17 h. ago Washington's struggling economy takes another economic hit from the government shutdown

Washington's local economy has taken blows from a series of actions by the Trump administration, from the layoffs of federal workers to the ongoing law enforcement intervention with the National Guard

Events

17 h. ago Businesses worldwide brace for extra Trump tariffs on steel imports

Commerce department expected to add about 700 more items with steel content to levy list at request of US firmsBusinesses around the world are steeling themselves for another round of Donald Trump’s tariffs, this time on goods ranging from bicycles to baking trays, as US industry embraces a call for more products to tax on import.Small, medium and large American companies have asked the US Department of Commerce to add about 700 more items to an August list of 407 products already facing extra tariffs because of their steel content, which hit items such as Ikea tables with metal nuts and bolts and German combine harvesters. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago IKEA profits plunge more than a quarter after Trump’s tariff uncertainty

IKEA stores across 63 markets around the world fell for a second year in a row

Politics

38 h. ago EU plans Centre for Democratic Resilience to fight online disinformation

Move follows ‘escalating hybrid attacks’ by Russia and other foreign powers spreading fake articles across social mediaThe EU executive plans to create a Centre for Democratic Resilience to counter disinformation from Russia and other authoritarian regimes, according to a leaked paper.The European Commission intends for the centre to bring together expertise across the EU and from countries seeking to join the bloc to fight foreign information manipulation and interference. The idea forms the centrepiece of the so-called “democracy shield” pitched by the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, when she sought a second term before the 2024 European elections. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago EU plans hub to tackle disinformation threat from Russia and others

Move follows ‘escalating hybrid attacks’ by Russia and other foreign powers spreading fake articles across social mediaThe EU executive plans to create a Centre for Democratic Resilience to counter disinformation from Russia and other authoritarian regimes, according to a leaked paper.The European Commission intends for the centre to bring together expertise across the EU and from countries seeking to join the bloc to fight foreign information manipulation and interference. The idea forms the centrepiece of the “democracy shield” pitched by the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, when she sought a second term before the 2024 European elections. Continue reading...

Events

39 h. ago Fury at 'outrageous hit job' on British taxpayers as Brussels 'demands UK pays into EU budget' for first time since Brexit under Starmer's 'reset'

The Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a new agreement in May that Sir Keir claimed would 'move on' from past spats.

Economics

39 h. ago EU tightens visa restrictions on Russians over the Ukraine war and acts of sabotage

The European Union is making it harder for Russian citizens to enter Europe’s ID-check free travel area

Events

41 h. ago European Commission mulls AI Act delays after Trump and business pressure

Spokesperson says ‘reflection is still ongoing’ over whether to postpone ‘targeted parts’ of legislationBusiness live – latest updatesThe European Commission is considering plans to delay parts of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, after intense pressure from businesses and Donald Trump’s administration.The commission confirmed that “a reflection” was “still ongoing” on delaying aspects of the regulation, after media reports that Brussels was weighing up changes with the aim of easing demands on companies. Continue reading...

Events

41 h. ago Brussels 'to step up demands' for Britain to pay into the EU's budget for the first time since Brexit as part of Keir Starmer's 'reset' deal

The Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a new agreement in May that Sir Keir claimed would 'move on' from past spats.

Economics

44 h. ago EU tightens rules on visas for Russians amid ongoing Ukraine aggression – Europe live

Russian nationals will no longer be able to receive multiple-entry visas, and have to apply individually every time they plan to travel to the EUThe European Commission has adopted stricter rules for issuing visas to Russian nationals to enter the European Union in response to what it said were “increased security risks stemming from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.”Under the new rules, “Russian nationals will no longer be able to receive multiple-entry visas,” and have to apply individually every time they plan to travel to the EU, the commission said. Continue reading...

Politics

57 h. ago Ivanka Trump shredded online for hawking food business as millions of Americans face SNAP cuts

Nearly 42 million Americans nationwide lost their SNAP benefits Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown

Politics

64 h. ago German police detain man suspected of painting swastikas on cars and walls with his own blood – Europe live

Swastikas are banned in Germany under laws banning the public display of Nazi symbolsEU’s digital spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the European Commission “takes note of the decision taken in France” regarding the Chinese online retailer Shein (10:42), noting that the EU had already expressed similar concerns before.“We are in touch with Shein, but we will also be in touch today with the French authorities.I can confirm now, as we speak, that in the next two hours, [executive vice-president] Virkkunen will meet with the digital minister of France Anne le Henanff. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Putin orders increased drone 'incursions' in Europe as Russia ramps up 'hybrid war'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the pattern as 'hybrid warfare'. She said Russia's goal is to 'sow division' inside Europe.

Events

4 d. ago EU could admit new members by 2030, says its foreign policy chief

Kaja Kallas tells reporters more countries could join 27-country bloc, including Montenegro, Albania and UkraineThe European Union could admit new members by 2030, its foreign policy chief has said, as officials praised reform efforts by frontrunners Montenegro and Albania, while criticising backsliding in Serbia and an even steeper democratic decline in Georgia.The verdicts came as the European Commission published its annual report cards on 10 countries that aspire to join the EU, after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 injected new momentum into a process that had long been moribund. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Reeves puts country on notice for tax hikes as ‘each of us must do our bit’

In a pre-Budget speech, Rachel Reeves said: ‘If we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute to that effort.’

Politics

6 d. ago Businesses press Supreme Court to strike down Trump’s emergency tariff power

About 40 briefs have been filed challenging signature policy ahead of showpiece hearing

Events

7 d. ago The London consensus is a timely challenge to Trump’s isolationism | Phillip Inman

A debate on how to achieve fairer, greener growth could point the way to a successor for neoliberal capitalismWhat replaces neoliberal capitalism is a question at the forefront of Donald Trump’s mind every day.The US president has never much liked those elements of the Washington consensus that celebrate free markets and liberal trade, as we have come to see in both his presidencies. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Amazon shares surge as AI boom fuels cloud growth; Nvidia boss says selling chips in China is Trump’s call – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsSouthern Water has ended its three month hosepipe ban that covered most of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.The water company, which told its customers that the River Test and River Itchen were at “critically low levels” in July, said it was able to lift the ban after wet weather in September and October.We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their support and understanding during this challenging time.By working together, we’ve not only saved millions of litres of water each day, but also helped protect our precious chalk streams. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago What – if anything – did Asian countries get out of Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour?

Uncertainty surrounds the signing of this week’s trade deals amid the failure to secure reciprocity from the US to cut tariffsOn Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour of Asia – which involved stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea – the US president triumphantly collected new trade deals from countries hoping for a reduction in the tariffs he slapped on them earlier this year.However – China aside – analysts were left asking just how much Asian nations got out of it. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago More than half of UK businesses changing DEI approach due to Trump’s criticism

Leading UK organisations reacting to pushback against diversity initiatives in the US by reviewing or even scrapping policiesMore than half of UK businesses are changing the way they approach ethical policies and practices because of the Trump administration’s criticism of the “woke” agenda, research suggests.Interviews with 250 general counsels and chief legal officers at leading UK organisations found that they are reacting to the pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the US by reviewing – and in some cases scrapping – policies. Continue reading...

Politics