Political News
Court overturns EU sanctions against two Russian billionaires
A senior European Union court has lifted sanctions against Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Thames Water in crisis as investors pull £500m bailout
Struggling UK utility Thames Water faced a funding crisis on Thursday as shareholders pulled a £500m bailout after regulators refused its demands to hit customers with massive price hikes, greater leniency for polluting waterways and pay out higher dividends, while its parent company also admitted it couldn't pay back a £190m loan.
UAE bid for Telegraph looks over as UK govt mulls full probe of deal
An Abu Dhabi-backed bid for the Telegraph newspaper group looks doomed to fail after the UK government said it was minded to refer the deal to regulators for investigation amid concerns over foreign ownership.
Government to block UAE bid for Telegraph with foreign ownership ban
The government is set to announce a ban on foreign governments owning newspapers and magazines in the UK, it emerged on Wednesday, effectively halting the Abu Dhabi-led takeover bid of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.
Train drivers extend strike mandate for another six months
Train drivers at five major railway companies, including Chiltern, c2c, East Midlands, Northern, and TransPennine railways, have extended their strike action for another six months, trade union Aslef announced on Wednesday.
Royal Mail could cut deliveries to three per week - Ofcom
Ofcom has called for an overhaul of the UK’s postal service, including potentially cutting deliveries to just three days a week.
US, UK launch airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen
America and Britain have launched strikes against targets connected to Houthi militants in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, US President Joe Biden said early Friday.
Amazon fails to offer remedies to EU concerns over iRobot acquisition
Shares in iRobot plunged overnight on Wednesday, after Amazon failed to provide solutions to address concerns raised by EU competition regulators regarding its $1. 4bn acquisition of the US domestic robotics giant.
EU to look at Microsoft-OpenAI investment as part of market probe
The European Commission announced two calls for contributions on Tuesday, focusing on competition within virtual worlds and generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Microsoft’s investment in ChatGPT developer OpenAI.
UK spring Budget set for March 6, fuelling election speculation
Britain's spring budget statement will be delivered on March 6, the Treasury announced on Wednesday, amid suggestions the government may axe inheritance tax in an attempt to narrow a large opinion poll deficit ahead of a General Election which must be called by January 2025.
Rail fares to rise by 4.9pc in March
Rail fare increases are set to rise by 4. 9% from early next year, after the Department for Transport announced another cap on ticket price rises.
Sunday share tips: Nichols and Gattaca
The Times’ Lucy Tobin has said that investors should consider investing in AIM-listed soft drinks group Nichols, on the back of its emerging-markets potential.
G7 agrees to ban Russian diamonds - report
The G7 group of wealthy nations has agreed to ban imports of Russian diamonds, it was reported on Wednesday.
Nissan to build electric cars in UK - reports
Japan’s Nissan has committed to building electric versions of two of its best-selling cars in Sunderland, it was reported on Thursday, securing the future of one of the UK’s largest factories.
Chancellor pledges '110 measures' to grow economy
The Chancellor has announced a raft of measures intended to boost business investment and grow the economy, including cutting business taxes and National Insurance.
Rishi Sunak announces plans to cut taxes
Prime minister Rishi Sunak announced his intention to reduce taxes on Monday, after claiming success for his promise to halve inflation by the end of the year ahead of Wednesday’s autumn statement.
Retail and hospitality groups call on government to freeze rates
Retail and hospitality groups have called on the Chancellor to freeze business rates, warning on Thursday that inaction could prove "disastrous" for the UK’s high streets.
Cordiant Digital wins nationwide tender for Polskie Radio
Digital infrastructure investor Cordiant Digital Infrastructure revealed on Wednesday that its Polish portfolio company has won a nationwide tender to extend digital broadcast coverage to 17 regional radio stations for Polskie Radio.
Government reverses decision to close rail ticket offices
The government has reversed its decision to close most ticket offices at train stations across England, it was revealed on Tuesday, citing a failure to meet the “high threshold of serving passengers”.
Sunak calls for 'fundamental' change as he scraps HS2, shakes up education
Rishi Sunak has called on Conservative politicians to "fundamentally change our country", as he scrapped HS2, unveiled a shake-up of qualifications and announced a long-term ban on smoking.