Political News
Washington to add China's SMIC and CNOOC to blacklist
The Trump administration is poised to add Chinese chipmaker SMIC and oil and gas producer CNOOC its blacklist.
BAE wins £2.4bn UK munitions contract
BAE Systems has won a £2. 4bn contract to supply the UK government with munitions in a deal the company said would sustain about 4,000 British jobs.
UK economy to shrink more than 11% this year, says Sunak
The UK economy is forecast to contract by a historic 11. 3% this year as government borrowing nears £400bn, the chancellor Rishi Sunak warned on Wednesday.
GSA ascertains Joe Biden is the winner of the 2020 US elections
The General Services Administration has ascertained that the Democratic party's Joe Biden was the "apparent winner" of the US presidential elections, in effect signalling the start of the transition period between the Trump administration and his own.
US economic activity hits March 2015 highs, IHS Markit says
The fourth wave of Covid-19 infections in the US failed to dent the economic rebound in the US, the results of two closely-followed surveys revealed.
Boris Johnson's adviser quits over Patel bullying report
Boris Johnson's ethics adviser has quit after the prime minister rejected his conclusion that Home Secretary Priti Patel breached a code of conduct by bullying civil servants.
MPs launch inquiry into financial services
UK regulators and leading bankers are set to be called for evidence by MPs after the Treasury committee launched an inquiry into the future of financial services.
Desperate Venezuelans resort to stealing crude oil amid shortages
Venezuelans have begun stealing crude oil from idled fields owned by state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela after months of shortages.
Carnival to raise $1bn to buy back notes
Carnival said it planned to raise $1bn (£753m) with an equity offering to buy convertible bonds back from their holders.
Iran warns of retaliation if Trump goes ahead with strike
The Iranian government warned the US against launching a military strike following reports that President Donald Trump asked for the available options last week to attacking Iran’s main nuclear site.
Hungary and Poland threaten veto against EU budget, Covid-19 funds
The Hungarian and Polish governments have threatened to block the European Union's next long-term budget if its partners make the disbursement of funds conditional on adherence to the 'rule of law'.
Trump to end administration by clamping down on China - reports
Outgoing US president Donald Trump will end his administration with a series of hard-line policies against Beijing, it was reported on Monday.
Johnson adviser Cummings to quit by end of 2020
Boris Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings will leave his job by the end of 2020 in a move that may trigger a clearout of Brexit hardliners from Downing Street, according to reports.
UK reports increase in emergency borrowing, debt crisis concerns grow
The UK is reporting a rise in emergency borrowing due to the pandemic, triggering worries that the country could be “sleepwalking into a debt crisis”.
EU-UK trade talks set to extend into following week
Britain and the European Union are likely to miss the mid-November deadline to close a post-Brexit trade deal but the two sides have signalled that they will continue.
Government seeks legislation to prevent foreign takeovers of UK assets
The UK government is considering new legislation that would halt ‘back door’ acquisitions of UK firms by overseas buyers even years after the deal was concluded.
UK committee to consider overhaul of broadcasting regulations
A committee appointed by the UK government will consider whether broadcasting regulations need to be remodeled to secure high-quality television for the future.
Sunak U-turn extends furlough until end of March
The Chancellor has bowed to pressure by extending his Covid-19 furlough programme for five months with England in a second lockdown to stem the virus's spread.
Beijing forces Ant Group to shelve Shanghai IPO
Chinese financial technology outfit Ant Group was forced to shelve what had been expected to be the world's largest initial public offering ever.
AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to be widely distributed by end Q1 2021 - report
The Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University could be in advanced stage of distribution by the end of the first quarter of 2021.