigation credits to safeguard Poole Harbour, and obtaining council sign-off on drainage, flood management, and biodiversity proposals.

The expansion plan also requires the installation of four new bat boxes, the protection of existing trees throughout the construction period, and a dedication to habitat management and landscaping for no fewer than 30 years.

Evidence must be submitted demonstrating that a minimum of 20 per cent of anticipated energy consumption is drawn from on-site renewable sources.

The restaurant will cater exclusively to hotel guests, ensuring adequate parking provision remains available.

Work must begin within three years of planning permission being granted.

This story about the July 2026 CPI inflation report will be updated with further details.

Inflation cooled slightly in July even as the pace of consumer price growth from a year ago remains elevated, as the Federal Reserve considers a potential interest rate hike next month.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said on Wednesday that the consumer price index (CPI) – a broad measure of how much everyday goods like gasoline, groceries and rent cost – increased 0.1% on a monthly basis and is up 3.4% from a year ago.

Expectations vs. reality

Those figures were in line with the estimates of economists polled by LSEG. The monthly data follows a reading of negative 0.4% in June, while the annual figure is slightly cooler than last month’s 3.5% reading.

So-called core prices, which exclude volatile measurements of gasoline and groceries to better assess price growth trends, were up 0.2% from a month ago and are 2.5% higher year over year. The monthly figure represents a slight uptick after price growth was flat in June, while the annual figure is slightly cooler than last month’s 2.6% reading.

CONSUMER INFLATION COOLED MORE THAN EXPECTED IN JUNE AS GAS PRICES FELL

The cost of living breakdown

High inflation has created severe financial pressures in recent years for most U.S. households, which are forced to pay more for everyday necessities like food and rent. Price hikes are particularly difficult for lower-income Americans, because they tend to spend more of their already-stretched paychecks on necessities and have less flexibility to save.

Energy prices fell 1.5% on a monthly basis in July, but remain up 14.7% from a year ago. That follows a decline of 5.7% in June, when energy prices were easing quickly.

FED’S HAMMACK SAYS MULTIPLE RATE HIKES MAY BE NEEDED TO TAME INFLATION

Gasoline prices declined 2.9% on a monthly basis in July but are 24.6% higher than a year ago. Electricity costs rose 0.1% on a monthly basis and are up 4.2% over the last year.

Food prices increased 0.1% from a month ago and are up 3% compared with last year. The food at home index declined 0.1% in July and is up 2.7% from a year ago, while the food away from home index rose 0.3% in July and is 3.4% higher than last year.

The meats, poultry and fish index declined 0.7% on a monthly basis and is up 4.5% from a year ago. Much of that increase has been driven by beef and veal prices, which are up 9.4% in the last year after a 0.8% decline in July. Egg prices fell 0.5% on a monthly basis and are down 25.7% from a year ago as flocks continue to stabilize after an avian flu outbreak.

The fruits and vegetables index fell 0.1% for the month and is up 5.1% from a year ago. Lettuce prices fell 16.4% in July amid a Cyclospora outbreak, but remain up 7.5% from a year ago.

Housing prices rose 0.1% in July, which the BLS noted was responsible for about two-thirds of the total monthly increase, while the shelter index is up 3.2% from a year ago. Tenants’ and household insurance prices decreased 0.1% in July but are up 4.8% from a year ago.

Transportation services prices rose 0.3% in July and are up 2.9% from a year ago. Airline fares rose 2.2% in July and are up 25.5% over the last year.

What experts are saying

Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, said that, “In-line inflation will keep the ‘no need to hike rates’ narrative that took hold after last week’s jobs report intact.”

“There will be another round of inflation data before the September FOMC meeting, so the storyline could still change. But unless those numbers tell a much different story, the Fed will likely still be in a position to leave rates unchanged next month,” Zentner added.

FED POLICYMAKERS LEAVE RATES UNCHANGED AMID ELEVATED UNCERTAINTY

Lindsay Rosner, head of multi-sector fixed income investing at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said that, “With another round of inflation data due before the September FOMC meeting, it remains all to play for, but today’s in-line report was a good start.”

