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United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's technology strength lies less in manufacturing than in design, research and finance.

Arm's processor architecture underpins most of the world's phones, London is a fintech centre, and British labs remain at the frontier of AI research. UK coverage frequently touches AI, hardware and policy.

Maritime & Offshore

Spirit Energy wraps up UK North Sea decommissioning campaign

Spirit Energy completed a decommissioning campaign in the UK North Sea, plugging three wells and removing over 234 tonnes of infrastructure, with all materials to be recycled in UK yards.

· 2 sources
Maritime & Offshore

South Korea's Arctic Container Voyage Tests Melting-Ice Route Amid Russia Concerns

South Korea's first commercial container voyage to Europe via the Arctic is set to depart this weekend, a test of a melting-ice route that could cut travel times but risks Western backlash over Russian cooperation.

· 2 sources
Renewable Energy

East Anglia THREE windfarm completes all 95 foundations

ScottishPower Renewables and Masdar have finished installing all 95 foundations at the 1.4 GW East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm, moving the project closer to full operation by the end of 2026.

· 1 source
Aviation & Space

Europe's Skies Darken: First Total Solar Eclipse in Spain in Over a Century Draws Millions

Millions across Europe witnessed the first total solar eclipse in Spain in over a century, with totality visible from Spain to Iceland and partial darkness across western Europe.

· 3 sources
Aviation & Space

2026 Total Solar Eclipse Crosses Greenland, Iceland and Spain

On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse sweeps across Greenland, Iceland and Spain, the first visible from mainland Spain since 1905, with NASA and ESA offering guidance and events.

· 3 sources
IT Security

Anthropic's Claude AI cracks weakened AES and HAWK, raises cyber safety alarm

Anthropic's Claude AI has broken weakened versions of AES and the post-quantum candidate HAWK, while its Mythos 5 model conducted phishing in AISI tests, raising urgent questions about AI-driven cyber threats.

· 6 sources
Cars & Mobility

Denza Z9S pre-sales begin in China; Z9 GT heads to UK at £105,000

BYD's premium brand Denza opened Chinese pre-sales for the Z9S sedan with up to 1,100 km of range, while the Z9 GT arrives in the UK priced from £95,000.

· 4 sources
Renewable Energy

Four Nations See Major Battery and Solar Storage Deals

FIC buys a 1.15 GW Texas solar-plus-storage platform, Plentify and Deye plan a 2.7 GWh VPP in South Africa, MaxSolar picks Sungrow for 125 MWh in Germany, and Eku Energy acquires a 600 MWh UK battery project.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Crown Estate launches accelerated tender for 1.5GW Morgan offshore wind farm, signs CCS lease

The Crown Estate has opened a competitive auction for the 1.5GW Morgan offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea after the previous developer pulled out, while separately leasing seabed for the UK's first carbon capture project to reuse existing infrastructure.

· 2 sources
Energy & Grid

Global Battery Storage Capacity to Grow Sixfold by 2030 as 4-Hour Systems Become Standard

A new report forecasts global installed battery storage capacity will increase sixfold by 2030, driven by 4-hour systems becoming the standard, with several large projects underway in Germany.

· 2 sources
Aviation & Space

Boeing Clears Dreamliner Fuel Switch but Thrust Module Probe Continues

Boeing found no defect in a fuel control switch on an Air India 787-8 after a pilot report, but the investigation into the Thrust Control Module is ongoing amid scrutiny from the Ahmedabad crash.

· 3 sources
Aviation & Space

Moov Airways Signs LOI for Up to 30 eVTOLs from Eve at Farnborough

Swiss startup Moov Airways plans to buy up to 30 eVTOL aircraft from Embraer-backed Eve Air Mobility, with operations targeted in Cabo Verde and Europe. The LOI was signed at the Farnborough Air Show.

· 2 sources
Cars & Mobility

UK and France Hit Record Plugin EV Market Shares in Q2 2026

Plugin electric vehicles reached 41.4% of new car sales in the UK and 34.5% in France in the second quarter of 2026, driven by strong battery electric vehicle growth.

· 2 sources
Cars & Mobility

Record Plugin Vehicle Shares in Germany and UK as EV Adoption Accelerates

Germany and the UK posted all-time high plugin electric vehicle market shares in Q2 2026, driven by policy support and rising fuel prices.

· 2 sources
Hardware

OnePlus Exits US and Europe, Oppo Takes Over Support but Won't Enter US Market

OnePlus is pulling out of North America and Europe, with Oppo assuming support and software duties. India operations may also end by 2027.

· 3 sources
Cars & Mobility

Denza Z Electric Supercar Gets Over 1,000 Pre-Orders in First Day in China

Denza, BYD's premium brand, says its Z electric supercar received more than 1,000 pre-orders within 24 hours of pre-sales starting in China on 13 July 2026, with prices significantly lower than in the UK.

· 1 source
Software & Dev

AI tools offer new accessibility options but require cautious adoption, expert warns

Generative AI is helping people with disabilities interact with information and their surroundings, but Léonie Watson of TetraLogical cautions that these tools are no substitute for inclusive design and must be developed with user involvement.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

UK's Largest Community Solar Farm Shut Down for Summer to Prevent Grid Overload

Britain's biggest community-owned solar project, Derril Water solar park in north Devon, has been ordered offline for the summer by the National Energy System Operator to avoid overloading the local grid, costing its nearly 10,000 members an estimated £2 million in lost revenue.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Solar Car Parks Gain Traction as Readers Debate Trade-Offs vs. Greenfield Solar Farms

A Guardian reader discussion highlights the pros and cons of installing solar panels over car parks instead of on greenfield sites, with France already requiring such installations and UK homes facing new solar mandates.

· 1 source
Policy & Society

DHSC Unveils New Plans to Accelerate Value-Based Procurement in NHS

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has outlined fresh measures to speed up value-based procurement, aiming to shift focus from upfront costs to long-term patient outcomes.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

BLC Energy Secures Approval for 30-MW Solar Farm and Battery Storage in Scotland

BLC Energy has received planning permission for a 30-MW solar photovoltaic installation paired with a battery energy storage system in Scotland, marking another step in the UK's renewable energy expansion.

· 1 source
Hardware

RFA Sets August Launch Date for Second Attempt of RFA One Inaugural Flight

German rocket builder Rocket Factory Augsburg plans to launch its RFA One rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland in August, nearly two years after a first stage exploded during a static fire test.

· 1 source
Renewable Energy

Cierco Secures Marine Licence for Floating Wind Demonstrator Off Welsh Coast

Cierco has obtained a marine licence for a floating offshore wind demonstrator project off the coast of Wales, marking a step forward for the region's renewable energy ambitions.

· 1 source