Trump, the Super Bowl, wokery and sport’s shift to the right February 2, 2025 It might be the same man sitting in The Oval Office, but a lot’s changed since Donald J Trump first presided over a Super Bowl eight years ago. In 2017 America was perilously divided, with a newly-elected Trump in the White House and protest marches taking place on the streets outside it. This tension was [...]
We need a Hippocratic oath for planning rules: First do no harm February 2, 2025 Planning has become so complicated that applications get approved despite the system rather than because of it. If we want growth, we must accept that regulations cannot be used to solve every societal problem, says Gordon Adams To misquote Sir Humphrey, the English planning system has the engine of a lawn mower and the brakes [...]
Warnings Trump tariffs on China and allies risk economic disruption February 1, 2025 New trade penalties against Canada, Mexico and China that US President Donald Trump plans to impose represent an aggressive early move against America’s three largest trading partners – but at the risk of higher inflation and possible disruptions to the global economy. In Trump’s view, the 25 per cent tariffs against the two North American [...]
How does America ‘regulate for growth’? February 1, 2025 Government is not always best placed to get the balance right between protecting the public and reducing burdens on businesses. The US offers a tried-and-tested alternative, says Joshua Flax The news that the Prime Minister and Chancellor recently wrote to regulators asking them to remove obstacles to economic growth raises the question about what “regulating [...]
Microsoft, Meta, Tesla & Apple: What this week’s tech earnings tell us about the AI boom January 31, 2025 Microsoft, Meta, Tesla and Apple kicked off the tech earnings season this week, giving us snapshot of how spending on AI is shaping the tech sector. Here’s what we’ve learnt about the AI boom so far. AI spending shapes the tech sector This week started with the rise of Chinese startup DeepSeek causing headwinds on [...]
Porsche 911 GT3 2025 review: An intense hit of purest Porsche January 31, 2025 An espresso machine is steaming furiously and fresh croissants are arranged on a shelf that doubles as a swan-neck rear spoiler. Morning has broken over the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia and business is brisk at The 9,000rpm Cafe. The 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 launch is underway. The name of Porsche’s pit-garage breakfast bar is [...]
City of London approves major new skyscraper January 31, 2025 The City Corporation has approved a 54-storey skyscraper on the doorstep of UK’s busiest station as demand for office space continues to grow in the capital. The site at 99 Bishopsgate, which will become one of the tallest towers in the Square Mile, is set to provide a minimum of 1.2m sq metres of office [...]
Samsung misses estimates as chip demand dwindles January 31, 2025 Samsung Electronics missed chip profit estimates in its fourth quarter, falling short of market expectations of 3 trillion won (£1.68bn) as competition heightened and demand plateaued. In Friday’s report, Samsung Electronics announced a 22 per cent year over year increase in net profit for its fourth quarter, reaching 7.754tr won (£4.65bn). However, this represented a [...]
FCA sets out plans to open up bond market to retail investors January 31, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out plans to slash “red tape” around the corporate bond market today in a bid to open up the asset class to retail investors and wealth managers. In consultation plans shared with City AM, the watchdog said it would look to coax more listed companies into issuing debt [...]
Microsoft and Meta defend AI spend post DeepSeek shock January 30, 2025 Tech giants Microsoft and Meta both addressed and defended their substantial investments in artificial intelligence (AI), despite recent headwinds. Both firms kicked off the earnings season on Wednesday, just days after Chinese startup DeepSeek broke the internet, as well as the market, on Monday. Its recent global traction followed the release of its new AI [...]