Premium mixer manufacturer Fevertree has announced a groundbreaking partnership with American beverage giant Molson Coors, marking a significant shift in its US market strategy. The deal, valued at £71 million, will see Molson Coors acquire an 8.5 per cent stake in the British tonic maker at 654.2p per share. The exclusive licence agreement encompasses sales, […]

The financial performance of Comcast, the American parent company of Sky, has soared following the remarkable success of its musical adaptation ‘Wicked’. The media and telecommunications giant reported a significant 7% increase in studio division revenues, reaching £2.57 billion in Q4 2024. The theatrical release of ‘Wicked’, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, shattered box […]

Royal Mail is set to axe Saturday second-class letter deliveries and implement an alternate weekday service under proposals put forward by the postal regulator, Ofcom. The changes aim to make the universal postal service more sustainable while preserving key elements that matter most to customers. First-class deliveries will continue six days a week, while the […]

A judge has overturned government consent for the development of two significant North Sea oil and gas projects, casting uncertainty over future operations within the region. The ruling by Lord Ericht at the Court of Session in Edinburgh declared that the approvals for Shell’s Jackdaw gas field and Equinor’s Rosebank oil field were unlawful, as […]

In the shadow of a decommissioned nuclear power station, a former coal-handling port in North Ayrshire is set to host a £2 billion factory producing thousands of kilometres of subsea cable for transmitting renewable energy. Located in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, the regeneration project is a test of the nation’s ability to foster […]

Ministers have unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at tightening controls on rogue university course operators in England who exploit the student loan system through poor-quality teaching and fraudulent practices. The Department for Education’s proposed measures will require course operators with more than 300 students to register with the Office for Students, subjecting them to rigorous quality […]

Deutsche Bank’s profits have experienced a dramatic 92 per cent decline in the last quarter, prompting Chief Executive Christian Sewing to announce a comprehensive review of the bank’s operations where “nothing is off limits”. The German banking giant’s net profit fell to €106 million, significantly below analysts’ expectations of €380 million. The sharp decline in […]

In a significant market development, Microsoft witnessed a staggering £200 billion erosion in market capitalisation after its cloud division reported growth figures below Wall Street’s projections, highlighting the tech giant’s challenges in meeting the surging demand for AI-related services. The Seattle-based technology powerhouse exceeded analyst expectations for overall revenue and net income in the December […]

Homebase, the renowned DIY and garden retailer, collapsed into administration in November, leaving unsecured creditors facing losses amounting to more than £650 million. Recent filings with Companies House reveal the full extent of the company’s liabilities as administrators attempt to unravel the business’s financial dealings. Among the creditors impacted are prominent suppliers such as AO […]

Donald Trump’s ambitious plan for a comprehensive missile defence shield, incorporating space-based laser technology, has sparked intense debate among defence experts and raised concerns about global nuclear stability. The programme, which Trump dubbed the “Iron Dome for America,” draws parallels to Ronald Reagan’s Star Wars initiative from 1983 but aims to achieve far more sophisticated […]

Gold prices reached an unprecedented high on Thursday, climbing to $2,798 per troy ounce as investors grow increasingly anxious about potential US tariffs and an unusual market dynamic between London and New York. The precious metal’s benchmark price has surged 7 per cent this year, driven by traders seeking protection against possible shifts in US […]

A significant political upheaval has rocked Norway as its coalition government collapsed today following intense disagreements over the implementation of EU energy directives. The departure of the Eurosceptic Centre party from the governing alliance has left Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s Labour party to govern independently until the scheduled September elections. The crisis emerged when […]

Dowlais, the British car parts specialist, has struck a significant deal with American Axle & Manufacturing, valued at £1.2 billion, marking yet another UK public company attracting interest from across the Atlantic. The cash-and-stock offer, which values Dowlais shares at 85.2p each, represents a 25 per cent premium on Tuesday’s closing price. The proposed merger […]

Sizewell B, Britain’s youngest nuclear power station, stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to low-carbon energy production. The facility, situated on the Suffolk coast, has been a cornerstone of the UK’s nuclear fleet since its commissioning in 1995, generating approximately 1,198 megawatts of electricity and meeting roughly 3% of the United Kingdom’s total […]

Boeing has recorded its second-largest annual loss as the American aircraft manufacturer struggled with an escalating safety crisis and prolonged industrial action that brought 737 Max production to a standstill. The manufacturing giant posted a staggering fourth-quarter loss of $3.86 billion, pushing its annual losses to $11.8 billion – the highest figure since the pandemic-stricken […]

Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, has unveiled her support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, marking a significant shift in the government’s approach to infrastructure and economic growth. The announcement, delivered during a pivotal speech at Siemens’ Oxfordshire facility, positions the expansion as crucial to establishing Britain as “the world’s best-connected place to do […]

