2 h. ago Nearly 400 millionaires and billionaires call for higher taxes on super

Mark Ruffalo, Brian Eno and Abigail Disney sign letter timed for WEF in Davos saying wealthy are buying political influenceNearly 400 millionaires and billionaires from 24 countries are calling on global leaders to increase taxes on the super-rich, amid growing concern that the wealthiest in society are buying political influence.An open letter, released to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Davos, calls on global leaders attending this week’s conference to close the widening gap between the super-rich and everyone else. Continue reading...

Economics

8 h. ago In their words: Trump’s threats over Greenland draw warnings and profanities at global forum

European leaders and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have expressed strong concerns at the World Economic Forum over the Greenland crisis and global trade issues

Events

14 h. ago 'Record hot weather for 2026' as Met Office says when UK will get warm again

The Met Office has shared an outlook for the global average temperature in 2026

Society

36 h. ago In Davos, the rich talk about ‘global threats’. Here’s why they’re silent about the biggest of them all | Ingrid Robeyns

Economic inequality is at the heart of all humanity’s major problems, but the wealthiest refuse to confront a system that benefits themThis week, hundreds of government leaders, heads of state, and business executives are gathering at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. They will be discussing solutions to the world’s biggest risks and problems.But everything suggests that, once more, what will not be addressed at their meeting is the biggest threat to humanity and the planet: neoliberal capitalism.Ingrid Robeyns is an economist and philosopher, and holds the chair in ethics of institutions at Utrecht University. Her most recent book is Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago The threat to the global economy from Trump’s war on the Fed

The escalating conflict between the White House and the US central bank could have far-reaching consequences

Events

4 d. ago Populism makes managing global economy harder, Andrew Bailey warns

Bank of England governor tells officials to challenge populist leaders ‘in deeds more than just words’

Events

5 d. ago The crisis whisperer: how Adam Tooze makes sense of our bewildering age

Whether it’s the financial crash, the climate emergency or the breakdown of the international order, historian Adam Tooze has become the go-to guide to the radical new world we’ve enteredIn late January 2025, 10 days after Donald Trump was sworn in for a second time as president of the United States, an economic conference in Brussels brought together several officials from the recently deposed Biden administration for a discussion about the global economy. In Washington, Trump and his wrecking crew were already busy razing every last brick of Joe Biden’s legacy, but in Brussels, the Democratic exiles put on a brave face. They summoned the comforting ghosts of white papers past, intoning old spells like “worker-centered trade policy” and “middle-out bottom-up economics”. They touted their late-term achievements. They even quoted poetry: “We did not go gently into that good night,” Katherine Tai, who served as Biden’s US trade representative, said from the stage. Tai proudly told the...

Events

6 d. ago Economic warfare is now top global risk, warns Davos report... just as Donald Trump prepares to jet in

A 'new age of competition' in which countries use economic policy as 'weaponry' is the biggest risk facing the world according to a survey of leaders and experts.

Events

7 d. ago Why Trump’s sweeping 25% Iran tariffs have revived fears of global trade war

Experts have warned of global economic and political ramifications if the policy is implemented

Politics

1 week ago ‘History will tell’: as US pressure grows, Cuba edges closer to collapse amid mass exodus

Disillusioned with the revolution after 68 years of US sanctions and a shattered economy, one in four Cubans have left in four years. Can the regime, and country, survive the engulfing ‘polycrisis’?Hatri Echazabal Orta lives in Madrid, Spain. Maykel Fernández is in Charlotte, in the US, while Cristian Cuadra remains in Havana, Cuba – for now. All Cubans, all raised on revolutionary ideals and educated in good state-run schools, they have become disillusioned with the cherished national narrative that Cuba is a country of revolution and resistance. Facing a lack of political openness and poor economic prospects, each of them made the same decision: to leave.They are not alone. After 68 years of partial sanctions and nearly 64 years of total economic embargo by the US, independent demographic studies suggest that Cuba is going through the world’s fastest population decline and is probably already below 8 million – a 25% drop in just four years, suggesting its population has shrunk by ...

