87 minutes ago Why is Germany shooting its own stagnating economy in the foot? | Simon Nixon

A proposed Italian-German bank merger makes sense for Europe, but Berlin is opting for domestic protectionismA potential merger between a German bank and an Italian rival would not normally elicit much interest beyond the business pages. But these are not normal times. The Italian bank UniCredit recently provoked a political backlash in Germany by acquiring a 21% stake in the German lender Commerzbank. Even chancellor Olaf Scholz weighed in, calling the Italian move “an unfriendly attack”. The significance of this row runs far beyond the worlds of Italian and German finance.News of the acquisition came just weeks after the publication of a report by Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank, on how to address the EU’s declining competitiveness against the US and Ch...

Events

1 hour ago Middle East crisis live: US stealth bombers strike Houthi targets in Yemen

Pentagon says US air force used long-range B-2 stealth bombers to target ‘five hardened underground weapons storage locations’ of Iran-backed Houthis See all our Middle East coverageA brief update on the Israeli strikes on Syrian coastal city Latakia (see earlier post here).Two people were injured and there was some damage to private properties, Syrian state media reported citing a military statement. Continue reading...

Events

2 hours ago Negative stereotypes in international media cost Africa £3.2bn a year – report

Focus on conflict, corruption and poverty heightens perception of risk, raising interest on sovereign debt, authors sayAfrica loses up to £3.2bn yearly in inflated interest payments on sovereign debt due to persistent negative stereotypes that dominate international media coverage of the continent, according to a new report.Research by consultants Africa Practice and the advocacy non-profit Africa No Filter suggests that media portrayals, especially during elections when global coverage is heightened, focus disproportionately on conflict, corruption, poverty, disease and poor leadership, widening disparities between perceived and actual risks of investing in the continent, and creating a monolithic view of Africa. Continue reading...

Economics

3 hours ago Hurricanes Milton and Helene set to join the ranks of most costly storms

Experts in economics, insurance and risk say both hurricanes are likely to be in the pantheon of super-costly $50 billion disasters

Events

3 hours ago Storing milk in the fridge door could be putting you at risk, expert warns. Here's where it should go instead

Expert reveals exactly where you should be storing milk in your fridge - and it isn't the door.

Events

4 hours ago Middle East crisis live: US military strikes Houthi targets in Yemen – Pentagon

US air force used B-2 bombers to target ‘five hardened underground weapons storage locations’ of Iran-backed Houthis, Pentagon saysThe US military has struck Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the Pentagon says.US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the US military, including air force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.Today, U.S. military forces, including US air force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.US forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to targ...

Events

4 hours ago 'I'm a cleaning expert and you can get rid of window condensation with this 69p hack'

Prevent condensation forming on your windowsills and reduce your risk of black mould growing in your bathroom with this genius hack from TV cleaning guru Lynsey Crombie

Politics

8 hours ago Zeta drug lord continued to control cartel from inside a Mexican prison, says US indictment

A U.S. indictment unsealed in the District of Columbia claims that the leader of one of Mexico's most violent gangs continued to control an offshoot group, the Northeast Cartel, from inside a Mexican prison

Events

8 hours ago Landlords call for Budget tax breaks to boost supply and control rents

Organisations representing the private rental sector said landlords are facing uncertainty ‘on a number of fronts’ as demand grows.

Economics

8 hours ago Judge dismisses lawsuit over old abortion rights ruling in Mississippi

A Mississippi judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged a potential conflict between a 2022 state law that bans most abortions and a 1998 state Supreme Court ruling that said abortion is guaranteed in the Mississippi Constitution

Events