George Jones

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has completed its acquisition by a consortium led by KKR and Singtel and launched a refreshed “Built Ready” brand as it expands to meet rising demand for AI-ready data centre infrastructure. Since the end of 2025, its operational capacity has grown 25% to 780MW, contracted capacity has risen 50%, and annualised EBITDA has increased 30%. The company has nearly 2GW of powered land secured for current and planned developments, with major expansion under way in India, Indonesia and Singapore. It is also emphasizing responsible growth, reporting that 83.2% of its electricity consumption comes from renewable sources and that it exceeded its 2028 carbon-intensity reduction target three years early.

Style3D is developing an AI-supported fashion workflow that connects text, sketches, images and 2D patterns to 3D garments, sewing information, simulation, content creation and production preparation. Its GarmageNet research, supported by the 14,801-garment GarmageSet dataset, reports high sewing-point identification accuracy and rapid simulation initialisation. The company says its tools are already helping German menswear brand OLYMP shorten development times and reduce physical samples, while future AI agents could coordinate multiple stages of product development with human teams retaining creative and operational control.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Innovation and Technology Commission have launched SEAM@InnoHK, a research cluster focused on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials. Eight centres involving more than 30 universities and research institutions will work on areas including smart manufacturing, renewable energy, semiconductors, space manufacturing, energy storage and intelligent power grids. The initiative is intended to translate global academic research into commercial applications, support startups and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation hub.

Hinen will exhibit its residential energy-storage solutions at Solar & Storage Live UK 2026 at Birmingham’s NEC from September 22–24. The company will feature its A15 system, which combines a hybrid inverter with a high-voltage battery offering up to 86.4 kWh of capacity, alongside systems for small homes, larger properties, commercial applications, balconies and portable use. The exhibition appearance is intended to connect Hinen with buyers, installers, homeowners and industry partners as UK households adopt solar power, electric vehicles and heat pumps.

Hinen has launched the A15 Residential Energy Storage System in the UK, combining hybrid inverters with B15 batteries to store solar energy, support electric-vehicle charging and heat pumps, and provide backup power. The system offers 14.4kWh per battery, expandable to 86.4kWh across six units, alongside remote monitoring, firmware updates, more than 8,000 cycles and a 12-year warranty. The launch also emphasizes Hinen’s planned UK installer and distributor network, with a special offer for the first 300 installers.

EcoFlow has launched its STREAM Series of home batteries in the UK, offering households a way to store solar energy for use when needed. The compact 5kWh STREAM 5000 provides up to 3,000W of AC output and 5,000W of solar input, while supporting expansion for uses such as electric-vehicle charging and heat pumps. Features include local operation during internet outages, IP65 weather protection, a claimed lifespan of up to 15 years and a 10-year warranty. Pre-orders opened on 21 August, with early-bird prices of £1,599 for the STREAM 5000 and £1,499 for the STREAM AC 5000.

TerraPay is partnering with Deutsche Bank to access its correspondent banking network, payment technology and foreign exchange services. The collaboration is intended to make cross-border payments—especially transactions in US dollars—faster, more efficient and more reliable while expanding TerraPay’s international reach. The companies frame the deal as an example of banks and fintechs working together to improve global payment connectivity.

A survey of 1,000 UK adults planning summer driving holidays found that road trips often provide an opportunity to discuss major issues, including financial decisions, family disagreements, career choices and relationship problems. Drivers said conversations are easier in cars because there are fewer interruptions, less device use and limited eye contact. The research also highlighted common ways parents entertain children and found that clean toilets, food and drink, and parking are the most valued service-station facilities. Gulf, operated by Certas Energy, used the findings to promote its service-station experience.

The 2026 Shandong Innovation-Driven Development Conference and seventh Binzhou Talent Festival brought together Chinese academicians, university researchers, industry specialists and technology companies in Binzhou on July 18. Co-hosted by regional science and government bodies, the event focused on integrating technological and industrial innovation, upgrading key industrial chains and building a modern industrial system. Follow-up matchmaking activities will target sectors including green energy, rope nets, kitchenware, artificial intelligence and fine alumina, with the stated aim of creating a year-round science and technology innovation service chain.

Scenic Eclipse II will make its first London visit on 31 July, docking in front of Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College after arriving at Tilbury the previous day. The occasion will be marked by the unveiling of a 120-centimetre circular oil painting by Tai Shan Schierenberg, who has reinterpreted Canaletto’s historic Greenwich riverscapes to place the modern expedition yacht within the Thames landscape. The yacht is promoted as a six-star vessel with two helicopters, a submersible, butler service, multiple dining options and a large spa, and will continue to Hamburg after its brief stay.

ODEON is launching its Play Them Forward campaign at participating UK cinemas on 27 and 28 June 2026, inviting families to donate good-condition pre-loved toys. The initiative, fronted by Jim Hanks, will distribute donations through partner organizations including Toys4Life, Help for Kids and East Belfast Mission. ODEON research estimates that almost half a billion unused toys are stored in UK homes—around nine per household—while 87% of respondents believe donating is better for the environment than discarding toys. The campaign is linked to the cinema release of Toy Story 5 and will form part of a wider ODEON Cinemas Group initiative across several European countries.

Research from Havas Health Network finds that 53% of Gen Z respondents rank illness or pain among their main concerns about aging, compared with 45% of Boomers. The report says attitudes toward aging are shifting away from youth-focused ideals toward vitality, independence, resilience and quality of life. It identifies growing interest in longevity planning, health technologies and efforts to slow aging, particularly among Millennials and the group Havas calls “Prosumers.” Havas estimates the global longevity economy at $33 trillion and argues that businesses across healthcare, food, fitness, technology, housing, travel and financial services will need to adapt to a more age-inclusive, 100-year lifestyle.