Tata Steel partners with Tenova for state-of-the-art electric arc furnace in UK green steel push
The deal has been described as a key milestone on the road to reducing carbon emissions by 90 per cent a year once the plant is commissioned from the end of 2027.
Paolo Argenta (left) and
Tata Steel’s Rajesh Nair
By Eastern EyeOct 24, 2024
TATA STEEL said it has signed a contract with an Italy-headquartered metals technology multinational to deliver a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace (EAF) as part of its green initiative in the UK.
The Indian steel major’s announced the pact last week with Tenova for its Port Talbot site in Wales, the UK’s largest steelworks.
It has been described as a key milestone on the road to reducing carbon emissions by 90 per cent a year once the plant is commissioned from the end of 2027.
Under the agreement, Tenova will supply an electric arc furnace with an annual capacity of three million tonnes of steel – similar to the output of the site’s blast furnaces decommissioned recently – by melting scrap steel from the UK.
“This partnership follows in the footsteps of an improved deal between the government and Tata Steel, and is further proof of our commitment to a bright future for UK steelmaking,” said business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
He added, “Technology like the furnaces made by Tenova is critical to decarbonising the industry, unlocking its potential to provide skilled jobs, and creating economic stability for future generations of steelworkers in South Wales.
“Our upcoming steel strategy will provide further certainty for the sector as we set out our plan for its long-term growth and viability, backed by up to £2.5 billion for steel.” The agreement follows a £1.25bn joint investment confirmed by Tata Steel and the British government recently, with Tata Steel investing £750 million and the government up to £500m.
“This landmark agreement will enable us to transform our steelmaking site that will not only support the UK’s decarbonisation journey, but also provide economic development opportunities for South Wales,” said TV Narendran, CEO and managing director of Tata Steel Limited.
“Today marks an important milestone in making low-CO2 steelmaking a reality in Port Talbot as well as reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and supporting our customers with their own carbon reduction targets,” said Narendran.
He joined the signing of the contract at Port Talbot last Friday following the project’s board-level approval.
The use of scrap is aimed at reducing Britain’s reliance on imported iron ore and strengthening the resilience of the country’s manufacturing supply chains.
New ladle metallurgy furnaces supplied by Tenova will refine the molten steel to make more complex grades required by manufacturers in the UK and other countries.
Paolo Argenta, executive vice-president for the Tenova Upstream Business Unit, said: “We are working with Tata Steel UK at an unprecedented level of transparency and cooperation, and we are confident this will lead to a successful project.
“Tenova’s global collaboration with Tata Steel, including projects in other regions, further reinforces our strong partnership.”
According to Tata Steel UK, detailed engineering is now ongoing, and other equipment orders will soon be placed separately for the “Hot Strip Mill and Casters life extension, new Pickle Line, cranes, and for construction management and civil engineering”.
The steel giant said it has completed public consultation on the application and is working with the authorities to submit the application next month, with a view to commencing large-scale site work around July 2025.
Tata Steel is the largest steelmaker in the UK with primary steelmaking at Port Talbot supporting manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France and Germany.
Mark Read, the chief executive of WPP, has announced he will step down later this year, as the advertising agency faces growing pressure from artificial intelligence and declining share prices. Once the largest advertising group globally, WPP is struggling to keep up with the fast-moving AI technologies that are reshaping the industry.
Read, who has been at WPP for more than 30 years and held the top job since 2018, will remain in the role until the end of 2025 while the company searches for his successor.
AI upends traditional ad models
During Read’s tenure, WPP’s share value has halved, reflecting wider disruption in the advertising industry. AI-powered tools are increasingly automating advert creation, challenging traditional agencies that rely on human-driven processes. This shift has placed legacy firms like WPP under heavy competitive pressure as companies turn to faster and cheaper AI alternatives.
Leadership under scrutiny
WPP chair Philip Jansen, formerly of BT, credited Read with transforming the agency into a leader in marketing services. However, his arrival earlier this year led to speculation about a leadership shake-up. A former WPP board member said Jansen was seen as a “change agent” brought in with the expectation that Read’s departure was only a matter of time.
