UK Average House Price Exceeds £300,000 for First Time
The average house price in the United Kingdom surpassed £300,000 for the first time, according to Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage lender. The lender reported that the average UK property price reached £300,077 in January, a "milestone" that could be daunting for first-time buyers.
Halifax noted that wage growth has outpaced house price inflation since 2022, potentially improving affordability. Lenders have also been competing for first-time buyers by offering products with smaller deposit requirements. The Bank of England hinted at potential interest rate cuts later this year, which could further lower mortgage rates.
Bitcoin Value Drops Sharply
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin's value experienced a significant drop, falling below $65,000 on Thursday. According to The Verge, the cryptocurrency's value fell over 10 percent in a single day. After peaking at over $122,000 in October 2025, Bitcoin has been in a steady decline for several weeks.
Sewage Leak in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand, is facing an environmental crisis after a sewage leak resulted in millions of liters of untreated sewage flowing into the sea. Local authorities have described the incident as an environmental disaster. Residents have been advised to avoid entering the water, collecting seafood, or walking their dogs on local beaches.
Other news included discussion of the US immigration system, with one commentator noting that "Americans have no idea how weird and tortuous their immigration system is."
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