58 h. ago Talks for UK to join EU defence fund collapse in blow to Starmer’s bid to reset relations

UK had been pushing to join €150bn Safe fund, a loan scheme that is part of bloc’s drive to rearm EuropeKeir Starmer’s attempt to reset relations with the EU have suffered a major blow, after negotiations for the UK to join the EU’s flagship €150bn (£131bn) defence fund collapsed.The UK had been pushing to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe (Safe) fund, a low-interest loan scheme that is part of the EU’s drive to boost defence spending by €800bn and rearm the continent, in response to the growing threat from Russia and cooling relations between Donald Trump’s US and the EU. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago European defence company shares fall amid Ukraine peace talk hopes; Novo Nordisk reports Ozempic fails to help with Alzheimer’s – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Novo Nordisk finds its semaglutide drug fails to help in Alzheimer’s treatmentGerman business morale has unexpectedly fallen this month, as companies lose hope on a recovery of the German economy following two years of contraction.The Ifo institute has reported that its business climate index fell to 88.1 in November from 88.4 in October, weaker than expected. It’s a blow to German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s efforts to revive growth through a major spending package.“Companies have little faith that a recovery is coming anytime soon.”Like U2 sang almost 40 years ago: the German economy still hasn’t found what it’s looking for.The year 2025 has been another year of hope and disappointed optimism. A year which saw excitement and enthusiasm sparked by Germany’s unprecedented fiscal policy U-turn and its decision to invest significantly in infrastructure and defence this spring. But also a year that brought a rude awakening ...

Events

6 d. ago European defence company shares fall amid Ukraine peace talk hopes; Novo Nordisk reports Ozempic fails to help with Alzheimer’s – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Novo Nordisk finds its semaglutide drug fails to help in Alzheimer’s treatmentGerman business morale has unexpectedly fallen this month, as companies lose hope on a recovery of the German economy following two years of contraction.The Ifo institute has reported that its business climate index fell to 88.1 in November from 88.4 in October, weaker than expected. It’s a blow to German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s efforts to revive growth through a major spending package.“Companies have little faith that a recovery is coming anytime soon.”Like U2 sang almost 40 years ago: the German economy still hasn’t found what it’s looking for.The year 2025 has been another year of hope and disappointed optimism. A year which saw excitement and enthusiasm sparked by Germany’s unprecedented fiscal policy U-turn and its decision to invest significantly in infrastructure and defence this spring. But also a year that brought a rude awakening ...

Events

1 week ago Double blow for Starmer as Burnham refuses to rule out leadership challenge and PM popularity hits record low

Most Labour voters see the PM and Chancellor Rachel Reeves negatively (52% and 57% respectively), according to a new YouGov poll

Events

2 w. ago Wounded Keir Starmer needs a miracle as Labour infighting inflicts further blow to his credibility

Keir Starmer’s woes are setting Scottish Labour up for a particularly bad result at the Scottish Parliament elections in May

Politics

3 w. ago 'Russian spy' brit Howard Phillips who dreamt of being James Bond jailed

Howard Phillips was trying to pass on information to the Russians about Tory MP Grant Shapps when he was Minister of Defence and thought he was talking to agents from Moscow

Events