59 h. ago Australian prime minister indulges in panda diplomacy a China state visit nears end

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has toured a panda breeding facility in the final stages of an extended state visit that has cast China as a fellow champion of a global fair trade system under threat from the United States

Politics

68 h. ago Reeves to pitch UK to G20 finance ministers as ‘beacon of stability’

Global uncertainty persists with the threat of US tariffs and the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine.

Politics

3 d. ago Trust in the US is eroding. Now the question isn’t if the dollar will lose supremacy: it’s when | Kenneth Mohammed

De-dollarisation is not a threat to global stability. Countries are simply questioning the rules of a game long rigged in Washington’s favourFor more than eight decades, the US dollar has reigned supreme as the world’s reserve currency – a position cemented at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 and reinforced by America’s postwar industrial power and military dominance.Today, that supremacy is facing growing resistance from multiple directions – from African revolutionary movements to economic recalibrations in Europe, and from the counterbalance efforts of Brics nations to the geopolitical entanglements of Ukraine and Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago The disturbing world of child brides: Shocking images show girls young enough to be in pre

There are today more than 650 million women suffering the direct consequences of child marriage. Global instability - war and poverty - threatens to increase this.

Events

2 w. ago Hitachi Energy warns AI power spikes threaten to destabilise global supply

Head of the world’s biggest transformer maker calls for rules to alert utilities to the wild fluctuations in data centre demand

Events

2 w. ago Hitachi Energy says AI power spikes threaten to destabilise global supply

Head of the world’s biggest transformer maker calls for rules to alert utilities to the wild fluctuations in data centre demand

Events

3 w. ago It’s also a ‘new era’ for share prices in the defence sector

Nato’s spending splurge has made Babcock hot – a sign fundamental change in dull income defence stocks is happening It’s a miracle. Babcock International, the defence contractor with a specialism in kitting out the UK’s nuclear submarines, has emerged from the depths. After about half a decade in which the story was mostly about cost overruns, acquisition indigestion, accounting woes, pension deficits and too much debt, Babcock is suddenly back in the FTSE 100 index and is a hot stock. The share price has more than doubled this year.Of course it’s not really a miracle because the performance is easily explained. A fix-the-basics strategy was started in 2020 under ex-Cobham boss David Lockwood and has worked. The last of the badly performing major contracts – to build first-of-a-kind Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy – is no longer spitting out provisions. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Tesla’s EU sales slump continues; China’s premier warns global trade tensions ‘intensifying’ – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares in UK defence Babcock have surged 13% at the start of trading, after it upgraded its medium-term forecasts and hailed a ‘new era’ for defence (see earlier post).After several turbulent sessions, the financial markets seem calm this morning, as the Israel-Iran ceasefire holds.‘’Optimism about the fragile ceasefire holding between Iran and Israel has bubbled through markets, lifting equities, but more doubts are now creeping in about the truce holding.Wall Street rose in a relief wave, pushing the S&P 500 close to record highs. Sentiment has held up in Asia and European indices largely look set for a positive start to trading. Nevertheless, a little more uncertainty is seeping in. A leaked report from US Intelligence casting doubt on the effectiveness of the US strikes in crippling Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, has led to some worries that military action could resume. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Babcock hails ‘new era of defence’ as global threats prompt greater spending

The London-listed company reported higher profits and raised its financial outlook.

Events

3 w. ago Number of Brits who see US as a global threat doubles since Donald Trump came to power

President’s first few months in office have left fears about the US’ global role at an ‘all time high’ and rivalling China, Israel and North Korea

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer makes major UK defence announcement as Middle East crisis spirals

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would meet this 'era of radical uncertainty' by pouring cash into defence and security as he jets to the NATO summit in the Hague

Events

3 w. ago The strait of Hormuz: how could Iran close it and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Oil prices surge as Iran maintains threat to close global shipping route after Trump bombed its nuclear facilities

Brent crude futures were up $1.52 or 1.97 per cent to $78.53 a barrel as of 6am UK time. US West Texas Intermediate crude advanced $1.51 or 2.04 per cent to $75.35.

Events

3 w. ago The strait of Hormuz: what is it, and why does it matter to global trade?

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to close the vital global trade route, through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through dailyTrump floats regime change in Iran – follow it livePresident Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites has deepened fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Joining Israel in the biggest western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution, the world is now bracing for Iran’s response. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities is Trump’s biggest gamble yet as president

Much could go wrong for the US and the Middle East as Trump and Netanyahu pursue the disempowerment of Iran Middle East crisis – latest updatesDonald Trump, a self-confessed risk-taker, has taken the greatest gamble – not just with his political reputation and the future of the Middle East, but arguably with the whole concept of military intervention as a way to solve intractable geopolitical problems.If the US president succeeds – and there will be many rival interpretations and metrics of success in the weeks ahead – it is possible he will have disempowered Iran, and diminished the global influence of a regime that has for 40 years sponsored threats against the west. In the process his personal authority will have been enhanced, and his next three years in office will be a triumph that may exacerbate some of his worst authoritarian and impulsive traits. Continue reading...

Politics