Labour Market Watch: UK vacancies fell to 707,000 in the three months to July, the lowest since 2014 (outside Covid), as private-sector pay growth eased to a near six-year low and unemployment stayed at 4.9%. Wages & Costs: ONS data showed total pay growth (with bonuses) slowing to 4.1% and regular pay (excluding bonuses) at 3.5%, with Iran-war pressures adding to the cost-of-living squeeze. AI Investment (Scotland): DataVita secured a £300m finance package for two AI data centres in North Lanarkshire, backed by a £202m National Wealth Fund guarantee, with claims of 3,400 jobs and £8bn-plus private investment. AI Skills Gap (Scotland): Bank of Scotland’s barometer found 54% of Scottish firms plan to boost AI skills investment, but adoption lags the UK (48% vs 61%). Water Stress: Anglian Water says it could extend non-essential water bans to businesses if drought conditions worsen. Property Market: Zoopla reports half of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year, with mortgage volatility linked to buyers “waiting and seeing.” Retail & Tech: Sainsbury’s suspended live facial recognition after a shopper was wrongly ejected, while Morrisons cut 4,912 jobs in the year to October amid its turnaround. Crypto Regulation: Binance is reportedly preparing an FCA authorisation bid to return when the UK’s new framework starts. Business & Security: UK PM Andy Burnham reportedly exchanged messages with a White House chief-of-staff impersonator, prompting national security concerns. Brexit 10 Years On: Manufacturers say Brexit is now a business reality, but customs paperwork and compliance are the new friction points. Climate & Disruption: Rivers in parts of England are running notably low, and heavy rain could bring local flooding after weeks of drought.