Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) and Rolls-Royce Holdings (LSE:RR.) are probably the two most popular UK stocks right now. It’s easy to see why – both have generated strong gains recently. Can these stocks keep rising? Let’s take a look at City analysts’ share price forecasts for Lloyds and Rolls-Royce to see what the experts think.
Lloyds may keep climbing
Starting with Lloyds, the average price target is 90.7p. That’s approximately 14% above the current share price.
I think that target is probably achievable over the next 12-18 months or so. Looking at the earnings per share (EPS) forecast for 2026 (9.55p), the bank’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is only 8.3.
That’s quite a low earnings multiple. So, there’s probably scope for some multiple expansion there.
It’s worth noting that Lloyds’ recent results, for the first half of 2025, were solid, with profits coming in ahead of expectations. On the back of this performance, the company hiked its dividend by 15% (the yield is about 4.5% today).
Looking ahead, however, UK economic conditions will be important. If we see a deterioration, I’d expect the share price to go into reverse as Lloyds – the largest UK lender – is generally seen as a proxy for the British economy.
There are some other risks too. Last week, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggested that the UK should tax British banks on their reserves held at the Bank of England.
This may not happen. But it does add some uncertainty to the investment case.
Is the bank stock worth considering today? Potentially.
In my view, however, there are better stocks to look at today. Taking a five-year view, I think there are other stocks that will provide higher returns.
Is Rolls-Royce about to run out of power?
Turning to Rolls-Royce, the average price target here is currently 1,091p. That’s less than 1% higher than the current share price, meaning that right now, analysts don’t see a lot of potential for gains.
What’s going on here? I think there are two issues at play.
One is that the stock has had an incredible run over the last few years. Back in 2022 it was under 70p yet today it’s over £10.
Typically, that kind of share price performance can’t be sustained. In other words, there may be a pullback, or a period or consolidation, before it goes higher.
The other issue is that the valuation now looks very high. Today, Rolls-Royce has a market cap of £90bn, making it one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 index.
Meanwhile, the forward-looking P/E ratio (using next year’s earnings forecast) is 34. That’s a high valuation, and the company probably needs some time to grow into that multiple.
Is this stock worth snapping up today? That’s hard to say.
I do think this company is going places given its exposure to nuclear power. But as I said, the valuation is now high.
Given the exponential rise in the share price over the last three, I think waiting for a pullback is probably a smart move to consider. Buying at a lower price and valuation would most likely lead to more margin of safety if the company’s top-line growth and profit margin expansion suddenly slows down due to some kind of operational setback.
Post-summer hair care is the secret every woman with long hair needs as the warm glow of summer fades into cooler days. After months of sunshine, salty swims, and endless styling, your strands may feel rougher, drier, and more fragile than you remember. The truth is that summer leaves its mark on hair just as much as it does on skin, and the signs of stress only start showing as autumn settles in.
Think of your hair as a luxurious fabric: delicate, valuable, and worthy of care. Just as you would take a cashmere sweater to the dry cleaner after a season’s wear, your hair deserves an intentional reset before winter begins. By investing in post-summer hair care, you are not just repairing visible damage, but also preventing breakage and dryness in the months ahead.
In this article, we explore five essential, expert-backed rituals to help your long hair transition beautifully from summer to winter. From detoxing chlorine and salt buildup to infusing deep hydration, protecting strands during styling, caring for the scalp, and adopting protective routines, these steps are as indulgent as they are effective. With the right approach, your long hair will not only recover but also emerge stronger, shinier, and ready to face winter as your ultimate luxury accessory.
Photo by MohammadReza BaBaei
1- Detox Summer Damage with a Deep Clarifying Treatment
The first step in effective post-summer hair care is to cleanse away the residue left behind by summer. Chlorine from pools, salt water from holidays, heavy styling sprays, and the inevitable build-up of SPF mists and dry shampoo leave a residue that dulls shine and blocks nourishing treatments from doing their job. A clarifying ritual acts as a reset button, creating a fresh canvas for your next season of beauty.
