The cosmetics retailer Revolution Beauty has issued a stark warning to investors, projecting a 25 per cent decline in sales for the 2025 financial year. The announcement triggered an immediate market reaction, with shares tumbling more than 20 per cent. The Aim-quoted company, which counts fashion giant Boohoo among its major stakeholders, revealed that its […]

Former US President Donald Trump has issued a direct challenge to OPEC and global central banks during his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking via video link, Trump urged Saudi Arabia and other oil producers to reduce global oil prices, expressing his surprise at their failure to do so before the recent […]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Britain’s antitrust regulator, has initiated a new investigation into Apple and Google’s mobile platforms, mere days after the government’s controversial removal of its chair in a bid to reduce business regulations. The regulatory body announced on Thursday its plans to scrutinise whether the tech giants should face additional oversight […]

The long-running legal dispute between Mastercard and former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks has reached a settlement, with the credit card giant agreeing to pay £200 million to resolve claims over alleged unfair merchant fees. London-based litigation funding company Innsworth Advisors, which backed Merricks’s nine-year class action claim, stands to receive up to half of the […]

British high street fashion retailer Primark has reported a concerning 6% drop in UK sales during the crucial Christmas quarter, prompting a significant downward revision of its annual sales forecasts. The decline has been attributed to unseasonably mild weather conditions and deteriorating consumer confidence among its core customer base. Eoin Tonge, finance director at Associated […]

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has launched fresh accusations against fast-fashion retailer Boohoo, claiming undisclosed payments to Umar Kamani, son of founder Mahmud Kamani. The allegations emerged following Frasers Group’s unsuccessful attempt to remove Mahmud Kamani from the board. The Sports Direct owner, holding a 28 per cent stake in Boohoo, has raised serious concerns about […]

Britain’s second-largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, has announced plans to cut more than 3,000 jobs across its UK operations as it braces for significant cost increases this April. The dramatic restructuring includes a substantial reduction in senior management positions and the closure of remaining in-store cafés. Chief Executive Simon Roberts emphasised the challenging cost environment facing […]

The Labour government has announced plans to modify controversial tax changes for non-domiciled residents following an unprecedented departure of wealthy individuals from British shores. Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the forthcoming amendments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, responding to mounting pressure from the financial community. Data indicates that Britain experienced a net loss of […]

CNN has unveiled plans to cut 200 jobs, representing approximately 6 per cent of its workforce, as the television network grapples with significant changes in news consumption habits. The announcement comes as the broadcaster’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, emphasises the “profound and irreversible shifts” facing traditional media. The restructuring initiative, while reducing traditional roles, includes […]

The Sackler family and their pharmaceutical enterprise Purdue Pharma have reached a landmark £7.4 billion settlement over their involvement in the US opioid crisis, marking a significant development in one of healthcare’s most contentious legal battles. The revised agreement, which surpasses the previous arrangement by £1.4 billion, awaits bankruptcy court approval and represents a collaborative […]

The global offshore wind sector faced a significant setback as Danish energy giant Orsted witnessed a sharp decline in its share value following President Trump’s executive order to halt new turbine installations in US waters. The world’s largest offshore wind developer announced a staggering $1.7 billion impairment charge on its American operations, citing mounting costs […]

Netflix has delivered exceptional fourth-quarter results, adding an unprecedented 18.9 million subscribers during the festive period. The streaming giant’s remarkable performance was driven by its successful venture into live sporting events and the highly anticipated return of its South Korean blockbuster series, Squid Game. The streaming service has announced price increases across multiple territories, including […]

The UK government’s Treasury department has made an unprecedented move to intervene in a Supreme Court case concerning car finance misselling, sparking optimism that the industry might avoid paying out tens of billions of pounds in compensation. Market reaction was swift and positive, with shares in Close Brothers, a merchant bank heavily exposed to car […]

The British government has unveiled plans to revolutionise its migration system, focusing on attracting highly skilled workers in artificial intelligence and life sciences sectors. Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the announcement while addressing business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The proposed changes, set to be detailed in an immigration white paper later this […]

The British government’s borrowing reached £17.8 billion in December, marking the highest December deficit since 2020 and exceeding official forecasts by £3.2 billion. This significant increase reflects mounting pressures from public sector pay rises and elevated benefit payments. According to the Office for National Statistics, public expenditure climbed by £12.9 billion year-on-year to £100.2 billion […]

