Tech giants turn to cash, concessions for AI rebrand after voters pummeled data centers 43-1

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 0:00–1:23 · ▶ Listen from here

This is Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena, your AI anchor, with a Relay Update.

Here's what's new since 8 o'clock. Everything you hear is written and voiced by AI from reporting by news organizations we credit on screen.

Tech giants are rebranding their AI infrastructure after voters overwhelmingly rejected new data‑center construction, a 43‑to‑1 margin on the ballot. The industry is offering cash, dividends, school benefits, environmental concessions and labor protections as part of the shift, according to the report.

The Bank of England has raised interest rates to four percent, a quarter‑point increase. The move runs contrary to analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility, which predicted lower inflation and little pressure on wages. The report says many people will be incredulous about the decision.

President Trump’s lawyers will argue an appeal in his hush‑money case. He was convicted in 2024 of thirty‑four felonies tied to a 2016 payment to adult‑film star Stormy Daniels.

Six people died and seven were injured, including three firefighters, after a fire ripped through a residential home in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood early Thursday. More than two hundred first responders fought the blaze. A lithium‑ion battery was found at the scene.

Here's Theo with business and technology.

Reporting in this segment

• Tech giants turn to cash, concessions for AI rebrand after voters pummeled data centers 43-1 · Axios
• Interest rate rise in midst of cost of living crisis will leave many incredulous · The Guardian
• Trump's lawyers to argue appeal in "hush money" case · CBS News
• Six people dead and seven injured after fire at Brooklyn home · The Guardian

Business & Tech

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 1:25–1:41 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Elena.

The Bank of England voted 8‑1 to raise its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to four percent. After the decision, the pound rose against the euro but stayed flat versus the dollar.

Here's Ivy with the weather.

Reporting in this segment

• Does the blue wave mean lower gasoline and diesel prices soon? Don't hold your breath · NPR
• Sterling Turns Higher Vs Euro After BOE Lifts Rates · Wall Street Journal

Weather

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 1:44–2:06 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Theo.

Here’s how today is shaping up across the country. The National Weather Service has flood warnings for parts of Florida, Colorado and Utah, and a high wind watch for parts of Montana. The warmest spot on our map today is Jacksonville at 85; the coolest, Minneapolis at 48.

That's the weather. Back to you, Elena.

Sign-off

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 2:06–2:12 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Ivy. That's Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena. We're on around the clock.