Unlike ordinary shampoos, clarifying formulas are designed with chelating agents such as EDTA or apple cider vinegar that lift away mineral deposits and stubborn film from the hair shaft. The key is to choose a formula that is both effective and gentle, particularly for women with long hair that is prone to tangling and dryness. Once a fortnight is often enough, though if your hair has been particularly exposed to chlorine or hard water, a weekly treatment may be necessary.
Luxury haircare houses now treat clarifying as a sensorial experience. You will find options laced with citrus oils for a refreshing finish, or with micro-exfoliating beads designed to stimulate the scalp as well as cleanse. A deeply nourishing mask best follows a clarifying session, as freshly cleansed cuticles are more receptive to hydration.
At home, this ritual becomes almost meditative: massage the scalp with fingertips, let the formula sit for a minute to do its work, then rinse until your hair feels practically weightless. Think of it as decluttering your wardrobe before introducing the next season’s collection. Without this reset, every other post-summer hair care step risks being less effective.
Photo by Oleg Ivanov
2- Restore Moisture with Intense Hydrating Masks or Oils
After cleansing, hydration is the foundation of any post-summer hair care ritual. Sun exposure strips natural oils, UV rays weaken protein bonds, and salt water pulls moisture out strand by strand. By September, long hair often feels rougher, more brittle, and lacking its luminous flow. Hydration is not just a treat; it is the cure.
Hydrating masks are your allies here. Look for professional-grade treatments with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, paired with rich butters like shea or mango that envelop each fibre. These ingredients penetrate the cuticle, replacing lost moisture while smoothing frizz. Oils, such as argan, marula, or camellia, serve as luxurious sealants, locking in hydration. For long hair, sectioning is crucial. Apply the mask from mid-lengths to the ends, then comb through with a wide-toothed comb. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes.
Consistency is everything. A once-a-month ritual will soothe, but a weekly indulgence transforms. Consider alternating between a hydrating mask one week and an overnight oil treatment the next. Wrapping hair in a silk scarf overnight keeps your pillow safe while allowing active ingredients to work uninterrupted.
Photo by Taisiia Stupak
For those who crave the spa experience, brands such as Sisley and Oribe elevate hydration into a ritual with botanically-rich formulas and intoxicating textures. Hydration here is not only restorative but mood-enhancing, a reminder that post-summer hair care is self-care in its most tactile form.
By restoring suppleness now, you prevent winter dryness from escalating into breakage later. Healthy hydration is the couture foundation of every hairstyle that follows.
3- Lock in Hydration with Styling Leave-Ins and Heat Protection
Hydration, once restored, must be protected. This is the third pillar of post-summer hair care, ensuring moisture does not escape and damage does not accumulate as you style. Winter brings indoor heating, sudden temperature fluctuations, and frequent use of blow dryers. Each element strips water from the hair shaft, leaving strands dull and brittle unless you intervene.
Leave-in conditioners and protective serums are formulated to seal the cuticle after hydration, maintaining softness and shine for days. Think of them as the coat your hair wears to shield itself from the environment. Silicone-free options with plant-based polymers are now favoured by experts for protecting without heaviness.
Heat protection is non-negotiable. Even if you limit styling, the occasional use of a blow-dryer or curling iron requires a thermal shield. Modern sprays offer dual benefits, defending against heat while smoothing frizz. Apply to damp lengths, ensuring even coverage. For long hair, divide it into sections so no strand is neglected.
Photo by Christin Hume
Layering is an art. Experts recommend applying a lightweight leave-in first, followed by a serum or cream depending on your hair texture. The ritual takes just minutes, yet dramatically extends the life of your hydration.
Luxury brands frame this step as part of a daily uniform: a perfume for your strands, a silk blouse for your cuticle. Once in place, your long hair glides through the season unscathed. Without this protective armour, even the most diligent post-summer hair care risks being undone by the daily routine of styling.