Waitrose has made a strategic move to reclaim its market position by reintroducing free hot beverages for loyalty card holders, marking a significant shift in its customer retention strategy. The upmarket supermarket chain announced that its 9 million My Waitrose members can now enjoy a complimentary hot drink daily without making a purchase, provided they […]

The UK government has announced plans to establish a new online train ticket retailer, marking a significant shift in the nation’s rail ticketing landscape. The Department for Transport’s initiative aims to streamline the process of purchasing tickets across different rail operators, though implementation is not expected until late 2026 at the earliest. The programme forms […]

The board of British digital banking powerhouse Monzo remains divided over the location of its potential market listing, with chief executive TS Anil leaning towards a US debut that could value the firm at £4 billion. This strategic choice could deliver yet another setback to the London Stock Exchange’s ambitions to retain high-growth technology companies. […]

In a significant shift in international trade policy, Donald Trump has declared his intention to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports beginning 1 February, whilst simultaneously contemplating similar measures against the European Union. The announcement, made during his second day in office, has sent ripples through global financial markets. The former president justified the […]

In a landmark environmental initiative, Microsoft has secured a substantial agreement to restore sections of Brazil’s Amazon and Atlantic forests, exchanging the restoration work for carbon credits valued at approximately £200 million. The deal represents a significant step by the tech giant to address its growing carbon footprint, driven largely by the surge in energy […]

The British government is preparing to greenlight significant expansion plans at Gatwick Airport, the nation’s second-largest aviation hub, as part of a broader strategy to boost economic growth. The £2.2bn development project would enable Gatwick to increase its passenger capacity to 75 million annually by the late 2030s, up from 46.5 million in 2019. Transport […]

The dire state of UK government buildings has reached a critical point, with public services facing significant disruption due to deteriorating infrastructure, according to a stark warning from the National Audit Office (NAO) this week. The spending watchdog’s report reveals an astronomical maintenance backlog of £49 billion across government departments, severely impacting service delivery, workforce […]

In a significant development for the US technology sector, OpenAI and SoftBank have unveiled plans for a massive artificial intelligence infrastructure project, receiving enthusiastic support from Donald Trump. The joint venture, named Stargate, represents an initial investment of $100 billion, with potential expansion to $500 billion over four years. The ambitious project was announced at […]

German sportswear giant Adidas has reported exceptional fourth-quarter profits, driving shares up by 7 per cent following strong festive period sales. The company’s remarkable turnaround, particularly in its classic trainer lines, has demonstrated the brand’s resilience in the global sportswear market. The Herzogenaurach-based company posted an operating profit of €57 million in the final quarter […]

Financial advisers and wealth management leaders have called upon the Treasury to reconsider its approach to applying inheritance tax (IHT) to pension funds, citing significant concerns over potential delays and increased costs for bereaved families. The autumn Budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed plans to incorporate pension funds into inherited estates by April 2027. […]

Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloid newspaper operation, News Group Newspapers (NGN), has reached a watershed moment by admitting to unlawful activities at The Sun and agreeing to pay “substantial damages” to Prince Harry. The High Court in London heard on Wednesday that NGN offered the Duke of Sussex a “full and unequivocal apology” for privacy intrusions […]

The Duke of Westminster’s property empire, Grosvenor, has orchestrated a landmark deal by selling a £306 million stake in its prestigious Mayfair estate to Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, marking a significant shift in London’s prime property landscape. The Norwegian oil fund, managing assets worth $1.7 trillion, will acquire a 25 per cent stake in a […]

Britain’s public sector borrowing reached an alarming £17.8 billion in December, marking a significant £10.1 billion increase compared to the previous year and registering as the third-highest December borrowing on record. These figures from the Office for National Statistics have intensified pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she grapples with restoring fiscal confidence. The cumulative […]

In a groundbreaking announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sir Demis Hassabis revealed that Isomorphic Labs, the Alphabet-owned drug discovery startup, will commence trials of its first AI-designed drug by year-end. The Nobel Prize-winning chief executive outlined ambitious plans to revolutionise drug development through artificial intelligence, potentially reducing the traditional five to ten-year […]

