Political News
US embassy in Baghdad hit by unclaimed rocket attack
The US embassy in Baghdad was attacked by at least three rockets on Sunday.
UK set to approve Huawei involvement in 5G network development
The UK government is set to approve a minimal role for Huawei in the country’s 5G network on Tuesday which could lead to tensions with the US.
FX round-up: Wuhan virus and rate cut speculation weigh on sterling
Sterling was trading on the back foot at the end of the week amid a risk-off environment as investors took stock of the new China coronavirus and the impact that it might have on that economy, and positioned themselves ahead of the central bank meetings in the UK and US that were scheduled for over the week ahead.
Hawkin's Bazaar collapses putting 200 jobs at risk
Toy chain Hawkin’s Bazaar collapsed into administration on Friday putting almost 200 jobs at risk with most of its stores readying for closure.
Lagarde and Mnuchin clash on energy transition strategies
ECB President Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have clashed at the World Economic Forum in Davos over how the world should transition to cleaner energies.
Tesco set to ditch further 350 tonnes of plastic from stores in 'green' drive
Tesco was set to ditch plastic-wrapped multipack tins in a plan to cut 350 tonnes of plastic from its stores.
UK govt failures cause of HS2 cost overruns, delays - NAO
The government failed to understand the risks of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail project, leading to costs ballooning and years of delay, an independent watchdog said on Friday.
US officials believe trade deals with UK and EU possible by year-end 2020
The US has raised the prospect that trade deals with both the United Kingdom and the European Union could be in place by year-end 2020.
Mnuchin tells Greta Thunberg to study economics before preaching
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attacked teen activist Greta Thunberg and said she should study economics at college before lecturing the US.
Siemens boss says Trump will offer support for reconstruction projects in Middle East
Siemens's boss said that US President Donald Trump would offer his support for the company in the reconstruction projects planned for Iraq and Syria.
Trump dilutes new environmental legislation after BP lobbying
Trump watered down a landmark environmental law which could allow major infrastructure projects to avoid certain checks after BP lobbied against it.
Di Maio quits as 5-Star leader revealing divisions within party
Luigi Di Maio, leader of Italy’s 5-Star movement, one of two parties in the coalition government, resigned on Wednesday, revealing divisions within the party and stoking political tensions.
FirstGroup's South Western Railway could be stripped of franchise
The transport secretary described the South Western Railway franchise as “not sustainable” on Wednesday, warning that the operation based at London Waterloo could be nationalised.
Transport secretary evaluating alternatives to HS2
The future of the HS2 high-speed rail project was cast into further doubt on Wednesday, as transport secretary Grant Shapps delayed his decision over its future, and reiterated he was looking at alternative options.
Jeff Bezos's phone hacked by crown prince of Saudi Arabia
The Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has suffered a mobile hack in 2018 by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, reported the Guardian on Wednesday.
Experts say Wuhan coronavirus closer to seasonal influenza
The far lower mortality rate of the new coronavirus identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan means that it is unlikely to have anywhere near the significance for the US economy of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003, Capital Economics said.
Donald Trump calls for global cooperation, labels impeachment 'hoax'
America's President trumpeted the country's achievements thus far in his first presidential term while calling on all countries to work together.
IoD urges Johnson to clarify Brexit deal strategy
UK business leaders urged the government to clarify its negotiating aims for the next stage of Brexit talks so they can prepare for a new relationship with the European Union.
Brussels warns UK against diverging from EU rules
Officials from the European Union warned businesses to “prepare for the worst” after UK Chancellor Sajid Javid's announced that the UK would diverge from EU rules after Brexit.
HS2 costs could spiral to £106bn - report
The cost of Britain's controversial HS2 high-speed rail link could soar by a fifth to £106bn, according to an unpublished government review.