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Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University found the King's Speech fascinating. He feels that if Labour can deliver 1.5m homes, reform the NHS and grow the UK economy, then it will cement its healthy electoral position. He wonders if the Conservatives can find the unity and clarity of strategy to survive, feeling that the party does not understand the hatred many of its former voters have for them. If Reform can capitalise on this, the Conservative Party may be in a much more precarious position than they realise.

The State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 17th July was somewhat of a watershed after fourteen years of Conservative governments. Here is the unabridged King's Speech, encapsulating in just over twelve minutes the priorities of the new Labour Government. Image source: Daily Express. Background music following the speech: 'Pastorale' by Joel Cummins

James Cameron-Wilson revels in UK box office up 64% thanks to the bad weather and a raft of new films. #1 is Despicable Me 4 which he likes no more than the other 5 in the franchise, finding a U certificate for such a violent film surprising. At #3 is horror film Longlegs from Oz Perkins (Anthony Perkins' son) with Nic Cage, which James found well made and unnerving. He was less charitable about supposedly trueish #4 Fly Me To The Moon with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Failing as both romcom and conspiracy thriller, it is flat and ludicrous. He was absorbed, if not scared, by the well-made and often amusing South Korean horror film Sleep about somnambulism, #17 in the chart.

Daniel Casali, chief investment strategist at Evelyn Partners, looks at the outlook for global stocks, where it's been the AI theme that has driven markets, led by the six mega caps. But, unlike the dotcom bubble, there are real earnings here as these companies are generating big profits so the high ratings can be justified. We now need to see how AI will be utilised by businesses. He also explains why sterling could be heading for a revival under Labour, helped by an improved relationship with the EU which, with the Ukraine situation, needs UK military intelligence and equipment. If the pound improves for the right reasons, it could drive up the currently low valuation of the UK stock market.

Steve Caplin delves into the world of tech, where Tokyo scientists have made the world's smallest chariot, pulled by algae. Carmarker Stellantis have patented an "improvement" to the steering wheel. VR gamers will soon have a way to walk in the games they play. There's an inflatable tent, though you may not be able to stand up in it. A PhD student has produced a way of monitoring the old and infirm without being too intrusive. Imperial College claims they've found a way to prevent cancer and increase lifespan by 25% – at least in mice. And King's College London believe they can help you lose weight with transcranial direct current stimulation.

The entanglement of phobias and beliefs is a curious characteristic of the human condition. This episode tackles one such, in relation to birds — but the approach which Adam Cox takes to interrupt that association could help in other areas too. Most phobias are maintained by association, but what is it that builds these fears? Maybe something you've read or watched, but it may also be an association subconsciously introduced by others. Break that association! Lose that phobia ..

Alphabet eyes its biggest acquisition of all time in Wiz, and a struggling retailer’s outlook gets worse – but it might be a buying opportunity for investors. Jason Moser and Dylan Lewis discuss retirement lessons and a reminder to ignore the exogenous from our colleagues at FoolFest 2024, why Alphabet is eying a $23B cybersecurity acquisition, Five Below’s stock going on sale, and whether new leadership can put the struggling retailer back on track. Then, 16 minutes in, Alison Southwick and Brian Feroldi continue their summer school series, running through the financial metrics that can help investors understand a company's valuation and one less common ratio that can tell you a lot about profitability. Companies discussed: GOOG, GOOGL, FIVE, AAPL, NVDA, MSFT. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Jason Moser, Alison Southwick, Brian Feroldi

After a year and a half of the big names pushing the market forwards, some of the smaller companies are starting to go on a run. Bill Mann and Jason Moser discuss the Russell 2000s unusual spike, and why it’s a mix of good news and bad news, the Crowdstrike update that grounded planes and the stock this morning, and what it says about cybersecurity overall, and earnings updates from Netflix, Domino’s, and Five Below. The, 19 minutes in, Cava CEO Brett Schulman spoke at FoolFest 2024 this week – we air a portion of his conversation with analyst Kirsten Guerra about his company’s stellar performance so far as a publicly traded company, how they’ll get to 1,000 locations and what he puts in his bowl when he visits the restaurant. Finally, 34 minutes in, Jason and Bill break down two stocks on their radar: Danaher and Alphabet. Stocks discussed: CRWD, AAPL, META, NFLX, DPZ, FIVE, DHR, GOOGL, GOOG. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Bill Mann, Jason Moser, Kirsten Guerra, Brett Schulman

It's official - we're complaining about our neighbours more, new data shows. When it comes to noise, many appear sick of barking dogs, squeaky trampolines and loud music ruining the enjoyment of our homes. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk about neighbour wars — and what we can do about it. And sticking to the property front, does it matter if you're a 'super' nimby? And if you do want to fight back against developments in your area, what's the sensible way to do it? We also look at the danger of pricing your home too high - and the Rightmove data that shows just how risky it can be. Grandparents and parents are digging deeper than ever to send children to university. What do young adults need to know before they take out a student loan? Lee goes back to school to talk to kids about money and the working world - but what did HE learn from the experience? And from festivals to sporting events, why has having fun become so expensive?

‘God is on my side', Trump told his re-vitalised Republican Party following the attempt to assassinate him. Bob Dylan's 1964 song 'With God on our side' told how this claim has been used to justify violence and oppression throughout history. Trump is not alone: Patriarch Kirill makes exactly the same claim for Putin's murderous assault on Ukraine. When will we learn that none of us can usurp God's favour or authority? Background music: 'With God on Our Side' by The Golden Gate Strings