4- Prioritise Scalp Health with Nourishing Rituals
The scalp is often forgotten, yet it is the root of effective post-summer hair care. Summer’s heat, sweat, and product build-up can leave it imbalanced, manifesting as dryness, flaking, or irritation. Entering winter without restoring scalp health is like planting seeds in depleted soil—your hair may grow, but it will lack vitality.
Scalp care is evolving into a category as sophisticated as skincare. Serums with niacinamide, peptides, and botanical extracts are now designed to hydrate, soothe, and even encourage growth. Massaging them not only enhances absorption but also stimulates microcirculation, boosting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the follicles.
Exfoliation also plays a role. Gentle scrubs with salt crystals or fruit enzymes remove dead cells and unclog follicles. This clears the path for new growth and prevents the itchiness associated with dry winter air. Once or twice a month is sufficient for most, though those who use heavy styling products may benefit from more frequent exfoliation.
For long hair, remember the scalp requires as much indulgence as the ends. Devote ten minutes of your Sunday routine to a scalp massage with a nourishing oil or serum. The experience is grounding, with cumulative results. Healthy hair begins where it grows, and a cared-for scalp is the unsung hero of every glossy photograph.
Without attention to this foundation, post-summer hair care remains incomplete. The scalp is the soil, the strands the harvest. Both must be nurtured.
Photo by Breanna Miller
5- Modify Styling Habits to Protect Long Hair from Winter Wear
The final secret of post-summer hair care lies not in products, but in habits. How you treat your hair daily determines whether your efforts flourish or falter. Long hair is particularly vulnerable in winter, when wool scarves create friction, hats flatten volume, and cold air encourages static. Adjusting your styling practices becomes essential.
First, limit heat styling where possible. Embrace natural textures, allowing waves and curls to dry gently with the help of leave-in products. If you must use heat, keep tools at moderate temperatures and never use them without protection. Regular trims, every six to eight weeks, also prevent minor dryness from escalating into split ends.
Protective hairstyles offer glamour with purpose. Loose braids, buns secured with silk ties, and low ponytails reduce exposure to friction. Silk pillowcases continue the protection overnight, preventing breakage as you sleep.
Consider your accessories, too. Swap elastic bands for silk scrunchies, and opt for metal-free clips to avoid snagging delicate lengths. Even outerwear makes a difference: a silk scarf under a wool coat collar acts as a barrier against fabric friction.
Luxury lies in detail. By refining your styling habits, you can extend the benefits of treatments and keep your long hair in pristine condition throughout the winter. This behavioural shift costs nothing yet adds immeasurable value to your post-summerhair care strategy.
To Conclude,
Five rituals, one philosophy: treat your hair as a luxury fabric that requires care, precision, and indulgence. Clarify, hydrate, protect, and nurture your scalp to refine your habits. Together, they form the architecture of effective post-summer hair care, ensuring that the impact of summer fades while the beauty of your long lengths remains.
This routine is not about perfection but about consistency. Each ritual becomes a moment of self-care, woven into the rhythm of your week. Just as fashion adjusts from linen dresses to cashmere coats, so too should your beauty practices shift with the season.And for the final flourish, remember that hair is not simply strands; it is an accessory you wear every day, your signature silhouette. With the proper post-summer hair care, winter does not diminish your beauty; it frames it.
So let winter come. You are ready. And your hair? It is about to enjoy its most radiant season yet.
José Amorim This article was created exclusively for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is protected by copyright. Images are used for illustrative purposes under fair use. If you own the rights to any image and wish it to be removed, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will act promptly.
The image created by Jeremy himself or someone else portrayed a scenic beauty landscape and some of the beauty is captured by a woman holding a kid and wearing TROPHY imprinted attire under the baby. In terms of baby, he’s turned from the lens and in a beautiful light shirt. The grass around completes the picture and acknowledges the weekend ease the couple of trees enjoy processing. These visuals truly are to appreciate and form snippets of family life.
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The picture received positive comments. People praised Jeremy for his great photography, while at the same time some people wanted to know more details about the picture. Similarly, while one person complimented Jeremy, “You have quite an artistic eye!” another follower as “that person from down the road,” shared in a local sense of “And, hi 👋 from King of Prussia!” Vulos, who use social media a lot, carry out these social interactions in their communities.
