18 h. ago Federal Reserve official sees signs of slowing economy but not ready to cut rates

A top Federal Reserve official said Friday that massive uncertainty created by President Donald Trump’s tariffs has caused some businesses to cut back on hiring and spending, threatening to slow the economy, but he added that it’s not yet clear whether the central bank should cut its key interest rate

Politics

40 h. ago Trump says talking to Fed boss Powell is like ‘talking to a wall’ in latest attack

Attack comes day after Federal Reserve announced it won’t be lowering interest rates

Politics

49 h. ago Tennis fans get French Open ready as TopSpin 2K25 price cut drops it to just £6

One of the best sports titles of this generation is just over a fiver at GAME right now, but you'll need to act fast as it's part of a wider clearance sale – here's all you need to know

Economics

50 h. ago UK interest rates fall to 4.25% as Bank of England announces a quarter

Move follows run of downbeat economic data and looks to cushion UK from Trump’s trade war falloutExplainer: what does it mean for mortgages and savings?Analysis: mood-boosting rate cut is a fillip for Reeves but leaves future uncertainBusiness live – latest updatesBank of England policymakers have cut interest rates by a quarter point to 4.25% to cushion the UK economy against the impact of Donald Trump’s trade war.The widely expected move from the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC), its fourth cut since last August, also carried a warning that the UK economy would slow by a further 0.3% over the next two years in addition to dramatic cuts to its forecasts earlier this year. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago British & Irish Lions rugby squad announced for tour of Australia – live

All the latest as Andy Farrell’s 40-strong party is unveiledEmail Niall your thoughts | Sign up for The BreakdownLions szn is officially here. The first Test against Australia in Brisbane is just over a couple of months away, and the curtain-raiser against Argentina in Dublin will be upon us in six weeks’ time.This is the biggest milestone on the road to opening night, as Andy Farrell picks an expected 40-man squad from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales’ finest. It’ll be a career highlight for many players, and a day of great disappointment for others. Continue reading...

Society

58 h. ago Asian shares trade higher after Wall Street climbs moderately as Fed holds rates steady

Asian shares are rising moderately after a lackluster finish on Wall Street, with most shares ticking higher after the Federal Reserve left its main interest rate unchanged, as was widely expected

Politics

67 h. ago Federal Reserve warns of rising economic risks as it holds rates steady

Policymakers say inflation and unemployment could increase as Donald Trump’s tariffs heighten uncertainty

Events

67 h. ago Federal Reserve warns of inflation and jobs risks amid Trump’s erratic trade strategy

Central bank says ‘uncertainty has increased’ as it opts to maintain benchmark interest rate for third time in a rowThe Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold and called out growing dangers in the US economy amid Donald Trump’s erratic rollout of an aggressive trade strategy.Jerome Powell, the US central bank’s chair, cautioned that the president’s tariffs are likely to lift prices, weaken growth and increase unemployment if maintained. Continue reading...

Events

67 h. ago Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday, brushing off President Donald Trump’s demands to lower borrowing costs, and said that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen

Events

67 h. ago Federal Reserve holds rates steady as it warns of rising economic risks

Policymakers say inflation and unemployment could rise as Donald Trump’s tariffs heighten uncertainty

Events

3 d. ago UK and eurozone construction declines slow; European markets fall ahead of Fed rate decision – business live

People’s Bank of China cuts interest rates due to global uncertainty and ‘trade tensions’Matthew Pointon, senior commercial real estate economist at Capital Economics, said:The commercial balance was at its lowest since the height of the Covid lockdowns in May 2020. Early signs of a recovery in construction activity in late 2024 have therefore been snuffed out. Elevated interest rates will be partly responsible, but uncertainty caused by the US tariff announcements may also be weighing on activity.Admittedly, UK property is relatively well insulated from the impact, and some sectors may even benefit. Construction costs may also ease if materials that had been destined for the US are rerouted to the UK. But the rise in overall economic uncertainty may cause some developers to delay plans until the outlook becomes clearer. Indeed, the new orders balance saw a small fall to 44.0, from 44.2 in March. Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Netanyahu says new offensive in Gaza focused on consolidating seizure of territory

