Ukraine shoots down wave of Moscow’s Iranian-made exploding Kamikaze drones January 2, 2023 Russia has deployed exploding drones in another night-time attack on Ukraine, officials said, as the Kremlin pressed its strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure to wear down resistance to its invasion. The barrage was the latest in a series of relentless year-end attacks, including one that killed three civilians on New Year’s Eve. According to the [...]
Retail woes: 47 shops closed EVERY DAY in 2022 amid warning ‘big hitters’ could fall January 2, 2023 The UK’s retail sector had a bruising year in 2022 as more shops closed their doors than at any other point for at least five years. Around 47 sites shut up shop for the last time every day last year, according to new analysis. The Centre for Retail Research found that 17,145 shops on high [...]
New year, same strikes: Post-festive return to work disrupted by more rail walk-outs January 2, 2023 Rail passengers will face fresh travel disruption this week because of strikes by tens of thousands of workers in bitter disputes over pay, jobs and conditions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train operators will stage two 48-hour walkouts from Tuesday and Friday, while drivers in the [...]
‘Ramp up’ arms production to defend Ukraine against the Kremlin, Nato chief says January 1, 2023 Western allies need to “ramp up” arms production in the coming months to ensure Ukraine is kept fully supplied in its war against Russia, the secretary-general of Nato has said. Jens Stoltenberg said the conflict is consuming an “enormous amount” of munitions, amid signs that President Vladimir Putin is digging in for the “long haul”. [...]
Dubai ends 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales January 1, 2023 Dubai has ended its 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales in the sheikhdom and made its required liquor licences free to obtain, ending a long-standing source of revenue for its ruling family to apparently further boost its tourism to the emirate. The sudden New Year’s Day announcement, made by Dubai’s two state-linked alcohol retailers, [...]
Drivers urged to plan ahead for new year journeys as strikes hit highways January 1, 2023 National Highways is urging motorists to plan ahead for journeys in the new year amid another strike by some of its workers as traffic levels return to normal after the Christmas break. Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) are planning a national walkout on January 3 and 4 – the first working [...]
Work and pensions minister quits for ‘personal reasons’ January 1, 2023 Work and pensions minister Baroness Stedman-Scott has stepped down for “personal reasons”, Downing Street has said. Lady Stedman-Scott, 67, has been a minister in the department since 2019, having previously been a Government whip in the House of Lords. She is replaced by Viscount Younger of Leckie, who moves from the whips’ office where he [...]
Next: Fashion chain starts January sales early ahead of update January 1, 2023 Fashion chain Next is set to shine a light on the health of the retail sector in the aftermath of the “crucial” Christmas shopping period. Investors will be closely watching the clothing and homeware giant’s trading update on Thursday for detail on its sales figures over the festive season. In August, chief executive Lord Wolfson [...]
Putin’s forces shell Ukraine as war continues in 2023 January 1, 2023 Ukrainians have had a grim start to 2023, with yet more sirens and fresh missile attacks on their territory, as the death toll from Russia’s massive New Year’s Eve assault across the country climbed to at least three. Night-time shelling that battered parts of the southern city of Kherson killed one person, wounded another and [...]
London house prices: How bad will the crash be in the 2023 recession? January 1, 2023 London house prices are expected to fall this year as interest rates rise and the recession bites – but will it be a small slide or a full-blown crash? Property experts are torn A housing market cooldown is expected in 2023 but prices will remain higher than before the coronavirus pandemic started, experts have suggested. [...]
