Economy could suffer for eight months after Iran war ends, minister says April 26, 2026 Surging food and energy prices caused by the Iran war could last for more than eight months after the conflict ends, Starmer’s right-hand man has said. Higher petrol, food and plane ticket prices will persist for “eight-plus months” following the end of the conflict, chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said. The minister [...]
WH Smith successor delays ‘aggressive’ restructuring which will shut stores April 26, 2026 The private equity financiers who run nearly 500 former WH Smith stores have delayed announcing an “aggressive” restructuring which could force the closure of up to 100 stores. Modella Capital, the Mayfair equity firm which runs hundreds of the stationer’s former stores, has run into financial difficulties and was due to unveil rescue proposals last [...]
Ka Ying Rising the “best sprinter I’ve seen”, says Ryan Moore April 25, 2026 RYAN Moore won’t be in action on Champions Day in Hong Kong on Sunday, but the leading rider will still be keeping a close eye on the world’s highest-rated horse, Ka Ying Rising. When the David Hayes-trained five-year-old takes to the track the eyes of the racing world are drawn, and the superstar sprinter looks [...]
British Airways forced to downgrade loyalty scheme members after ‘error’ April 25, 2026 British Airways has been forced to downgrade thousand of members of its loyalty scheme, after it parent’s company rewards team incorrectly told passengers they could keep their gold or silver tier status. The error, which IAG Loyalty pinned on a “technical issues”, comes as shake-up of the scheme is becoming disruptive for the thousands of [...]
Spare us Zack Polanski and Zohran Mamdani’s empty progressivism April 25, 2026 Mamdani’s victory in New York proves it’s time to take Zack Polanski and the Green Party seriously. That means recognising how much their policy platform depends on wishful thinking and fantasy economics, says Eliot Wilson Harold Wilson, perhaps Labour’s wiliest Prime Minister, supposedly coined the phrase “a week is a long time in politics”. It [...]
Romantic Warrior can make history in FWD QEII Cup April 24, 2026 ALL EYES of the racing world will be focused on Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday, as two of the highest-rated horses in the world Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior step out on to the turf for FWD Champions Day. It is guaranteed that the fan clubs of both legendary gallopers will be [...]
Jan’s the Man in competitive FWD Champions Mile April 24, 2026 SUNDAY’s £2.25M G1 FWD Champions Mile (8.45am) is an intriguing puzzle to solve with little to choose between the main contenders, when judged on international ratings. Hong Kong has been spoilt for choice in recent years with a host of all-time greats, such as Able Friend, Beauty Generation, Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble [...]
Motor finance trade body gears up for legal challenge to £9bn redress April 24, 2026 The motor finance industry’s trade body is mulling lodging a legal battle against the UK financial watchdog‘s £9bn redress scheme. The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), which counts Santander and the financial arms of BMW and Volkswagen among its members, is reported to be leaning towards challenging the City regulator’s scheme. Members of the body [...]
Intel hails highest share price in decade as earnings smash forecasts April 24, 2026 Intel shares jumped as much as 24.4 per cent on Friday after the chipmaker delivered a strong earnings beat and upbeat outlook, raising hopes of a sustained turnaround. The stock surged in early trading after already climbing more than 20 per cent in after-hours moves, putting it on track for one of its biggest one-day [...]
Saracens hit out at disjointed rugby calendar amid £9m loss April 24, 2026 Saracens have hit out at the disjointed rugby calendar after the London club made losses of £9m last season. The side, who finished sixth last year and missed out on the semi-finals, used their accounts to criticise rugby’s domestic calendar, which features huge spells without matches to ensure that players can play international rugby and [...]