Israeli PM says operation will lead to significant displacement of the population ‘for its own protection’Middle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has said a new “intensified” offensive in Gaza will involve Israeli troops holding on to seized territory and significant displacement of the population.Speaking after officials said Israel’s security cabinet had approved a plan for “conquering” the Gaza Strip and establishing a “sustained presence” there, Netanyahu posted a video on X in which he said Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israel approves plans to intensify Gaza operations

Plan could mark a significant escalation in fighting in the beleaguered territoryIsraeli ministers on Monday agreed to ramp up the war against Hamas in Gaza, an official said.Associated Press reported Israel has plans to capture more territory in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave and call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The plan, which the official said would be gradual, could mark a significant escalation in the fighting in Gaza, which resumed in mid-March after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on an extension to an eight-week truce. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. On Sunday, Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and said Israel would “operate in additional areas” in Gaza and continue to strike militant infrastructure. Israel already controls roughly half of Gaza’s territory, including a buffer zone along the border with Israel as well as three corrid...

Politics

6 d. ago Meghan Markle walking 'very thin line' with 'pompous' move amid latest Prince Harry drama

Meghan Markle has stirred controversy after signing off a gift with the official title Her Royal Highness - despite an agreement with the Palace to not use it after stepping down from her role

Politics

8 d. ago Markets rally after better than expected data shows US added 177,000 jobs in April – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as US employment figures for April came in higher than expected with 177,000 jobs, boosting European markets as they hope for a thaw in US-China relationsEurozone unemployment was steady 6.2% in March – unchanged relative to a revised February reading.The youth unemployment rate was 14.2%, down from 14.3% in the previous month. Continue reading...

Society

8 d. ago UK to ban buying bitcoin on credit card; stocks rise on hopes of US

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Financial Conduct Authority considers restricting use of credit to buy crypto; stock markets gain on hopes of US-China trade thawEurozone unemployment was steady 6.2% in March – unchanged relative to a revised February reading.The youth unemployment rate was 14.2%, down from 14.3% in the previous month. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Stock markets gain as China ‘evaluates’ offer of US trade talks – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as FTSE 100 gains on hopes of US-China trade thaw; Shell profits drop 28% to $5.5bnCommodities companies are among the best performers on stock markets this morning.They would be among the best placed to benefit from the US backing down in its trade war with China. The FTSE 100 has a lot of Europe’s big mining listings, and they are leading the way on Friday. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Shell profits fall as big oil faces slump in prices; UK cuts NatWest stake below 2% – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as FTSE 100 oil company profits drop 28% to $5.5bnStock markets have gained across Europe, as investors welcomed signs of a possible thaw in the trade war between the US and China.Germany’s Dax gained 1.2% in the early trades, while France’s Cac 40 was up 1.4% – after both were closed over the May Day bank holiday. The Stoxx 600 index, which tracks big companies across Europe, rose by 0.9%. The FTSE 100 was up 0.9%.“The US has recently taken the initiative on many occasions to convey information to China through relevant parties, saying it hopes to talk with China,” the statement said, adding that Beijing was “evaluating this”.“Attempting to use talks as a pretext to engage in coercion and extortion would not work,” it said.This optimism has continued overnight after China’s Ministry of Commerce said that it’s evaluating trade talks with the US. The ministry said this comes as “the US has recently sent messages to C...

Economics

1 week ago Ukrainian officials say Kyiv 'ready to sign minerals deal' with US today

Ukraine and the US are said to be close to agreeing a landmark rare earth minerals deal which will allow the Americans to plunder the eastern European nation's mines

Politics

1 week ago U.S. economy shrinks 0.3% in first quarter as Trump trade wars disrupt business

The U.S. economy shrank 0.3% from January through March, first drop in three years

Politics