Additionally, there were some readers who expressed notice on the picture’s use of a Bible. One reader of the post inquired about the brand, “Jeremy, do you know the brand of the Bible in the picture? I’m in the market for a new one.” To this, Jeremy, who is keen on the Bible, the Bible in the picture was given the known brand edition in 2010. The polite answer he gave expounded on the 2010 ESV Preaching Bible, insisting that the reader should look for this Bible.
The Vuolos’ baby number two’s journey to turning a year older significantly buried what was in my opinion positive engagements, and I’m not the only person who thinks so. ‘Little Finn’, as pointed out by a user, “he is an adorable little chunky monkey and lil big guy,” whilst another user stated, “that little boy is a chunky dunker! he is well on his way to being special! he should be around how many months old now?”
Jeremy’s post did not only contain highlights on the baby as a guarantee of sweet reminiscing memories; his followers held a well spot in the heart church. Besides, a loving follower moved an inch to recognize the sanctuary as “Carlsbad Community Church ❤️” and triggered a search on the whereabouts of a stunning “beautiful pipe organ” displayed that led to her looking upward inquiring about the “beautiful pipe organ on display” in the carousel.
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Perhaps, the good that was meant with the Vuolos’ gesture, particularly with the baby in the spotlight, caused that same positive talk to take a pause. There was the baby featured in the post who sparked everyone’s curiosity because of how much he had matured. His transformation made everyone limit the debates and discussion about how the Vulos protect the facial identity of their children as a responsible parent. One person who follows the Vuolos guided the conversation, claiming, “I have never seen your girls. Why?” In response, most users shared her anger, pushing her to criticize the Vuolos. They attacked, saying, “Today, everyone is sharing children’s pictures on social media because of the ‘likes,’ with some adding, “I have asked this question in your comments many times, but for privacy, no response. And, you continue to share your son’s identity unlike your children.”
“Love Island USA” star Taylor Williams says he is “all good” after being thrown from his horse during the Arizona Invitational Black Rodeo in Scottsdale.
In a TikTok video, Williams’ horse seemingly trips over another horse before falling to the ground. Williams and his horse appear to be trampled by other participants before the horse rolls over Williams and rises to its feet. Williams, 24, was still lying on the ground when officials rushed over to help him.
Williams gave an update on his condition later that day on social media, saying that his injuries would not get in the way of him attending an event that he was scheduled to appear at Saturday night, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“Was in a horse accident last night but I’m still pulling up tonight injured and all,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “It’s my brothers’ bday [you know] we still turnt!”
He followed up the post with a photo of himself lying on a hospital stretcher, wearing a neck brace and holding two thumbs up. “Preciate all the love!” he wrote over the image. “I’m good.”
Williams’ girlfriend and fellow “Love Island” alum Clarke Carraway later posted a video via Instagram Stories, which showed Williams being wheeled out of a hospital, while Maverick City Music’s “The Story I’ll Tell” plays in the background.
In a second video, Carraway poses next to Williams, who has one arm in a sling, while they rock matching cowboy hats.
The Oklahoma native, who said he “was on a horse before I could walk,” appeared on the seventh season of Peacock’s “Love Island,” which aired earlier this summer. The veterinary student became known for wearing cowboy hats and talking about his love for the rodeo.
Williams first coupled up with fan-favorite Olandria Carthen on the reality dating show, but ultimately ended the series with Carraway, from Charlotte, N.C. The couple made it to the second-to-last episode, but were booted off the island shortly after making their relationship “exclusive.”
During the reunion, which was hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen last week, Williams and Carraway said that they were still going strong and making their long-distance relationship work.
The FTSE 250 has risen 6% in value so far in 2025. It may not have impressed like the FTSE 100 — the UK’s leading share index is up 12% since 1 January. But given the weak state of the British economy and the its high UK bias, that’s still a pretty respectable showing in my book.