Events

1 week ago Huge copper shortage to pose ‘systemic risk’ to global economies, warns S&P

Data group forecasts deficit of 10mn tonnes by 2040, equivalent to nearly one-third of current global demand

Events

1 week ago Voices: ‘Brexit benefits exist for everybody but us’: Readers on UK’s struggle as new poll says things are worse than ever

Our community has been reflecting on a recent survey showing that Brexit has left Britain worse off than ever, from the economy and borders to its global influence

Politics

1 week ago Don’t be fooled — everything has changed for the global economy

Damage caused by US tariffs has so far been muted but that won’t last

Politics

2 w. ago The cost of AI slop could cause a rethink that shakes the global economy in 2026

Revenues may be rising rapidly, but not by nearly enough to cover the wild levels of investment under wayThe US dictionary Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2025 was “slop”, which it defines as “digital content of low quality that is produced, usually in quantity, by means of artificial intelligence”. The choice underlined the fact that while AI is being widely embraced, not least by corporate bosses keen to cut payroll costs, its downsides are also becoming obvious. In 2026, a reckoning with reality for AI represents a growing economic risk.Ed Zitron, the foul-mouthed figurehead of AI scepticism, argues pretty convincingly that, as things stand, the “unit economics” of the entire industry – the cost of servicing the requests of a single customer against the price companies are able to charge them – just don’t add up. In typically colourful language, he calls them “dogshit”. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago From the AI bubble to Fed fears: the global economic outlook for 2026

Analysts and investors voice caution about tech valuations and Trump’s influence on the US central bankInvestors expect global stock markets to keep rising in 2026, despite fears that the AI bubble could burst, and anxiety about chaos engulfing the US central bank.Wall Street strategists broadly expect the S&P 500 share index of US-listed companies to continue to rise over the next 12 months, but said it could be a volatile year if geopolitical tensions increase and inflation fails to fall. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago UK manufacturing recovery picked up pace in December as demand grew

The S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI survey, watched closely by economists, showed a reading of 50.6 in December, up from 50.2 in November.

Politics

2 w. ago World War 3 could erupt from these five flashpoints in 2026 – with one in Europe

Donald Trump aggression in the Caribbean, Putin's shadowy forces operating from inside Europe and growing tensions in Asia and the Middle East paint a bleak global outlook for 2026

Events

2 w. ago Two people confirmed dead as Iran protests turn into ‘battlefield’

Nationwide protests against living conditions enter fifth day with security forces reportedly using live ammunitionThe largest protests in Iran for three years entered a fifth day on Thursday amid reports of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces, with state-affiliated media confirming at least two people had been killed.Although state media did not identify those killed, witnesses and videos circulating on social media appear to show protesters lying motionless on the ground after security forces opened fire. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Five charts that explain the global economic outlook for 2026

Inflation is predicted to cool but uncertainty over AI-driven growth and trade policy poses risks in the year aheadThe global economy proved to be more resilient in 2025 than had been feared, despite severe headwinds that ranged from Donald Trump’s trade war to geopolitical tensions and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.Entering the new year, the hope is that the worst of the recent inflation shock has passed, as the world’s most powerful central banks lower interest rates. However, the pre-Covid age of rock-bottom borrowing costs is a distant memory, global growth is slowing and conditions remain fragile. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Influx of cheap Chinese imports could drive down UK inflation, economists say

As Trump’s tariffs take effect, Britain is likely alternative destination for cars, telecoms and sound equipmentBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK is poised for an influx of cheap Chinese imports that could bring down inflation amid the fallout from Donald Trump’s global trade war, leading economists have said.After figures showed China’s trade surplus surpassed $1tn (£750bn) despite Washington’s tariff policies hitting exports to the US, the Bank of England said the UK was among the nations emerging as alternative destinations for the goods. Continue reading...

Economics