14 h. ago Abortion rates reach record high, with experts blaming cost of living crisis forcing women to terminate pregnancies

The percentage of conceptions ending in a legal abortion in England and Wales rose to a record amount in 2022 with just over 40 per cent of pregnancies ending in termination in some areas.

Events

17 h. ago Abortion rate hits record high with three in 10 pregnancies ending in termination

There were 247,703 conceptions leading to a legal abortion in 2022, a 13.1% rise on the 218,923 recorded in 2021, the ONS said.

Events

17 h. ago Number of abortions in England and Wales hit record high in 2022

Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal terminations, ONS figures show, as provider says women struggling to access contraceptionThe number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high in 2022, with a leading provider stating that women are facing “significant barriers” in access to contraception.Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal abortions in the two nations in 2022, up from about two in 10 a decade earlier, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Apple's new MacBook Air hits record low price in £150 off Amazon Prime Day deal

Amazon's Prime Day sale has seen the latest MacBook Air slashed to its cheapest price ever, beating retailers including Apple, Argos and Very

Economics

20 h. ago Bank of England says UK banks can increase riskier mortgage lending – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as BoE recommends banks can issue more high loan-to-income level loansCopper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariffTrump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff ratesCarsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, says the copper tariffs will be inflationary domestically in the US and deflationary internationally – which matches the price action we’ve seen since last night.Menke also points out that the jump in US copper prices (13% yesterday) is less than the 50% tariff, implying traders expect some imports will be exempt, saying:President Trump announced the imposition of 50% import tariffs at a cabinet meeting yesterday. While US-traded futures jumped on the news, the price differential is well below the tariff level, pointing to expectations of exemptions for key suppliers or expectations of different demand dynamics.As already mentioned, we remain of the con...

Economics

22 h. ago Copper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariff

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economyBusiness live – latest updatesCopper prices hit a record high in the US after Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on the industrial metal, in the latest escalation in his trade war.Trump said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “Today we’re doing copper,” proposing a 50% tariff rate for imports. He also threatened to impose a 200% border tax on pharmaceuticals but in a year or year and a half’s time. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago NATO scrambles warplanes as Putin launches attack near European country's border

Vladimir Putin's forces hit Ukraine with 741 missiles and kamikaze drones in a record for the three-year conflict, triggering an emergency response from NATO forces

Events

23 h. ago Business news live: Housebuilders pay £100m after investigation and copper hits record price on tariff threat

Stock markets updates and business news from Wednesday

Economics

62 h. ago Number of first time home buyers hits record low as rentals take over US housing market

The number of renter households in the U.S. has ballooned to a record 46 million

Society

68 h. ago South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder hits 367 and declares 33 runs short of Lara’s Test record

Stand-in captain hits unbeaten score in ZimbabweBrian Lara hit 400 not out against England in 2004South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe before the stand-in captain remarkably declared 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s Test record.In his first match as South Africa captain in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Mulder reached the stunning total – the highest by a player in his first Test innings as captain – as he arrived at lunch with the team on 626 for five. Continue reading...

Events

68 h. ago South Africa’s Mulder hits 367 and declares 33 runs short of ‘legend’ Lara’s record

Stand-in captain hits unbeaten score in ZimbabweLara keeping record 401 ‘is the way it should be’South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe before the stand-in captain remarkably declared 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s Test record.In his first match as South Africa captain in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Mulder reached the stunning total – the highest by a player in his first Test innings as captain – as he arrived at lunch with the team on 626 for five. Continue reading...

Events

68 h. ago South Africa’s Mulder declares on 367 and says ‘legend’ Lara should keep Test record

Stand-in captain hits unbeaten score in ZimbabweLara keeping record 401 ‘is the way it should be’South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe before the stand-in captain remarkably declared 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s Test record.In his first match as South Africa captain in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Mulder reached the stunning total – the highest by a player in his first Test innings as captain – as he arrived at lunch with the team on 626 for five. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Asian shares mostly higher after US stocks hit another record as Tesla and Nike rally

Asian shares are mostly trading higher after U.S. stocks hit another record

Events

7 d. ago Apple AirTag hits record low price in Amazon Prime Day sale so you never lose your bags again

Apple's AirTag, which can be attached to luggage, is currently on sale at Amazon for its lowest ever price

Economics

7 d. ago Financial gripes ‘have reached highest level since PPI scandal aftermath’

Fraud and scam complaints have hit a record level, the Financial Ombudsman Service said.

Politics

8 d. ago European junk bond sales hit record as investors cut US exposure

June issuance of about €23bn beats previous high four years ago as companies take advantage of lower borrowing costs

Economics

8 d. ago Mediterranean Sea hits record 30C as marine heatwave puts species at risk

Sea surface more than 5C above average, says Copernicus – endangering marine life as Europe swelters under record early summer temperatures

Events

8 d. ago Rare 'roll clouds' spotted over Portuguese beaches as heatwave sweeps Europe

Wild weather is hitting various parts of Europe during the current record-breaking heatwave.

Society

8 d. ago Small boat crossings hit record high in another blow for Starmer

The record figures come just days before the prime minister celebrates his first anniversary in No 10

Events

8 d. ago Starmer boasts of 'real sense of pride' at marking first year in power... as he faces biggest Labour revolt yet, Channel boats hit grim new record, and taxes are set to rise AGAIN

Keir Starmer 'reflected' on the looming anniversary of his July 4 election landslide as he gathered Cabinet.

Economics