Could London’s second-most prestigious share index be about to fall, though? Given mounting uncertainty facing the domestic and global economies, and the FTSE 250‘s high concentration of sensitive growth shares, it’s something I feel savvy investors should at least be prepared for.
With this in mind, here are three top defensive stocks to consider in today’s climate.
A top trust
Real estate investment trust (REIT)Primary Health Properties (LSE:PHP) has a number of qualities that could help protect it during economic downturns. As its name implies, it operates in the highly stable medical sector, letting out properties that are always in high demand, like GP surgeries and diagnostic centres.
Like many other REITs, it also has tenants tied down on long-term contracts. The weighted average unexpired lease term (WAULT) here was 9.1 years as of June, providing excellent earnings visibility. What’s more, almost 90% of its rent roll is funded by government bodies.
Primary Health could be vulnerable to an inflation spike that drives up interest rates. But I think its other defensive qualities make it worthy of serious attention (I own the company in my own portfolio).
Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice.
The food producer
We all need to eat, whatever crisis comes along, economic or otherwise. And so food producers and retailers can be excellent lifeboats in tough times.
One from the FTSE 250 that appeals to me is Premier Foods (LSE:PFD). Many of the products it manufactures, like instant noodles, cooking sauces, and packet soups, are cheap to buy and prepare. This provides extra protection during economic downturns.
On top of this, Premier Foods owns some of the country’s most beloved brands like Bisto gravy, Mr Kipling cakes, and Batchelors soup. These provide revenues with added stability (it’s estimated that nine in 10 UK households have one of the company’s products in their cupboards).
Even though volatile cost prices are a long-term danger, I think it’s a top safe-haven share to consider.
A defence star
Defence industry shares such as Chemring (LSE:CHG) can also serve as effective buffers from stock market volatility. This is especially the case today, as European nations rapidly rebuild their armed forces due to fears over Russian and Chinese foreign policy.
This FTSE 250 business manufactures sensors, explosives, and countermeasures for defence forces worldwide. These include technologies that detect threats and protect combat aircraft. And it sells these to dozens of countries across Europe, North America, and Australasia, which helps to safeguards earnings from weakness in one or two regions.
The outlook for US spending is less clear, posing some uncertainty over Chemring’s future earnings. But I think strong demand from other NATO countries should more than offset this and drive growth.
After a man was found lying in a pool of blood at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, the apparent victim of a homicide, authorities said Monday that they were seeking the public’s help to determine the identity of the victim and solve the crime.
“We are specifically looking to identify the white, male adult decedent,” according to a news release from the Pershing County Sheriff’s Department.
The dead man, the release said, is 35 to 40 years old, with short brown hair and facial hair. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds.
The release also said the Sheriff’s Department is seeking information about “any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being.”
The man’s body was discovered shortly after the giant effigy of “Burning Man” was lighted on fire. Authorities have not released a specific cause of death.
It was a shocking end to the festival, which draws tens of thousands of people each year to a desolate area about 120 miles north of Reno for a nine-day celebration of “community, art, self-expression and self-reliance.”
About 9:15 p.m. Saturday, a festival-goer approached a sheriff’s deputy to report that he had found a body in one of the campsites.
Believing the death was a homicide, deputies and rangers from the Bureau of Land Management began interviewing festival attendees to try to piece together what happened.
But two days later — the final day of Burning Man — detectives were still seeking leads. “At this time, no information is too small to disregard, so do not hesitate to contact” detectives, the sheriff said.
The Burning Man Project, the nonprofit that organizes the festival, said in a statement on its website that it was cooperating with law enforcement and that peer support counselors were available on the grounds.
The festival this year was also the site of an unexpected birth when a 36-year-old woman went into labor in her RV. The woman said she had been unaware she was pregnant. An obstetrician who happened to be in the nearby campsite helped deliver the baby girl.
NYC woman busted for threatening to kill President Trump quietly released by Obama-appointed judge
A New York City woman locked up for making deranged social media posts threatening to kill President Trump was quietly released by an Obama-appointed judge last week.
