Russian Economy Faltering Despite Oil Revenue, Swedish Intelligence Warns
Sweden's military intelligence chief has warned that Russia's economy is weakening despite ongoing oil income, and accused Moscow of manipulating economic data to project a healthier financial picture than reality warran...
FTSE 100 CEO Pay Rises 18% as Boards Water Down ESG Targets
Bosses of FTSE 100 companies received an average 18% pay increase this year as firms compete globally for executive talent. Companies are also scaling back ESG-linked pay elements, with boards reassessing whether such pe...
Screen Addiction and the Myth of Truly Switching Off
An FT opinion piece examines how professional training and the compulsive pull of digital devices make it effectively impossible for many workers to disconnect, even while officially on holiday. The author argues the hab...
South Korea and Taiwan Emerge as Top Beneficiaries of the AI Investment Wave
South Korea and Taiwan are currently the biggest winners from the global surge in AI investment, benefiting from their dominant positions in semiconductor and technology supply chains. The trend is reshaping emerging mar...
UK Energy Secretary Miliband to Announce Net Zero Package in Response to Iran Energy Shock
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will use a Tuesday speech to double down on Labour's net zero commitments, arguing that soaring fossil fuel prices triggered by the Iran war make clean energy security more urgent than ever. ...
Oil Prices Rise After Trump Announces Seizure of Iranian Ship
Oil prices climbed following a statement by President Trump that an Iranian ship had been seized. Energy markets have been volatile since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February....
ABF Set to Announce Outcome of Primark Demerger from Food Business
Associated British Foods is expected to reveal this week whether it will proceed with splitting its Primark fashion arm from food brands including Kingsmill, Twinings and its sugar operations. Retail analysts say a break...
Western Carmakers Adopt Chinese Tech in 'In China for China' Strategy
Foreign automakers are increasingly turning to Chinese technology partners in an effort to reverse declining sales in the world's largest car market. Western executives hope localising their technology strategy will help...
UK Property Asking Prices Rise in April Despite Higher Mortgage Rates
UK housing market shows resilience as property asking prices increased in April despite elevated mortgage rates. The rise comes against a backdrop of surging energy costs linked to the Iran war....
Starmer Faces Parliament Over Mandelson Vetting Scandal
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to make a statement to MPs amid a growing scandal over the vetting of Peter Mandelson. The controversy precedes testimony from sacked Foreign Office head Olly Robbins, raising questi...
S&P 500 Hits Record Highs Amid Iran War Uncertainty, Investors Remain Cautious
The S&P 500 surged past 7,000 in a multi-week rally, with one MarketWatch report arguing the Iran war has ceased to weigh on investor sentiment. However, a second MarketWatch report published hours earlier struck a more ...
Pro-Russia Ex-President Radev on Track to Win Bulgaria's Elections
Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, known for his anti-EU and pro-Russia stance, is on course to win the country's elections. Analysts say his position makes forming a stable coalition government unlikely....
Iran War Drives Fuel Prices Higher, With US Gas Relief Unlikely Before 2027
Economists warn that inflation driven by higher fuel costs from the Iran war will persist even after the conflict ends, as prices feed through into businesses, according to the Financial Times. In the US, average gas pri...
Consumers Share Blame for UK High Street Decline, Readers Argue
Readers writing to The Guardian argue that the deterioration of UK high streets is not solely a government failure but reflects broader changes in consumer shopping habits. The debate was prompted by coverage of a former...
Green Party Eyes Labour Heartlands in London Under Zack Polanski
The UK Green Party, led by leftwing populist Zack Polanski, is targeting Labour strongholds in London. Analysts are watching whether the party can make inroads into traditionally safe Labour territory....
Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice Allegedly Failed to Pay £100,000 in Corporation Tax
Richard Tice allegedly did not pay nearly £100,000 in corporation tax through shell companies between 2020 and 2022, during which period his firm donated £1.1 million to Reform UK, the Sunday Times reported. Tice denie...
Independent Bookstores Make Quiet Comeback With 422 New Shops Opened in 2025
About 422 independent bookshops opened in 2025, a 31% rise from 2024, according to the American Booksellers Association. The trend defies predictions that Amazon and large chains would continue to consolidate retail at t...
Trump Sends US Officials to Pakistan for Fresh Iran Peace Talks
The Trump administration is dispatching US officials to Pakistan to facilitate new peace negotiations with Iran, according to the Financial Times. President Trump has threatened to resume bombing if Tehran refuses to agr...
UK Pursues EU Steel and EV Deals as Labour Moves Toward Closer Economic Ties
Downing Street is seeking agreements with the EU on steel tariffs and electric vehicle rules ahead of stricter standards due in 2027, as part of a broader push for post-Brexit economic realignment. A Guardian analysis no...
Should I Sell My House and Invest the $500,000 Before Retiring at 60?
A MarketWatch personal finance column examines whether selling a home before retirement and investing the proceeds makes sense, noting that renting instead could improve monthly cash flow by approximately $1,300. The ana...