Since joining, Jansen has engaged with staff across the company to assess its structure and operations. One executive described him as a “cold-eyed analyser” focused on addressing administrative inefficiencies and streamlining processes.
Falling behind global rivals
WPP’s challenges extend beyond internal leadership. In 2023, the firm lost its title as the world’s largest advertising agency by revenue to French competitor Publicis. Meanwhile, Omnicom and Interpublic agreed to merge in a $13.3 billion (£10 billion) deal. In contrast, WPP’s market value is around £5.9 billion.
Traditional roots struggling to adapt to the fast-changing, AI-driven landscapeiStock
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, warned that the leadership vacuum could set WPP back further. “The fact the company hasn’t got a replacement lined up suggests chaos behind closed doors,” he said. He added that while WPP waits for new leadership, more tech-savvy rivals could continue pulling ahead.
From Sorrell to Read
Mark Read succeeded Sir Martin Sorrell in 2018, who had built WPP into a global powerhouse after buying a small basket-making company in 1985. Sorrell stepped down following allegations of personal misconduct, which he has consistently denied.
Read has overseen major restructuring efforts during his time at the helm, including merging agencies and selling non-core assets. These actions helped reduce WPP’s debt, but the agency’s share price still fell more than 25% in the past year alone.
Tech giants dominate ad space
One of WPP’s biggest challenges is the rise of tech giants like Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Amazon, which now dominate digital advertising. These companies are leveraging advanced AI to offer advertisers tools that automatically generate and target campaigns, making traditional agency services less necessary.
Earlier this month, Meta announced that it would help businesses create ads using AI-generated images, videos, and text. The move highlights the growing capabilities of AI in advertising and its impact on agencies like WPP.
Takeover speculation and uncertain future
Following the news of Read’s planned departure, WPP’s shares dipped by 1.5%, sparking fresh speculation that the agency could become a takeover target or attract activist investors seeking to restructure the business.
Mould said WPP’s traditional roots have left it struggling to adapt to the fast-changing, AI-driven landscape. “The world has gone digital, leaving the company scrabbling to play catch-up,” he said. “WPP needs a complete overhaul, and that won’t come easily or quickly.”
AI threatens agency jobs and structures
AI’s growing role in the advertising world is not just about efficiency, it’s also transforming employment structures. Automated content generation and data-driven targeting are reducing the need for large creative teams and manual campaign management, core functions traditionally carried out by agencies like WPP.
As these tools become more powerful, many routine roles within advertising risk being replaced. This technological shift is reshaping how agencies operate, forcing them to rethink their value in a market increasingly dominated by algorithms and automation.
Adapting to survive
Mark Read’s departure marks a critical turning point for WPP as it navigates these sweeping changes. The agency’s future depends on how quickly it can adapt to a landscape led by AI. For WPP and the wider advertising world, staying relevant will mean embracing technology while finding new ways to offer value that machines alone cannot deliver.
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Microsoft says the updated interface is centred around the Xbox app and Game Bar
Microsoft has revealed its new strategy to combine Xbox and Windows for handheld gaming PCs, starting with two new ROG Xbox Ally devices developed in partnership with Asus. The devices feature a full-screen Xbox experience tailored for portable gaming, in a move designed to better compete with Valve’s SteamOS on the Steam Deck.
A new Xbox experience for handhelds
The ROG Xbox Ally devices will boot directly into a customised Xbox full-screen interface, designed to streamline the gaming experience on portable Windows devices. This marks a shift away from the traditional Windows desktop and taskbar, which are hidden by default to improve performance and reduce distractions.
Microsoft says the updated interface is centred around the Xbox app and Game Bar, but will also act as a universal launcher for PC games, including those from Steam and other third-party platforms. “We’ve reduced many notifications and pop-ups, and we will continue to listen to feedback from players to make continued improvements,” said Roanne Sones, corporate vice president of gaming devices and ecosystem at Xbox.
Built with Xbox and Windows integration
Jason Beaumont, vice president of experiences at Xbox, confirmed that the new interface is the result of collaboration between long-time Xbox OS developers and the Windows engineering team. “We were able to take people who have been working on the Xbox OS for 20 years or more and have them work directly on the Windows codebase,” he said. This joint effort led to significant improvements aimed specifically at handheld performance and usability.