The British government is exploring a novel approach to stimulate electric vehicle (EV) sales through subsidised consumer loans. Ministers have initiated discussions with automotive finance providers to expand access to low-interest and interest-free lending options, potentially underwriting private loans to bridge the cost gap between EVs and traditional vehicles. This strategic move comes as the […]

A significant milestone in commercial aviation occurred yesterday as Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 prototype successfully broke the sound barrier during a test flight over the Mojave desert in California, marking the first commercial venture to achieve supersonic speeds since Concorde’s retirement. The test flight witnessed the XB-1 demonstrator reaching Mach 1.1, approximately 845 mph (1,360 km/h), […]

In a significant strategic pivot, Asda has announced the termination of its Aldi and Lidl price-match scheme merely twelve months after its introduction. The decision marks a crucial turning point for Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket chain as it grapples with declining market share and mounting operational costs. The move represents one of the boldest initiatives by […]

In an unprecedented development within the commercial space sector, former US President Donald Trump has intervened in what he perceives as a critical space operations crisis, requesting Elon Musk’s SpaceX to orchestrate the return of two allegedly ‘stranded’ astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), despite existing protocols and arrangements already in place. The market […]

Major water suppliers have reached a significant financing agreement with industry watchdog Ofwat, leading to substantial bill increases for millions of households over the next five years. Pennon Group, which owns South West Water, has announced plans to raise £490 million through a shareholder rights issue. The move comes as part of a settlement that […]

The chief executive of Morrisons has attributed a deceleration in Christmas period sales to a cyber attack that impacted product availability and necessitated price reductions on various items. Rami Baitiéh, who leads Britain’s fifth-largest supermarket chain, described the November ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, their supply chain management software provider, as a temporary setback in […]

Negotiations between the UK and the European Union for a security pact have hit a significant roadblock as France and other member states insist on linking the agreement to fishing rights and youth mobility schemes. The developments have emerged just as Sir Keir Starmer prepares for a historic meeting with EU leaders in Brussels. British […]

Former US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social is broadening its horizons beyond social media with the introduction of a new financial services venture. The company has unveiled plans to invest up to £250 million in cryptocurrency and other assets through its latest initiative, Truth.Fi. Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), where the former president maintains […]

A significant surge in gold movements to the United States has triggered a severe shortage of bullion in London, as traders build an enormous $82bn stockpile in New York amid growing concerns over potential Trump administration tariffs. The Bank of England’s vaults are experiencing unprecedented delays, with withdrawal times extending from the usual few days […]

In an embarrassing turn of events, Virgin Money’s AI-powered chatbot has publicly scolded a customer for using the word “virgin” in their query, highlighting the potential risks of deploying external artificial intelligence tools in customer service. The incident came to light when fintech commentator and Virgin Money customer David Birch shared his experience on LinkedIn. […]

Britain’s largest high-street bank, Lloyds Banking Group, has unveiled plans to shutter 136 branches across its network as part of its ongoing digitalisation strategy. The closure programme encompasses 61 Lloyds branches, 61 Halifax locations and 14 Bank of Scotland sites, with all closures scheduled between May 2024 and March 2026. The banking giant has committed […]

In a significant development within the artificial intelligence sector, OpenAI has announced it has discovered evidence suggesting Chinese AI startup DeepSeek employed OpenAI’s proprietary models to train its own open-source competitor, raising serious intellectual property concerns. The San Francisco-based ChatGPT creator revealed it had witnessed instances of “distillation”, a technique where developers extract performance capabilities […]

In a significant move towards revolutionising the e-commerce delivery landscape, Amazon is seeking regulatory approval to launch its drone delivery service from its Darlington warehouse in County Durham. The technology giant’s ambitious plans include establishing a dedicated team for same-day drone deliveries under its Prime Air service, pending clearance from both the Civil Aviation Authority […]

The emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence platform, has catalysed significant disruption in global technology markets, prompting a staggering $1 trillion decline in US tech stock valuations. The platform’s rapid ascent to becoming the most downloaded free application in both the UK and US markets has triggered widespread concern amongst cybersecurity experts and market […]

The price of oil has climbed sharply following America’s implementation of broader sanctions on Russian supplies, reaching its highest level in three months. The Biden administration’s latest sanctions, targeting major Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, alongside 183 tankers servicing India and China, have sent ripples through global energy markets. Brent crude, the international […]

British institutional investors are poised to significantly increase their UK investments if the government takes more decisive action to mitigate climate change risks, according to a revealing new survey by think tank E3G. The comprehensive study, which gathered data from 100 companies, uncovered that 82 per cent of UK-based institutional investors harbour serious concerns about […]