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has placed more than $300bn of potential federal infrastructure funding in jeopardy, sending tremors through the US investment community as they wrestle with his swift dismantling of Joe Biden’s climate agenda. The newly inaugurated president’s immediate actions included signing numerous executive orders to reverse Biden’s policies, with a […]

Recent data reveals that controversial 20mph speed limits are contributing to a significant reduction in car insurance premiums across the UK. Leading price comparison website Confused.com reports the most substantial annual decrease in car insurance prices in over a decade, with average costs falling by £161, representing a 16% reduction over the past 12 months. […]

Shares in Reach, the publisher of the Daily Mirror, surged more than 25 per cent after announcing expectations to surpass annual profit forecasts, driven by robust performance in the final quarter of 2024 and significant cost-reduction measures implemented in recent years. The media organisation, which owns prominent national publications including the Mirror and Express, alongside […]

Britain’s leading food delivery platforms are experiencing intensifying scrutiny regarding their algorithmic systems that control the livelihoods of more than 100,000 couriers across the nation. A powerful coalition comprising the TUC, Amnesty International, and courier unions has launched a campaign demanding transparency in what they describe as “black-box algorithms.” The three dominant platforms – UberEats, […]

The expenditure for improving the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) labour market survey has witnessed a dramatic surge, nearly doubling to £40.4 million from an initial estimate of £24.1 million over the past year. This significant increase comes amid ongoing publication delays and mounting concerns regarding the validity of UK economic data. A response to […]

British shopping centre investments have reached their highest level since 2016, with transactions totalling £2.07 billion last year, signalling a remarkable revival in retail property confidence. The surge reflects growing optimism among institutional investors, real estate investment trusts, and sovereign wealth funds, which collectively accounted for 70% of market activity. Property group CBRE’s head of […]

The Dutch postal service company PostNL, backed by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky who is currently acquiring Royal Mail, has issued a stark warning about its profitability and called for urgent government intervention. The company’s shares plummeted by 8.4 per cent in Amsterdam following a disappointing trading update for 2024, highlighting its ongoing struggles with declining […]

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into KPMG’s audit of betting giant Entain, adding fresh scrutiny to the Big Four accountancy firm’s practices. The probe, initiated in November, focuses on the examination of Entain’s financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2022. KPMG, which has served as Entain’s auditor since 2018, […]

Pod Point, a leading pioneer in the electric vehicle charging sector, has announced deeper than anticipated losses and a concerning cash burn rate for the current financial year. The company, majority-owned by French energy giant EDF with a 53 per cent stake, saw its shares plunge 35 per cent to 10¾p on Monday, marking their […]

In a significant move towards enhancing Britain’s financial services sector, the Bank of England is contemplating the establishment of a ‘concierge service’ for international financial firms seeking to enter the UK market. This initiative emerges as part of the government’s broader strategy to stimulate economic growth through regulatory reforms. Sam Woods, who heads the Bank’s […]

A critical £450 million investment by pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca in a new vaccines facility in Speke, Liverpool, has encountered significant delays due to prolonged government deliberations on support measures. The setback has forced the company to miss crucial internal deadlines, potentially jeopardising the UK’s position in the competitive life sciences sector. The gravity of the […]

In a significant boost to the UK economy, global chief executives have positioned Britain as the second most important market for international investment, surpassed only by the United States. This remarkable achievement marks the UK’s highest ranking in the 28-year history of PwC’s annual global CEO survey. The comprehensive study, encompassing 4,701 chief executives across […]

The British pound experienced its most significant single-day rise against the US dollar in over a year, climbing 1.1 per cent to reach $1.23. This surge came after reports emerged that the new US president would postpone his campaign promise to impose trade tariffs on “day one” of his presidency. According to officials who spoke […]

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) stands poised to implement an interest rate increase this Friday, with economists expressing confidence in the move, provided Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration speech does not trigger market volatility. The anticipated rise from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent would mark a significant step in normalising Japan’s monetary policy following […]

The UK government’s ambitious scheme to construct or expand 40 hospitals in England has encountered significant setbacks, with completion dates now stretching into the late 2030s. Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed on Monday that construction on several facilities might not commence until 2039, delivering a substantial blow to healthcare administrators managing an increasingly deteriorating infrastructure. […]