Chief US District Judge James Boasberg released Nathalie Rose Jones, a 50-year-old Big Apple resident, under electronic monitoring on Aug. 27 and ordered she see a psychiatrist once back home, court documents revealed.
The surprise release comes just days after US Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya denied Jones bond over the persistent threats on Trump’s life she issued over social media earlier this month…
Officials were aware of concerning posts starting on Aug. 2 and Jones herself told Secret Service agents in an Aug. 15 interview that she would “carry out the mission of killing” Trump with a “bladed object” if she was given the chance.
Many of her social media posts tagged federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Just amazing.
Who the hell does this guy think he is this woman has to be picked up and re-arrested and this judge has to be removed from the bench. https://t.co/4Rhz7G82eH
This calls for an investigation. There is absolutely no way this would have been permitted if the threat was made against Obama or any other president, for that matter.
Long-term use of a certain type of acid reflux medication could increase the risk of dementia by a third, according to research. Scientists discovered that individuals who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for over four-and-a-half years were 33 per cent more likely to develop the debilitating health condition.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, typically after eating or while lying down. Those suffering from acid reflux may experience heartburn and ulcers, and frequent bouts can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which can result in oesophageal cancer.
GORD is a widespread issue, with up to 40 per cent of the UK population regularly experiencing heartburn. PPIs work by reducing stomach acid, targeting the enzymes in the stomach lining responsible for its production.
However, this medication has previously been linked to an increased risk of stroke, fractures, and kidney disease.
The American research team, whose findings were published in the journal Neurology, emphasised that their study does not prove that acid reflux drugs cause dementia, but rather shows a correlation, reports Surrey Live.
The study’s author, vascular neurologist Professor Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, stated: “Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease. Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia.
“While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.”
The research looked at more than 5,700 individuals, aged 45 and above, who showed no signs of dementia at the study’s commencement. The participants had an average age of 75.
The research team established whether the participants consumed acid reflux medication by examining their prescriptions during study appointments and through annual telephone consultations.
Among the participants, 1,490 (26 percent) had consumed the medications.
They were subsequently categorised into four groups depending on whether they had consumed the medications and the duration: individuals who didn’t consume the medications; those who consumed the medications for up to 2.8 years; those who consumed them for 2.8 to 4.4 years; and individuals who consumed them for more than 4.4 years.
The participants were subsequently monitored for an average of approximately 5.5 years. During this period, 585 (10 percent) developed dementia.
Among the 4,222 individuals who did not consume the medications, 415 people developed dementia, representing 19 cases per 1,000 person-years.
Person-years signify both the number of individuals in the research and the duration each person participates in the study.
Among the 497 individuals who consumed the medications for more than 4.4 years, 58 people developed dementia, representing 24 cases per 1,000 person years.
After accounting for factors such as age, sex and race, as well as health-related issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers determined that people who had been taking acid reflux medications for more than 4.4 years had a 33 percent higher risk of developing dementia than people who never took the drugs.
Researchers did not discover a higher risk of dementia for people who took the drugs for fewer than 4.4 years.
Prof Lakshminarayan, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said: “More research is needed to confirm our findings and explore reasons for the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and a higher risk of dementia.
“While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, different approaches may not work for everyone.”
She added: “It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, to discuss the best treatment for them, and because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”
The Belgian government has said it will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this month.
The country’s foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, announced it will join the UK, France, Canada, and Australia in recognising a Palestinian state.
Belgium will also introduce “firm sanctions” against the Israeligovernment, he said, including a ban on imports from West Bank settlements and possible judicial prosecutions.
The Israeli foreign ministry and its Belgian embassy have not yet commented on the announcement.
However, its foreign ministry previously said the UK’s plan to recognise Palestine “constitutes a reward for Hamas”.
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13:53
Would a two-state solution work?
