Political News
Japan's Abe resigns over ill-health; Nikkei slumps 2%
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned on Friday, citing the return of a chronic bowel condition that had previously forced him out of office.
Trump ban on WeChat could harm some US businesses
US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning messaging app WeChat could result in a hit to the revenues of companies in China subject to US jurisdiction.
US and China hold phone call to discuss phase one trade deal
Officials from Beijing and Washington reiterated on Monday night their commitment to the phase one trade deal between their two countries.
Advisor Kellyanne Conway to leave White House
White House advisor Kellyanne Conway announced on Sunday that she will be leaving Donald Trump’s administration at the end of August, claiming she needs to focus on her family.
EU's Barnier warns Brexit trade talks 'going backwards'
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said talks between the UK and the EU went "backwards” this week, adding that negotiators are “wasting valuable time”.
Washington and Beijing planning to reschedule postponed trade deal progress review
Washington and Beijing are planning to reschedule the progress review for their phase one trade deal which had been due to take place on 15 August before the US President's decision to postpone it indefinitely.
UK rail fares set to rise by 1.6% after inflation jump
Hard-pressed British commuters face another hit to the wallet next January after Wednesday’s surge in inflation, with rail fares set to rise by 1. 6%.
UK house price expectations again on the rise in August, Knight Frank says
Britons are again expecting house price gains, the results of a closely-watched survey revealed.
No new US-China trade talks currently scheduled, White House says
There are no plans at present for new high-level trade talks between Washington and Beijing, a top White House official said.
Huawei CFO calls for release of classified document in Canada trial
Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers are calling for the release of confidential documents ahead of her trial in Canada.
EasyJet raises £608m from leasebacks; Still reviewing finances
EasyJet said its aircraft sale and leaseback programme had raised £608m, at the upper end of forecast guidance, as it bolstered its balance sheet amid the coronavirus crisis and continued to look for funding opportunities.
Google to ignore data requests from Hong Kong govt - report
Google said on Friday it would no longer respond to data requests from the Hong Kong government following the enactment of the new national security law imposed by Beijing.
US reportedly confiscates Iranian fuel en-route to Venezuela
Four tankers carrying Iranian fuel bound for Venezuela have been seized by the US, according to media reports on Friday, citing unnamed sources and officials.
Up to 30% of UK firms see job cuts as Covid-19 support winds down
Up to third of UK employers expect to axe jobs between July and October, according to a new survey, indicating the number of workers under threat from the coronavirus impact is rising.
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested under new security law
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested on Monday and his media offices raided under China's new controversial national security law.
China places tit-for-tat sanctions on 11 Americans
China is imposing sanctions on 11 Americans including senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio in retaliation for similar measures announced by the US on Friday.
US non-farm payrolls surprise to the upside in July, unemployment retreats
Hiring in the US continued to outpace forecasts last month with most economists bedeviled by all the distortions in the official data in the wake of disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, including to statisticians' work.
TikTok threatens legal action over Trump ban
TikTok has threatened legal action against the US after President Donald Trump ordered firms to stop doing business with two Chinese apps within 45 days.
Sunak rules out furlough extension, says UK won't hesitate on quarantines
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday ruled out an extension to the government’s coronavirus furlough scheme, saying it could not carry on indefinitely.
Aberdeen in lockdown as Covid-19 spreads
The Scottish government has reimposed partial lockdown conditions in Aberdeen to deal with a Covid-19 cluster in the city.