This unified approach is intended to provide gamers with a seamless, console-like experienceMicrosoft
The compact version of the Xbox app now includes access to a user’s full PC games library, incorporating titles from Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more. This unified approach is intended to provide gamers with a seamless, console-like experience on a Windows handheld.
Game Bar and system controls
The Xbox Game Bar has also been enhanced for handheld use. A short press on the Xbox button brings up a quick-access interface for toggling device settings like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, opening Asus’ Command Centre, and accessing Microsoft’s new Gaming Copilot feature. A long press on the same button activates a controller-friendly app switcher, making it easier to move between games and applications.
“These improvements were driven directly by the needs of this device,” said Brianna Potvin, principal software engineering lead at Xbox. “We’ve made significant changes — not just visually but functionally — to optimise the system.”
Performance and power efficiency improvements
One of the key goals behind the new full-screen mode is improved performance and battery life. Microsoft claims that disabling certain Windows processes, such as the desktop environment and background tasks, can free up around 2GB of RAM for gaming.
Power consumption has also been reduced. According to Potvin, when the ROG Xbox Ally is in sleep mode while running the full-screen Xbox experience, it draws just one-third the idle power compared to when running the standard Windows desktop. Microsoft has also updated the Windows lockscreen to support controller navigation and PIN entry.
Third-party integration and library support
Microsoft is working with major game stores such as Steam and the Epic Games Store to optimise their experience within the new Xbox interface. The company also plans to expand the Xbox game library to include all PC titles across platforms, creating a unified catalogue viewable within the Xbox app on any Windows 11 device.
To assist users in identifying handheld-compatible games, Microsoft is developing a new verification programme similar to Valve’s Steam Deck Verified system. This will highlight which games are optimised for devices like the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X.
Access to Xbox console titles
While most Xbox console games won’t run natively on the new handhelds unless they are part of Xbox Play Anywhere or have PC versions, Microsoft is offering support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. These features will allow players to access their full Xbox console library from a handheld device via streaming.
Availability and future updates
The Xbox full-screen experience will first launch on the new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X models, with Microsoft planning to roll out the update to existing ROG Ally devices later this year. The company has also confirmed that other Windows-based handhelds will begin receiving similar updates from next year.
Valve’s SteamOS is also being made available for the ROG Ally, setting up a direct comparison between Microsoft’s Windows-based system and Valve’s Linux-based alternative. This competition may determine the future direction of software development for handheld gaming PCs.
With these updates, Microsoft is positioning Windows as a viable and optimised platform for portable gaming, addressing long-standing concerns around usability, performance, and battery life on handheld PCs.
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As part of this plan, £86bn will be directed towards 'turbo-charging our fastest growing sectors, from tech and life sciences, to advanced manufacturing and defence,' the government said in a statement. (Representational image: iStock)
THE UK government has announced plans to invest £86 billion in science, technology, and defence by 2030. The announcement comes days before it outlines its broader spending plan for the coming years.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already introduced cuts to public budgets in recent months, citing tight fiscal conditions. She has also approved more borrowing for investment, enabling a total of £113bn in investment by the end of the decade.
As part of this plan, £86bn will be directed towards "turbo-charging our fastest growing sectors, from tech and life sciences, to advanced manufacturing and defence," the government said in a statement.
According to The Times newspaper, Reeves is also expected to announce a funding increase of up to £30bn for the National Health Service on Wednesday, when she presents the government's full review of public spending.
The government said the £86bn investment will focus on "people's priorities: health, security and the economy."
The plan includes the development of "innovation clusters" across the country and will give local government leaders new powers to decide how their funding is used, it said.
Reeves aims to use this spending to boost growth, which remains slow and could be affected further by the trade war launched by US president Donald Trump.
Earlier this week, the government said the review would also include a proposal to double investment in public transport in urban areas of England to more than £15 billion by 2030.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to receive a budget increase as part of Wednesday's review. However, other departments will face more spending cuts, in addition to those announced in March.
Expected areas for cuts include support for disabled people and general government operating costs.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in central London to protest against the anticipated spending reductions. Many carried placards that read, "tax the rich, stop the cuts -- welfare not warfare."