Sir Keir Starmer announced in July that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel meets certain conditions, those being:
• Israel takes substantive steps to end the “appalling situation in Gaza“
• Israel agrees to a ceasefire
• Israel commits to a long-term sustainable peace – reviving the prospect of a two-state solution
• Israel must allow the UN to restart the supply of aid
• There must be no annexations in the West Bank
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2:47
PM on recognising Palestine as a state
In response, the Israeli foreign ministry said: “The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”
The UN General Assembly session in New York will begin on 9 September. Ireland, Spain, and Norway all officially recognised a Palestinian state last year.
Out of the 193 United Nationsmember states, 147 already recognise Palestine as a state as of March 2025.
Earlier this month, Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to build a new settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which he said would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state.
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3:00
Israeli minister’s plan to ‘bury idea of Palestinian state’
It comes after US secretary of state Marco Rubio revoked the visas of 81 delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) – blocking them from attending the general assembly.
Under a 1947 UN agreement, the US is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the UN in New York.
But Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons.
The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza is now more than 63,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
It added that nine more people, including three children, died of malnutrition and starvation over Monday, raising deaths from such causes to at least 348, including 127 children.
The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage.
A new Nilson Homes development in Plain City, Utah, includes smaller starter homes side by side with larger market-rate ones.
Jennifer Ludden/NPR
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Jennifer Ludden/NPR
PLAIN CITY, Utah — Miranda and Cole Potokar, who are 23 and 24, have talked a lot with friends about their terrible timing in the housing market.
“We would make jokes like, ‘What was I doing in third grade? I should have been buying a house instead of learning, you know, multiplication!’ ” says Miranda.
The young couple came of age in northern Utah as housing prices across much of the country marched upward steadily, then sharply. Utah is now one of the priciest markets. That’s fueled by growing demand from family sizes that are bigger than those elsewhere in the U.S., plus more people moving to the state.
Miranda and Cole Potokar lived in her grandparents’ basement for two years to avoid high rents and save up for a down payment.
Marisa Peñaloza/NPR
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Marisa Peñaloza/NPR
After getting married two years ago, the Potokars decided to live in Miranda’s grandparents’ basement to save up for a down payment. But when they started looking around a year or so ago, they were shocked. Even older places had sky-high prices, and things sold so fast.
“Wake up the next morning, it was gone,” Cole says, snapping his fingers. “The market would just be so aggressive.”
So they decided to give up for a while.
The median age of first-time U.S. homebuyers is now 38, a record high
People like the Potokars are exactly who Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had in mind when he set out an ambitious goal about a year and half ago: building 35,000 lower-cost starter homes in five years.
“The American dream of homeownership is slowly but surely slipping away from far too many, out of reach of our children and grandchildren,” the Republican governor told dozens of mayors at a housing summit in May.
Median U.S. home prices are at a record high, up nearly 50% over the past five years. In Utah, they’re even more than the national average, over half a million dollars.
The underlying driver is a massive shortage of homes. Add to that high inflation and interest rates, and mortgages are out of reach for many. The median age of U.S. homebuyers has hit a record high of 38, up from 31 a decade before.
To encourage developers to build more places that people can afford, Utah lawmakers last year approved low-interest construction loans for starter homes. This year, they expanded the program to include starter condos. Those incentives follow a string of other laws in recent years meant to encourage all kinds of denser, less expensive housing.
But so far, builders have been slow to sign on. At the May summit, Gov. Cox told mayors that only about 5,100 starter homes had been built or begun.
“We’re on our way, but we desperately need to do more. And we need to move faster,” he said.
Utah has not made bolder changes housing experts say are needed
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks to reporters March 7 in Salt Lake City. He has made affordable housing a signature issue, saying the state’s skyrocketing prices are “the single greatest threat to the prosperity of our state.”
Hannah Schoenbaum/AP
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Hannah Schoenbaum/AP
Cox has made affordable housing a signature issue and brings it up repeatedly at appearances around the state.
He’s appealed to builders to help fill this important gap in the market, even if, he says, “you may be able to make more money doing something else.” He’s implored local leaders to approve starter home projects, despite heated pushback they might face from residents worried about changes in their neighborhood. And to Utahns generally, Cox has urged them to think about where future generations will be able to live, asking, “Are we going to be the selfish generation?”
