15 h. ago A train from the UK to Italy? We've heard that one before, but I'm on board | Jonn Elledge

It’s a lot easier to tease new cross-Channel rail services than it is to actually start running trains. I’m crossing my fingers anywayBetween environmental breakdown, economic crisis and Donald Trump, it often feels like there’s precious little reason to feel hopeful these days. So how’s this for a reason to cheer up: Italian state railway company, Trenitalia, is planning to run trains through the Channel tunnel before the decade is out. It’s studying the option of direct trains from the UK to Italy, too. Eagle-eyed readers may note that those are two separate propositions.Trenitalia is no stranger to the British rail network: it already operates the C2C franchise, which connects London Fenchurch Street via south Essex to Southend. Last week the company announced a €1bn (£860m) plan to launch a new high-speed service connecting London and Paris by 2029, as a direct competitor to the long-established Eurostar. In addition, it’s reported to be “studying the possibility” of extending t...

Politics

24 h. ago Trumpflation! Price of Sony PlayStation 5 consoles jumps 10% in the UK because of 'challenging economic environment' in wake of US tariffs

Sony said the 'tough decision' had been made because of 'a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates'.

Economics

33 h. ago Sony announces PlayStation 5 price to rise due to 'challenging economic environment'

It comes after the global stock market has taken a hit following new tariffs introduced by Donald Trump

Economics

35 h. ago Sony makes ‘tough decision’ to raise PS5 prices in Europe and UK

Japanese group cites ‘challenging economic environment’ as Trump’s tariffs throw supply chains into uncertainty

Politics

5 d. ago Rewire economy to see Scotland become richer and greener, report urges

Economic and environmental groups have said the Scottish Government should transform the country into a circular economy.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘The ultimate circular economy’: how coral holobionts conjure magnificence from nothing

These creatures evolved over millenia to create nature’s finest circular economy, but are now struggling to surviveThere’s no preparing for a first encounter with a thriving coral reef: your attention ricochets between dramas of colour, form and movement. A blaze of fire coral, darting clown fish, crimson sponge, electric blue ray a turtle! Your heart soars, your head spins. Nowhere else will you encounter such density and diversity of life.Corals are the architects of all this splendour. Their immobile forms suggest plants, but they’re animals – solar-powered ones. Each is a colony of thousands, sometimes millions, of tiny coral polyps, each resembling a slimmed-down sea anemone, just millimetres tall.Between 24 March and 2 April, we will be profiling a shortlist of 10 of the invertebrates chosen by readers and selected by our wildlife writers from more than 2,500 nominations. The voting for our 2025 invertebrate of the year will run from midday on Wednesday 2 April until midday on...

Politics

2 w. ago Tackling climate crisis will increase economic growth, OECD research finds

Third of global GDP could be lost this century if climate crisis runs unchecked, says reportTaking strong action to tackle the climate crisis will increase countries’ economic growth, rather than damage their finances as critics of net zero policies have claimed, research from the world’s economic watchdog has found.Setting ambitious targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and setting out the policies to achieve them, would result in a net gain to global GDP by the end of the next decade, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in a joint report with the UN Development Programme. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Iconic spa announces heartbreaking closure amid 'challenging economic environment'

The award-winning site will shut next week

Economics