10 h. ago Chinese economy slows as Trump tariffs bite; FTSE 100 on track to hit new record

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe owner of Kingsmill has agreed to buy its rival bakery business Hovis, in a deal that could make the biggest bread brand in the country if it gets the green light from regulators.Associated British Foods, a FTSE 100 company which also owns the retailer Primark, has agreed to buy Hovis from the private equity firm Endless.This transaction will create a UK bakeries business that is both profitable and sustainable over the long term. Supporting the Hovis and Kingsmill brands with well-invested and efficient operations will also enable innovation and growth. This solution will create value for shareholders, provide greater choice for consumers and increase efficiencies for customers.Firms may be running on existing capacity rather than building new plants The July industrial value-add breakdown tells a more nuanced story than the weak fixed asset investment headline. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago ‘No country is safe’: deadly Nordic heatwave supercharged by climate crisis, scientists say

Historically cool nations saw hospitals overheating and surge in drownings, wildfires and toxic algal bloomsThe prolonged Nordic heatwave in July was supercharged by the climate crisis and shows “no country is safe from climate change”, scientists say.Norway, Sweden and Finland have historically cool climates but were hit by soaring temperatures, including a record run of 22 days above 30C (86C) in Finland. Sweden endured 10 straight days of “tropical nights”, when temperatures did not fall below 20C (68F). Continue reading...

Events

67 h. ago US stocks hit record high as inflation holds steady at 2.7% in July

President slams Goldman Sachs as he hails data as evidence his policies are working

Economics

3 d. ago Britain's ballooning benefits bill: Universal Credit claimants hit record high of eight million people

The capital, which has the highest rate of unemployment in the UK, has more than 364,000 people claiming benefits, a 2.8% rise in the past year

Economics

3 d. ago More than 50,000 migrants have crossed Channel since Keir Starmer became PM: Asylum seeker reaches Britain's shores every 11 minutes... but minister still insists it's 'not our fault'

The milestone underscores the failure of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 's 'smash the gangs' strategy - with one migrant crossing every 11 minutes.

Politics

3 d. ago Migrant channel crossings will hit a record 50,000 since Labour took office...but 'it's not our fault' says minister

The milestone underscores the failure of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 's 'smash the gangs' strategy - with one migrant crossing every 11 minutes.

Politics

3 d. ago Universal credit claimants hit record high of eight million people

The benefit is available for people in work who are on low incomes, as well as those who are out of work or cannot work.

Events

3 d. ago Global stocks rally as Washington and Beijing signal trade talks

Japanese and Australian equities hit record highs after Donald Trump signs executive order to continue talks for 90 days

Politics

3 d. ago Europe's red alert HELL: Boy, four, dies of heatstroke in Italy as temperatures hit record highs in France and masses are evacuated in the Balkans as wildfires tear through

The four-year-old Romanian died on Monday just days after being found unconscious in the family's car in Sardinia.

Events

4 d. ago Katy Perry fined for filming music video in protected Ibiza nature reserve without permission

The Roar hit-maker has also faced disappointing record and ticket sales this year and, in June, confirmed the end of her on-off nine-year relationship with actor Orlando Bloom

Culture

5 d. ago Number of people paying dividend tax DOUBLES in two years to hit record 3.7m

Record numbers of investors are being stung by the dividend tax as they breach the reduced £500 tax-free allowance.

Economics

5 d. ago Four ways to sidestep tax on savings that'll hit a record 2.6m

Four times as many will pay tax on their hard-earned savings this year compared with 2021-22.

Economics

7 d. ago Scottish salmon survival hits record high after £1bn tech drive

Survival rates of farmed salmon in Scotland have hit record highs, driven by more than £1 billion of investment in technology and fish health.

Events

7 d. ago 90s pop icon looks unrecognisable 26 years on from release of hit record

The British singer and dancer, 48, is well-remembered for bangers as the 1999 single Viva La Radio as part of her First Album, releasing chart-topping hits as Mickey and Big Boys Don't Cry.

Events

7 d. ago US gold futures hit record high after Trump tariff blindsides global market

Unexpected levy from Trump administration could redraw trade in the metal, analysts and investors warn

Politics

1 week ago Why did Netflix's Wednesday season 2 take so long as fans fume at three

Netflix's record-breaking hit show Wednesday is finally back with its second series, but fans have been left wondering why they've had to wait for new episodes since 2022

Politics

3 w. ago Trump live updates: President claims he’s hit ‘record’ MAGA poll numbers since ‘Epstein hoax’

President Donald Trump blamed the ‘Radical Left Democrats’ for the outrage over the Epstein files

Politics

3 w. ago Lions vs Australia LIVE: First Test result, match stream and latest updates

Andy Farrell’s tourists record win over injury-hit Wallabies in series opener at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

Politics

3 w. ago Are US tariffs starting to bite? Trump, in denial over rising prices, targets Fed chief Powell

The White House is trying to drive out the Federal Reserve chair. Critics warn it would be a costly bid to pass the buckMemo from the White House: inflation is “right on track”, it declared this week, citing the latest official data. Price growth is now “very low”, according to Donald Trump. The actual statistics paint a markedly different picture.Just six months after he regained power, in part by promising to rapidly reduce prices, Trump has presided over the chaotic rollout of tariffs on an array of overseas products that many have argued risk having the exact opposite effect. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Man United top football's cocaine Hall of Shame table: Class A drug arrests hit record high in new official figures

Data has revealed there were 1,932 football-related arrests relating to matches played in England and Wales last season, representing an 11 per cent decreased from the previous campaign.

Events