David Lammy’s plan to seize law firm interest sparks outrage Legal Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy was accused of a “brazen attempt” to “confiscate law firms’ cash” after the government revealed plans to take the interest law firms earn on money sitting in their client accounts. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice opened a consultation on a proposal to introduce an Interest on [...]
Elon Musk flirts with Ryanair acquisition and firing Michael O’Leary Transport and infrastructure The space-faring entrepreneur Elon Musk is pondering whether to ground his aspirations a little closer to earth, with suggestions on social media that he could acquire Ryanair and eject Michael O’Leary as chief executive. In a post on X, the Tesla and Space X chief asked his followers in a poll whether he should buy [...]
Starmer to face legal action on Chinese embassy approval Politics China’s new “mega” embassy near the City will face a legal challenge from campaigners and local residents despite receiving approval from Keir Starmer’s government after months of diplomatic wrangling and protests highlighting security concerns. Residents of the Royal Mint Court site, the location where China is planning to build its embassy, have confirmed they will [...]
Investment trust rejects hedge fund assault ending Saba saga January 20, 2026 Shareholders of a major investment trust have roundly rejected a move by hedge fund tycoon Boaz Weinstein’s Saba to force through a radical shake-up of its leadership and investment philosophy. At a crunch Requisitioned General Meeting, Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (Ewit) investors representing some 93 per cent of shares – excluding those held by Saba [...]
Dispatch from Davos: This is Trump’s town January 20, 2026 President Trump may be yet to touch down, but his presence can be felt everywhere in Davos, writes Zaki Cooper.
High Court showdown over alleged ‘procedural irrationality’ in Gatwick runway £2.2bn approval January 20, 2026 The Secretary of State has been accused of reaching “inherently contradictory and irrational” conclusions by finding Gatwick’s second runway would have a “significant adverse effect” on the climate, the High Court heard this morning. The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, greenlit plans for Gatwick Airport’s second runway, the Northern Runway, in September. This was “the largest [...]
Independent to run London Standard newspaper January 20, 2026 Independent Media is poised to run the digital and commercial operations of the London Standard, little more than a year after the freesheet pared back its print operation to focus on a weekly edition. Staff were informed in a memo circulated on Tuesday that the Lord Evgeny Lebedev-owned Standard was “in the process of negotiating [...]
Boycott 2026 World Cup over Greenland, European countries told January 20, 2026 European countries should consider a boycott of the 2026 World Cup over US president Donald Trump’s attempts to seize Greenland, say senior football figures in Germany and France. The US is set to stage the lion’s share of this summer’s tournament, which it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, including all knockout games from the [...]
Commonwealth Games chiefs defend move from BBC to TNT Sports January 20, 2026 Commonwealth Games chiefs have defended the multi-sport event’s move to TNT Sports, which ended a 70-year partnership with the BBC as chief broadcaster. The state broadcaster had held the rights to the coverage since the 1954 edition, then known as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, in Vancouver. But the BBC’s 18-Games run will come [...]
Andrew Bailey: Muted response to Trump does not bring ‘assurance’ January 20, 2026 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said the “muted” market response to President Trump’s latest tariff threats did not bring any assurance over global financial stability. Bailey on Tuesday morning suggested that President Trump’s tariffs on the UK and major European economies would not be a “trigger” for a financial breakdown. During a Treasury Committee [...]