The EU’s new trade chief has said the bloc could consider including the UK in a pan-European trade agreement, but emphasised that “the ball is in the UK’s court”. While the UK’s Labour government has ruled out returning to the single market and customs union after Brexit, the possibility of joining a continent-wide deal could…

Sales at Primark have fallen for the first time since the pandemic forced all shops in the UK to close, as mild weather and low consumer confidence hit sales. Associated British Foods (ABF), which owns the fashion retailer, said sales at Primark’s established stores fell 6% in the final three months of the year. “Trading…

Young people from working-class or disadvantaged backgrounds are being “locked out” of careers by unpaid or low-paid internships that benefit middle-class graduates, according to a social mobility charity. Research by the Sutton Trust found that middle-class graduates made more use of internships as stepping stones into sectors such as finance or IT, even in cases…

The stage is set for the first 2024 presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.S. President Donald Trump, in Atlanta on June 26, 2024. John Nowak | CNN | Via Reuters Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees Thursday as it refocuses the business around a global digital…

In the seven-game series, it’s 1-0 to the UK investment trusts. Saba Capital, the New York hedge fund trying to oust the entire boards of seven trusts, suffered a heavy defeat at Herald, the tech-focused FTSE 250 fund. Saba started with a 29% holding but still got a drubbing; only 0.15% of other votes cast…

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on Wednesday called the U.S. stock market inflated and said that he felt more cautious than others in the business world because of the risks from deficit spending, inflation and geopolitical upheaval. “Asset prices are kind of inflated, by any measure. They are in the top 10% or 15%” of…

Nick Clegg has given a robust defence of Meta’s decision to downgrade moderation on its social media platforms and get rid of factcheckers. The changes on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, which also included moves to promote more political content, were announced by the chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, earlier this month. As he prepares to depart…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods arriving in the US from as early as 1 February, adding that he was also considering levies on imports from the EU. Ordering an investigation into US-China trade on his second day in office, Trump said any penalties on Chinese goods would be…

The UK government will publish an immigration white paper later this year including a review of visas to entice more high-skilled workers as part of its push to kickstart growth, Rachel Reeves has announced. The chancellor told a breakfast event at the World Economic Forum in Davos: “We are going to look again at routes…

Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Reeves: We’ll take pro-growth decisions in the national interest Q: There’s a suggestion you will give the green light to the expansion of Heathrow airport – would that be a sign you’re prepared to take tough decisions? Rachel Reeves says the…