76 m. ago London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist

London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist  KITCO

Events

85 m. ago Netanyahu stuns Israelis by describing ‘personal cost’ of postponing son’s wedding

Israeli prime minister prompts furious backlash for remarks in front of missile-struck hospital at height of Iran conflict Middle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu has evoked the spirit of London during the blitz, and pointed to his own family’s sacrifice amid the blood, toil, tears and sweat of his nation: the second postponement of his son’s wedding.The Israeli prime minister’s remarks, solemnly delivered to the cameras against the backdrop of a missile-struck hospital building in the southern city of Be’er Sheva, set off a howl of derision that echoed around the Hebrew-language internet, at the height of a war that Netanyahu unleashed on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

89 m. ago Trump denies report that he has approved US attack plans against Iran

US president says Wall Street Journal ‘has no idea’ what his thoughts are on Israel-Iran conflictMiddle East crisis – liveDonald Trump has denied a report in the Wall Street Journal that he has approved US plans to attack Iran, saying that the news outlet has “no idea” what his thinking is concerning the Israel-Iran conflictThe Journal reported late on Wednesday that Trump told senior aides a day earlier that he had approved attack plans but was delaying on giving the final order to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program. The report cited three anonymous officials. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Stocks dip as Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged

The FTSE 100 index closed down 51.67 points, 0.6%, at 8,791.80.

Politics

2 h. ago Voices: Don’t panic, chancellor – there’s still hope for interest rate cuts

Forget homeowners with tracker mortgages or those desperate for a better deal – the person who’s hurting the most from the Bank of England’s decision not to lower interest rates is Rachel Reeves, says James Moore

Politics

3 h. ago Interest rates UK: Bank of England move today could make a mortgage more costly

The rate decision offers little relief as bills stay high and pressure on households grows 💸

Economics

4 h. ago What are the legal issues around Britain helping Trump bomb Iran?

Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to back the US and – as a lawyer – will be aware of the legal landscapeMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer considers whether Britain should support the US if Donald Trump decides to bomb Iran, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly warned him that UK involvement could be illegal. The prime minister was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war when he was a human rights lawyer in 2003 and will be well aware of the thorny legal issues around engagement in strikes against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Ministers urged to publish legal advice on UK involvement in Israel

Calls follow news that attorney general advised government to limit its involvement to defending alliesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesMinisters are facing calls to publish legal advice given to the government on Israel’s war against Iran after reports emerged that the attorney general had warned that any UK involvement beyond defensive support would be illegal.Richard Hermer, the government’s most senior legal officer, is said to have raised concerns internally about the legality of joining a bombing campaign against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Juventus star breaks ranks and speaks out on awkward Donald Trump visit

Juventus players were invited to the Oval Office for a meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday, with the US president proceeding to discuss the Civil War and the escalating crisis in the Middle East

Politics

6 h. ago Savers warned ‘loyalty does not pay’ as Bank of England base rate held at 4.25%

Average savings rates have been on a downward path in recent weeks, but some providers have unveiled new products.

Events

6 h. ago Interest rates: Hold for now but cheaper mortgages could be just weeks away

“You only have to look at recent moves in the mortgage market to see how tough the banks are finding it to price their deals right now”

Politics

6 h. ago What the latest interest rates mean for your mortgage, savings and bills

The base rate has been held by the Bank of England at 4.25 per cent

Economics

6 h. ago Interest rates – live: Bank of England holds rate amid oil and inflation concerns

Rate remains at 4.25 per cent as experts look to balance higher inflation with economic growth

Economics

6 h. ago Interest rates held at 4.25% but with three votes for a cut: What it means for your mortgage and savings

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.25% as it continues to tread carefully amid fears of resurgent inflation.

Politics

6 h. ago Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25% amid fears Middle East crisis and rising food inflation could increase cost

Most economists had predicted that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) would opt to keep interest rates on hold at 4.25 per cent following its latest meeting.

Economics

6 h. ago UK interest rates kept on hold with Bank alert to ‘highly unpredictable’ world

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep rates unchanged at 4.25%.

Events

7 h. ago Tories warn Starmer not to 'hide' behind legal advice amid claims Attorney General has been 'restraining' UK from backing Israel

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel urged the PM to take the right decision for 'national security' as the Middle East crisis threatens to escalate.

Events

8 h. ago UK's central bank set to keep interest rates on hold amid Middle East uncertainties

The Bank of England is set to keep interest rates on hold as fears grow that the conflict between Israel and Iran will escalate to involve the United States and send oil prices soaring and push U.K. inflation further above target

Politics

9 h. ago Brits face wait for interest rates relief with Bank of England poised to hold amid anxiety over Middle East crisis and 'sticky' inflation

The Monetary Policy Committee looks set to keep the base rate at 4.25 per cent when the latest decision is announced at noon.

Economics

9 h. ago UK interest rates expected to remain on hold; rate cuts in Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines – business live

Central bankers warn that trade war worries, and conflict in the Middle East, could hurt growthNewsflash: We have a third interest rate cut this morning!Norway’s central bank has surprised analysts by cutting its policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 4.25%. The rate had been set at 4.5% since December 2023.“Inflation has declined since the monetary policy meeting in March, and the inflation outlook for the coming year indicates lower inflation than previously expected.A cautious normalisation of the policy rate will pave the way for inflation to return to target without restricting the economy more than necessary.”“The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook is now greater than normal. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may be adjusted. But our objectives stand firm. We will finish the job and ensure that inflation is brought all the way back to 2 percent.”The Monetary Board also noted indications of a deceleratio...

Politics