A groundbreaking study involving 215,000 US military veterans with diabetes has revealed that popular weight-loss medications demonstrate a 12 per cent reduction in Alzheimer’s disease risk, whilst simultaneously highlighting increased risks for certain arthritic, kidney and pancreatic conditions. The comprehensive analysis, examining 2.4 million patients over six years, strengthens the evidence supporting the broader health […]

In a significant development for post-Brexit relations, the UK government has dismissed an attempt by unionist parties in Northern Ireland to prevent the implementation of new EU chemical labelling regulations in the region. The move signals potential closer regulatory harmonisation with Brussels. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn acknowledged “sincere and genuine concerns” raised by unionists […]

European Union companies find themselves in a precarious position as Donald Trump threatens trade tariffs unless the bloc increases its purchases of American oil and gas. Despite Brussels expressing willingness to engage, the reality of implementing such demands presents significant obstacles. The EU’s structural limitations have become apparent, as the European Commission lacks direct purchasing […]

Rachel Reeves, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, has endorsed proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to examine ways of permitting banks to take greater risks in mortgage lending, aiming to increase home ownership across Britain. Speaking to the Financial Times, Reeves expressed her support for the FCA’s plans to lift certain mortgage restrictions, […]

In a significant development, Belgian authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into tech giant Apple over allegations of sourcing ‘blood minerals’ from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The investigation stems from accusations that the company knowingly participated in what lawyers representing the DRC describe as a “massive laundering and greenwashing operation”. The DRC filed […]

The digital assets venture championed by Donald Trump has achieved its ambitious target of raising $1 billion through token sales and has extended its offering to the public, capitalising on the surging enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies backed by the incoming US president. World Liberty Financial (WLF), a project supported by Trump and his three sons, announced […]

In a concerning development for global cybersecurity, Russian state-affiliated hackers have launched sophisticated attacks targeting WhatsApp accounts belonging to government ministers and officials worldwide. The operation, spearheaded by a hacking unit known as Star Blizzard, marks an evolution in cyber warfare tactics. The British National Cyber Security Centre has established direct links between Star Blizzard […]

In a significant development for the technology sector, Apple has suspended its artificial intelligence-powered news summary feature after receiving complaints from the BBC regarding inaccurate content distribution. The suspension comes as part of the tech giant’s imminent software update, following several instances of false information being disseminated under prominent news organisations’ branding. The AI service, […]

A groundbreaking clinical trial at University College London (UCL) is poising to transform the landscape of alcohol misuse treatment through the utilisation of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent psychedelic compound. The market implications for pharmaceutical companies specialising in addiction therapeutics could be substantial, as current treatment protocols demonstrate limited efficacy. The investment potential in this sector […]

The UK’s nuclear power ambitions face mounting challenges as reports reveal the projected cost of Sizewell C has doubled to £40 billion. This financial revelation, coupled with a critical report on EDF’s capability to deliver, casts serious doubts over the future of Britain’s nuclear energy strategy. The French state-backed energy giant EDF, currently constructing Hinkley […]

In a remarkable display of retail excellence, Home Bargains has shattered expectations by breaking through the £4 billion sales barrier, with pre-tax profits surging 35 per cent to £454.8 million last year. The architect of this success, Liverpool-born Tom Morris, recently drew attention by extracting a £1.2 billion dividend from the business. The triumph of […]

British Airways is poised to report remarkable financial results next month, despite ongoing customer service criticisms and IT system challenges. The carrier’s resilience is evident as passenger numbers reached 45 million in 2024, approaching its pre-pandemic peak of 47.7 million in 2019. Chief Executive Sean Doyle’s £7 billion revival strategy, launched last year, appears to […]

Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to implement a significant freeze on major railway project expenditure until after the next general election, as Britain’s rail network confronts mounting financial pressures. Industry insiders reveal that three substantial projects currently underway are expected to consume the Department for Transport’s funding allocation through to 2030. The primary […]

TikTok has begun restoring its services after President-elect Donald Trump pledged to shield companies distributing and hosting the platform from potential legal consequences stemming from a US ban that took effect on Sunday. The Chinese-owned video platform expressed gratitude towards Trump for providing essential clarity to service providers regarding penalty exemptions. The social media giant’s […]