Britain’s competition watchdog has initiated new investigations into Apple and Google’s dominance of mobile internet services, marking a significant development in the regulation of tech giants’ market control. The Competition and Markets Authority’s move comes amid political turbulence, with the recent forced departure of its chairman Marcus Bokkerink, replaced by former Amazon UK executive Doug […]

Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia has finalised its acquisition of the troubled British shipyard Harland & Wolff, safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs across the UK. The landmark deal encompasses four strategic sites in Belfast, Methil, Arnish, and Appledore, marking a crucial turning point for the historic shipbuilder’s future. The rescue comes after Harland & Wolff, renowned […]

The UK’s largest pet retailer has held steady on its full-year profit guidance, despite experiencing sluggish trading over the festive period amidst challenging consumer conditions. Pets at Home reported group revenue of £361.6 million for the 12-week period ending 2 January, marking a 0.2 per cent decline compared to the previous year. The company’s retail […]

British engineering giant Smiths Group has fallen victim to a widespread cyber security breach, sending shockwaves through the FTSE 100. The company’s admission of unauthorised system access across its global operations has rattled investors, causing shares to decline 2 per cent to £18.46 during morning trading. The mini-conglomerate, headquartered in London, revealed it has implemented […]

The travel food and beverage giant SSP Group has delivered impressive first-quarter sales growth, bolstered by heightened global travel activity and strategic acquisitions. The operator of renowned outlets including Upper Crust and Caffè Ritazza witnessed a 6 per cent rise in like-for-like sales during the quarter ending December. Operating across 37 countries with approximately 3,000 […]

In a significant shift for the UK property market, rental prices outside London have decreased for the first time since 2019, marking a potential turning point for tenants struggling with rising living costs. The average advertised rental cost outside the capital fell by £3 (0.2 per cent) to £1,341 per month, according to data from […]

British retail prices experienced a notable decline this month, driven by substantial discounting in furniture and fashion sectors, though the overall rate of price decreases has begun to moderate. Shop prices fell by 0.7 per cent year-on-year in January, showing a less pronounced drop compared to December’s 1 per cent decline, according to joint data […]

British care homes witnessed unprecedented transaction levels in 2024, with American investors leading the charge in one of the few property sectors still delivering robust rental growth. Data from property specialist Cushman & Wakefield reveals transactions reached £3.1 billion, marking a historic high for the sector. The surge in investment activity was predominantly driven by […]

British businesses are preparing for a substantial decline in trading activities over the coming months, with potentially severe implications for employment and the government’s economic growth ambitions. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has revealed widespread pessimism across the private sector, with their latest growth indicator survey showing that a net 22 per cent of […]

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is poised to make history as the first British Prime Minister since Brexit to attend a European Council meeting, whilst simultaneously pursuing an ambitious plan to reconnect British and EU emission trading schemes. The groundbreaking initiative comes as Starmer prepares for a crucial informal gathering in Brussels focused on defence […]

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s political strategy, centred on maintaining cordial relations with Moscow and securing affordable Russian gas imports, has encountered significant obstacles. The populist leader now confronts mounting opposition as his pro-Kremlin stance increasingly alienates both domestic constituents and European allies. Mass demonstrations erupted across Slovakia this weekend, with approximately 100,000 citizens flooding […]

In a significant move to boost the British economy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce plans enabling businesses to access substantial surpluses held in corporate defined-benefit pension schemes. The initiative aims to unlock a portion of the £160 billion currently held in surplus funds, marking a strategic shift in pension fund management. […]

Sky News has revealed comprehensive plans to transform its operations, focusing on premium paid content as a strategic move to combat the declining viewership of traditional television. The announcement, made by Executive Chair David Rhodes, outlines a transformative strategy named ‘Sky News 2030’ that will reshape the broadcaster’s digital services over the next five years. […]

London-focused estate agent Foxtons has reported its most robust pipeline of agreed home sales since the pre-Brexit era, driven by first-time buyers rushing to complete transactions before impending stamp duty modifications. The company’s shares climbed 6 per cent on Tuesday following the announcement. The estate agent revealed that the looming April stamp duty deadline catalysed […]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has determined that Microsoft is leveraging its software dominance to impede competition in the £9bn UK cloud services market, declaring that market competition “is not working” effectively. An independent panel commissioned by the CMA revealed on Tuesday that reduced competition in cloud services has resulted in elevated costs, diminished […]

Fresh projections from the Office for National Statistics reveal the UK’s population is on course to expand by approximately 5 million, reaching 72.5 million by 2032, primarily driven by increased international migration figures. The demographic shift represents a 7.3 per cent growth over the decade, expanding from the current 67.6 million inhabitants. Net migration emerges […]

