16 articles tagged
Federal officials have drafted plans to introduce a $250 denomination featuring President Donald Trump’s face, pending congressional approval. The move could reshape U.S. currency for the first time in decades.
Households face fresh pressure as wholesale gas prices jump 18% since April, with suppliers warning of immediate bill hikes. The shockwave from Middle East tensions is reaching UK shores for the first time, squeezing budgets already stretched by inflation.
Over 200,000 revellers packed into Sunderland for the BBC’s flagship festival, marking the largest attendance in its 19-year history. Headliners Sam Fender and Lizzo electrified the crowd as temperatures soared past 25°C, the hottest May bank holiday weekend on record.
Net migration to the UK has nearly halved in a year, dropping from 330,000 in 2024 to 171,000 in 2025. The Home Office attributes the sharp decline to stricter work and student visa regulations, with skilled worker and health care routes seeing the steepest falls.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delayed the planned 5p fuel duty hike until April 2025, a move that saves motorists £100 annually but risks £1.2bn in lost tax revenue. The decision comes as inflation on transport costs hits 9.8% and retail fuel prices remain near record highs.
Violent demonstrations surged through Bolivia’s capital Monday as thousands of teachers, miners and farmers demanded President Rodrigo Paz step down amid deepening economic despair. Police responded with tear gas, while prosecutors accused union leader Mario Argollo of terrorism for allegedly inciting unrest. The unrest has spread nationwide over wages and state asset privatization.
Unleaded petrol hit its highest cost since the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflict on Wednesday, with prices climbing 3.2p in a month. Analysts warn the surge reflects tightening global oil reserves and supply chain disruptions.
John Swinney faces pressure as SNP policy on food prices triggers accusations of provoking a Westminster showdown. The First Minister candidate insists the plan stands independent of UK government interference.
The UK’s open roles have dropped to their lowest point since 2019, with hospitality shedding 32,000 posts in three months. Retail follows, while tech and healthcare buck the trend with modest gains. Employers cite economic uncertainty as the primary drag on hiring.
A damning review finds HS2's budget exploded after engineers chased maximum speeds and ministers fast-tracked the project. The fallout could block future high-speed rail ambitions.
Kansas City, Houston, Miami and other World Cup host cities expected a tourism surge but early data shows hotel occupancy rates at half of predicted levels. Owners now face financial strain as demand lags behind projections.
The two-day summit in Beijing concluded without a breakthrough on tariffs or market access, despite ceremonial displays and private negotiations. Sources say discussions focused on structural reforms but stalled over enforcement mechanisms.
Europe’s air travelers face irreversible fare hikes as jet fuel prices remain stubbornly high, IATA’s director general warns. A new cost-analysis shows regional carriers losing $3.40 per passenger per flight—an unsustainable burden. Here’s what’s driving the squeeze and who gets hit hardest.
A spike in global oil prices following recent Iranian strikes has triggered an unexpected surge in UK mortgage rates, economists warn. The Bank of England now faces a delicate balancing act between inflation control and economic stability.
Average pay rises have slumped to their weakest level since 2019, official data reveals, signaling a cooling labour market and rising cost pressures for households. Real wages now lag inflation, squeezing living standards across Britain.
Major Indian tech firms report steep losses as global clients cut contracts amid fears artificial intelligence will replace traditional outsourcing. Analysts warn the $300bn industry faces existential risk unless it adapts within 18 months.