The UK’s most prestigious universities have witnessed a dramatic surge in staff severance costs, with payments rising by more than 20% across the Russell Group institutions in 2024. This significant increase reflects deepening financial pressures within the higher education sector. Financial statements reveal that 10 of the 24 Russell Group universities implemented voluntary redundancy schemes […]

Spanish banking giant Santander is evaluating its future in the UK market, contemplating a possible exit after nearly two decades of operations following its landmark Abbey National acquisition. The strategic review, whilst in its early stages, signals growing frustrations with the performance of its British high street banking division. The bank’s concerns stem from lower […]

The cryptocurrency market witnessed unprecedented volatility as a memecoin backed by Donald Trump reached a staggering market value exceeding £14 billion over the weekend, only to experience a sharp decline following the launch of a competing coin by his wife Melania. The $TRUMP cryptocurrency, launched Friday evening, sparked controversy with critics suggesting the incoming president […]

Leading American investment banks have posted exceptional fourth-quarter profits, driven by renewed optimism in the world’s largest economy, which has catalysed deal-making and stock trading activities. JPMorgan Chase emerged as the standout performer, reporting a remarkable 50% increase in profits to $14 billion for the final quarter of 2024. This stellar performance contributed to an […]

The chief executive of Europe’s largest stock exchange operator, Euronext, has declared that the exodus of listings to the US markets is exclusively a “London problem” that does not affect continental Europe. Stéphane Boujnah emphasised on Wednesday that European markets remain robustly positioned to retain and attract listings on their primary exchanges, despite occasional US […]

British government borrowing costs experienced their sharpest decline since 2023 on Wednesday, following better-than-expected inflation figures that helped alleviate market concerns about persistent price increases. The benchmark 10-year UK government bond yield dropped by nearly 20 basis points to 4.71 per cent, marking its most significant single-day decline in approximately two years. The yield on […]

The newly appointed UK pensions minister, Torsten Bell, has historically advocated for replacing the state pension triple lock, describing it as “not a sensible mechanism” for pension increases. Bell’s appointment follows Tulip Siddiq’s resignation as City minister and Emma Reynolds’ promotion to the role. Bell, who secured his position as MP for Swansea West in […]

The commodities supercycle that transformed China into the world’s largest steel producer has reached its conclusion, marking a pivotal shift in global resource markets. Chinese steel production descended to a four-year low in 2024, with forecasts indicating further decline ahead. The impact reverberates through Wuhan, the birthplace of China’s steel industry, where traders like Xiao […]

The Bank of England might need to implement between five to six interest rate cuts over the coming year, according to a key policymaker who has voiced concerns about the UK’s stalling economy. Alan Taylor, an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee, suggests a more aggressive approach may be necessary to secure a ‘soft […]

The long-standing rivalry between aviation giants Boeing and Airbus has taken a decisive turn, with the American manufacturer experiencing a significant decline in its market position. After enduring a year plagued by setbacks and operational challenges, Boeing’s grip on its share of the global aircraft manufacturing sector has loosened considerably. The manufacturing crisis gripping Boeing […]

Recent data from Nationwide, the UK’s largest building society, reveals a significant upward trend in cash usage, marking the third consecutive year of growth. Nearly 33 million cash withdrawals were recorded from Nationwide ATMs in 2024, with notable increases observed in Chiswick, West London, and Shotton, North Wales. The Post Office reported a historic milestone, […]

In a significant shift of corporate strategy, Starbucks has announced the reversal of its 2018 open-access policy in North America, now requiring visitors to make a purchase to utilise their facilities. The global coffee giant’s new code of conduct, set to be implemented across all US and Canadian outlets, explicitly states that Starbucks spaces, including […]

The anticipated cost of constructing the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk has seen a dramatic escalation, potentially reaching £40 billion – double the initial estimates presented to the UK government in 2020. Rising construction costs, coupled with significant delays and overruns at EDF’s Hinkley Point C project in Somerset, have contributed to this […]

The low-cost fitness operator, The Gym Group, has delivered impressive financial results for the year ending December 2024, surpassing market expectations and setting the stage for accelerated expansion plans. Membership figures demonstrated remarkable resilience, with average members growing by 4% to 906,000 throughout the year. The company concluded 2024 with 891,000 members, marking a substantial […]

