EU reaches South America trade deal after 25 years of talks.

After a quarter-century of complex and often fraught negotiations, the European Union has finally concluded a landmark free trade agreement with the Mercosur trading bloc, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and…

Trump seeks $100bn for Venezuela oil, but Exxon boss says country ‘uninvestable’.

In a high-stakes White House gathering, former US President Donald Trump presented an ambitious vision for Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, calling for at least $100 billion (£75 billion) in oil…

Debt charities report January spike in calls as worries mount.

Debt charities across the UK are reporting an unprecedented surge in calls and online queries this January, as households grapple with the financial aftermath of the festive season compounded by…

US job creation in 2025 slows to weakest since Covid

The entirety of 2025 marked a period of profound slowdown for the US labor market, registering the smallest annual job gains since 2020. That year, the onset of the Covid-19…

Businesses call to be included in any pub rates backtrack

The controversy surrounding business rates has been simmering for months, reaching a boiling point with landlords and pub owners vehemently criticising the impending hikes. This discontent escalated into a notable…

Tesco and M&S report strong Christmas food sales.

Retail giants Tesco and Marks & Spencer both experienced a significant uplift in their food divisions over the crucial Christmas trading period, navigating a landscape marked by persistent economic challenges.…

Keir Starmer urged to rethink business rate reform to save pubs

The urgency of the situation was starkly highlighted during Prime Minister’s Questions, where Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, delivered a passionate plea to the Prime Minister. Maskell…

US will control Venezuela oil sales ‘indefinitely’, official says

Officials indicated that the initial phase of these controlled sales is projected to involve a substantial volume, estimated between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil. Critically, the revenue…

Warner Bros urges shareholders to reject ‘inferior’ Paramount offer.

Warner Bros Discovery has unequivocally instructed its shareholders to decline an "inferior" revised acquisition proposal from Paramount Skydance, marking the second such rejection in less than a month. This firm…

Warm space at Dorking Christian Centre has key “social aspect”

This local effort is part of a broader, county-wide initiative spearheaded by Surrey County Council, which has seen the establishment of over 80 such venues across the region. These "Warm…