PMQs sketch: Starmer goes on the attack September 13, 2023 It would have been a tall order for Keir Starmer to mess up this week’s shouting match with the prime minister. Few politicos would have had an escaped terror suspect cycling around west London or an alleged Chinese spy in Parliament on their pre-conference bingo cards. And in fairness to the former chief prosecutor, he [...]
China: Economists slash growth forecasts as fears grow for global economy September 12, 2023 China’s economy will grow less than previously thought this year and next as a struggling property market dogs what was once the world’s growth engine, according to a Reuters poll of economists who said the risks were skewed to further downgrades. The world’s second-largest economy has been struggling after a brief post-COVID recovery, dragged by [...]
Westminster’s alleged spy for China says he is ‘completely innocent’ September 11, 2023 The parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of being a spy for China has insisted he is “completely innocent”. The man said he had spent his career highlighting the “challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”. The arrest under the Official Secrets Act led to the Prime Minister confronting Chinese premier Li Qiang at [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets given a lift as hopes rise for Chinese recovery September 11, 2023 A return to inflation will be welcomed by policymakers in the Chinese communist party, who are attempting to reignite growth in China's stumbling economy.
Sunak hits out at Chinese interference after parliament ‘spy’ arrested September 10, 2023 Rishi Sunak said he raised concerns over reports of a Chinese spy in parliament
TikTok: Lawyers hope new data centre can ease privacy fears September 8, 2023 Tiktok has opened a European data centre which lawyers say could quell international privacy fears currently plaguing the app. This week the Chinese video app opened a new data centre based in Dublin as part of an effort to calm European data privacy concerns around the app’s links to China. ‘Project Clover’, as it has [...]
‘India’s son-in-law’: Sunak’s headache projecting Britain abroad while problems mount at home September 8, 2023 It’s the age-old headache for prime ministers, and Rishi Sunak is no different. Overseas trips – full of opportunities to appear statesmanlike, gladhand other world leaders, and represent Britain on the global stage – always seem to come at the worst possible time. At the G7 in Japan earlier this year – possibly jetlagged and [...]
Rishi Sunak at G20 in India with hopes for post Brexit trade deal talks September 8, 2023 Rishi Sunak is set to land in New Delhi for the G20 summit in what No10 called a “historic moment”, amid trade deal negotiations to land an agreement with India. The prime minister, travelling with his wife Akshata Murty, will meet Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks. And officials have not ruled out [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets falls after poor services PMI data raises risk of recession September 5, 2023 By the mid-afternoon, the FTSE 100 was trading around 0.3 per cent higher while the midcap FTSE 250 rose 0.1 per cent.
China: Country Garden avoids default after making interest payments on offshore bonds September 5, 2023 Property developer Country Garden has made interest payments on two US dollar bonds just before a grace period was coming to an end, ensuring it avoided default.