Asian Stocks Slide as AI Selloff Hits South Korea, Oil Prices Drop on Iran Talks 
Alibaba Stock Jumps as Qwen 3.8-MAX AI Model Intensifies China's AI Race 
Bayer Q2 Earnings Beat Forecasts as Crop Science Boosts Results, Debt Outlook Improves 
US Stock Futures Rise as Trump Signals Iran Talks, Markets Await SpaceX Earnings and Jobs Data 
Gold Price Holds Steady as Fed Rate Outlook and Jobs Data Keep Markets on Edge 
Vast Eyes Hong Kong IPO as Chinese AI Unicorn Gains Momentum 
WestJet Cancels 86 Flights as CUPE Strike Threat Disrupts Travel 
Chery Invests $75 Million in KG Mobility to Expand Global Automotive Partnership 
SpaceX Earnings Preview: Bernstein Says 4 Key Factors Will Drive Long-Term Valuation 
US Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rally Continues Despite SpaceX and AMD Earnings Pressure 
Toyota Raises FY2027 Outlook, Announces ¥1 Trillion Buyback Despite Q1 Profit Dip 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as Inflation Risks and Global Uncertainty Persist 
Shein Targets $30B-$40B Valuation in Hong Kong IPO Planned for August 
Asian Currencies Rise as Dollar Stays Near Six-Week Low, RBI Holds Rates Steady 
China Defends Industrial Policy Ahead of Key U.S. and EU Trade Talks 
Marks & Spencer has stopped selling its disposable barbecues in the United Kingdom due to fire risks in dry weather. The British retail company said it halted the sales in its stores because it wants to help in reducing the risk of fires as well as protect open spaces in this dry season.
According to BBC News, the London Fire Brigade has called for the ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, and Marks & Spencer is apparently responding to this call when it removed the products from its store shelves. The fire brigade said that his move by the retailer is "good news."
The fire agency’s request came after the country was hit with the hottest weather, where the temperature reached more than 40 degrees Celcius. This extreme heat has happened in the U.K. for the first time.
Many parts of the country experienced temperatures above the recent record of 38.7 degrees Celcius. The fire brigade also reported major incidents due to the surge in blazes.
Subsequently, the fire agency warned the residents against the use of barbecues in grasslands, open spaces, and even on the balcony following the heatwave. Andy Roe, the country’s commissioner Andy Roe also supported the call and asked people to retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues across Britain.
At any rate, the spokesperson of Marks & Spencer told BBC News that its order to stop the sale of the barbecues would be in effect starting this week.
"We had stopped selling disposable barbecues near national parks and in London but given the unusually hot and dry conditions, we have taken the precautionary step of removing them from sale across the UK," the company spokesperson said.
The fire brigade welcomed M&S's decision by saying, "We want to work with retailers to stop the sale of disposable barbecues and reduce the risk of dangerous grass fires."
Jonathan de Mello, a retail analyst, said he expects other major supermarkets to follow suit after Marks & Spencer announced its decision.
"This move by M&S will put pressure on their retail peers to follow suit,” De Mello stated. “With multiple grass fires caused by these barbecues given the unprecedented hot weather we have seen in the past few weeks, M&S have rightly decided to put public safety first."