“He’s sort of saying, ‘We all need to chip in here.’ But I haven’t seen concrete steps that would really move the needle right now,” says Andra Ghent, a finance professor at the University of Utah.
She and other housing experts say the best way to create smaller, affordable homes is to change zoning laws and allow smaller lot sizes. A growing number of states – including Texas, most recently – have stepped in and done that, making the controversial decision to preempt local laws. Utah’s governor proposed it, but lawmakers said no.
“A lot of municipalities throughout the state have minimum lot sizes of a quarter-acre,” Ghent says. “That’s enormous as a lot size. … If developers are stuck with that minimum lot size, they’re going to build luxury homes.”
Giving first-time homebuyers a chance in Utah
Jed Nilson stands in front of a starter home at his company’s new development in Plain City, Utah.
Marisa Peñaloza/NPR
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The lack of sweeping zoning change hasn’t stopped one developer north of Salt Lake City from taking up the governor’s challenge.
Jed Nilson sits on the porch of a brand new house while construction trucks rumble by his latest project in Plain City. He heads Nilson Homes, founded by his dad in 1977. But he started out as a realtor 26 years ago when he was in college.
“And other kids going to college would come buy brand new homes from me,” he says, laughing. “Cause they had a job and they went to college and they could afford a home.”
Today, Nilson finds it troubling that even couples who both have a college degree and careers can’t afford to buy one. “That’s not sustainable,” he says.
Nilson has long been on a mission to find different products or methods that cut costs but not quality. In fact, his ultimate mission is eventually to create a home that’s once again affordable on a single income.
When the governor announced his starter-home target, Nilson says, many developers were skeptical. But he saw an opportunity. With the state’s help, he cut a deal with Weber County that let him add more houses to this Plain City development and put them on smaller plots that normally would be left open.
Nilson walks down the street to show off the first 12 starter homes that are finished. They sit right next to larger market-rate ones, a colorful mix of farmhouse, craftsman and mountain modern.
There’s a long waitlist for starter homes in Nilson’s development, which he says is “outrageously unusual.”
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Jennifer Ludden/NPR
“We intentionally wanted to show that we could put these starter homes in the entrance of a thousand-home community because they’re beautiful architecture,” he says.
And how much are they in this pricey market? Gov. Cox talks about wanting starter homes for less than $400,000. Nilson sells his three bedroom model for just under that, and a smaller two-bedroom for about $370,000.
Nilson knows that still might not sound affordable to some, but a different state program to help first-time buyers sets a cap of $450,000. “I mean, five years ago $450,000 was a high-priced home in this area, and now we’re calling that a starter home,” he says.
For his Plain City homes, priority is given to first time buyers, teachers, first responders and active military service members. The homes also must be owner-occupied for a decade. The company has a long waitlist that Nilson says is “outrageously unusual.”
Miranda and Cole Potokar in the living room of their new house. Home prices were so out of reach that the couple had stopped looking until they heard about starter homes being built nearby.
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This past spring, first-time buyers Miranda and Cole Potokar were among the first to move in.
“This is our little dining nook, which is massive,” Miranda says, as the couple gives a tour of their two-story 1,400 square foot home.
“One thing that really attracted us to this house was, like, the windows,” Cole says. There are big ones that let in lots of light. There’s also space for him to work at home, and a third bedroom so they can start having children here.
They love to go on morning walks and say they’ve met some neighbors their own age. The Potokars say they feel extremely lucky.
“This is like a base not only for like our family, but also … to set us up for the future,” Cole says. “And in so many ways that, like, we don’t even know.”
Nilson has 260 more starter homes in the pipeline here and hopes his experience will spur more developers to step up.
“Maybe I’ll make less money per home, but I get to build more homes. And I’m going to fix a societal problem,” he says. “I mean, a society can’t function when there’s no room at the bottom for people to get started on their upward mobility.”