“Contained core inflation adds to the encouraging signs in last month’s release of a moderation in underlying inflation, helping strengthen the case for a September hold,” Rosner added.

What does it mean for the Fed and interest rates?

The July CPI inflation report shifted the outlook for the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy meeting, with traders now leaning more clearly toward a continued pause in interest rate moves.

According to the CME FedWatch tool, the market now sees a 61.9% probability of rates remaining at the current target range of 3.5% to 3.75%, up from 51.6% a day ago. Meanwhile, the odds of a 25 basis point hike declined to 38.1% from 48.4% yesterday.

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Looking ahead through the end of the year, the tool continues to see a single 25-basis-point rate hike as the likeliest outcome with 45% odds, compared with a 28.9% chance rates remain at their current level and a 22.5% chance of two 25-basis-point hikes.

What does it mean for the market?

Up to 90,000 banking, legal and accountancy jobs based in London are forecast to move to other parts of the country over the next five years, bringing an estimated £9 billion boost to regional economies including Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, according to analysis by Robert Walters, the listed recruitment company.

The recruiter estimates that figure could rise to £15 billion once the spending of relocated workers in their new home towns, and the extra work generated for local supply chains, is taken into account.

Robert Walters said more companies were looking to move some of their teams out of London because of the cost of running a business in the capital, where a shortage of prime office space has pushed rents to record highs.

The 90,000 roles represent 2.5 per cent of London’s overall workforce. Robert Walters predicts that up to 12,000 jobs will have moved out of the capital by the end of 2027, rising to 45,000 by 2029. Senior leadership teams are expected to remain in London, with companies instead bolstering junior ranks with local talent.

“Our forecast indicates a rebalancing of the scales towards stronger regional jobs growth over a widespread shift of business activity away from London,” said Jonny Bohane, of Robert Walters’ market intelligence team.

The analysis used past job relocations by major UK employers to establish a baseline, then combined Robert Walters’ own placement volumes with LinkedIn movement data to project regional hiring demand. The model also factored in office capacity, hybrid working levels, the depth of local talent pools, regional development initiatives and government decentralisation programmes.

The northwest of England, including Manchester and Liverpool, is forecast to be the biggest beneficiary, with 22,500 jobs expected to move there by 2031. Bohane’s team estimates this could inject up to £2.25 billion into the region’s economy, “reinforcing its status as the UK’s second hub for growth and innovation”.

About a fifth of the relocated positions, up to 18,000, could end up in the Midlands, principally Birmingham, bringing a £1.8 billion economic boost, the report said. Yorkshire stands to attract about 13,500 roles, adding £1.35 billion to the local economy. Most of the remaining 36,000 or so jobs are expected to move to other major regional cities including Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cambridge, Newcastle, Liverpool, Reading and Cardiff.

Daniel Harris, UK managing director at Robert Walters, said he expects the trend to accelerate as “cost considerations remain high, and hybrid working allows organisations to build more geographically diverse teams”.

“Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham are the engine rooms of activity,” Harris said. “Over the last decade, these regional centres have become key career destinations for UK white-collar workers. They offer a significant presence of high-profile, multinational employers, vibrant cultural scenes and leisure opportunities, as well as a lower cost of living compared to the capital.”

Several large employers have already made similar moves. Birmingham is home to Deloitte’s second-largest UK office, Siemens moved its UK headquarters from Surrey to Manchester in 2019, and the Bank of England has committed to basing one in ten of its staff in Leeds by 2027, although only 156 employees had registered interest in transferring to its Leeds hub by late last year.

The forecasts align with the devolution agenda of Andy Burnham, the prime minister, who has promised to deliver “good growth in every postcode” and wants to reduce the country’s reliance on London, which accounts for about a quarter of the UK’s economic output. Last month he opened a northern branch of Downing Street, No 10 North, as part of his plans for wider political devolution and regional economic growth.

“The appeal of these regional cities shouldn’t be underestimated. But growth isn’t determined by businesses relocating or creating new jobs alone,” Bohane said. “When professionals move into an area, the benefits ripple through the local economy. Increased demand supports everything from transport and housing to cafés, co-working spaces and the wider network of local businesses that keep these cities running.”

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