Games Workshop, the renowned manufacturer of Warhammer miniatures, has delivered impressive financial results with a 33 per cent increase in half-year profits, driven by the continued expansion of its fantasy figurine empire. The company’s maiden results as a FTSE 100 constituent revealed pre-tax profits of £126.8 million for the six months to December 1, 2024, […]

Britain’s largest sportswear retailer, JD Sports Fashion, has witnessed its shares tumble to a five-year low after reducing its annual profit forecast amid challenging market conditions. The company now projects profits between £915 million and £935 million, marking a significant reduction from its previous guidance of £955 million to £1.03 billion. The FTSE 100 company […]

British online grocer Ocado Retail has reported a remarkable 17.5% surge in retail revenue to £715.8 million for the 13 weeks leading to December 1, marking a significant milestone in its recovery journey. The joint venture between Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer has demonstrated robust growth, particularly during the festive season. Chief Executive Hannah […]

Luxury British retailer Fortnum & Mason has delivered impressive financial results, paying £2.6 million in dividends to its billionaire owners, the Weston family, following substantial profit and sales growth in the previous fiscal year. The prestigious department store, operating through its Wittington Investments vehicle, reported a remarkable 24 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to […]

Britain demonstrated remarkable strength in its government bond market on Tuesday, with a successful placement of £1 billion in 30-year inflation-linked gilts, despite recent market volatility. The Debt Management Office’s auction drew impressive investor interest, with bids exceeding three times the sale amount. The robust demand comes as long-term gilt yields hover near their highest […]

The tech behemoth Amazon is orchestrating a significant overhaul of its Alexa voice assistant, aiming to revolutionise the platform with advanced generative AI capabilities. The $2.4 trillion company has dedicated the past two years to reimagining Alexa’s core functionality across its 500 million device ecosystem worldwide. Rohit Prasad, heading Amazon’s artificial general intelligence (AGI) team, […]

India’s expansive information technology outsourcing sector is eyeing a potential renaissance under a second Donald Trump presidency, as the industry, which generates more than half its revenues from the US, anticipates increased customer spending driven by proposed business incentives. The $128bn annual revenue back-office and consultancy sector, spanning vast campuses across metropolitan hubs from Bengaluru […]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a groundbreaking investigation into Google’s market dominance, marking the first probe under Britain’s newly established digital markets competition regime. The watchdog aims to determine whether the tech giant’s commanding position in search services warrants special regulatory oversight. The investigation, announced on Tuesday, will scrutinise whether Alphabet-owned Google’s […]

Brussels has initiated a comprehensive review of its investigations into major technology companies, including Apple, Meta, and Google, as these US corporations appeal to president-elect Donald Trump to intervene against what they perceive as excessive European regulatory enforcement. The reassessment, which could potentially result in scaled-back or modified probe parameters, encompasses all cases launched since […]

Oil prices surged to their highest levels since August as refiners in India and China desperately sought alternative supplies following stringent new US sanctions targeting Russian oil revenues. Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed 1.9 per cent to reach $81.29 per barrel in London trading, surpassing the previous October peak of $80.93. This uptick followed […]

The three largest state-owned Chinese airlines are aggressively expanding their European routes, capitalising on their unique advantage of unrestricted access to Russian airspace. This strategic expansion comes as Western carriers retreat from Chinese routes due to mounting operational costs and airspace restrictions. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern have significantly increased their passenger capacity […]

Billions of pounds in council debt are jeopardising the most comprehensive reorganisation of local government in England for generations, senior local authority officials warn. The situation has become particularly acute in areas where councils have declared effective bankruptcy. Surrey and Essex county councils have approached central government seeking debt write-offs as they pursue ambitious restructuring […]

In a significant policy shift, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has signalled his willingness to renegotiate Emmanuel Macron’s contentious pension reforms, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. The move comes as Bayrou seeks crucial support from leftist parties to pass a deficit-reduction budget through a divided parliament. The Prime Minister’s proposal, delivered […]

The chief investment officer of one of the world’s largest charitable foundations has issued a stark warning about the private credit sector, highlighting concerns over relaxed lending standards and excessive capital inflow. Nick Moakes of the £37.6bn Wellcome Trust believes substantial losses could materialise if the US economy enters a recession. Moakes emphasised that “accidents […]