Heathrow Airport’s management is set to revive its controversial third runway expansion plans, contingent upon anticipated government backing this week. The project, poised to become one of Britain’s most significant private infrastructure developments, faces mounting challenges beyond political opposition. The airport’s leadership, under Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye, stands ready to capitalise on a fresh window […]

Japanese markets witnessed a continued decline on Tuesday as technology stocks endured a second day of heavy selling, triggered by the dramatic overnight plunge in Nvidia’s share price. The US chipmaker saw an unprecedented $589 billion market value erosion on Monday, as markets reacted to perceived threats from Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek. The tech-heavy Nikkei […]

A groundbreaking claim by Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek has triggered a massive $600 billion decline in Nvidia’s market value, marking the largest single-day drop in the company’s history. The announcement has sent shockwaves through Wall Street, challenging the prevailing narrative of sustained AI spending and US technological supremacy. DeepSeek’s revelation of developing a highly […]

The global artificial intelligence landscape experienced a seismic shift as Chinese start-up DeepSeek’s recent achievements have prompted OpenAI’s chief executive Sam Altman to pledge accelerated product releases and superior models. The development has sent ripples through the technology sector, challenging Silicon Valley’s perceived dominance in AI innovation. DeepSeek’s chatbot, rivalling ChatGPT, has demonstrated capabilities matching […]

British suppliers to Harland and Wolff are facing potential losses amounting to millions of pounds as the historic shipbuilder transitions to Spanish ownership under Navantia. The situation has triggered significant concerns about the future of UK supply chains and the possibility of their replacement by European contractors. The 164-year-old shipbuilding company, renowned for constructing the […]

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, Europe’s most valuable listed company, has received a stern reprimand from the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) for systematically failing to disclose healthcare sector payments spanning seven years. The maker of weight-loss drug Wegovy was found to have misreported, under-reported, or completely omitted funding disbursed to pharmacy firms, […]

The British supermarket landscape is witnessing an intensifying battle between two retail giants, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer (M&S), as they vie for the coveted middle-class consumer base. Recent market data reveals M&S has increased its grocery market share from 3.76% to 4.03% year-on-year, whilst Waitrose experienced a decline from 4.02% to 3.91%. Waitrose has […]

The FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo has firmly rejected rumours surrounding the potential sale of its iconic Guinness brand, putting an end to widespread market speculation that had driven its shares up by more than 4% last Friday. The company issued a decisive statement on Sunday, categorically denying intentions to divest either the Guinness brand […]

The surging popularity of weight-loss medications is creating unprecedented ripples across the alcohol industry, with major beverage companies facing potential long-term revenue challenges. Investment heavyweight Terry Smith’s recent divestment from Diageo, citing concerns over weight-loss drugs’ impact on alcohol consumption, has sparked serious discussions about the sector’s future prospects. Market analysts project the weight-loss drug […]

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has levelled serious accusations against Eurostar, claiming the rail operator is deliberately obstructing competition on cross-Channel services. The dispute centres on access to the crucial Temple Mills depot in east London, the sole UK facility capable of housing and maintaining high-speed cross-Channel trains. The controversy echoes the infamous ‘dirty tricks’ […]

In a remarkable development for the UK’s public finances, a substantial cryptocurrency seizure valued at £5 billion could potentially help address the nation’s fiscal challenges. The digital currency haul, currently held in government accounts, originated from the criminal activities of Jian Wen, a former Chinese takeaway worker implicated in a £7 billion cryptocurrency fraud scheme. […]

The United Arab Emirates’ state-owned nuclear company is positioning itself for a significant international expansion, with particular focus on the burgeoning US market driven by artificial intelligence energy demands. Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (Enec), established in 2009, has rapidly emerged as a formidable player in the global nuclear sector. The company’s crowning achievement lies in […]

Japanese investors have embarked on a significant selloff of Eurozone government debt, reaching the most aggressive pace in over a decade. The net sales surged to €41bn in the six months leading to November, according to data from Japan’s finance ministry and the Bank of Japan, analysed by Goldman Sachs. The massive disposal of European […]

Leading figures in artificial intelligence engaged in heated debates over the technology’s dangers at the World Economic Forum this week, amid discussions of a massive £500 billion AI infrastructure project endorsed by Donald Trump. AI pioneers, including Google DeepFinds Sir Demis Hassabis and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, voiced serious concerns about AI threats as commercial interests […]

In a bold move to stimulate the UK economy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is exploring plans to unlock approximately £100 billion from Britain’s £1.2 trillion defined benefit pension system. The government’s initiative aims to grant companies access to scheme surpluses, encouraging investment in higher-risk assets that could potentially drive economic growth. Sources close to the Treasury […]

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, […]