8 h. ago Countries urged to ‘hold the line’ in Geneva plastics treaty negotiations

Talks continue amid warnings from environmental groups over being ‘sold out’ without meaningful or legally binding measuresTalks between nations to hammer out a plastics treaty to end plastic pollution continued behind closed doors in Geneva on Thursday, the final day of negotiations, as civil society groups urged countries to “hold the line” to secure a strong agreement.With time running out to seal a deal between 184 countries, environmental groups expressed concern that frontline communities, Indigenous people and others suffering the worst impacts of the world’s growing plastic crisis were being “sold out” in an effort to secure a treaty, without meaningful or legally binding measures that would address the scale of the problem, “at any cost”. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago King Charles to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day with address

Monarch will pay tribute to military personnel and reflect on horrors experienced in Asia-Pacific regionKing Charles will mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday with a message paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of military personnel in the second world war who fought and died in the Pacific and far east, saying they will never be forgotten.In an address, Charles will reflect on the horrors experienced by prisoners of war and civilians of occupied lands in the region “whose suffering reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life”. Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago US prices continued rise in July as Trump tariffs impact consumer costs

Prices were 2.7% higher last month compared with a year ago, and core inflation went up at a higher pace than what was seen in JuneUS prices continued to rise in July, according to key economic data released on Tuesday, as Donald Trump’s international tariffs shakeup started to impact consumer costs.Prices were 2.7% higher last month compared with a year ago, according to the consumer price index (CPI), which measures the prices of a basket of goods and services. Though inflation dipped down in the spring, the annualized inflation rate jumped up 0.4% since April. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Wind generator Ørsted’s shares sink as it makes $9bn cash call

Danish company blames Donald Trump for derailing its business model after market value drops by a thirdEurope’s largest wind power company has blamed Donald Trump for derailing its business model, after it unveiled a $9bn (£6.7bn) fundraising and its market value plunged by almost a third.The share price for Denmark’s Ørsted tumbled to an all-time low after it told investors on Monday that the “extraordinary situation” facing the industry meant it would need to tap shareholders to cover the costs of its plans. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Freddo creator would 'roll over in his grave' at how much the chocolate bar costs now

Freddo bars have always been a huge hit in the UK, but they have continued to rise in cost over the years and now the creator's daughter has spoken out on the price hike

Politics

5 d. ago Early error costs Ayr United as slow start to Championship continues

A mistake inside 30 seconds proved the pivotal moment as Ayr's stumbling start to the league season continued.

Politics

7 d. ago Democrats respond to FBI agreement to locate Texas lawmakers: ‘We will not be intimidated’ – live updates

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries accuses Trump administration of attempting to ‘weaponize law enforcement to target political adversaries’Vance urges Republicans in Indiana to redraw map to help tighten House gripDonald Trump on Wednesday celebrated a commitment by Apple to increase its investments in US manufacturing by an additional $100bn over the next four years.Apple’s plan to up its domestic investment comes as it seeks to avoid Trump’s threatened tariffs, which would increase the tech giant’s costs as it relies on a complex international supply chain to produce its iPhones. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, warned during an earnings call in May that the tariffs could cost the company up to $900m that fiscal quarter alone. Continue reading...

Society

8 d. ago China’s overcapacity is creating instability at home and abroad | George Magnus

From high-speed rail to housing, the focus on Leninist industrial policies is destroying profits as well as GDPChina’s astounding technological success in mass-producing quality electric vehicles (EVs) sits alongside a serious flaw in its industrial model: overcapacity.It has the capacity to produce about three times as many units as it can sell at home. The consequences so far have included widespread price cutting, large losses, misallocation of capital, and surging low-cost EV exports leading to trade conflict. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago China’s Leninist industrial policy is creating instability at home and abroad | George Magnus

Overcapacity – from electric vehicles to high-speed rail to housing – is destroying profits as well as GDP China’s astounding technological success in mass-producing quality electric vehicles (EVs) sits alongside a serious flaw in its industrial model: overcapacity.It has the capacity to produce about three times as many units as it can sell at home. The consequences so far have included widespread price cutting, large losses, misallocation of capital, and surging low-cost EV exports leading to trade conflict. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago 'The arts have to be for more than just the wealthy and well connected' comedian Holly Spillar on working artists barriers to the Fringe

With costs continually on the rise and little financial support to hand, low-income background artists increasingly can't afford to come to the Fringe. Comedian Holly Spillar speaks for and to the comics priced out of this year's festival

Economics

9 d. ago Comedian Holly Spillar on how working class artists are disappearing from the Fringe

With costs continually on the rise and little financial support to hand, low-income background artists increasingly can't afford to come to the Fringe. Comedian Holly Spillar speaks for and to the comics priced out of this year's festival

Events

1 week ago The vast majority of US adults are stressed about grocery costs, an AP

A new poll finds the vast majority of U.S. adults are feeling some stress about the cost of groceries, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs remain widespread

Politics

3 w. ago Supermarket follows Sainsbury's 17% hike by increasing cost of same shopping essential

It comes as food price inflation rose for the third month in a row in June, to its highest level since February 2024

Economics

3 w. ago Company insolvencies fall in England and Wales, in ‘glimmer of relief’; Trump blasts Fed board – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsBusinesses are still in “tough” times, despite the drop in insolvencies in June, cautions David Hudson, restructuring advisory partner at FRP.Hudson says:“The slight fall in insolvencies this month offers a glimmer of relief – especially for hospitality and retail businesses, which are now reaping the benefits of record hot weather. However, we’re still in tough territory. Consumer confidence remains stubbornly low, growth is stuttering – with GDP dipping again in May. June’s unexpected jump in inflation will only serve to continue eroding profit margins and consumer demand.“This environment is forcing businesses to fight on multiple fronts. Many will likely only be experiencing breathing space after dramatically paring back costs. Until demand shows a more sustained recovery and input costs ease further, there’s a risk that this reprieve is just a pause rather than a turning point.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago People on Attendance Allowance could be due up to £447 every month next year

The September CPI figure published in October will determine the annual uprating for DWP disability benefits.

Economics

4 w. ago New car rules could see 2 in 5 petrol and diesel drivers 'give up vehicles'

A study of 2,000 UK adults found 41 per cent of those who rely on petrol or diesel are concerned they would have to give up their vehicle if costs of driving continue to rise under the Labour Party government

Events

4 w. ago People on maximum PIP could see payments rise to nearly £200 every week from next April

The September CPI figure published in October will determine the annual uprating for DWP disability benefits.

Economics

4 w. ago Inflation jumps hours after Rachel Reeves more money in every Britons’ pockets

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 3.6% in June - in a blow for the under-fire Chancellor who used a big speech at Mansion House on Tuesday night to promise a more prosperous future for all Britons

Economics

4 w. ago Influencer 'gutted' after star horse suffers injury which may bring premature end to campaign

Basher Watts's rollercoaster experience with Shes Perfect, victim of a controversial stewards’ decision which cost her Classic success, continued with news she won’t be in action again until at least the autumn

Events

4 w. ago Warning as UK inflation hits highest level for nearly 18 months after unexpected jump

Inflation levels jumped up to 3.6 per cent in June - with annual food price inflation hitting the highest level since February 2024

Events