Chinese-owned UK chipmaker still awaiting sale after government order March 9, 2026 More than a year after ministers ordered the sale of a Chinese-owned British semiconductor company on national security grounds, the deal has yet to materialise. Glasgow-based Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) remains majority owned by a Chinese state-backed consortium, despite the cabinet office directing investors to divest their stake in November 2024. The company was [...]
Nigel Farage invests in Kwasi Kwarteng-backed Bitcoin treasury business March 9, 2026 Nigel Farage has invested in an Aquis-listed Bitcoin treasury business as the Reform leader doubles down on his commitment to cryptocurrencies. Farage has spent £215,000 to acquire a 6.3 per cent stake in Stack BTC, a small-cap company which says it is “focused on building a portfolio of high-quality, cash-generative businesses alongside a Bitcoin treasury,” [...]
Global markets warned of ‘biggest energy crisis’ in modern history after oil surge March 9, 2026 Global economies are facing warnings over what could the “biggest energy crisis” in modern history after the price of oil breached the $100 mark for the first time since the energy crisis in 2022. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, surged over 25 per cent to highs of $118 per barrel as the week’s [...]
G7 ministers to discuss joint release of emergency oil reserves March 9, 2026 G7 finance ministers are set to discuss a possible joint release of petroleum from reserves coordinated by the International Energy Agency in an emergency meeting on Monday, as they look to tackle surging oil prices amid the conflict in the Gulf. Ministers will hold a call with International Energy Agency’s (IEA) executive director Faith Birol [...]
Crispin Odey set for high-stakes legal showdown with the FCA March 9, 2026 Millionaire fund manager Crispin Odey is set to face the City watchdogs for a three-week trial as he aims to challenge his £1.8m fine and ban from working in the financial services industry. After a series of historical sexual assault allegations that were made against Odey, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) slapped him with a hefty [...]
Small house building firms in ‘existential crisis’ as sales rates plummet March 9, 2026 Falling sales are pushing small and medium-sized (SME) house builders into an “existential crisis” that could threaten the government’s house building ambitions. SME house builders have seen average sales drop by 41 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by estate agents Savills for the Land, Planning and Development Federation (LPDF). The [...]
Hiring intentions at lowest level in nearly 15 years March 8, 2026 British businesses are the most pessimistic about hiring they have been in nearly 15 years, according to consultancy firm BDO. UK bosses are facing difficult hiring decisions as the cost of employment ramps up, with the BDO’s employment index at its weakest reading since March 2011. The index, which reflects hiring intentions, held at 93.30 [...]
Staff bonus up in air as John Lewis tempers expectations March 8, 2026 Many of John Lewis’ more than 70,000 employees will be hoping for some good news next week, as the retail giant will announce whether it will be reinstating its sorely missed staff bonus after years of freezes. The bonus handed out to staff had long been a central part of John Lewis’ brand, as symbolic [...]
Lady Mayor: It’s not right to pretend I’m no different to my male predecessors March 8, 2026 After debuting as London's first 'Lady Mayor', Susan Langley was inundated with emails telling her how she had inspired young girls.
Trump promises to hit Iran very hard, after president vows to never surrender March 7, 2026 US president Donald Trump has vowed to continue hitting the country, after Iran’s president has said his country will never surrender to the US and Israel, but apologised to neighbouring countries for launching strikes on them. Presidnet Masoud Pezeshkian said in a state TV speech broadcast on Saturday: “The enemies must take their wish for [...]