(With inputs from agencies)
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Jurassic World Evolution 3 builds on the popularity of its predecessors by adding new features
Frontier Developments has officially revealed Jurassic World Evolution 3 during Summer Game Fest 2025. The third instalment of the dinosaur park management simulator will launch on 21 October 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, priced at £49.99.
This latest entry introduces a key new feature, dinosaur breeding. For the first time, players can breed and care for baby dinosaurs, forming family units within their parks. The game includes over 80 dinosaur species, with 75 of them available for breeding.
As with previous titles, Jurassic World Evolution 3 lets players build and manage their own dinosaur parks, balancing the needs of visitors and the creatures themselves. The game retains its strategy-based management approach while expanding on core mechanics.
The sequel also features a globe-trotting campaign mode, with playable maps across different locations including Japan and Hawaii. Actor Jeff Goldblum returns once again as Dr Ian Malcolm, reprising his voice role from the earlier games. No other returning cast members from the film franchise have been confirmed yet.
- YouTubeYouTube/ Jurassic World Evolution 3
Customisation options have been expanded, with new terrain tools allowing players to build mountain peaks and carve canyons. Texture brushes can be used to add detailed touches to various environments, enhancing creative control over park design.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 introduces the Frontier Workshop to the series for the first time, enabling players to share their parks, dinosaur habitats, and landscape creations with others through cross-platform support.
A deluxe edition of the game will be available for £64.99 and includes four additional dinosaur species — Protoceratops, Guanlong, Thanatosdrakon, and Concavenator — along with extra scenery items and exclusive all-terrain vehicle skins.
Players who pre-order will receive the Badlands set, which includes themed scenery based on the original Jurassic Park dig site, blueprints from the Montana Badlands, and a Badlands skin for the maintenance crew’s ATV.
In addition to this release, another game titled Jurassic Park: Survival is currently in development by Saber Interactive. A new film in the franchise, Jurassic World: Rebirth, is also set to premiere in cinemas on 2 July 2025.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 builds on the popularity of its predecessors by adding new features and wider creative options, while maintaining the core experience of managing a dinosaur-themed park.
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Resident Evil Requiem was described as a "bold shift for the franchise
Capcom has officially unveiled Resident Evil 9, titled Resident Evil Requiem, during Summer Game Fest 2025. The latest entry in the long-running survival horror franchise is set for release on 27 February 2026 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Announced live on stage by host Geoff Keighley, Resident Evil Requiem was described as a "bold shift for the franchise both in tone and gameplay". The upcoming title will blend the series’ trademark survival horror with high-stakes cinematic action, promising a fresh experience for fans.
The debut trailer showcased imagery of a devastated Raccoon City, seemingly hinting at a return to the city that was destroyed by a nuclear missile at the end of Resident Evil 3. Scenes of ruined buildings and a dilapidated Raccoon City Police Department sparked speculation that the game may incorporate elements of open-world design.
Resident Evil Requiem - Reveal Trailer | PS5 GamesYouTube/ PlayStation
One of the most notable additions is a potential new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst. According to the trailer, Grace is drawn back to the location of her mother’s murder as she investigates a series of unexplained deaths. In one dramatic scene, she is seen restrained on a gurney while a mysterious figure refers to her as “the one... special one. Chosen one.” Whether Grace is the sole playable character or whether familiar faces like Leon Kennedy will return remains unconfirmed.
Capcom’s official website reveals limited details but emphasises the game’s focus on technological advancements, immersive gameplay, and a richly developed narrative. The publisher described Resident Evil Requiem as: “Requiem for the dead. Nightmare for the living.” The title is said to represent a new era for the series, aiming to deliver a heart-stopping experience grounded in the development team’s extensive experience with the franchise.
Speculation about Resident Evil 9 has been building for over a year. Capcom first teased a new instalment during its summer livestream in 2024 and followed up with another teaser while celebrating 10 million players of Resident Evil 4 Remake, which was released in 2023 to critical acclaim.
As anticipation grows, fans will be looking forward to more details in the lead-up to the 2026 launch, including confirmation of returning characters, gameplay mechanics, and how Requiem will build on the legacy of its predecessors.