British healthcare technology firm Cera has secured a landmark $150 million funding round, propelling the company to coveted unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The fundraising effort, combining debt and equity funding, was spearheaded by US merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners alongside Schroders Capital, the private markets division of the British asset […]

The British government is weighing a groundbreaking initiative that would permit private enterprises to monetise NHS patient data, marking a significant shift in healthcare data management. Labour leader Keir Starmer unveiled plans to embrace artificial intelligence innovation, incorporating anonymised patient records to advance medical treatments, pharmaceutical developments, and diagnostic capabilities. The strategic move arrives amid […]

British pharmaceutical giant GSK has struck a significant deal worth up to $1.15 billion to acquire IDRx, a Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company, strengthening its position in the oncology sector. The FTSE 100-listed company will pay $1 billion upfront with an additional $150 million earmarked for milestone achievements. The strategic move aligns with GSK’s ambitious target to […]

Shares in Oxford Nanopore Technologies jumped 8.9 per cent today after the British gene sequencing innovator reported robust revenue growth and reaffirmed its path to profitability. The FTSE 250 company saw its shares close at 142¾p, valuing the enterprise at approximately £1.4 billion. The company’s trading update revealed full-year revenue of £183 million, marking an […]

In a significant move towards sustainable logistics, Amazon has placed orders for over 150 electric heavy goods vehicles, positioning itself to operate Britain’s largest zero-emission truck fleet. The online retail giant’s substantial investment includes more than 140 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM Electric trucks, complementing its existing fleet of nine electric tractor […]

Prominent retailers in London’s prestigious West End have issued a stark warning to the government regarding impending business rates reforms, projecting a staggering £44.5 million annual increase in property bills that could trigger widespread shop closures and significant job losses. The New West End Company, representing 600 retail establishments, hotels, and restaurants, has revealed that […]

Global markets faced renewed pressure today as oil prices climbed to their highest levels since August, intensifying worries about inflation and interest rates that have already triggered significant bond market turbulence since 2025 began. The cost of Brent crude surged 1.72 per cent to $81.13 per barrel, marking a substantial 6.4 per cent increase over […]

Insurance companies are steeling themselves for potential losses reaching £20 billion as devastating wildfires continue to tear through Los Angeles’ most exclusive neighbourhoods, according to recent analyst projections. JPMorgan analysts have revised their initial loss estimates upward, doubling their previous day’s forecast of £10 billion. The adjustment reflects the fires’ ongoing spread and limited containment […]

In a significant development highlighting the continuing impact of Brexit, Northern Ireland is poised to follow different artificial intelligence regulations compared to Britain as the European Union’s new AI law takes effect next month. This regulatory divergence emerges just as the UK government intensifies its efforts to establish itself as a global AI powerhouse. The […]

US steel giants Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor are poised to make a joint bid for US Steel, mere weeks after President Joe Biden vetoed Nippon Steel’s proposed £15bn acquisition on national security grounds. The strategic partnership sees Cleveland-Cliffs planning to acquire US Steel entirely through a cash transaction, with Nucor subsequently purchasing the target’s Big River […]

In a significant move that marks the largest biotech acquisition since 2023, Johnson & Johnson has announced its agreement to purchase neuroscience drugmaker Intra-Cellular Therapies for £14.6 billion. The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical giant will pay £132 per share, representing a premium of nearly 40 per cent above Intra-Cellular’s Friday closing price. The deal emerges as […]

In a devastating blow to investor confidence, Moderna’s shares experienced a dramatic decline of up to 22 per cent on Monday following disappointing sales forecasts from the US biotech giant. The Boston-headquartered company revised its 2024 sales projections downward to $1.5bn-$2.5bn, a significant reduction from its previous forecast of $2.5bn-$3.5bn. This adjustment fell notably below […]

Germany’s first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in over three decades has triggered international export restrictions on its meat and dairy products, delivering a significant blow to the EU’s largest economy. The outbreak, which originated in water buffalo on a farm in Brandenburg, has resulted in the country losing its foot-and-mouth disease-free status under World Organisation for […]

Western corporations operating in Russia contributed a staggering £2.8 billion in profit taxes during 2023, highlighting the continued financial ties between international businesses and Moscow despite widespread sanctions following the Ukraine invasion. The revealing data, compiled by campaign group B4Ukraine and the Kyiv School of Economics Institute, demonstrates that businesses from G7 and EU nations […]