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Sony’s operating profit has climbed 5% this business year – even as it forecasts lower PlayStation 5 sales. 

The Japanese entertainment and electronics company said its operating profit is expected to come in at 1.28 trillion yen
(£6.5bn) in the year ending March.

Sony, a major supplier of image sensors for smartphones,
said its chips business is expected to book a 40% rise in
operating profit on higher sales and lower costs.

At its gaming unit, revenues are expected to fall with the PlayStation 5 in its fourth year, but Sony said user engagement
and cost control could drive future profitability at the
business.

It predicted PlayStation 5 sales will fall to 18 million
units from last year’s 20.8 million. 

Cheaper energy deals for new customers could potentially return in October, with the industry regulator announcing a review of their ban. 

Ofgem is consulting on removing the block on acquisition-only tariffs in an attempt to encourage competition between suppliers. 

The ban was introduced as a short-term measure in April 2022 to protect consumers during the energy crisis, and was due to be lifted in March next year.

Now, the regulator has said that it is the right time to consider removing it as the energy market continues to stabilise.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis welcomed the consultation, saying: “We need anything possible right now to stimulate competition and bring prices down.” 

“In normal times, I wouldn’t call for firms to be allowed to offer new customers cheaper prices than existing, yet these aren’t normal times.” 

Melinda French Gates has left the charity she set up with her former husband, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, after the couple’s divorce. 

In a statement, she said she would step down from her position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on 7 June. 

You can see her full statement below… 

The foundation was created in 2000 and it is one of the most influential charitable organisations in the world. 

It has spent billions working to tackle poverty and disease around the world. 

Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were divorcing three years ago after being married for 27 years.