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Showing posts from July, 2025

Trump's global tariffs 'victory' may well come at a high price

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The US President considers it a win - but if this all triggers a foundational realignment, the results may not break in his favour

'I was a shopping addict - it needs to be taken more seriously'

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People with experience of compulsive buying say more NHS help is needed to tackle the issue.

Anglian Water to pay £62.8m over wastewater failures

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The firm agrees to fund improvements after Ofwat discovered "excessive spills from storm overflows".

US companies up against 'nightmare' tariff wall

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Businesses both small and large are already reckoning with Trump's tariffs, and new levies are set to start this week.

US-China talks restart as hopes grow for trade war truce extension

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The talks in Sweden to come hours after US President Donald Trump announced a deal with the European Union.

The Caribbean islands that give you a passport if you buy a home

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Five of the region's island nations offer such citizenship by investment for as little as $200,000.

US-China talks to restart as hopes grow for trade war truce extension

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The talks in Sweden to come hours after US President Donald Trump announced a deal with the European Union.

The Caribbean islands that give you a passport if you buy a home

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Five of the region's island nations offer such citizenship by investment for as little as $200,000.

Both sides can claim victory in US-EU tariff deal, but devil may be in detail

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This deal shows how serious President Trump is about renegotiating America's trading relationship with the rest of the world.

More air fryers to be handed out to pensioners

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The council handed out 6,000 air fryers last winter to help people with the cost of living crisis.

Why I'm not paying into a pension

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Almost half of UK adults do not pay into a private or workplace pension - some of them tell us why.

Pubs and venues to be protected from noise complaints

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It will also be easier to open new pubs in disused shops under licensing reforms planned by the government.

Free summer swimming lessons for 6,000 children

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Lessons are also being provided to children in secondary schools who receive free school meals.

Salon owner 'ready' for key L'Oréal dispute hearing

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Rebecca Dowdeswell has been locked in a legal battle with the global cosmetics giant since 2022.

World's thirst for matcha dries up global supplies

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Surging demand, smaller tea crops due to heatwaves and US tariffs on Japan are pushing up matcha prices.

Warm weather boosted retail sales in June

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Supermarkets sold more drinks and fuel sales were up as people "ventured out", the UK statistics body says.

US FCC clears $8bn Skydance-Paramount merger

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The Federal Communications Commission has approved the deal between Skydance and Paramount, parent of the CBS network.

Artificial food colours are out, so what's next?

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Big food firms are phasing out artificial colours, so tech firms are rushing to fill the gap.

Australia to lift import ban on US beef after Trump tariffs tiff

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The Australian government says it has not compromised on its strict biosecurity laws.

UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953

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Data shows a slump in car and van production as the industry trade body hopes a UK-US tariff deal will bring "confidence".

How are trade deals actually negotiated?

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With trade agreements making headlines, three former negotiators explain how the talks unfold.

Tesla pledges to make cheaper cars as issues mount

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Elon Musk's carmaker says a more affordable Tesla model is coming as it reports a steep drop in revenue.

Appeal to fight food poverty during summer holidays

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FareShare Sussex & Surrey says there is more demand as children miss out on school meals.

Microsoft servers hacked by Chinese groups, firm says

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The US tech giant is recommending some users install security updates after the data breach.

Trump announces 'massive' trade deal with Japan

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The deal would result in Japan investing $550bn (£407bn) into the US and paying a 15% reciprocal tariff, Trump said.

Philippines goods to face 19% tariff, Trump says

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The new rate is higher than what Trump had threatened when he first unveiled sweeping global tariffs in April.

Taylor Swift and Drake music giant files to list on US stock market

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It comes as two major US share indexes closed at new record highs on Monday.

Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

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Matching trucks with cargo has become digitised, adding efficiency, but driving down earnings.

Rents rise £221 a month in three years, analysis suggests

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The monthly cost of renting rose just as fast as mortgage increases over the last three years, figures show.

Charity staff face burnout amid 'triple crisis'

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Charity leaders say demand and costs had gone up at a time when fundraising was getting tougher.

'Missing meals to feed my children is the norm'

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Users of The Grub Hub in Coventry describe the social supermarket as a "lifeline".

Future pensioners to be worse off, government warns

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Future pensioners are set to be worse off than today's with four-in-10 not saving enough for retirement, says the DWP.

China bets on Western theme parks to help boost spending

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Eager to revive the economy, Beijing is turning to attractions like Lego and Harry Potter to increase tourism.

'Disappointment' after real living wage bid paused

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Vale of White Horse District Council says it was a "time-consuming and resource intensive process".

Are we willing to drop cash Isas and take more risks with our money?

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Experts have questioned Rachel Reeves' plan to encourage investors with a campaign in the style of "Tell Sid".

Buy now, pay later checks will block some shoppers

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Long-promised regulation of the sector will come into force next July, but lenders will have some flexibility.

Samsung boss cleared by Supreme Court over corruption case

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The ruling comes after Lee Jae-yong was acquitted of all charges in two earlier trials.

Cost of summer holiday clubs rises to £1,076 a child

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Some areas have seen prices rise by as much as 13%, research by children's charity Corum finds.

'No respite for consumer' as food prices remain 'stubbornly high'

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It comes as official figures show food and drink prices rose by 4.5% in the 12 months to June.

Labubu craze to drive up profit 350%, Pop Mart says

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Sales, branding and tight cost controls have helped Pop Mart's profits balloon in the first half of 2025.

Trump launches probe into Brazil's 'unfair' trade practices

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Last week, the US president urged Brazilian authorities to end their prosecution of the country's former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Trip drink ad banned over claim it makes you calm

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The ad for the cucumber and mint drink made unauthorised health claims, the advertising watchdog found.

Meta to spend hundreds of billions to build AI data centres

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The founder of the social media giant said one of the sites would cover an area nearly the size of Manhattan.

Freeholders begin High Court challenge over reforms

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A group of landowners is challenging the government's attempts to reform the freehold and leasehold system of property ownership.

Heat pump makers are ready for a rush: Will customers come?

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Heat pump makers are ready to raise output, but demand is still sluggish.

Aviation authority says Boeing fuel switches are safe during crash probe

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A preliminary investigation found the switches had been turned off in June's fatal Air India crash.

Work to begin on Tata's new electric furnace

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A union says the construction is "bittersweet" but the UK government describes it as a "major win".

Public transport 'too costly' for young people

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Young people put off using public transport over concerns about cost, accessibility and safety.

Bank of England prepared to cut rates if job market slows, says governor

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Andrew Bailey tells the Times "I really do believe the path is downward" on interest rates.

Families invited to enjoy annual Children's Day

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Children's Day is returning to Howard Davis Park in Jersey with live music, games, food and drinks.