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Showing posts from May, 2025

UK steelmakers call Trump doubling tariffs 'another body blow'

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Donald Trump says he will double tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 50% from Wednesday.

Tariffs court fight threatens Trump's power to wield his favourite economic weapon

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Despite the legal mire, all signs point to this being a battle the Republican president won't give up easily.

Where does court ruling leave Trump's tariff agenda?

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BBC Verify examines what the latest development means for US and global trade.

US green energy firms brace for federal funding cuts

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Billions of dollars of US federal funding for green energy projects hangs in the balance.

Chile's salmon farms hope for calmer waters

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Chilean salmon producers are being criticised for operating in some of the country's national parks.

Second suspect arrested in alleged crypto torture scheme

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Police say the two men kidnapped an Italian businessman and tortured him with a gun, chainsaw and electrical wires for nearly three weeks.

'We make more money from weddings now than farming'

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From falconry and helicopter rides to spas and solar farms, three quarters of farmers now have a side hustle.

Fake discounts on Shein 'breach law', EU says

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Shein has one month to respond to the EU's findings or face fines based on its sales, the bloc has said.

Chinese-owned Volvo Cars to cut 3,000 jobs

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The firm's boss pointed to the "challenging period" faced by the industry as a reason for the layoffs.

Apprenticeship shake-up to shift focus to under-21s

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The government will no longer fund some courses for older learners in order to boost entry level training places.

Frugal tech: The start-ups working on cheap innovation

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Indian start-ups are using local materials and innovative ideas to make useful and affordable products.

HS2 investigating two firms supplying construction staff

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The company building the high-speed rail line says it takes all whistleblower allegations seriously.

Winemakers finding Trump's tariffs hard to swallow

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Wine producers in both France and the US are unhappy at the US president's trade actions.

Rate 'rigging' traders say they were scapegoated - now the Supreme Court will decide

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Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo were among 37 City traders prosecuted for "manipulating" interest rate benchmarks.

Post Office offer amounts to just half of my claim, says Bates

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Former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates has accused the government of presiding over "quasi-kangaroo courts".

France impounds UK vessel accused of illegal fishing

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The British ship is diverted to the port of Boulogne after being stopped by a French patrol boat.

South Western first rail firm renationalised by Labour

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The first service under new public ownership will be partially operated by a rail replacement bus.

Driving instructors say rising prices are fair - but learners can't keep up

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Paige Williams, a single mum from Barnsley, says she's having to drastically cut back on spending to afford her £35-an-hour driving lessons.

Food banks 'were a lifeline for me'

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Figures from the foodbank show that more than 77,000 parcels were distributed in NI over the past year.

Energy price change set to cut bills by over £100 a year

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Analysts believe a typical annual domestic energy bill could drop by more than £100 in July.

Trump to host investors in his cryptocurrency despite ethical concerns

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Critics say he is trading access for personal profit - a suggestion rejected by the White House.

Government borrowing higher than expected in April

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Borrowing - the difference between spending and tax income - was £20.2bn, up £1bn from April last year.

Nike to hike prices as it faces tariffs uncertainty

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The sportswear giant said the adjustments are part of "seasonal planning" and did not mention Trump's tariffs.

How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his job

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Soaring rice prices are a powerful trigger in Japan, where shortages have caused political upsets before.

Toddler group parents struggle as costs rise

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Parents at Musical Bugs in Newport say they are struggling to make ends meet at the end of a month.

Thames Water halts bosses bonus scheme

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The company pauses its "retention scheme", which pays out cash to top executives linked to its rescue loan.

Police investigation into UK retail hacks focuses on English-speaking youths

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The National Crime Agency tells the BBC how it is trying to find the culprits of the M&S and Co-op hacks.

Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn?

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Some analysts question whether the amount of investment will ultimately be that high.

World's biggest EV battery maker sees shares jump on debut

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CATL makes more than a third of all EV batteries sold worldwide and supplies carmakers like Tesla, VW and Toyota.

UK now best placed country on trade - Reeves

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The chancellor tells the BBC the latest trade agreements with the EU, US and India will boost economic growth.

Why we need 'revolutionary' cooling tech

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Cooling systems that avoid the use of polluting refrigerants are being launched.

New buy now, pay later rules aim to protect shoppers

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Lenders will have to carry out affordability checks and shoppers will have faster access to refunds under the plans.

The curious case of why a billionaire wants to buy Royal Mail

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From the end of April, the 500-year-old Royal Mail will be controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky who co-owns a football club - but why does he want it?

Minister 'pushing' for deal over use of EU passport e-gates

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The deal could form part of negotiations taking place between the UK and EU on Monday.

Defence deals and palace invites: UK and EU haggle before first summit since Brexit

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Defence deals, fishing rights and closer economic ties among the talking points at Downing Street.

A letter from the M&S hackers landed in my inbox - this is what happened next

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BBC's Joe Tidy spoke directly to those who claim they are responsible for hacking M&S and Co-op.

Nissan says it could share global plants with Chinese state firm

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Nissan announced this week that it would lay off another 11,000 workers and shut seven factories

One in 10 have no savings, financial regulator says

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Stress and anxiety among those with debts remains high but help is available, a major survey finds.

Relief on China's factory floors as US tariffs put on hold

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A surprise deal in the trade war gives businesses breathing room - but many now want to find new markets.

Letting off steam: How Dominica's volcanoes will boost its green energy

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The Caribbean island is building a power station that will use steam naturally heated by volcanic rock.

Co-op says shelves to be more fully stocked this weekend

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The grocery chain says it is working with its suppliers to restock shelves after a cyber-attack.

City charity begins new wellbeing service

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A community project in Welland asks local people what events and activities they want to see.

Airbnb offers private chefs and massages as it revamps app

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The short rental firm says it is aiming to offer a wider range of experiences for travellers.

Is the US finally on track to build a high-speed rail network?

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The US currently has no high-speed rail services, but two are under construction, and more planned.

'Fish and chips is special - but costs are rising'

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The owners of a Guernsey chippy announce their plans to retire after nearly 25 years.

Winter coat exchange leads to 2,400 donations

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People can take a coat free of charge from their local Somerset library during the winter months.

Gold is booming – but how safe is it for investors, really?

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Trade wars and volatile markets have contributed to a gold rush, but investors shouldn't put all their eggs in this one basket, warn experts

How to avoid a puncture on the Moon

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Giant tyre firms are testing tyres that can survive conditions on the Moon and Mars.

Americast

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...why he thinks the UK has made a mistake and what it means for the world.

Charity couple move apart to care for animals

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Roy and Annie Marriott say Animals in Need's expansion has forced the move.