Retailers get festive boost as more people head to shops January 2, 2025 There was an increase in the number of people who headed to the shops in December amid fears retailers face uncertain times after the festive season, analysts say. The 7.1 per cent increase in footfall in December from November is the greatest month-on-month rise since an 8.7 per cent jump was recorded in the same [...]
All eyes on Littler at Ally Pally as last eight looms December 31, 2024 Luke Littler says “all eyes would still be on me” even if title rival Luke Humphries had not been knocked out of the World Championship. Littler became an even heavier favourite to win the tournament after he did what the world number one could not do by reaching the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old [...]
Crispin Odey suing Financial Times for £79m in libel damages, documents show December 30, 2024 Hedge fund manager Crispin Odey is seeking at least £79m in damages from the Financial Times (FT) after suing the publication for libel, documents filed at the High Court show. Odey began legal action against the FT in May over four articles published in 2023, which contained allegations that he had sexually assaulted multiple women. [...]
Retail insolvencies set to surge as Budget bites, experts warn December 30, 2024 A wave of insolvencies could be coming to the retail and hospitality sectors next year as businesses crumble under the tax bill brought on by Labour’s Budget, bosses have warned. Insolvencies and restructuring could rise further over the start of 2025 as firms face increased cost pressures, industry experts have said, with the retail, hospitality [...]
Last orders: Pubs call for action as locals close across the country December 30, 2024 A top pub group has called for “swift and meaningful” reform to business rates today after new figures showed the number of boozers in England and Wales fell below 39,000 for the first time this year. According to official Government statistics, analysed by commercial real estate specialists at Altus Group, 412 pubs were either demolished [...]
Finance bosses optimistic about Labour plans to cut red tape December 30, 2024 A KPMG survey found seven in 10 financial services bosses think the policies will help attract foreign investment into the sector.
King and Queen ‘profoundly saddened’ by South Korea plane crash December 29, 2024 The Prime Minister and the King have paid condolences to loved ones of the 179 people killed in the South Korea plane crash. The Jeju Air passenger plane was carrying 181 people when it skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing [...]
Elon Musk causes uproar by backing German far-right party ahead of key elections December 29, 2024 Germany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month.
Lammy offers condolences after plane crash in South Korea kills at least 177 December 29, 2024 Foreign Secretary David Lammy has paid his “heartfelt condolences” to the people of South Korea and Thailand after a plane crash killed at least 177. The Jeju Air passenger plane was carrying 181 people when it skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into [...]
South Korean plane crash kills 179 December 29, 2024 The deadliest air accident ever in South Korea killed 179 people on Sunday, when an airliner belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew on board, was [...]
