1 hour ago China claims US could be true origin of Covid in astonishing new report

In a bombshell white paper published Wednesday, the Chinese State Council Information Office put forward the theory that the virus may have actually emerged on American soil

Politics

2 h. ago Ukraine PM hails minerals deal with US as ‘good, equal and beneficial’ – Europe live

Denys Shmyhal says agreement leaves Kyiv in full control of its infrastructure and natural resourcesFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago Microsoft shares jump after strong AI demand lifts cloud unit

Profits rise nearly a fifth in March quarter sending stock up as much as 9% in after-hours trading

Politics

2 h. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against Russia

Move seals a deal to create a fund the Trump administration says will begin to repay roughly $175bn provided to UkraineThe US and Kyiv have signed an agreement to share profits and royalties from the future sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths, sealing a deal that Donald Trump has said will provide an economic incentive for the US to continue to invest in Ukraine’s defense and its reconstruction after he brokers a peace deal with Russia.The minerals deal, which has been the subject of tense negotiations for months and nearly fell through hours before it was signed, will establish a US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund that the Trump administration has said will begin to repay an estimated $175bn in aid provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal after months of strained negotiations – Europe live

US treasury department announces agreement after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcomeFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago Top business award for London Stock Exchange chief executive

Dame Julia Hoggett was praised for her leadership and impact in financial services as she was named winner of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award.

Events

3 h. ago Schools should deliver more ‘relationship violence prevention lessons’ – charity

One in eight secondary school teachers report that a pupil committed sexual assault against another child in the past term, poll suggests.

Events

4 h. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that could have massive impact on war with Russia

The United States and Ukraine have signed an agreement over access to Ukraine's natural resources.

Economics

4 h. ago FirstFT: Shein considers US restructuring as trade war threatens London IPO plans

FirstFT: Shein considers US restructuring as trade war threatens London IPO plans  Financial Times

Events

4 h. ago US and Ukraine sign deal to set up reconstruction investment fund – Europe live

US treasury department announces deal after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcome Ukraine war briefing: US and Kyiv ‘ready to sign’ minerals deal amid uncertainty over last-minute hurdlesIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

4 h. ago US and Ukraine finally sign mineral deal after Donald Trump turns on Putin

The minerals deal, signed on Wednesday, will give the US privileged access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine's natural resources - including aluminium, graphite, oil and natural gas

Politics

5 h. ago Pete Hegseth’s wife taking on unofficial role managing his image at Pentagon, report says

Jennifer Rauchet, a former Fox producer, directed agency staffers on handling media and managing secretary’s image on social, a report claims

Politics

5 h. ago Lamine Yamal dazzles as Barcelona and Inter trade stunning goals in 3

Lamine Yamal had said that he left fear behind in the park in Mataró when he was little and there was certainly no sign of it on an astonishing night up on Montjuïc. Barcelona were a goal down inside the first minute of their first Champions League semi-final in seven years, reminded of the ghosts of their recent past and needing more goals than Inter had conceded in the entire league phase, then they found themselves trailing again on the hour, but the 17-year-old would not back down and nor would his teammates.Instead, there he was gesturing for this Olympic stadium to get on its feet and find its voice and producing a performance that meant they could hardly do anything else. One that suggested it is not that he might become the best player around, but that he already might be, the most outstanding of many outstanding men on a wild and wonderful occasion in which Barcelona twice came from behind to equalise, going from 2-0 to 2-2 and 3-2 to 3-3, but couldn’t quite turn it around ...

Politics

5 h. ago Barclays boss warns of slowdown in dealmaking and lending due to Trump's tariffs

The bank, led by chief exec CS Venkatakrishnan (pictured) was boosted by frenetic trading activity as Trump's trade policies wreaked havoc on global markets.

Economics

5 h. ago Meet Shard Place, a Gleaming Glass Tower With the Highest Outdoor Pool in London

Meet Shard Place, a Gleaming Glass Tower With the Highest Outdoor Pool in London  Robb Report

Politics

5 h. ago Microsoft shares jump after strong AI demand boosts cloud unit

Profits rise nearly a fifth in March quarter sending stock up 6% after-hours

Politics

5 h. ago China makes stunning claim about Covid's origins after lab leak furor

The Chinese government published a report on the Covid pandemic Wednesday claiming to know the true origin of the coronavirus.

Politics

6 h. ago Microsoft beats Wall Street expectations for fourth quarter in a row amid AI boom

Tech giant has committed to investing $80bn in artificial intelligence this fiscal year as it reveals revenue of $70.07bnMicrosoft released its quarterly earnings report on Wednesday after the New York stock market closed, beating Wall Street’s expectations for the fourth quarter in a row amid a financial boom for artificial intelligence businesses.The company revealed revenue of $70.07bn and earnings of $3.46 per share. The result exceeded analyst predictions that revenue would grow to $68.42bn, or 10.6% year-over-year, and that earnings-per-share would come in at $3.22. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Microsoft says quarterly profits up 18% as it weathers tech sector turbulence

Microsoft on Wednesday said its profits rose 18% for the January-March quarter, driven by its growth in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence business in a turbulent time for the tech sector

Politics

6 h. ago Microsoft shares jump after software giant’s earnings top forecasts

Profits rise nearly 20% in March quarter sending stock up nearly 6% after-hours

Events